The Kit I took - Root 9' Long Board

The kit I went for is the Root 9' Long Board. As I figured I would be some time making this board and in no rush, it gave me the opportunity to look for something that I would like to still be doing in the later years ahead. I'm not likely to be still always on the shorter boards but this would be a board that will be well used for as long as I can live and be fit for. In the kit Grain has provided me with the planks of cedar timber, fin box, air vent, leash plug, cloth, resin, and a manual which is not all that explanatory.

What Grain says about it "Everyone needs one of these boards in their quiver. The Root features a moderate rocker, slight hollow in the nose and softer rails throughout. Perfect for those mushy knee to head high beach breaks. Smooth and fast."

Although not my own design this build will give me the confidence to possibly after this do something from scatch on my own, we all need a start somewhere. So the board kits arrived, it's late Feb 08. My daughter Caitríona is already checking it out, she sits well on it. Best start them young. Now the real fun begins, but looking forward to it.

The Decision

I decided I would like to give a go at trying to build one of these things because now I was going to be surfing less for the next forseeable future. We (my wife maggie and me) had a beautiful little daughter Caitríona, she was now nearly 1 years and we would both have to stop the every weekend trip west for the moment for a surf. This project would keep my mind of the waves that I would be missing every now and then, and I know that when completed I would have something to show for my time sacrificed on Dublins east coast. When it comes to surfing, really it's the west coast that gets its fair share of waves in Ireland. Though the south east and the north coast have some great days too, but being in Dublin is really like being landlocked. You may as well be in Offaly!