The Travel Beater Project is a DIY open source travel surfboard that can be brought on a plane as a carry on. This board is a work in progress and utilizes Catch Surf’s Beater surfboard. Matthew McGregor-Mento explains exactly how he made his board, his thought process behind the project, and how to make your own. He hopes you’ll make one yourself, improve upon his ideas and share your version here (where you will also find the steps and materials needed to make your own): http://travelbeaterproject.com/

Note: Contrary to what the V/O explains in the video, Matt says there are actually 4 stringers inside the board. And he is using a jigsaw, not a hacksaw…

For more on the project, check out the interview below:

As a surfer, what would you say is the key to traveling light?

I’d say the key is to pack as light as you can in everything including surfcraft. Consider small surfcraft that will fit in the overhead or in your luggage like a bellyboard, a surfmat, a handplane or a travel beater. Don’t let luggage size/cost or board bag hassle stop you from getting in the water. I like to bring some kind of surfcraft with me every time I know I’ll be near the ocean.

What was the inspiration behind making your own travel board?

I travelled with surfmats for a few years and it was great to be able to just throw a mat and fins in my luggage and get some surf. I had a travel longboard (mostly for the NYC subway) so I was aware of the idea of a splitting board. Lately I’ve been riding super small (sub 5′) mini-simmons boards (thanks RK) and it occurred to me that a board that size split up could make a carry-on sized travel board.

How long did it take you to make your Travel Beater from conception to shredding?

Just checked my email for the dates. I met Julien Roubinet at Rockaway Beach on August 8th. He was learning to surf on a finless Catch Surf Beater. I offered him my 4’11″ McCallum mini-simmons so he could ride a board with fins and I could check out the Beater. That night I researched the board and learned about the 4 internal graphite tube stringers and I thought of the Travel Beater. I was in the water with a prototype 22 days later. The actual building process took about two hours all together.

How does she ride?

She rides surprisingly well for her size. Easy to catch waves with a fun loose feel but it will still hold and track when you need it to.

Have you tried any other fin setups besides the bonzer side fins used in the video? Which have you found works best?

I’ve tried 3 fin setups. No fins (the stock setup), FCS B5 bonzer side fins, FCS FK-2 twin keels. I based my fin choice on the Wegener Bluegill because I saw similarities between the Beater and the Bluegill and I wanted to keep some of the finless feel. I don’t ride finless much so I knew I wanted at least the option for fins which is exactly what the FCS Soft Board System gives me. I only rode the twin keels on Julien’s board for a couple of rides but they seem pretty fun. As for which works best I’ll probably go with the keels in the future but honestly it’s mostly an aesthetic choice for me because I love the look of a big keel fin on a short mini-simmons-esque shape. Here’s what they look like on Julien’s board.

Anything that you see you could improve after this initial board?

There’s a few things I’d improve. Some I have solutions for and some are problems waiting for solutions. As I figure things out I’ll be updating my blog at travelbeaterproject.com.

1. After you cut the foam it tends to absorb a little water: I read that you can seal the foam with a heat gun and a wet rubber glove (heat the foam and run the wet rubber glove across the surface to seal the foam) but I haven’t tried it yet.

2. I’d like to seal the graphite tubes so they don’t flood: I think I could do this with some carefully applied silicone. This would also keep the insert tubes from getting lost inside the board because right now they can slide all the way up inside the board.

3. If the board is damp on top the tape doesn’t stick: I’m thinking I can glue a strip of tape in place to form a slick surface to tape to. This is only an issue if it’s really humid out and the board doesn’t have a chance to dry. Ironically you only need tape on the bottom of the board to maintain the structural integrity but without the tape on top you get more flex.

4. The short ends of the graphite tubes tend to pull out or push in: Easy fix. Just spray them with a little foam spray glue (3M makes a few different kinds).

5. At some point I’d like to create a different locking mechanism: The tape works fine but I’d rather a more permanent solution. I considered some kind of recessed velcro strip but I haven’t tried it yet. 

6. I’d like to try making a travel board out of a Catch Surf “The One”: The Beater is a great board but Catch Surf also makes a more expensive board that is around the same size. I’d like to try making a travel board out of “The One” to see what that was like.

Do you think this is a functional board that will be permanently added to your quiver?

I think so simply because no other stand up board I have can travel as easily. And because I don’t have a car I’m always “traveling” with my board whether I’m on the subway out to Rockaway, on a train out to Montauk, or on a plane to who knows where.

Why do you think that there hasn’t been a travel board already? Do you think this is a viable option for a mass market surfboard?

A few companies have made travel boards but they have catered primarily to the longboard crowd so the board bags are still pretty big (4′+). There are very few examples of short board travel boards and no examples, that I know of, of carry-on sized travel boards. The problem with previous short board travel boards was they were based on thrusters. A 4’6″ (about the size you need to make a travel board) thruster is basically unridable for most adults. But a 4’6″ mini-simmons-esque shape can work for many people.

I’m not saying the board is magic. It’s still going to take some getting used to. You are talking about an ultra short somewhat flexible soft board. But there’s plenty of great rides to be had if you are an open minded surfer. Check out the Catch Surf site to see what high performance surfers can do on these boards. And these guys are riding them finless in most cases; Johnny Redmond Beater Bonanza.

I’d love to see a shaper pick up this idea and make an epoxy version. That would be really interesting.

Tell us about your website WeMakeCoolSh.it. What kinds of projects are you involved in?

I’m the co-founder of a creative consultancy called WeMakeCoolSh.it. WeMakeCoolSh.it is our name and the URL for our company’s website. We use the site to document our own personal projects and the projects we create for brands. Most recently we put a pirate wifi network on the New York subway and we curated talent for the Xperia Studio for Sony Ericsson including this short film by Ed Sloane (referred to us by Cyrus) about being a surf photographer in Australia.

What are you planning for next?

A surfer friend of mine, Kevin Brennan, has a snowskate company called december and I’m going to shoot an all Manhattan snowskate video during the next big blizzard. We’ve identified the steepest streets and found some sick spots for tricks on stairs, rails, and drops. Just waiting for the next big dump so we can shoot it.

Although shooting with film is a dwindling art in the 21st century, there are still purists out there who have stuck to it. A bit more time consuming then the instant gratification of digital, shooting with film entails quite a few more steps to getting to a final print.

In this episode of Surf Sufficient, Aussie photographer Ryan Heywood walks us through how to create a quick contact or proof sheet that is cheap and easy. By using a digital camera and a quick Photoshop edit, you can print out your digital negatives before pulling the trigger on which images you actually want to print.

Camera/Edit:
Cyrus Sutton
Erik Derman

Music:
“Banter”
Peter Latrahugh

Trying to find empty waves may lead you off of the well-traveled roads, especially in some of the far off surf destinations around the world. But when you venture off the beaten path, the roads can get wet, full of ruts, and often 4×4 won’t even help. In this episode of Surf Sufficient, we venture down to Central America to show you a few tips on how to get your vehicle out of a jam and back on the road to finding surf. Remember, the locals know best…so listen up!

Camera/Edit:
Erik Derman

Music:
“Mela-d”
The Lion

About a year ago we made this video – http://www.korduroy.tv/2010/paint-your-board. But we at Korduroy dig doodling so much that we decided to show you how to make a more intricate design using spray paint, and variety of paint pens. Learn to build layers of color to help design a more visually esthetic surfboard. Bring your board to life with the help of this Surf Sufficient episode.

Spray Can:
Justin Unsworth
Brian Grasela

Paint Pen:
Erik Derman

Camera/Edit:
Brock Morgan
Erik Derman

Music:
“Intro Ft. The Genie”
40 love

There is no more tangible form of stoke than a surfer claiming a wave. But choosing the proper claim after a killer wave can be tricky. Not to worry, all questions will be answered in this episode of Korduroy tv’s Surf Sufficient as we look at a variety of claims to add to your surfing repertoire. So whether you slash the juicy nectar out of the shore pound on a skim, get spit out on a body board, perch ten on a log, or just need a few more points to get through your next heat, you’ll know exactly what to do after watching this..

Collaboration with:
Derek Dunfee & Josiah Panella

Archival Footage:

Courtesy of www.thesurfnetwork.com

Additional Camera:
Noel Robinson (R.I.P.)

Camera:Edit
Erik Derman

Original Music:
“Claim”
Bobby Vanilla

For more MUSIC contact:
irieomusic@hotmail.com

Summer is the time of year that many people look forward to. School is out. The weather is at its peak. Ocean temperatures rise. And people flock to the beach to soak it all up. With all those factors coming together, learning to surf has become a popular summertime activity. In this tutorial, we help get you ready by providing some basic tips and advice on making your first go at surfing a pleasurable one for you and those around you.

Surfers take the sport very serious and appreciate it when those who are learning take the time to learn the proper etiquette and rules to ensure ocean safety. Surfing also takes years of practice to improve and find yourself comfortable in the water so don’t get discouraged. Remember, it’s all about having FUN!

“Freeman Ditmar”
The Red Fox Tails
http://www.theredfoxtails.com

Surfing legend, Wayne Lynch, give a lesson on how to play the ancient Aboriginal wind instrument, the Didgeridoo. By using circular breathing techniques and a stylized breath, you will be able figure out different harmonics and make that baby hum like a pro.

Traditional Didgeridoos are made from termite-hollowed branches of eucalyptus trees. However, you can start by learning with a PVC pipe or piece of hollowed out bamboo and progress onto something more traditional from there.

Camera/Edit:
Cyrus Sutton & Erik Derman

When times are tough or you just want to simplify your life and become more mobile, living in a van is a viable option. But like anything, living in a small space has its pros and cons. Rent goes away but so may the opposite sex.

Be sure to equip yourself with some of the bare essentials and practice your ninja skills to ensure sleep undetected by suburban haters. Do your research to find a van that will suit your needs and budget, then hit the road. Your bedroom is where you make it.

Special Thanks to Brock Morgan

Camera: Edit
Erik Derman

Music:
“Tico” by
The Har-You Precussion Group

Ever wonder how to properly shoot photos of surfing or other outdoor activities? In this episode of Surf Sufficient we join the young photographer extraordinaire Morgan Maassen and explore some basic practices that will help you step up your game from point-and-shoot to scoring mag worthy shots.

Check his brilliant work at
morganmaassen.com

Camera/Edit
Cyrus Sutton

Song
“Apostrophe (Shawn Lee Remix)”
Jed and Lucia
Courtesy of Ubiquity Records
ubiquityrecords.com

What to add some more flex to your fin or reshape it to a sexier outline? Hull, spoon and mid-length specialist Ryan Lovelace show us how on this episode of Korduroy.tv’s Surf Sufficient. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be slicing and dicing through the waves with increased twang to each turn.

Remember to wear a mask anytime you are sanding fiberglass, that stuff can mess you up!

Check out more of Ryan’s awesome handshaped surfboards at..
pointconceptsurfboards.com

Music by our buddy Jonny Mack
Check out his many talents including web design and photography at…
jnymck.com