OUR WORKSHOP
Click here to check out what you can build
Over the last 10 years Bodhi Tree Surfboards has guided hundreds of people to build their own hollow wooden surfboards, bodyboards, and paddleboards, using local sustainably grown paulownia. From grommets to Grandparents, people from all walks of life from all over the world, and we will guide you to build your very own one of a kind hollow wooden surfboard. All of the boards are designed to surf however they are much more than that.
Over time we saw that more people were gaining benefit from being in the workshop beyond the joy of building and that was the driving force in us creating Connected By Inc. the new name and business in charge of the build your own board workshops.
Everything is the same just a new name a purpose for the future.
The workshop itself is open weekdays and weekends with all access by appointment, we love a party wave but don't like drop ins. In over time we will have open days and set open to the public hours but for now it's best to call to make an appointment to call past for a visit and check what you want to build and how things roll. It's generally 2 weeks from your initial visit to when we can get you started
With as little as 2 hours you can start your build.
We are more than happy to cater to FIFO, rolling builders and those on rostered work who wish to simply chip away at the building process as and when they can.
On average you can expect the build to take between 6 days to 6 months.
WORKSHOP PROCESS:
Day 1 - Construction
Create the decks for your sled: 4.8 mm paulownia as main timber, locally grown and milled, all machined in house, some feature timber and inlays available.
Build the frame or skeleton of your board.
Day 2 - Construction
Clean up frame
Cut bottom deck to shape glue
Place in fin blocks.
Break for 2 or three hours while the glue sets.
Glue top deck on.
Day 3 - Construction
Define the outline of the board and prepare the "skirts" of the frame for the rails
If time permits we will fit the rails on.
Day 4 - Shaping
Trim the rails and begin shaping
*This first day is removing the meat and understanding the concept
Day 5 – Shaping
Refining and defining
Tail finalisation
Day 6 – Shaping
Deck sanding
Final refinement
Deck loop (if desired)
The upfront cost of the workshop is for all materials, tool and workshop use and tuition for construction of the board, however the construction cost does not include glassing which is necessary for surfing and long term preservation.
We are available to glass your board or can recommend trusted professionals to preserve your creation and give it that showroom finish. Glassing in-house or by our recommended glasser is $500. All builds come with a package price of the build and glassing.