BRUNO “THE BUZZ” BUZZOLAN

 

I grew up surfing on the NSW South Coast starting in 1970. I also often surfed the Eastern Victorian Coast, and over to Yorkes and Cactus in South Australia.

I began shaping boards for myself and friends in 1972 before moving to the Byron Bay area in 1978. Starting at “Sky Surfboards”. I was fortunate enough to work with:

Bob McTavish, George Greenough, Chris Brock, Michael Cundith, Rod Dahlberg and Nev Hyman. Tony Cerff, Gunther Rohn & Geoff McCoy.

On Design

Growing up in Southern Ocean juice was a good grounding in what worked and what didn’t. After moving to “The Bay” I was influenced by QLD style design, narrower, thinner and more rocker. Basically more sensitive boards.

I’ve always liked boards to be fast, responsive and forgiving. The Average Joe has only 1 board, so it must handle 1 to 6 foot conditions and also up to 8 foot occasionally.

So therefore, I concentrate on design aspects to produce the perfect all-rounder. These work in 2 foot slop to lumpy 6 foot chunks and Go Off in 2-6 foot clean pits.

Such designs are influenced by “Comp” models as all the best features are passed on to main stream design. Also of influence is the individuals personal preference, ability and location.

As I have surfed most of the Eastern and South Eastern Coasts, I realised different locations do require specific modifications for optimum all-round performance.

So whether it is a custom board, or a stock in your local surf shop, you can be sure it has been hand shaped with the waves you surf in mind.

 

STAY STOKED KEEP SURFING!

Bruno Buzzolan “THE BUZZ”

Email: bbsurf@tcsurf.com.au

ROBERT FENECH “GYPO”

 

I was born on the 15th of December 1959 in Maroubra Beach Sydney, I learned to surf when I was 13 years old, I started my own backyard surfboard business when I turned 15 and have been hand Shaping Surfboards since 1975 in Byron Bay.

By the time I was 17 I had shaped & glassed 30 surfboards for myself & friends, I moved to Byron Bay in the mid 70’s and began shaping for Sky Surfboards.

During the following years surfing & shaping in Byron Bay my knowledge of surf design was inspired by some of the most influential & progressive surfboard shaper/designers of the past & the driving force of the future: George Greenough, Geoff McCoy, Michael Cundith, Chris Brock, Bob McTavish, Tony Cerf, Gunther Rohn & Jim Banks.

With this knowledge & 30 years of shaping /designing experience I have developed a range of surfboard design models to cater for the diverse surfing community. The so called normal ‘modern’ surfboard has been refined down so much, that the average ‘punter’ surfer struggles catching waves and controlling it. As far as performance on a wave goes the modern surfboard is definitely at the top of the list and will out surf any other design, but you also need to be an above average surfer.

Model : “Stubby” (Double Ender : Egg)

Comes in all lengths, widths & thicknesses & can be modified for all levels of surfing. Perfect Beginner Board… Average level, Weekend surfer. Can be refined thinner & narrower with concaves for High Performance.

Model : “Retro Twin Fin Fish”

A High Performance Short-Board that paddles well (due to extra width & thickness, also flatter rocker which has increased glide, and doesn’t push water when paddling on the waves. This board design even though it’s from the past is very fast & loose, so very suited to the new, modern extreme style of surfing thus keeping the older maturing surfer surfing waves like the younger kids. Plus the extra paddling qualities for catching waves.

My whole life revolves around surfing & shaping.

I “Live Like This”

Robert Fenech “Gypo” The Gypsy

Email: rfdesigns@tcsurf.com.au