Old Mal Love

Here are a couple of pics Andrew Carruthers took of me riding in the Old Mal division at Noosa last year. The waves were super fun the last couple of days of the event. I can remember trying to get some cover-ups and sticking my leg in the water to try and slow the Old Mal down. I had a ball.

I haven't ridden my Old Mal for ages. And it was a little strange going up to Noosa for the Festival of Surfing and not competing in the Old Mals this year. To me there's something inherently beautiful about these period boards (I particularly like the boards right on the cusp before they went short). I love the way they embed themselves into the wave, how the water wraps around the bottom roll and soft rails, being sucked to and feeling the wave - moving at wave speed, and then rolling into and out of turns.

When I first rode my '67 Peter Clarke Stringerless, I distinctly recall trying to break trim and turn, leaning over and falling off the side while the board continued straight. That was my first lesson - humility. These boards command respect and surrender. You can't overpower them.

I've been riding a lot of other boards these days and having a ball, but for a while (probably 5-6 years) I rode my Old Mal all the time. Sometimes I see the Old Mal resting in the shed and feel a twinge of longing... seeing it always brings back fond memories. And when I do get a chance to paddle it out after a long break it feels like I'm being re-united with an old friend.

Solitude

Solitude from Nathan Oldfield on Vimeo.

New Vector for Ho'okupu

A new Vector I dropped off at Ho'okupu on the way to Noosa recently. If your heading to Byron Bay stop in and check it out.

70's Twin

Sweet 1970's Twin fin by Paul Joske. I discovered this board in the back room the other week and took it up to the fish fry with me.

Back from Noosa

Back to work today after a week and half at Noosa via the Gold Coast to attend the Fish Fry and pick up materials. The swell was relentless... head high or larger peelers every day. And the sand at low tide Noosa reminded me a little of the Gold Coast super bank - you can walk from first point out past Jonsons along the sand.

Had about 20 boards packed up in my dad's Van and surfed myself silly for a week straight with Brett and Jack. This year I decided to not compete and just take it easy and free surf. I'm glad I did as the waves were cracking for the fish. Happy Days.

The lineup at First Point on the weekend.

Jack took out the Junior division this year. Good on you bro.

Up top is Old Mal Maestro and Single Fin lover Isaac Fields.

Anna-lisa and Keith up top and below Brett eating Le Monde pancakes while I look on in envy.

One of the highlights of Noosa - Massimo's ice-cream.

Meeting the Parmenters and Noosa

I was very fortunate yesterday to get a visit from Dave and Claudia Parmenter. Dad and I showed them through the factory and then we checked out some boards together.

I'm a real fan of Dave's shaping, writing and surfing.

This morning I snuck away from the factory and surfed an uncrowded beachbreak with Mark Sutherland and Dave. Sutho had his new "Aleutian Juice" Parmenter Widowmaker and Dave was riding a lovely six channel single fin.

This arvo I packed up Dad's Van full of fishes, logs, Vectors, Alaia's and an old mal to head away for a week. On Sunday I'll go to the Fish Fry at Currumbin, then I'm heading up to Noosa for a week. Happy Days.

I won't get a chance to blog for about a week but rest assured I'll be back blogging as soon I'm back.

Dave, Claudia and Dad

Dave checking out the Vector

Dave, Hot Curl, Dad and myself.

Tom has a Vice

Tom Schmidt with his new Vice.

I hope your getting some sweet waves bro.

Logging on Dusk

The most pleasant way I know to end the day.

Pics: Angela Raab

Man of Many Talents

Brett Caller - rider of many surf crafts, Valla teamrider and a good friend. Check out his blog here.

Pic: Angela Raab

Heading out the Pass with Jack

Pic: Keith Novosel

A Kid Called Jack

Jack Lynch - Valla teamrider and my buddy. Check his blog out here.

So Yesterday after school.
I went to the Factory to pick up my new Log.
9'7 x 24 x 2 3/4
Its Epoxy EPS and is a design that Sage and I worked on.
Here are photographs of the board and I and also Mac Rae's new log.

Valla variety

3 surfers 10 boards 1 pointbreak from Tom Woods on Vimeo.


This little clip is of the Valla surfboard team putting their quivers to good use at Crescent Head a few week back.
I shot stills this day as well, you can see the gallery HERE
ST Images

Woodwork

As dad ages he seems to be drawn more and more to wood. He's semi-retired now but you'll often find him pitter-pottering around the factory.

Here he is working some Paulownia on the band-saw.

Pics Angela Raab

Dust, Fumes & Fun

Spent some long days in the factory Monday and Tuesday, knocking off 7:30 Monday night and 8:30 Tuesday night. For a few reasons - firstly I have a lot of work on, secondly its been windy and rainy so it sort of feels good hooking into my work at the factory and thirdly I'm taking a week off work soon to go to the Fish Fry at Currumbin then afterwards the Noosa Festival of Surfing.

Above work pics: Angela Raab

Dan on the West Coast

A couple pics of Dan Walters on his Valla shorty shaped by Paul Joske a few years back.

So on Saturday afternoon I came down to the Factory.

To visit Sage and have look at my new log.

Here are some photographs of my log and some freshly shaped boards.