Watch: The O'Riginals // Dan's Big Trip

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

Preparations for any OS surf trip are often fraught with list-making and last-minute packing, but spare a thought for the surfer/shaper trying to get their travel quiver in order.

In the latest O'Riginals instalment, the camera follows young Crescent Head surfer Dan Johnson as he prepares for his first trip through customs replete with a four-strong, self-shaped quiver - plus one bog standard lid for the shallow days.

And what a well-rounded quiver it is.

From log to bonzer (6'7" x 19¼ x 2½ - it was the first bonzer he'd ever shaped or ridden), finless asymm inspired by Ryan Lovelace's Rabbit's Foot, and high performance asymm (5'8" x 18¼ x 2¼ with nose and tail similarly offset), all of them under his lowkey Snarly label.

Glassed locally and painstakingly packed - towells taped to rails etc. - Dan caught the first flight landing at Munda in the Solomon Islands before a connecting flight took him onwards. Surfers who've travelled through there before will rejoice at the size of Dan's cargo; those inter island flights once had a strict two board limit - some even less than that.

The trip was way back in April, late season for that part of the world, and the surf fluctuated between 4' and tiny.

Comments

surfstarved's picture
surfstarved's picture
surfstarved Monday, 16 Dec 2019 at 4:38pm

He might have a vacuum attachment, but the kid's gotta get a mask on or he'll be wheezing uncontrollably by the time he's 40.

Great clip otherwise - good on him for getting in and shaping his own craft. There's a special feeling to being out in the water on a sled you've brought into the world yourself.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Monday, 16 Dec 2019 at 5:41pm

So good seeing a young ripper lit up with the thrill of adventure. His Thousand watts of smile made me happy . Bloke’s got some style on a board .

The waves at the end were a bit of a cold spoon though.

And I’m not too sure about the size of that wahoo .

These Oniell vids aren’t too bad at all.

channel-bottom's picture
channel-bottom's picture
channel-bottom Tuesday, 17 Dec 2019 at 9:26pm

Based on your comments on the Needs vid, thought you would be scathing on the guy blowing up North Coast and Pacific spots.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Tuesday, 17 Dec 2019 at 10:23pm

Don’t think I saw a wave I’d drive 5kms to surf , did you ?

It’s like anti-advertising for the spots.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Monday, 16 Dec 2019 at 6:37pm

Likeable Young Hipster ..yes agree look after those Lungs Grom !

Blowin 6'3 ghost at Randwick 37ltrs FCS plugs G-tree -seller will take $500

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Monday, 16 Dec 2019 at 9:47pm

Thats my board , Udo !

Cheers for the heads up .

Edit - It’s already gone ! Figure I’m going to have to get a custom with a glass upgrade anyway. Cheers mate. Much appreciated.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Monday, 16 Dec 2019 at 9:55pm

Still showing as avail..its had one offer...mine of $500 on your behalf..
ad edited now showing location nth Bondi

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Monday, 16 Dec 2019 at 9:57pm

Haha !

I couldn’t see it . There was one at Randwick but it was 5’10” or something, one at caringbah and an ad for new ones.

Yeah mate , I was checking a fella’s 6’5 “ after watching him get some bombs on it the other day at a 6-8ft pumping reef break . He’d got the upgrade to 6 ounce all over and it felt beautiful.

Not much point getting a board made for epic waves if it’s not strong enough to survive them.

Cheers anyway , legend .

jimmy-dell's picture
jimmy-dell's picture
jimmy-dell Tuesday, 17 Dec 2019 at 2:10pm

This is Wisdom, Indo Glass layup is a great option

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Tuesday, 17 Dec 2019 at 2:36pm

I'm liking these O'Neill vids.

Sorry, but I just can't rate their wetties. I wish I could but I just can't.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Tuesday, 17 Dec 2019 at 3:30pm

Not even The Animal ?

Are you telling me that the infamous Mardi Gras Trough Queen doesn’t know wetsuits ?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Tuesday, 17 Dec 2019 at 3:41pm

"Don't smile!"