My homemade surfboard from 1971.
When we started surfing N Devon in 1970 we couldn't afford decent boards but we were able to buy blanks and materials from the Tiki factory in Braunton. They imported their blanks from the USA and sold them as glue ups with a wooden string.
This was my second attempt having sold on my first board. It had a slight v in the nose with softish rails - good for surfing slop which was quite common. The rails hardened up towards the tail giving manoeuverability on the occasional good wave.
It had a skeg box with a jam in fin and a couple of sheets of the Bristol Evening Post was guaranteed to hold it firm. I never made a fin that didn't whine at speed.
In those days there were no leashes and it certainly taught you to hold on to your board at all times. I think it made for neater surfing.
I've still got my board in the garage but if I get to the sea these days I use a foam body board - but still have fun.
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