Last updated on August 19th, 2023 at 11:50 am
We recently engaged in a fun project creating a Custom Glass Surfboard. It was inspired by a recent trip to Newport Beach, CA where we installed a large kitchen and bar countertop. Surfing is a way of life there. Early in the am, I spoke with a few surfers about our project, and we discussed interesting ways to capture the dynamics of surfing in a static glass piece.
Over and over the word “cutback” came from them, and from there I set about to create the aura of the cutback in our glass. Hand texturing the kiln allowed us to achieve the desired “cutback ” texture in 1.5″ thick glass. From there we fired waterjetted the shape… about 8′ long.
We also wanted to illuminate the glass with LED’s…Our lateral lighting technique contrasts the peaks and valleys of the textures. By illuminate each side of the Surfboard, we can control the starboard and port light to provide an amazing dual-palette inside this one Glass Surfboard. This technique really shows off the beautiful hand-carved curves in the glass. To conceal the LED’s, we engaged the expertise of Doug Pringle of Pringle Guitars. Doug Pringle is a masterful craftsman, and creates hand-made guitars of the highest quality, and we were impressed to see him accept this challenge. It was great to see him working on the zebrawood and maple side-rails for our Glass Surfboard. We also wanted to create a set of fins that implied another word we heard from the surfers: “Watch out for Sharks”. So we decided to pattern our fins after a shark, and serrate the rear edges. After a few days of skilled fabrication, the resulting surfboard was spectacular. See the results below and judge for yourself.
Now if only we could convince Kelly Slater to try riding the unrideable/sinking/guaranteed to NOT float Glass Surfboard !!!
A two short videos are is available:
Downing Designs Glass Surfboard Video
Downing Designs Glass Surfboard LED color changes
Doug and Mike Pringle
Glass Shark fins
Glass Surfboard Fins
Glass Surfboard
Glass Surfboard
Surfboard Nose