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In this episode I chat with Beau Armstrong from Armstrong Surfboards. I was travelling home from Queensland when I stopped into the Bennett Surfboard showroom and was greeted by a young man behind the counter, Beau.  We chatted briefly and I discovered he made surfboards.  I told him I would check out his social media and headed off down the road. As I drove the many hours back to Victoria, I thought a lot about how I observed the surfboard industry and wondered what draws younger people into the industry these days.  In my experience the surfboard is the same everywhere, however it also has its differences. Beau is a young man in his mid-teens that was looking for a new challenge.  As he travelled home from a family holiday, Beau started researching surfboard shaping.  After many hours of watching YouTube clips and dissecting what information he could from the videos, he purchased a surfboard blank and proceeded to hack at it in his front yard.  Beau had been bitten by the surfboard bug and his journey had started.   I was keen to hear how his journey into the surfboard industry was going, what attracted him to surfboards as well as what his future plans are.  It turns out Beau has been fortunate enough to meet great people in the Sydney surfboard industry, and they have provided him with an invaluable education. I am really excited to kick off the year chatting with Beau as it represents fresh starts and big opportunities.   I really hope you enjoy our conversation... Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode, Luke Howarth from Howie shapes and I discuss the subtleties of a surfboard foil or profile.  The distribution of foam in a surfboard is often overlooked but it can have a big impact on how your board performs. We chat about the evolution of foil in a surfboard and how it relates to the different styles of boards.  I ask Luke about what he thinks of 'swing weight' which is a term commonly used in discussing bigger boards and explain why I prefer to focus on 'momentum'. You cannot talk about surfboard foils without discussing the various deck designs available such as s decks, single concave and double concave decks as well as the Greg Webber 'Crinkle cut' design that melted social media. Ultimately, we end up discussing flex and who we see as the shapers pushing the boundaries.  Flex is difficult to measure in a surfboard and how we want the board to flex for optimum performance changes for different waves.  Luke shares his experiences with stringerless EPS boards, his research and development process and how he applies carbon on them. Surfboard foil is not talked about enough but hopefully our chat will stimulate some further discussion. Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode I chat with Scott James from SJS Custom. Scott first appeared on my radar through social media.  The boards he was creating and the way he was presenting them really stood out amongst the many. It piqued my interest.  I was keen to chat with Scott to hear more about his back story and it did not disappoint.  Scott grew up in the town of Dunedin on the very south coast of New Zealand.  He told me how he fell in love with the curves of a surfboard and sought out the local craftsman to learn. Sourcing surfboard materials was difficult and the idea of making surfboards a career was more like a dream.  Scott pursued a trade and ignored his love for making surfboards for more than two decades. Then... Scott made some big life changes, including moving to the Gold Coast of Australia.  The passion for making surfboards had become too much and he made it his career.   I really enjoyed my conversation with Scott as he is a one-man operation and works hard to refine his craft.  His attention to detail and willingness to try different things or take risks is very familiar to me. A sliding doors moment led Scott to find a solution to a design idea that had been formulating in his brain.  The way in which he could apply vee and various combinations of concave was now clear to him... the 'Scoop' bottom was created. In addition to making custom surfboards for customers Scott also hosts people who wish to make their own surfboard or refine their surfboard making skills.  Please note we did experience some minor internet difficulties, but I am sure you will still enjoy our chat. Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode I catch up with Gary McNeill from Gary McNeill Concepts. I first met Gary when I was working on the Gold Coast nearly 20 years ago.  From the very first meeting I found him to be friendly, dedicated, talented and a real individual pursuing his own path. Gary grew up surfing competitively, but a few changes in life would motivate him to move from Wollongong to the Gold Coast.  He started working for Nev surfboards.  Soon after starting work, he was promoted to production manager at a time when Nev was one of the biggest surfboard brands in Australia. In the years that followed, Gary would be poached by DHD and JS before deciding to focus on his own surfboard brand.  After a couple of decades surrounded by high performance surfboards, Gary wanted something different.  His first step was joining the Formula Energy surfboard family until he decided he wanted 100% control of his surfboards. It took two years of research and development with the highly talented Dave Rastovich to establish his surfboard range.  It was during this time that Gary and Dave explored the Taurus channel, a design so good that Gary cannot believe more people are not doing them.  Gary continues to design without constraints and is always producing something new like the 'Frankenfish'. Gary provides a bit of information from behind the scenes of STAB's - Electric Acid Surfboard Test, his journey with flax cloth as well as a few tips and tricks on how to use it best. I hope you enjoy my chat with Gary McNeill.   Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode we catch up with Damien Cole, former CEO of Varuna surfboards. The surfboard industry is a fickle beast; it owes nobody anything and we are regularly reminded of this.  Earlier this year Varuna surfboards closed its doors for the last time.  Varuna surfboards was a new type of wooden construction with a focus on reducing the environmental impact as well as improving the lives of Indonesians who had experienced large scale deforestation. It was great to catch up with 'Damo' and discuss his colorful journey over the last several years.  You see, Damo was not your typical CEO that exists in a world of buzz words and networking soirees.  Damo is grass roots. After embarking on a career in the mines, he pivoted into environmental science, which subsequently led to him putting his hand up as an independent candidate in the local state election.  If that was not taxing enough, he agreed to become an organiser in the 'Fight for the Bight' campaign - a movement against oil drilling exploration in the southern waters of Australia. Damo experienced two severe brain injuries over the last few years.  He talks about going through some tough times and dark moments in his recovery.  His resilience is only matched by his intelligence, and I have nothing but respect for what he has achieved.  Unfortunately, the timing of his last head injury could not have come at a worst time and the realisation of how big a task Varuna was, had become clear... it was time to call it a day. I really hope you enjoy our chat. Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode I chat with Sergio Gomez from Gomez surfboards. Sergio grew up on the coast of Argentina.  The town was rather large, but surfing was considered counterculture and there were only two surf shops.  Sergio fell in love with surfing and on one occasion when his board was being repaired, he borrowed his friend's brother's board. The board went amazing!  It was like no other board he had ever ridden, and he took up the challenge to find out why?  Sergio learnt how to shape, glass and sand surfboards and as a young adult began to travel.  He searched for the waves he had seen in the magazines and happily discovered it coincided with local surfboard industries. Many years have passed, and many surfing destinations have been crossed off his list.  Sergio is currently residing on the west coast of Victoria and shapes all types of surfboards.  During our conversation Sergio talked about various construction types he has explored and his interest in the pursuit of more sustainable materials. Speaking with Sergio, it's clear he is a very creative person and the decision to create a book about surfboard design is less surprising.  The result is over 300 pages of a rich photographic gallery with surfboard design presented in an easy way to understand. The book is called ' Shape Shifter' and I would encourage you to grab a copy, you will not be disappointed. I hope you enjoy my chat with Sergio Gomez. Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode I chat with Dylan Perese from DP surfboards and inventor of the soon to be released 'Leashbar'. Dylan caught the bug for shaping in his early teens and instantly knew this was what he wanted to do.  A couple of years later he left school to focus on surfboards and never looked back. A member of a thriving surf community south of Sydney as well as an opportunity to work with Graham King was all he needed to establish himself a solid reputation for making great boards.  Speaking with Dylan it is clear he is very determined, meticulous and business savvy. I caught up with Dylan after he recently consolidated his glassing factory and showroom to a new space in Bulli.  Any praise he receives for the quality of his boards is quickly shared with his team with whom he has great respect. Dylan is also the creator of the soon to be released 'Leashbar'.  A new type of leg rope plug that allows the user to attach their leg rope to the board using the rail saver and eliminate the need for a string.  I predict this will be a game changer for the surfboard industry. I hope you enjoy my chat with Dylan Perese.   Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode, I chat with Daniel Hawes from Shapers Collective, New Zealand. Howie and I recently discussed the feedback we received about the difficulties currently facing shapers around the world.  Shortly after hearing our chat, Daniel reached out to share a business model he is implementing.  An Australian expat living in a town named Mangawhai, tucked right up in the north of New Zealand.  After establishing Small Kine Ding Repairs many years ago, it was uncommon for him to come across New Zealand shaped surfboards in his factory.  Daniel had crossed paths with many shapers in New Zealand and heard about many more.  He explained to me how many of the local shapers are not supported by the surf shop boutiques and instead carve out a living doing custom orders.  Daniel was motivated and felt compelled to try and promote local shapers.  It wasn't long before he found himself evaluating space in his factory and deciding to build a retail space. The new showroom would be named the Shapers Collective NZ and instead of the traditional surf shop business model, Daniel came up with the idea to charge a one-off fee for a rack space.  This fee would subsidize his rent, and the shaper could curate and manage the rack space. His idea quickly expanded to include local manufacturers and owners of fins surfboard wax, board bag and more.  Daniel wanted to support as many local New Zealand surf industry businesses as he could.  His passion for surfing and pride in locally made is undeniable. There are many twists and turns ahead for Daniel establishing Shapers Collective NZ but we certainly wish him all the best. Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode, I chat with Wayne Roach from Roach Approach surfboards. Wayne's story is a classic tale about a boy that fell in love with surfing at a young age and developed a passion for surfboards.  Wayne or 'Roachy' as he is more commonly known, was a product of the bustling surf industry in Cronulla during the 70's and 80's. Roachy worked under multiple brands including Jackson, Southern Comfort, and Force 9 before jetting around the world to shape.   An avid surfboard designer who played a big part in the creation of the four fin surfboard.  During this time Roachy was competing at a high level and would work with some of the great surfers in history.  He finally established his own brand - Roach Approach in the 90's.  Roachy moved to Torquay in the early 2000's and it was there that he attained one of his greatest desires and win an Australian title. Throughout our conversation Roachy was keen to point out the many people that have contributed to his rich and colourful life.  He is still enthusiastic about shaping boards and told me he is travelling to remote Indonesia this year for a surf trip. Please note, I recorded this chat a year ago but unfortunately have been pressed for time.  At the time Bennet Foam had recently closed.  I hope you enjoy my chat with Wanye Roach! Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode, Luke 'Howie' Howarth and I discuss the alluring and sexiest design aspect of a surfboard... Rails.  Rails come in all shapes and sizes to best satisfy the shaper's accompanying design ideas.  The perfect rail is different for different styles of surfboards.  We discuss some of the shaper's rails that we like as well as what makes a bad rail in our opinion. I throw a few different rail designs at Luke to get his ideas as well as give an insight into deck channels or ' love handles' and what I learnt from master craftsman = William 'Stretch' Riedel. We did try to restrict the amount of jargon used when discussing rails but they are very personal and we rely on adjectives to try to paint a picture for listeners. We hope you enjoy our chat and please be sure to like and subscribe to show your support. Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode we speak with Dan Thomson from Tomo Surfboards. Dan is arguably the most creative surfboard designer of the last 20 years.  The art of surfboard shaping and designing was handed down from his father, Mark Thomson.  Dan and his father would discuss all aspects of hydrodynamic theory to improve their understanding of real surfboard design. In the mid 2000's Dan moved to America after a chance encounter that led to him riding a selection of 'fish' boards from some of the industry's best.  Around the same time Dan was thinking a lot about the 'Golden Rule' or Fibonacci sequence and how it could be applied it to his surfboard designs.  It wasn't long before this way of designing boards made complete sense to him and the idea of what surfboards may look like in the future became clear. The result was a series of boards such as the Vanguard, Deathstar and Vader.  Dan's creativity over the next 10-15 years was some of the most prolific in surfboard history.  If you look at his various model in his range, nearly every board is unique with its own purpose. When Dan teamed up with Firewire the racks in surf shops seemed to change overnight and looked very different with an array of plan shapes, rockers, concaves and channels.  I was really excited to speak with Dan as his unique board designs and creativity is an inspiration to me, as I am sure it is to others.     Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode Christian and I talk to Sam Griffiths. Sam is a passionate surfer who pursued a career in the surf industry.  He started his time in the industry at Rip Curl on the back of his love for surfboards and spent time developing their board program. When the opportunity to be a team manager a Quiksilver presented itself, he jumped on it.  It was a great career choice for a person who is very personable and has a desire to help others succeed.  He held that role for many years before being promoted to a marketing manager role.   Professional surfing has taken many twists and turns since the middle of 2023.  The value of professional surfing has been reevaluated and the value of professional surfers is also under the microscope.  Many surfers have had their contracts terminated or reduced. This was a great insight into what aspiring surfers should focus on, the support major brands can supply and is 'Force de majeure' still a part of athlete's contracts post 'COVID'?. Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

After a long wait, The Dust Up is back for 2024!  We kick things off chatting with a truly fantastic shaper and designer - Nev Hyman. Nev describes himself as a 'Ranga from Perth' in a jovial way, but the truth is he has been heavily involved in the development of surfboard design as well as pursuing future surfboard production methods. Nev has always attracted the most talented surfers on his team as well as shaping for the best surfers in the world.  His passion for surfboard design in undeniable and there were plenty of challenges to overcome on his journey.  An integral part of developing what the industry recognizes as shaping machines, a momentary participant in BASE as well as being responsible for the creation of Firewire Surfboards. Nev has been shaping boards for over five decades and has loads of stories and experiences that he openly shares in our chat.  In recent times Nev is helping to set up the Burleigh Board Builders and implementing a new surfboard business model. Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this episode we explore Technique vs. Equipment with Brad Gerlach from Wave Ki. Brad competed at the highest level and reached number one in the world.  His smooth Californian style did not all come naturally and with some advice from his Olympic diving father, they explored body dynamics in surfing. Fast forward a couple of decades, Brad has created Wave Ki to assist others improve their surfing. We have all experienced riding boards that 'felt right' and improved our surfing as well as riding boards that 'felt wrong', like they were restricting our surfing.   Were we just having a bad day, a bad surf or is it the first step in understanding our equipment? Surfing is a combination of waves, equipment, fitness and technique. If you improve your technique, you can evaluate your equipment so much better and begin to identify exactly what surfboard design aspects work best for your surfing.  We all have different body shapes and fitness levels which dictate the dimensions of a surfboard, this is separate to the design.   Our chat with Brad is accompanied by highly talented surfer, Kyuss King as well as Jack Walchesson from Surf Body Rebuild.  Kyuss recently started working with Brad to mount a campaign to compete on the world tour.   Jack was a successful ice hockey player with a passion for surfing.   After a career in the high collision sport of ice hockey, Jack is sharing what he has learnt in his career as well as his studies in Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist (FRCms) and a Kinstretch Instructor.  Jack  specializes in helping surfers eliminate pain, tightness and stiffness in their joints. Enjoy...   Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.

In this quick episode Christian 'Priddo' Pritchett and I let John 'Robbo' Robertson out of the basement to hear what he has discovered about the WSL's final five for 2023. Never mind the fact that they wont replace Ethan Ewing if he is injured, we explain how the system needs a slight tweak to ensure the world's best surfers can compete to the world title on finals day.   This is the first year where this rule has disadvantaged a surfer, costing him even more then the world title but also a shot at a gold medal in the 2024 Olympics.   Have a listen and see what you think... Send us a text Support the show Check out the stories on our Instagram home page for photos to accompany each episode. @the_dust_up_podcast We hope you enjoyed our conversation. Be sure to rate and review our podcast as well as subscribe.