CHEWONKI SUMMER Wilderness Programs Director Ryan Linehan, right, and Grain staff member Andrew Gardiner show off two handmade surfboards in front of the Chewonki barn as part of the launch of the new Chewonki “surfboard building expedition.”
Chewonki announced a partnership with Grain Surfboards to launch a new three-and-a-half week “surfboard building expedition.”
The co-ed adventure is meant to provide eight 16- to 18-year-olds the chance to build their own wooden surfboards and then embark on a week-long surfing trip to the waters of Nova Scotia. The dates are from July 20 to Aug. 11, 2014.
The program will be offered for the first time this summer at Chewonki’s base in Wiscasset, with the surfing portion of the expedition to take place on the sandy beaches of Nova Scotia, officials of the sustainability institute said in a news release this week.
Grain Surfboards began in the basement of a home minutes from the waves in York Beach. Mike LaVecchia combined his love of board sports with a passion for traditional wooden boatbuilding techniques to create works of art for riding waves. Brad Anderson joined as coowner shortly after and, with the help of some friends, Grain has grown into a full-fledged surfboard manufacturer known for innovative techniques, classic designs and ground-breaking products.
“We are proud and excited to partner with Grain,” Chewonki summer wilderness programs director Ryan Linehan said. “They are known for their expertise in building wooden surfboards, and Chewonki is excited to provide great surfing leaders. This program builds on our long tradition of wooden boatbuilding and travel with teenagers in the Gulf of Maine.”
Linehan noted that the boards will be created using hand tools and methods that stem from traditional boatbuilding practices.
During the building process, participant excursions will be made to the local beaches near Chewonki to practice surfing. Visits will also be made to the Grain workshop in York to see their operation and meet the staff.
Once the surfboards are ready, participants will embark on an expedition to the beautiful beaches of Nova Scotia.
While there, they will learn surf technique, surf etiquette, and how to assess conditions for a lifetime of surfing adventure. At the end of the expedition, participants will take their surfboards home with them to keep forever.
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