Blind Dog Surf Boards

Sunset Beach 2011 Turtle Watch Season

2012-01-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

This just in:

"The 2011 Sea Turtle Season has come to a close. We are happy to report Little Friends nest was among the 12 successful nests producing 1,092 hatchlings, averaging 91 hatchlings per nest. Two nests were lost to Hurricane Irene and there 12 false crawls."

While surfing out at Sunset Beach, we've seen a few really big Logger Heads pass under or surface near us, Scary as poop first time, but really cool when they just swim by. It's their ocean and we're just visitors and SB Turtle Watch group is there protector while they too visit our/your beach.

All pictures on this page came from Sunset Beach Sea Turtle organization . For more information, please visit their site.

Thanks,
Dan and Tom

9'6" Evolution Nose Rider Building

2012-01-21T18:01:00.000-08:00

Started this one for a friend. Cedar and Spruce right now, haven't figured out nose and tail block wood TBD as they say in some fields.

Stating at top left I'm cutting stock for bottom deck, light weight Cedar. Next is getting Spar into shape after rough band saw cutting. I like using an 18" hand plane to get a nice curve but that smaller one is good for hogging out wood.

Next ribs are placed for spacing and then final sanding of bottom decks before last glue up to join them. Ribs to Spar to stringers. Nose and tail plates are placed for location and measuring that all is dead on in spacing before gluing.

Ribs 1, 3 and 4 are checked for depth of concave in nose section. Glue up of bottom Deck to Ribs, then it gets repositioned to glue concave to ribs.

Lots of clamps to hold first Rail while being glued.

Tell us where this is and we'll send you our Blind Dog T-shirt

2012-01-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

Well,...How about Lake Superior ? Amazing isn't it. Some darn nice waves.

Drop an email to BlindDogSurfboards@yahoo.com

Dustin...don't bother :)

Well it's end of 2011

2011-12-31T18:28:00.000-08:00

Honestly, been a good year for us. We've sold few boards, which is fine, and met many new people. Did some radical wood working to get more shape into our boards, built few cool fins and just had a great year.

We're getting hits from all over this world. Places like:
Pirmasens Germany
Lahore Pakistan
Épône, France
New Delhi India
Aarhus Denmark
and few spots here in our country: Talahassee and Saint Paul

So drop us an email and tell us where you surf.

Dan and Tom
BlindDogsurfboards@yahoo.com

Bird Rescue Lady - Mary Ellen Brunswick County NC

2011-12-18T16:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.seabiscuitshelter.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sea-Buscuit-Shelter/111697172200110

Update 12/19/11 (evening)

Your loon died this morning. I checked on it at 7 am and it was upright and blinked at me. At 7:30 it was dead. I suspect lead poisoning. It was an otherwise healthy, well muscled bird...just hadn't eaten in a day or two. No injuries either. If it had ingested a lead head type of lure ( happens a lot) he'd die in 48 hours.

Funny thing is: if he were shot with lead shot, he might live his normal life span but lead in the digestive tract is doom for them.

To live is to die, we all share those two experiences. What makes us all different is the time in between. This poor bird was heading some where and ended up some where completely different.
You and your family have a great holiday season.

Dan and Tom

Update 12/19/11 (early morning)

From Marry Ellen:

He weighed in at 8.8 lbs. The greenish look of his poop indicates bile...nothing in his gut so he's probably hungry and dehydrated. But the overall condition looks very good. These critters are difficult to rehab...stress can kill them.

I put your loon in a cushioned, heated kennel so he'd rest without any stress for a few hours. I checked him tonight and he's bright, alert and responsive. When I have a volunteer helper here in the morning, he'll be thoroughly examined. I will put him in a 6' livestock trough in 6-8 inches of warm water with a few fish. f he doesn't eat, I'll tube feed him.

12/18/11

Those of you living here, put this number in your cell phone under Bird Rescue: 910 294 2555 Mary Ellen.

Twice this year I called Mary Ellen to help with bird rescue. First time was few months ago with a Pelecan that looked like it had broken wings, there is a know fisherman and crew who routinely break Pelecan wings because they get too close to there nets. I truly hope some day I see them doing this, Tom and I will really take care of them.

Second time was today. Chelsea (our dog) and I went back down to let her run and for me to check out the surf. Almost at the end of Tubbs Inlet was a bird that wasn't moving. Chelsea ran up to it and the bird was not letting Chelsea near her: it was a Loon, in Winter plumage. Never realized how big that bird is, proably around 10 pounds. It seem uninjuried but I called Mary Ellen and we agreed to meet near Shallotte.

Now a 23 pound surfboard is easy to carry, a 10 pound Loon who has very sharp serrated beak is another animal all together. Very soft neck and body, kind of cool to hold something like that in your arms.

Well the critter is safe with Mary Ellen and we're waiting to hear it's prognosses.

First picture is on the beach, second is in my Volvo heading to meet Mary Ellen:

Sunset River Marketplace Art Gallery

2011-12-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: December 29. Ginny at Sunset River Marketplace move our Fish to new, more visible location in her shop. If you look in the mirror...who do you see? :)

December 10

Just put one of Dan's boards at a very special art gallery. They specialize in artists of North and South Carolina - keeping it local - nice way to do business. We are very proud to have been asked to be part of their offering of fine art.

If you're passing through our area, they are very easy to find. http://www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com/

Good longboarding videos.

2011-11-23T18:47:00.000-08:00

Not often one can find good longboarding video's on YouTube so check our Mike Clancy's body of work.

Making wood fins - Hatchet style

2011-11-20T17:29:00.000-08:00

We've been using 9" Hatchet style fins for some time and really like the way they hold and allow for easy turning. Dan came across a 10.5" Hatchet and it works even better. Certainly there has to be some draw backs, probably too much bite for really swinging turns...don't know right now. Anyway, boredom struck and he started going through his wood pile.
Around 1985 he found a downed Sycamore tree, in a swamp that showed good potential for Spalting to develop. Spalting creates random black lines in wood. Rather rare, even more rare is to get large pieces and not to have the wood too decayed. Dan used pieces in furniture, drawer fronts and in places that would show off the beauty of Spalting wood.
So boredom, helped create some new fins for us to play with.

Rough Sycamore log

Inside with not much left to work with.

Scrap piece with nice figuring...something for the future

Putting on fin box blocks

Each fin has two layers of 4 oz with epoxy. Two more layers for fin box/wood joint.

Just finished three of these. Gave the best one to Tom, I have one and one for ??? We're hoping for surf to play with these tomorrow.

Chris Crocker - December 4, 1973 -- November 5, 2011

2011-11-13T13:52:00.000-08:00

On Sunday afternoon, Amy Crocker called to tell us Chris passed away on Saturday. He had a heart attack.

Now Chris is truly the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. He was a great father to Brittney and Jake, and loving husband to Amy. He was always kind to everyone, even if he didn't agree with their politics. At the beach, he often took a good handful of Jake's friends with him surfing - was like father duck leading his flock to water.

Chris was the kind of surfer who would go out in any of kind surf, I've seen him take off on waves that were impassable yet he'd surf it well. Of course Jake would be ripping up whatever came in. Chris could shape boards and recently finished one for Jake. He loved to hunt, fish, clam, just about anything outdoors. Last year he stopped over with good 20 pounds of clams from our area. Darn good eating.

Last few weeks Chris didn't feel well but just ignored traditional heart attack warning signs. Last Friday night, after going out to dinner with his family, he felt worse. On Saturday conditions were getting worse and Amy took him to emergency center at our local hospital. Chris died on the way there.

There were many good reasons for Chris to have lived to an old age but few for him to have died so early. Yet one comes to mind, us men can be stupidly stubborn humans and we think we are invincible. We are afraid to admit we have to ask for help like having to go to doctors, and we think we are super human. I know, there is a fine line between always asking for help or ignoring situations. I think that if someone says you need to see a doctor, then the symptoms must be showing enough for others to worry. So pay attention to what people say about your health.

Today we had a Paddle Out for Chris. In true Hawaiian tradition, his friends came from far and wide to pay there respects in our unique way. Eastern Surfing Association, our Southern NC chapter, folks came also: Mary Ann Mangiacapre, Amy Rose, and Jesse McCrery, thanks for coming down, along with a whole bunch of fellow surfers. Our weather was absolutely perfect. This was a perfect way to say good bye to Chris.

Here's photos from today. I'll edit some video and add it later.
Dan and Tom

Jake next to Chris's board

Chris's fellow surfers

"Preacher" Terry saying few words before we paddle out. ( Rev. Dr. Terry Hans Johnson, Retired (PCUSA))

We all put flowers on Chris's board.

Most of us told our favorite story about Chris, with Terry, Jake and Chris's board in the center.

After each story about Chris, we splashed water and shouted his name. At the end, Preacher Terry gave a very nice prayer for Chris.

Everyone heading in.

Jake taking a wave in.

Today's sunset from home. Like to think this was Chris's way of saying 'thanks for today'. Terry sent first sunset taken at Ocean Isle Beach is evening.

7'5" Fish

2011-10-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

Finished shaping this Walnut, Spruce, Cedar Fish. Going to be glassed with 4 oz on bottom and two 4 oz on top, with epoxy. Fins are Walnut. Probably come in around 11 pounds. Going to glass it shortly. If you're interested, give us an email.

Southport, NC Wooden Boat Show 2011

2011-10-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

Fun day. Kind of warm but Fall is approaching and, well it'll start getting cold soon. Down here we measure the season but wetsuit specs: It's a 3/2 day or 5/4/3 and hood - gloves- booties day. So this one was rash guard and trunks kind of day. Tom sold two wall hangers and Charlie came over to pick up my Old Dog, pic of him using it below.

Thursday October 6 2011

2011-10-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

And you'll never guess where this local spot is

A Board For Myself

2011-10-05T17:21:00.000-07:00

Hybrid Nose Rider is done. Now just need some waves to test drive her. Click on images to enlarge them.

Well my last 'personal stick' is gone and riding a Surftec 10'6" glider just doesn't cut it. Charlie got my personal stick, so time to make one for myself. It's a nose rider, 4" rear rocker and 2.5-3" front rocker. Concave under nose that tapers to a shallow V towards tail. Rails are pinched up from bottom deck and tapered quickly down on top. Since there is no way to put a 1/4" sq chine around the ribs, it is replaced with two 1/4" upper rib braces near center spar. PITA to get it all lined up to avoid frame warping. Also, try to get 3/16" decking to bend into concave - not easy. Ended up using a chair seat plane I made years ago for set of Windsor Chairs.

Our regular wood boards use 3/4" rail (3 of them) that start at bottom deck and go up along the ribs. This one, because of how pinched the rails are, takes 4 rails to make the same bend. Some make large fat noses, I'm staying with our traditional round that is slightly smaller. I think it makes for easier wave catching in hard off-shore windy days. Bottom deck is book matched spruce and top is western cedar and spruce. I've been saving a really sweet set of spruce that has red fungus/mineral stains in it. Looks very interesting. Hope to glass next week.

Charlie on his new, used Longboard Dog

2011-09-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

As Charlie said, "somewhere slightly north of Topsail Beach, NC." Taken 9-26-2011

Our Obi-Wan Kenobi - Dennis Hansen

2011-09-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

Dan, Dennis, and Tom

Dennis taught us how to build wooden surfboards. He put up with our endless questions about how to bend a particular strip of wood, funny little tweeks that give just the right kind of planking tightness, rail designs, stuff that is impossible from just reading.

He was heading to Outer Banks and traveling with his girlfriend, and really sweet Pit Bull (yeah I know...but I must say, this one, a rescue dog, was just really sweet). Dennis said he would like to hook up with us and did, over at OIB Surf Off today. We took him over to Tubbs Inlet from Sunset Beach side for a session. He rode Tom's foam Nose Rider, Tom and I woodies. While the surf wasn't great, we did get some long rides and saw lots of Blues (fish) running under us. Problem was we couldn't see what was chasing them, nor did we really want to see/know what was down there.

Just getting out from session at Tubbs Inlet.

Dennis talking about
board building.
Dennis showing us proper rail layout for his new nose rider design. Rather complicated and Dennis said it really changes how to foil for nose riding.

Ocean Isle Beach Surf Contest 9-11-11

2011-09-11T16:21:00.001-07:00

Tom surfing his Blind Dog foam, Nose Rider with an FCS Hatchett Fin. Was a small, off-shore, glassy morning. Tom took Second in his group, Masters Long Board.

Dan on 9'8" Blind Dog woody Long Board. He also uses the same Hatchett fin. Seems to give just enough looseness and yet still bite for nose riding. He took second in Legends Long Board.

Tom and Ethan with Hurrican Irene 8-26-11

2011-08-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Tom on his Blue BDSB longboard and Ethan on his stick BDSB. Looks smaller than it really was. Probably most waves were solid 4-5' thick heavy hurricane waves. What was surprising was Tubbs Inlet wasn't breaking. No one heading down this afternoon, road department closed Sunset Beach access bridge.

Two Old Dogs on Blind Dogs

2011-08-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Just Tom and I out at Tubbs Inlet this morning. Nothing to write home about but first 'surf' in weeks. Set waves maybe waist high, some long rides were possible but nothing great. Tom's on his foam nose rider and I'm on my 9'8" woodie longboard.

Ethan Bell on custom shapped short board by Tom

2011-08-07T18:34:00.000-07:00

Ethan down at Sunset Beach with Blind Dog short board.

Cooper's Board

2011-07-30T17:04:00.001-07:00

One happy kid. (click on image to enlarge)
Tom made this one. 7'6" Fun shape.

Charlie picked up his modified 9'3" nose rider

2011-07-16T18:23:00.000-07:00

(Click to enlarge pictures)

Charlie emailed: "dan, rode about 12 waves this morn, fun to ride, turns on a dime...I'll have another one". Charlie wanted our logo placed East to West, we kind of like that arrangement. Might start doing it that way on top and North/South on bottom.

Not one of our fins, but it's an awesome design and works well with this board.

Pic below is making fun of my photo to Charlie with my feet showing.

This is a shortened version of our 9'8" nose rider. It's now 9'3" with 7 1/2" wide tail and double glassing on deck. I was concerned it might turn out little heavy so use more cedar than normal. We're talking about doing an 8'2" mini-mal. Could be an interesting project. (see 6-5-2011 Charlie's 9'3" nose rider story below)

Tom's Personal Ride

2011-07-02T18:24:00.001-07:00

Tom last year using his Stewart surfboard while working on his next wood board. Few waves later - during this hurrican swell session - he broke off the nose. Fixed it and broke it again couple months ago. So he took what was best on that Stewart and some mods to make it work little better in our beach environment and here's how it came out.

Dustin with his 9'7" Nose Rider

2011-06-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

SOLD.

Dustin and family are moving back to their home state, telling me he had a job offer that was too good to pass up. He will be missed at our beach. Good surfer. So this board is for sale.

This board is 9'7 x 23 1/2 x 3 1/2. Very old school styling. Locally shaped in Sunset Beach by Dan Johnston of Blind Dog Surfboards. Very lively and fast for its size. Weight is 26 pounds. Epoxy resin and fin box.

These boards sell for 1000-1100 new without a fin. It comes with an $80 Takayama Noserider Fin and 9 foot leash.
Any respectable offer will be considered.
Dustin
910 471 1576

Dan and Tom,

Here are some pics of me with the 9'7 noserider.

Testimonial (if you want it on the site) - dj...of course we do :)

This board has been a game changer for my style and progress as a surfer. Not only is it the most lively board I have ever ridden, it turns easily and paddles very efficiently.
The trimming section of the board has been the most pleasant surprise, as I am easily able to blast through flat sections and whitewater while standing about a foot or two back
from the nose; allowing me to make the tricky inside sections on day when the waves are lacking poop.
Cheater fives are really fun on this noserider as it accelerates very quickly for me from this position. I could not be happier with my purchase of this Blind Dog stick.
I get many positive comments at my local break and many smiles from old school longboarders and true admirers of the sport and craft of surfboard shaping.
Thanks to Dan for shaping what I think is his best board to date, and to both Dan and Tom for spending time in the water with me helping me make informed decisions on the right
board for my style and the waves in this region.

Dustin Williams

Charlie's 9'3" Nose Rider

2011-06-05T17:50:00.000-07:00

Nose and tail blocks. Looking at other wood boards, some are made w/o this kind of crafting. To us, adding this kind of touch not only creates an awesome finish, it harkens back to days when foam boards used wood nose and tal blocking. Click on images to enlarge

Just laying out decking for color and shape. Using some nicely grained Poplar, Cedar and Spruce. Just finished first three side rails. Hate doing those, they take so long, need to steam them into shape then plane down for proper fitting.

Bottom decking to rib/spar structure.

Amazing how much shavings come from just drilling lighting holes in a spar.

Just started this Nose Rider, little shorter than last two.

Spar getting fix into jig for rib glue up. Amazing how much sawdust drilling lightening holes generates. Here's the bottom decking, still bit of work ahead before marrying rib and decking.

Tom's Latest Works

2011-06-05T17:10:00.001-07:00

Short Board is: 6'6" and $650. Long board is: 9'4" Nose rider and $850.

Been a very busy Spring and Summer is really heating up. Here's some of Tom's current work. The two Kikkies are over at a fellow surfer's house, one will wall hang there, the other in a restaurant. The two foam boards were finished this week and are for sale. Nice family shot with Tom and Thomas.

Great video on wood boards from Down Under

2011-05-10T04:09:00.000-07:00

Thrill of the Surf 1949 from Gary Crockett on Vimeo.

Nice discussion about D fins

2011-05-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.jamboards.com/view_topic.php?id=11038&forum_id=1

To us, D fins look great but not on mondern boards. Great as wall hangers but we like what's coming from Rainbow, Nose Rider and El Gato style fins. Pivot fins are also good alternatives.

9'8" Longboard Hanging Out

2011-05-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

While we make boards for surfing, a few become wall art. Here's one recently hung up by Drew from www.thegpsstore.com over in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Nice 9'8" longboard. Dan finished this board with a Paua shell inlay (turtle). "Makes a nice statement about earth, water, and life."

Beautiful Winter Wave

2011-04-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

Dan riding a 9'8" HWS longboard at local beach. Taken early January. Not many good days this year so far. Using a hand held Flip camera (Cisco Systems just said they were discontinuing this camera, sorry to see it go. Ok, not the most steady shooting but still nice wave.

Tom on new 7'6" HWS Fish

2011-04-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

Hanging over at Sharky's restaurant on Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Owner Ray Harris has an awesome collection of old classic long and short boards. They make great salads, and awesome Grouper sandwich.

Taken 4-17-11. Nice day at Sunset Beach, NC. Small but fun. Tom's riding Dan's just finished 7'6" Fish. "It's fast" weight is 15 pounds - For Sale $760

A Trophy Fish by Tom

2011-04-03T18:49:00.001-07:00

No need for words.

Tom's Fish found a nice home

2011-03-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

It's new owner, Randy surfs, as do his two sons. Living out in CA certainly has advantages we don't have here in NC, like nice rock breaks, beautiful blue ocean and awesome waves. Oh we have good waves in NC, just not at Sunset Beach.

A Raising Sun

2011-03-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

Fin by Dan.

I wish I could say the wood was most expensive part of this fin...it was not. My time, at $2.00 an hour, was most expensive part. I needed a block of glass/epoxy to use for inside the fin box. It took about 70 sheets of glass, some weights and good amount of epoxy. I've got a block for a few more fins. Its looking good, not finished, just has one layer of glass and some filler for beading. Needs another layer and some shaping to make it just right.

Spanky our mascot

2011-03-05T05:36:00.000-08:00

We took our name from Tom's really sweet blind dog Spanky. Nothing bothered him and being blind was just matter of who he was. Kindest dog you'd ever meet. He passed away couple of weeks ago, perhaps now he can see.

Team Blind Dog - Ethan Bell

2011-03-02T17:00:00.000-08:00

Foam shortboard shaped by Tom Allen, BLDS head foam shaper.

This is a 6' at $450. Ethan gave us the sun/moon graphics.

7'6" Fish getting it's bones

2011-02-22T17:41:00.001-08:00

Dan is making two boards this Winter, one 9'8" Nose Rider (2.5" front rocker, 4.5" rear rocker). Shown here are two

Black Walnut fins getting first coat of glass and epoxy.

Shaping a 9'9" Nose Rider

2011-01-23T09:31:00.000-08:00

Best part of wood board building is shaping. Dan is using a very sharp Jack plane, nice music and sweet curls peeling off. I guess this kind of feeling comes with foam boards, except all one has to do is buy a blank. Some how, saw dust and curls trump white foam all over the place and electric planner noise.

9'10" Longboard done and up for sale

2010-11-22T16:56:00.000-08:00

At Sharky's in Ocean Isle Beach (click to enlarge). Sharky's has a great Grouper sandwich. Good food. See if Ray is around and introduce yourself. Good surfer, and his son Knox is an up and coming competitivesurfer: http://www.swellinfo.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=10410&catid=1

HEY...go over there and grab lunch and a beer. Great collection of vintage boards, some I remember dragging, cause I couldn't lift them, across our surf beach in Hermosa Beach, CA.

Not glassed...just one naked board. 11/20

9'11" Longboard. Nose and Tail is Spruce and Walnut. Decking is Poplar, Cedar and Spruce. Click on photos to enlarge.

11/23 bottom deck glassed, 11/24 top deck patch and top decking glassed. I added a shell inlay of a Loggerhead Turtle. Hope to get at least one side hot coated tomorrow - Turkey Day!

11/27 God I love the lack of smell in the morning when hot coating with epoxy.

Email us for price and shipping details.

Tom's Art Board and Daily Rider

2010-10-16T07:01:00.000-07:00

Tom finally built a board for himself. Seems all that we've been doing is build a really nice board, then sell it. So we both built ones for ourselves. Tom showed off his wood working skills with this one. It's stunning. CLICK on the image to enlarge.

Not yet shaped but looking very sweet.

Something for the Holidays

2010-10-11T06:56:00.001-07:00

Thinking of that special gift, this might be the one. Just few more planks and she'll be enclosed. We can customize this with decals, and an inlay or two made from shell veneer. We can add your name and/or the one this would be intended for. Never two boards alike, something very unique and special. Give us an email and lets talk. blinddogsurfboards@yahoo.com

Poplar with red Cedar and Spruce. Should come out around 9'9". Am tinkering with 'sunburst D style glassed on fin Pine and Walnut.

Woody Wagon and Blind Dog Classic Woody

2010-08-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

One of Tom's woodies at it's new home in Wilmington, NC.

Looking for a used wood board for your Woody wagon? From time to time we have a used wood surfboard. The are in very good condition, gently used by Tom and I. These boards are built for us to surf daily...we'll when possible. If you're interested, give us an email: BlindDogSurfboards@yahoo.com

Surfing Lessons Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach

2010-08-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

We've moved Tom over to his own blog. Gives him more room to talk about surfing lessons and post photos of his surfing students with grins from ear to ear. Learning to surf, well it's not that hard but like any sport, getting a jump start is best way to learn.

Tom has really been putting out boards this summer, good five woodies and half dozen foam short and long boards. Dan has done three but he's just a slow kind of guy.

So check out Tom's new site for surf lesson information, photos and hopefully more videos of students.

Just finished Nose Rider

2010-07-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

Sold

Want to see this board? It's hanging at Sharky's restaurant over in Ocean Isle Beach (61 Causeway Drive 910 579 9177). Grab one of their Grouper sandwiches...really good.

Sweetly finished, 9'10" Nose Rider. Our first inlay using Paua Abalone shell. Cedar, Spruce deckings, book matched as are all our boards. 8/20 rails mid-section, 7/30 nose and tail. More photos in our "Wood Pile - right side of this page. Email for pricing.

One Fast Ride

2010-07-26T05:24:00.000-07:00

Don Eddins makes awesome hot rods. We'll post more details later today. Don't we wish that was our surf buggy.....
Fat Cat Custom cars bought one of our 9'8" Long Boards. Rather sweet ride it'll have.

7'5" Fish

2010-07-20T04:04:00.000-07:00

SOLD

Tom just finished this fish. Cedar, Poplar and Spruce. Check 'Sticks for Sale' for more photos.

July 4th Calabash Fireworks and town party

2010-06-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

Over in Calabash, down by Calabash River, is an event for celebrating Independence Day. We're setting up two tents, working on boards and there to enjoy showing off our boards. We should have it all set-up by noon, maybe earlier. Come on over, we'll show you how's HWS's are built.

Dan and Tom

New Board

2010-06-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

Just finished. Click on photos to enlarge.

9'11", 23 1/2 x 3 1/2. Tail is 6" wide. Spruce and Cedar

Jon Blair Picking Up His Board

2010-05-12T05:35:00.001-07:00

June 16

We asked Jon what did he think of his new board. Expecting couple of sentences, we received this:

I(Jon) first got turned on to hollow wood surfboards, a few years ago when I saw this old guy ripping on a beautiful balsa board. I had never seen anything like it before, it was like he was riding a piece of art, a piece of mother nature, something that was masterfully hand crafted by some ones hands.

When I got home I researched and researched these boards, reading all of the forums and learning about Tom Blake and the history of these boards but I never really quite got the sense of what these boards were or what really went into them. I then happened upon Blind Dog surfboards on the internet, two local guys that happen to be one of the few on the east coast that make these boards.

I called them up immediately because I wanted to learn more about these boards, and I needed a new longboard. I met Dan Johnson and a few days later my new hollow wood longboard was started. The building of one of these boards in itself is a great journey one that you wouldn't experience with a regular poly board and a regular shaper. Dan kept me updated all throughout the process, informing me of what he was doing and the different techniques being used. To better help me understand and to let me see how one of these boards were built he made me a series of youtube videos of the board being constructed.

The day I went to pick up the board, he led me and my father up to his workshop to show me a board in construction and gave us some really interesting information about hollow wood boards and how they are built. Speaking of my board, it was absolutely beautiful the different color woods matched perfectly and glistened brilliantly under the gloss coat of epoxy.

Riding the board for the first time was a new experience too, I got to experience knee paddling for the first time, I got looks and glances from other beach goers and surfers as they couldn't keep there eyes off of such a cool board. As far as performance goes, the board was so smooth, it paddled fast and easy and caught waves farther out than I had ever caught before.
All the while on my board I get to see my graphics that I drew and he put on there really making the board personalized.

I couldn't recommend a better person to make a hollow wood surfboard for you than Dan, he really takes the time to see that you get everything you want, and that everything is perfect. He puts a lot of time and energy into these boards making them that much more special when they are complete.

Jon

May 8th

Jon and father came over yesterday to pick up his new board. Jon added some custom artwork that came out perfectly. (Click on picture to enlarge)

Beautiful Sight

2010-05-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

Jody (843 957 4032), 215 Main Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MangoesAndMarley?ref=ts

Adrienne, my wife, took these with her cell phone camera. Just love technology.

How to build a Hollow Wooden Surfboard...well sort of

2010-04-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

Here's video, ok not the best quality, about making a 9'8" longboard. What you'll not see is: picking through stacks of lumber for just the right woods (1 in 10 is a good day), cutting, planing, sanding planks, glueing up planks, building jigs, tweeking - steaming - bending - begging wood into place, trimming trimming trimming, and those 2 am wake ups thinking of a new way to trim/tweek that piece of wood.

Oh, know when you say something and then knock on wood? That's an old German, probably many other cultures also, superstisition that for good luck you knock on a tree. Building HWS boards we knock on wood a lot.

Anyway, this kind of gives you an idea of what it takes to build hollow wooden surfboards.
Dan and Tom

http://

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12' SUP Almost Done

2010-04-02T18:56:00.001-07:00

This is for Brad in Flordia.

ESA Divisional Contest 3-20-10

2010-03-21T18:03:00.001-07:00

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Tommy Reily borrowed my board for this event.

Dan on same board. This board is our 9'8" Long Board, came in at 23.5 pounds. Awesome performer. Last summer Tom Allen (Blind Dog partner) helped Tommy build his first wooden board.

2010-03-18T18:46:00.000-07:00

http://benchmarkradio.com/downloads/Car-and-Driver-Radio/2010/031310/CD_031310_HR2_06.mp3

Last Saturday I was invited to Car and Driver radio to talk about future safety technology that Volvo will be using (I work for Volvo). At the end Alan Taylor, C&D host, asked about my hobby of making wooden boards. Thought you would enjoy hearing our discussion.

Three new boards

2010-03-09T17:02:00.000-08:00

March 7, 2010

Ganging up ribs and three spars. One Longboard and two nose riders. Nose rider has bit more tail rocker, longboard has a slighly less tail rocker.

Tubbs Inlet - Wood in Waves

2010-01-13T19:11:00.000-08:00

December 26, 2009. Small stuff but fun.

Surf Dog - nice video

2010-01-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

www.ripcurlriki.com

Hope there is room in Hell for this person

2010-01-13T09:49:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reward Offered in North Carolina Pelican Cruelty Case

(Jan. 12, 2010) — The Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for breaking the wings of 10 brown pelicans in Brunswick County, N.C.
The Case:
News reports give the following account: Between Dec. 17 and Dec. 31, 10 pelicans were found washed ashore on Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Holden Beach and Caswell Beach. The birds were suffering from broken wings. Some of the birds had drowned, and the rest had to be euthanized as a result of their injuries. In 2007, there was a similar string of pelican injuries in the same area.
“The infliction of such egregious cruelty on these birds is a serious crime,” said Kimberley Alboum, North Carolina state director for The HSUS. “Clearly the person or persons responsible have a callous disregard for wildlife laws and the species they are intended to protect.”
If caught, the individual or individuals face numerous violations of state and federal law. Maliciously maiming an animal is a felony in North Carolina. Pelicans are also protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Animal Cruelty:
Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community. The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.
Poaching:
Every year, thousands of poachers are arrested nationwide; however, it is estimated that only 1 to 5 percent of poachers are caught. Poachers kill wildlife anytime, anywhere and sometimes do so in particularly cruel ways.
The Investigators:
Anyone with information about this case should contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission at 800-662-7137.
The HSUS works to stop wildlife abuse and animal cruelty across the country. Visit humanesociety.org/wildlifeabuse for more information.
Media Contact: Liz Bergstrom, 301-258-1455, ebergstrom@humanesociety.org

-30-

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.

Since 1993 the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust, alone or in partnership with other conservation groups, has participated in the protection of more than 1.8 million acres of wildlife habitat in 37 states and seven foreign countries. On all properties owned by the Trust or protected by the Trust's conservation easement, both here and abroad, we prohibit recreational and commercial hunting and trapping and restrict logging and development. The Trust's commitment to these principles will never change as we continue to assist caring landowners to make their property permanent, safe homes for wildlife. Join our online community at wildlifelandtrust.org.

Couple of boards for sale

2009-12-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

9'10" x 23" x 3" Spruce and Cedar, 23.5 pounds. S2 4oz glass and water clear epoxy. Fin is EzTrim design, glassed in. $870

SOLD 9'10" x23" x 3" Spruce and Ceda r 28.5 pounds. S2 4oz glass and water clear epoxy. Fin box with sweet wood fin. $480 (used). Here's the fin:

<<<<<

Rainbow Fin Company (Rake 9.0)

More pictures are further in on this blog. Or email us and we'll send them over in high res.

(Update: Been using this fin for some time and love it. Great bite yet much looser than the Ez-Trim. Been out in some overhead stuff and am really pleased with how this one works.)

http://www.easternlines.com/surf/accessories/longboard-fins-9-10/rainbow-bamboo-el-gato-9-5-fin.html

Great shop to deal with. Ask for Bill.

Dan and Tom

blinddogsurfboards@yahoo.com

HWS Tubbs Inlet, Sunset Beach, NC

2009-11-09T07:45:00.000-08:00

From yesterday. Fun small surf. Lot's of Blue's running under us. Kind of wondering what's chasing those Blues...don't ask, right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3AknGfpauM

Good week to you all.
Dan and Tom

Surf Contest at Holden Beach 10-24-09

2009-10-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

We're bringing all our boards down. Two long boards can be demoed, others will be for sales, ok along with our demos. Contest starts at 9.

Dan and Tom

Kids Board in process -- SOLD

2009-10-10T18:06:00.001-07:00

Kids board

2009-10-10T07:02:00.001-07:00

Amanda and Thomas. Guess they'll have to draw straws on this one.
keiki (kay-kee) boards

2009-10-09T05:46:00.000-07:00

5'6" Keiki kids board. (CLICK on photos to enlarge)

Starting to glue up 9'8" long board, nose rider.

Tom love clamps.

Tom's Fish - Sold

2009-09-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

Click photo to enlarge:

Custom made for Tyson. This is an 8' Fish.

Sunset Beach Clean Up Day

2009-09-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Beach clean up will be October 3, at 9:00 AM. Bags provided, just show up. Email me if you're coming and we'll put a nice list together for Sunset Beach mayor showing surfer's support for there, and our, beach.

Tom and Dan
blinddogsurfboards@yahoo.com

Sunset Beach and a sloppy wave.

2009-09-17T18:07:00.000-07:00

Tom was working on a house right on SB. "Should have been here this morning" kind of call I got around 3:30, yeah right and we have to work for a living. So checking for after work hrs, it was ok but he didn't have his board. Loaned him my 9'10" woodie. I used my old surftech, 10'6" monster. Not real good stuff but got this one shot before heading home.

Boards for Sale

2009-09-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

This nose rider is 9'10" weights 23.5 pounds. Fast, stable, good nose rider. Spruce and Cedar construction, with 4oz S-2 glass and expoxy. 23.5" wide, 3.5" thick, 3.5" nose rocker, 3" tail rocker, . My daily driver is the same board.

Click on photos to enlarge:

Dan and Tom

Oak Island Surf Contest 9-05-09

2009-09-07T07:04:00.000-07:00

Surf was deadly small. I smacked my toe on GoPro camera mount and managed to really create a nice gash. No surf for me. Tom took 4th in Long Board Pro and 4th in Amateur Long Board. This was just past surf line, pod of seven putting on a great display for us land bound two leggers.

My HWS out at Tubbs Inlet

2009-09-03T17:22:00.000-07:00

This is between Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach. Wave, albeit small 2-3 footers, the day was great. Nice offshore winds and six other friends were out. Some day I'll learn to surf better. :)

Choice of woods

2009-07-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

Hi Music Expressions,
We started with 2x6 and 2x8 spruce but are now using 2x4 as our base wood. We checked stika spruce, aircraft grade and 2x4 is $5.20 per lf. Meaning one 2x4x10 would be $52.00. We need about six of them per board. Yes, clear grain would be awesome.

We tried yellow pine but it is way too heavy.

Another Board

2009-07-26T04:29:00.000-07:00

Long board 9'8", glassed in fin. Finished board came out at 23.5 pounds. Sweet handling HWS. $970
Here's our grandson Joey learning how to glue planking. He added his name inside this one "why" asked Joey, because in 100 years from now when, for God knows what reason, someone wants to see inside, your name will be there. And you'll always remember putting your name inside one ofour boards. We use really Gorilla glue and Joey learned how to put on latex glove.

Doing a glass in fin, i really didn't want what was out there, so copied an FCS fin I love and will use this. Wood is Spruce and Walnut. It'll have 1/4" glass bead around it.

Of course this in not where it'll be placed, probably back an inch or so. Here's couple of more photos.

T-Shirts

2009-06-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Our supplier finish Blind Dog's first shirts. Hines 50/50 Heavy Weight cotton, size L and M, $15.00 plus $3.00 USPS shipping. Azure Blue with Cream Beige Blind Dog Surf Board logos. Paypal is best but if you want to send a check that would be fine. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

2009-06-04T04:08:00.000-07:00

Starting with 2x6 or bigger 10' spruce, pine or whatever looks great at our lumber supplier, cutting, shaping, gluing, shaping again, glassing and sweating out details we build handcrafted Hollow Wooden Surfboards.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

There are many different techniques for construction, some very simple others rather complicated, WoodyLogic had exactly what we were looking for in templet designs, board shapes, and use of woods. All our woods are either from sustainable managed forests or pieces we have harvested (mostly trim pieces).

Building wooden surfboards is not for faint of heart. Sure, looks easy but with every cut and every bit of making certain every piece is exactly as needed, well that takes time. In all we have about 90 hours in each board. Bending, twisting, begging wood to behave is an art.

==================

Tom Allen was born outside of Washington D.C 1970 grew up surfing in Ocean City, Maryland at the age of 4, "using my brothers classic Razzle board which I broke in later years. Moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1990, surfed every break from South Beach up to Jacksonville, over on the West Coast and surfed every hurricane that came by."

Tom started working at his fathers Company at an early age learning how to build things. "When I moved to Florida I went into the custom cabinet industry finishing furniture and have been doing this for 20 years. But I believe I owe my building skills to my father for his precision and keen eye to detail."

Recently moved to Calabash, NC to have a better quality life for my wife and 2 children. After meeting Dan in the spring of 2007 at Sunset Beach, NC they formed Sunset Beach Surf Club. "Over the winter, due to lack of surf we were looking for something to do and discovered hollow surfboards. It has truly turned into an obsession. In my opinion there's no greater passion than woodworking and surfing."

Tom Allen's background is wood. Master carpenter along with the ability to craft awesome finishes into cabinets that are considered by many in his area as one of the best. Keen eye to design and how to craft clean lines, especially in rails, he brings out the best in our boards.

Dan Johnston has built furniture from woods cut out of friend's yards and milled at home. His wicked 32" Husky chain saw is more motorcycle than saw. Some of the trim woods Blind Dog uses are from his stock pile of oak, walnut, maple and other interesting woods.

"I started surfing in California around 1962, grew up in Torrance and Hermosa Beach. Life was easy back then. We loaded up our old Ford, would drive to San Deigo on Friday night, surf at Cardif or head up to Santa Barbara to surf Hammond's Reef if SD was flat. No internet in those days, surf hunting was a crap shoot. He lived in Hawaii for short time, thanks to Uncle Sam and US Navy. "Surfed Sunset Beach with some mainland friends, must have been 10' out there. No leashes and nasty swims. "I learned my limit that day."

At age 17 he made his first board, glassed it in a friend's living room when his parents were skiing. Didn't go over well when they got home. Used to by blanks from Bing Surfboards. They were the only shop that would sell to dumb kids. He raised two great children, lived where surfing was impossible and took it back up after 40 years of desk work.

===========
Our boards are hollow. Crafted like an airplane wing each is extremely strong and light. We only use epoxy and S-glass. Typically 4 oz since it has the strength of 6 oz regular glass. Nice part about S-glass is how it lays and bends around rails easy to work with, light and strong.

Here is what it takes to make a Hollow Wooden Surfboards:

The board that follows is a 9’11” 3” thick. Spruce, with Cedar and Red Oak trim. Nose is Black Walnut, tail is Australian Lace
Wood. Fin is an FCS 8 1/5” Ezi-Trim. This board is great for nose riding, and is a rocket when blasting through sections. The flat bottom is for speed and the rails are 80/20 to grip into waves.

Much like an airplane wing the idea is strength without weight. Rib and decking construction is akin to "I" beam mechanics – stress distribution across a wide area.

This board is Spruce and Cedar decking. Spruce is a light wood with nice figuring, good for book matching panels. About 20% of panel decking cut is not usable – loose knots, warped, or just damn ugly.

First task is to rip ¼" x 1 ½" strips from 2" x 6" and 2" x8" 10 foot boards. Not one of my fun jobs.

(CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)

Here's what the bottom deck on this board looked like after gluing ½ of the 27" wide deck: This was then run through a panel sander to bring down to 3/16". Then two sections glued together. Notice that black paint; it was a test to see if I could ebonize the red oak stringer. I use vinegar saturated with iron to stain oak furniture. I didn't like the effect.

Ok, so here's where it all goes together. On the floor is a completed bottom deck. Middle photo is just bringing together decking for one side. While this looks distorted, it's rather symmetrical.

Below, need to make perfect 90 degree rib/spar gluing. On right is gluing rip/spar to bottom decking.

Needed lots of weigh to keep it flat and not twist. Probably 200 pounds distributed on that center spar and ribs.

Upper right: Gluing in the first rail Bottom finished – looking like a board Longboard beer 6-pack side. It is now
a permanent part of this board. J

Right photo, tail being enclosed, between spar is blocking for fin box.

Rail 1, 2, and 3 in place. Clamps at this point are worthless except for rail to rib placement. Tape works much better.
Without nose and tail work. Not even shaped but still looks good. Nose is Black Walnut, tail is Australian Lace Wood.

Hand planed/shaped. Very few power shaping tools allowed, handed and ready for glassing. I used 4 oz S-2 epoxy rated fiberglass and two-part epoxy from the Green Room in Wilmington, NC. Great stuff to work with, sets up quickly so timing is everything but no smell like regular resin. 4 oz is equal to 6 oz regular glass and is very transparent. With foam boards the weave blends into the white foam, here on wood, we try to find the most transparent glass with highest strength to weight ratio that gives us a light, tough finish.

Glassing Room

Tom's 7'2" Fish

Dan's 9'10" nose rider.

May 2, 2009 Wrightsville Beach, NC. Longboard competition. I took 3 in Legends group with this board. I only wished all the waves were as good as this one.
MAINTANCE

Ok – some do's and don'ts. This is not a foam, pop-out CNC, mass produced board. It represents over 90 hours of skilled wood working and glassing. Very few power tools are used, mainly because hand tools provide better control and heck it's just a nice quite experience. Like fine furniture, there are tips to keeping your board in good shape.

NEVER leave the vent plug closed with transporting, storing, sitting on the beach. It must be left open at all times except surfing. Too much air pressure build up will pop joints. If you loose the vent plug, it's a ¼-20 bolt and you'll find a grommet to fit at Lowe's or Home Depot.

Always snug tight the vent plug when heading out. One suggestion is to dunk the board, with vent snugged tight in ocean water for 30 seconds or so, lift the nose and open the vent to equalize the air. Hot air when cooled (in this case by the ocean water, contracts), just a something to think about.

If you want to keep the luster, use automotive paint cleaner. Polishing compounds will work and give a nice shine but some are more course than others.

If you change fins you might have to modify the new fin base. The tail on this board is about 1.5" thick at the thinnest section where the fin box is installed. Rather than cutting deeper and making the tail weaker, I chose to reduce the fin base to make it fit. No big deal. If you need me to modify a fin, just let us know.

Epoxy is extremely strong and much more resilient than polyester resin. If you ding it, more than likely it will just be a crack and should not go though to the wood. Just keep an eye on it, if it looks like or you are concerned about it, email me and let's talk.

Tom Allen, Dan Johnston
910 575 6682
Blind Dog Surf Boards

Blind Dog is for real. 'Spanky' to his family, he is the sweetest pooch you'd ever want to meet. To him, the world is full of life, sounds, smells, and touch. He's a mutt but are we all too some degree.

HWS - Hollow Wooden Surfboards

2009-05-30T18:51:00.000-07:00

Here we go, starting from our small shops to bring hand crafted surf boards. Works of art that are finely crafted to rip waves or display on a wall.

More to come. We will be posting how we create some of the finest you could own.

Tom Allen and Dan Johnston
Calabash, NC
910 575 6682

BlindDogSurfboards@yahoo.com