High Performance balsa surfboards shaped by you!

[Riley Balsa surf]

Riley Balsawood Surfboards has specialised in shaping kits and instructions which make it a breeze to make a surfboard even for complete novices. In the new secure online shop products range from instructional Ebooks, DVDs, fin blanks all the way to complete shaping kits (solid and with a recycled EPS core) starting at just $280 AUD - 170 EURO - 245 USD. The new shop offers products for hard core- and recreational shapers alike. All items are shipped worldwide at very competitive prices.

Fire up your computer, visit http://www.balsasurfboardsriley.com.au/shop.html and start your journey to a self-made surfboard. You won’t regret it. Guaranteed!

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G’day everybody,

thanks for all your replies. Just to clarify things and correct some statements which were made:

• @oldman: Yes our prices are higher then your conventional machine shaped surfboard. There are several reasons for this:

1. Riley Balsa Surfboards hand crafts all surfboards here in Australia.
2. A lot more time goes into shaping a timber surfboard compared to a foam one. Making one of our blanks is very work intensive as well (recycled EPS foam as a core and 3 mm balsa sheets as a skin).
3. A Riley surfboard lasts at least 5 times longer then your regular PU board. You actually save a lot in the long run when buying one of our boards – you do the math. But in our short term, throw-away society most people sadly buy PU.
4. The quality of our products is very high. We therefore give all our customers a 12 month warranty on surfboards. If you snap it – we replace it.

Regarding your second reply: Our balsa boards are glassed with 4Oz glass on deck and bottom. There is no need to worry about the balsa soaking up water. It is protected by the glass and if you get a ding, you have to treat it as any regular board. Get out of the water, let it dry and repair the ding.

• @carvin marvin: Thanks for your comment. I think we share the same spirit. As all materials, Paulownia and Balsa have their advantages and disadvantages:
1. Balsa is a very lightweight hardwood.
2. It has great floatation and flex characteristics.
3. Balsa is a very fast growing species. After 3-4 years it already reaches a height of up to 10 metres and a diameter of 50-65 cm. The tree will not grow any more after this time. At the time of cutting it, the balsa tree holds seeds in like a cotton wool ball and when it hits the ground the seeds are scattered on the ground. Usually there will be around 10 seeds which germinate from this (if not more). Balsa wood is therefore highly sustainable and can be recycled.

• @huie: Sorry for obviously offending you with our post. We apologise.

• @tigers: Yes, you are right. As mentioned above, our boards last at least 5 times longer then a PU board. Therefore less boards end up in landfills. Of course there is a difference between a board shaped by a complete novice or by an experienced shaper. But our “do it yourself” products are made especially for people who do not have any or much experience in shaping a board. They get step by step instructions and we can honestly say that we have not had a customer who has screwed up his/her board. Of course it’s not going to be perfect but that’s not the point. If someone shapes their own board, they appreciate the board more and understand the work that goes into making a board. I think it makes you a more complete surfer. Many may disagree.

• @roy stewart: Sorry roy, but that’s not completely true. Yes balsa needs to be glassed but apart from an Alaia, Paulownia should be glassed as well. A balsa board is a lot lighter than a Paulownia board. Balsa has the best strength to weight ratio available in natural resources. I don’t know who glassed your balsa board but we haven’t had any delaminations ever?!

@everyone: Once again, we are sorry if we offended anybody by this press release. We just wanted to inform the surf community about our products. If you have any questions, please let us know ([email protected]). If you’d like to test ride one of our boards, again, please let us know! All the best

[huie]

well thats nice & subtle

[Scroty]

I bet all you professional shapers are shitting yourselves now.

Hey Riley - why don't you pay for ad space ya stingey prick.

[oldman]

So for the price of a brand new custom shortboard with all the trimmings and money left over, I could buy a balsa shortboard blank?

hmmmmmmmmmmm, let me think about it. :?

[carvin marvin]

Global warming.

How can surfers reduce their carbon footprint.

By consuming less foam and fibreglass.

Build a stronger surfboard that lasts longer.

One option is Balsa.

Or better still Paulownia grown from Australian plantations.

Even lesser carbon footprint.

Challenging oneself to take the creative journey of building a wooden surfboard.

Pride and satisfaction and learning from the creative process.

Hopefully inspire others who then think I can do that.

Surfing your own environmentally friendly wood creation.

A stoke that does not have a dollar value.

[roy Stewart]

I agree, but don't measure it in terms of carbon, rather I think of resource use.

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[huie]

hey roy you should give riley a few good tips on how to get banned from forums

mind you he has done well for one post.

[mical]

I agree, but don't measure it in terms of carbon, rather I think of resource use.

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Is that because you don't believe the global warming conspiracy Roy?


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[tigers]

On the negative side , balsa imported from Sth America by ship, has a rather large carbon footprint. On the positive side, the board would last a very long time compared to the lifespan of a regular board. To ensure the board performs well and is shaped properly, it really should go through the hands of an experienced shaper that can do the job properly and be glassed by a tradesman laminator with balsa experience.

[roy Stewart]

Actually balsa doesn't last that well as it sucks water and then delaminates, paulownia is much much better as it doesn't absorb water, and it's much harder with a higher strength to weight ratio. With paulownia glassing is optional, with balsa it's absolutely necessary as the stuff is so soft.

Balsa is like organic polystyrene, I wouldn't go back to it.

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[tigers]

genaral rule of thumb is paulownia is twice the weight of balsa. Paulownia is cheaper to buy, and more plentifull in some countries , but it doesnt have the ferformance of balsa fullstop. The need to glass balsa and the availability and cost is small price to pay for such superb performance when its used correctly. Balsa will remain the ultimate for wood for surfboards, by virtue of its performance.

[roy Stewart]

Paulownia is streets ahead of balsa in resonance and durability , and it has a higher strength to weight ratio as well.

I've built identical boards in solid balsa and hollow paulownia, the weight is the same but the paulownia gives a nicer ride.

Balsa is good for flexible shortboards though as it is softer and more compressible, the downside is that it will delaminate from the glass . . . flexible paulownia boards don't do this.

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[tigers]

Paulownia is streets ahead of balsa in resonance and durability , and it has a higher strength to weight ratio as well.

I've built identical boards in solid balsa and hollow paulownia, the weight is the same but the paulownia gives a nicer ride.

Balsa is good for flexible shortboards though as it is softer and more compressible, the downside is that it will delaminate from the glass . . . flexible paulownia boards don't do this.

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read the nick~ ! I said " when it is used correctly" !!

[roy Stewart]

Same applies to paulownia . . . ' when used correctly'

[oldman]

Global warming.

How can surfers reduce their carbon footprint.

By consuming less foam and fibreglass.

Build a stronger surfboard that lasts longer.

One option is Balsa.

Or better still Paulownia grown from Australian plantations.

Even lesser carbon footprint.

Challenging oneself to take the creative journey of building a wooden surfboard.

Pride and satisfaction and learning from the creative process.

Hopefully inspire others who then think I can do that.

Surfing your own environmentally friendly wood creation.

A stoke that does not have a dollar value.

Global warming! The trip down to the beach in the car would emit more carbon.

Challenge - sure, but why balsa at $700 a pop when you can get foam at $70. Carbon again?

Pride and satisfaction - certainly, but balsa not required for that.

I like the idea and all, but was hoping that the cost would be mildly comparable. I like working with wood, and suspect that balsa would be more forgiving than foam (in my hands) but concerns about balsa taking up water is a big problem.

[roy Stewart]

Paulownia, grow it in your backyard.

[WANDERER]

Got a commercial agreement in place do you Roy?

I could get interested in a plantation, will they grow in the Mudgee Valley?

[roy Stewart]

I don't know, but i've got 12 in my back yard !

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