The tea behind our Wooden Surfboards

There’s something about a wooden surfboard that makes you stop for a second look. The grain, the curves, the way the timber catches the light. Then comes the question we hear all the time: “Can you actually surf it?”

You sure can. And that’s where the fun starts.

Timber has been part of surfing since its earliest days in Polynesia and Hawaii.

 While board design and building methods have come a long way, the appeal is still easy to understand.

Beautiful timber, a good shape and a few waves lined up out the back.

At Bywater Surf, we carry a little of that history into our hollow wooden surfboards. Each board comes together piece by piece, with its own mix of grain, colour and character. You can follow the same design, but no two will ever look quite alike.

Building one yourself adds a whole other level to it.

Our four-day wooden surfboard workshops in Brisbane give you the chance to get on the tools and make your own board, with Stuart guiding you through the process. You don’t need woodworking experience. Just a willingness to learn, get a bit dusty and enjoy seeing what you can make.

There’s plenty of shaping, sanding, chatting and standing back to check out how it’s coming along. Somewhere along the way, the loose timber starts looking like a surfboard. Your surfboard.

It’s a pretty good way to spend four days. Working with your hands, learning a few skills and swapping everyday distractions for timber shavings and good company. Come on your own, bring your partner or round up a mate and build alongside each other.

Then there’s that first surf.

After spending hours getting to know every curve and timber strip, paddling out on a board you’ve made yourself feels pretty special. Catch a wave and there’s a fair chance you’ll be grinning all the way in.

And yes, expect a few questions on the beach. Handcrafted wooden surfboards tend to start conversations. Being able to say, “Cheers, I built it,” never really gets old.

That’s what keeps us doing what we do at Bywater Surf. Good timber, hands-on making and boards built to get salty.

Keen to make your own? Explore our wooden surfboard workshops in Brisbane and come spend a few days in the shed with us.