This is where I’ll show you the different plywood boards I make. One thing they all have in common is that they’re handmade individually by me, in Portsmouth, UK. Being handmade means that, even if they share the same name, no two are the same – each Island City Board is unique.
My plywood bellyboards have evolved over the years I’ve been making them, and have a reputation of “going like **** off a shovel”. They are a traditional size of approximately 4ft (120cm) by 1ft (30cm) and are made from sustainability sourced Birch plywood. After cutting the shape, I start the bending process to create a rocker. This is a turned-up nose, which helps prevent pearling (having the nose of the board go straight under the water). Once the rocker is done, I then sand and shape the bellyboard. My aim is to end up with a bellyboard which is super-smooth, as one person said “just like glass”. When I’m happy that it’s finished, it becomes an…
Eastney Naturist
The name comes from the area of Portsmouth where the nudists hang out! And being a Naturist it has absolutely nothing on it. No branding from me. A plain, smooth Birch plywood bellyboard for you to do whatever you like. You could use it as a plain bellyboard, just brush it with a couple of coats of oil – linseed, tung or danish, whatever you fancy. After drying out, this will then be ready for the sea. After use, give it a rinse of fresh water and let it dry naturally. Refresh the oil every so often.
If you have a beach-related business, you could print or burn your own logo on these. Then hire them out or sell them.
One of the best uses for an Eastney Naturist to add your own design, picture or artwork. You can waterproof it by coating with a yacht varnish and then you’ll have a very unique beautiful bellyboard. But, it doesn’t have to go in the sea, you can hang it on the wall, check these out…
http://instagram.com/ellsbells_artt Art
http://instagram.com/moonshine_pyrography
http://instagram.com/farkfk
If you’re looking for a bellyboard to use straight away, then I have…
The HotWalls Flyer
This is named after my favourite part of my home town, a place I used to bunk off school to spend my time. It’s in Old Portsmouth, at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour and is well worth visiting. The HotWalls Flyers are my off-the-shelf bellyboards, they are ready for the sea. After the sanding process, they have had three coats of oil and two coats of varnish. They are great for beginners, in the white water surf, or the more advanced bellyboarders, on green wall waves. There is a saying amongst surfers that you should always have the right board for the conditions. These bellyboards are perfect for when a footboard isn’t going to work. And, because you are low down, on your belly, the feeling of speed is breathtaking. And being made of wood, you can keep one in the back of your car or van.
Every once in a while, I feel like being a bit more creative and do…
One-off Specials
As the name suggests, these are one-offs and special! They are coated with varnish, so can they be used in the sea, but you might just want to hang them on a wall. Here’s a few of them…
Island City Boards 