Woodwork: DIY Balsa Wood Surfboard Course

What you'll learn

Learn how to Build your own Enviro Balsawood Surfboard with our woodwork short courses in Sydney!

Join our one-on-one class where you will build your own environmentally friendly surfboard to your requirements. This is a great escape and a mindful craft.

This class is hands-on! Prepare to get dusty while you learn step-by-step how to design and draw your board and build it under professional supervision and guidance from your tutor.

The board that you will build is made out of solid wood that can be glassed and surfed on (or hung on the wall just like in the 50s and 60s). There are also no restrictions to your shape, you can choose your preferred stringer layout from no stringers to 5 stringers in different arrangements.

All equipment will be supplied with the kit you can purchase from your tutor Mark. All necessary tools will be provided in a safe and clean environment.

By the end of the class, you will not only walk away with the knowledge of how to build a surfboard but also with your unique board in hand, a certificate of completion as well as some photos that were taken in class for good memories.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this DIY Balsawood Surfboard course, you should:

Have an understanding of balsawood and the environment
Know how mass-produced surfboards are impacting the environment
Have used power and hand tools to achieve a great-looking wood board and one you can surf on or hang on the wall.

Course content

What will be covered in this DIY Balsawood Surfboard course?

Session 1

11am to 11.30am – Introductory talk
11.30am to 12pm – Hand over of kits
12pm to 12.30pm – Layout of wood or foam and cutting wood and foam with the band saw
12.30pm to 1.30pm – Glue up blank or shape foam
1.30pm to 2.30pm – Remove clamps or glue on the balsa sheet to the bottom
2.30pm to 3.30pm – Draw plan shape or shape foam deck
3.30pm to 5pm – Cut out plan shape with a circular saw or glue on balsa sheet to the deck

Session 2

11am to 12pm – Shaping bottom with an electric planer or cut plan shape to balsa sandwich
12am to 1pm – Shaping deck with an electric planer or glue on balsa bands/rails
1pm to 2pm – Sanding bottom, Shaping rails with a block plane
2pm to 3pm – Sanding rails with sanding blocks
3pm to 5pm - Finish sanding board talk about fins and glassing

You can walk away with your shaped board or join your tutor to glass your board (extra cost).

Intended audience

Who is this DIY Balsawood Surfboard course for?

This course is for beginners - no prior knowledge is required.

Course materials

What to bring to class

Covered comfortable shoes.
Old clothes because you may get glue or dust on them
Bottle of water

Tools

All necessary tools will be supplied

Kits

Once enrolled, your tutor Mark will contact you to inform you about the available kit options as well as which kit would suit your needs. Kit prices range between $400 and $1550 depending on size and material (foam is also available). Please note your mobile number and email address will be shared with the tutor once enrolled.
If you do not want to take a board home – then you still can join the class and learn how to build one. Consequently, the board will be kept at the workshop space after class.

Additional information

Lunch

Bring lunch or a snack. Alternatively, drive to Miranda Westfield (about a 5-minute drive).

Please advise us about

your emergency contact (name, relationship and contact phone number), and
any special requirements (e.g. wheelchair access) if applicable

Other

Kits are optional.
This is a one-on-one course.
To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally to enrol at least one week before the course commences.
All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those"). If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed as early as possible.

Course testimonials

Paul said: I liked that the tuition was clear and concise. That followed by as much assisted that you needed to complete each stage of the build. All this added up to a very enjoyable experience and an amazing looking surfboard. I’ll have to let know later on how the board goes.
Anthony said: Amazing opportunity to craft a family heirloom. Mark was great in that he helped out where asked (or necessary) but left plenty of room for me to complete the project. In particular, he did not judge me for my cautious approach to power tools.
Anna said: It was great to get out of the office and make something. Mark is a great tutor and I’m so happy with the finished product
Scott said: I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and hands on approach to the course, very informative and a great outcome.

Course tutors

Mark Riley

Mark, who founded Riley Balsa Surfboards, has been building balsa wood surfboards since 1996. He has been importing balsa from Ecuador and Papua New Guinea for over 20 years and sends boards all...

View Mark Riley's profile

Classes Online Courses

Woodwork: DIY Balsa Wood Surfboard Course

Mon 11 Nov 2024 - Mon 18 Nov 2024

2 sessions, 12 hours total

11am - 5pm (UTC+11:00) (first session)

Riley Balsa Wood Surfboards Miranda

Mark Riley

Please note your mobile number and email address will be shared with the tutor once enrolled so that he can contact you regarding the class materials.

Important Note: Please note this course is exempt from all discounts including the learning membership. Please see terms and conditions.

When	Time	Where	Session Notes
Mon 11 Nov 2024	11am - 5pm	Workshop Space. - Riley Balsa Wood Surfboards Miranda
Mon 18 Nov 2024	11am - 5pm	Workshop Space. - Riley Balsa Wood Surfboards Miranda

Show full classes

When	Time	Where	Session Notes
Mon 2 Dec 2024	11am - 5pm	Workshop Space. - Riley Balsa Wood Surfboards Miranda
Mon 9 Dec 2024	11am - 5pm	Workshop Space. - Riley Balsa Wood Surfboards Miranda

If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Woodwork: DIY Balsa Wood Surfboard Course