HAND CRAFTED
UNIQUE SURF CRAFT
Dick Van Straalen is one of the most innovative and creative shapers in Australia. A fine surfer, he started shaping his own boards as a teenager and learn his art on the Northern beaches in Sydney in the 1960’s. It was when he moved to Burleigh Heads and started shaping under his own label in the 70’s that he really blossomed. The hollow sand bottom point breaks on the Gold Coast and his shapes were a perfect match, and his down railed, pintails pioneered riding way back inside the tube at Burleigh and Kirra.
Since then he has progressed into a master shaper who over the last 50 years has hand shaped all different types of ocean going vehicles from Open Ocean Racing Paddleboards, to Longboards, Reef Runners, Guns, Fishes and the many other designs that his fertile imagination comes up with. His combinations of rocker, vee, tail lift and outline templates are unique and produce a smooth, manoeuvrable, fast ride that allows you to maintain a high speed line at all times.
Since then he has progressed into a master shaper who over the last 50 years has hand shaped all different types of ocean going vehicles from Open Ocean Racing Paddleboards, to Longboards, Reef Runners, Guns, Fishes and the many other designs that his fertile imagination comes up with. His combinations of rocker, vee, tail lift and outline templates are unique and produce a smooth, manoeuvrable, fast ride that allows you to maintain a high speed line at all times.
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LATEST INSTAGRAM
WAVE RAVES
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"Well the 8'0" balsa gun is a gem!! Rode it at 4' lennox yesterday arvo and it flies!! Really fast for its size and shape..the fin feels great..I could push it hard through turns and it wouldn't pop out and slide on me...which is something g I have always had trouble with single fins doing... it flies dirk. So stoked!" DAVE RASTA - PATAGONIA |
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I surf the mostly the rocky reefs and coast of County Kerry. The Kingdom as it's known, here in Ireland. Like the cattle and the sheep, we have no natural predators here and so, rather than risk life and limb surfing further north along the West Atlantic coast of Ireland, I often stick around the friendly waves here in Kerry, where I can get lost in my own little world riding the pure magic that is a 5'8 Wasp in emerald green. A moment in time. Timeless. Thank you DVS! - @Cathal McCarthy
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WAVE LINES
Lennox Head Mar.15 last year..Rider Luke Daniels on DVS gun... Images Neil Campbell
Dick Van Straalen is often asked to explain his models. Well they are all morphs of one kind or another.
The images here are a loose interpretation of the delicious shapes he has produced but each is an interpretation of the riders desires and Dicks past experience with similar shapes tailored for the myriad surf conditions the rider prefers...and of course, each is an artwork. A totem of passion for the art of surfing...
The images here are a loose interpretation of the delicious shapes he has produced but each is an interpretation of the riders desires and Dicks past experience with similar shapes tailored for the myriad surf conditions the rider prefers...and of course, each is an artwork. A totem of passion for the art of surfing...
CUSTOM SURFBOARDS
Click above or below images to view
REPRODUCTIONS
MAL
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WASP
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MICRO
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The Surfboard Agency has produced a collection of custom crafted reproductionsof 4 of the most popular Dick Van Straalen “fun” boards. They are constructed using his favoured materials of EPS foam, carbon fibre and epoxy resin
Surfers around the globe who ride Dicks boards are .individuals who like to express themselves with unique styles and surf craft. Send in your pics and words of the 'stoke' so we can share on Facebook and Instagram. Ordinary surfers doing unordinary stuff...like enjoying just being there where it matters.
Foiled wooden fins by John Devereux
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Quad keels by styled DVS
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Standard quad fins by DVS
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Hi here is a sexy red to fusion black one.. its 5ft10 with a Joe Engle single fin with turned down flyers
Dick Van Straalen has a rich heritage of shaping as the surfers way. An early shaping venture with with Shane surfboards in Brookvale started his career as master of the craft. A move from Newport Beach NSW to Burleigh Heads in Queensland started his venture trading and producing unique surfboards. Dick represented the new creative artistry of hand shaped designs on the Gold Coast. A tradition of one off craftsmanship carried thru in the midst of machined pop outs and still a spirited designer understanding material and form as it moves thru the energy of the sea.
HISTORY
Dick & Anne Van Straalen have a rich heritage in the surfers way. An early Burleigh Heads migration from Sydney's northern beaches in the late 60's set them up in the forefront of the surfing heritage and family.
The Gold Coast waves were empty in those days and the design of surfcraft, surfwear and lifestyle was an open door.
Surfing history was enriched beyond measure by Dick and those early forebears of the surfing tribal culture.
The Gold Coast waves were empty in those days and the design of surfcraft, surfwear and lifestyle was an open door.
Surfing history was enriched beyond measure by Dick and those early forebears of the surfing tribal culture.
THE ART OF SURFING
Dick & Anne an Straalen have a rich heritage of art as the surfers way. An early Burleigh Heads venture traded as Sea Island, producing unique silk screened fabrics then fashioned into surf wear. Sea Island was a hub for creative artists and illustrators.
T Shirt stock and design is always changing so call or email Dick for current version & style.
A range of T's will soon be available on the website store.
T Shirt stock and design is always changing so call or email Dick for current version & style.
A range of T's will soon be available on the website store.
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T SHIRTS
CARBON
Pictured here is Carbon fibre on polyurethane fish. This is the ultimate and reliable combo for this type of enduring craft. Carbon fibre craft last and last and have amazing response to the energy of waves. As they mature they also become more 'alive' unlike conventional surfboards.
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Dick has been an early adopter of new technology with extensive experience in high performance materials like Carbon fibre. Pictured here is an Aviso model fish. These were totally hollow wings developed along aircraft design principles. |
BALSA
Some one of a kind custom shapes available thru these outlets below local and global.
From down the line screamers to loose fish for carving arcs. Check with Dick for current retail outlets.
From down the line screamers to loose fish for carving arcs. Check with Dick for current retail outlets.
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CLASSIC WATERMAN
Contact Dick Van Straalen on mobile 0409 262 729
PO Box 267 Burleigh Heads Qld 4220
Factory closed Wed and Weekend
Email cwdvs@bigpond.com
Contact Dick Van Straalen on mobile 0409 262 729
PO Box 267 Burleigh Heads Qld 4220
Factory closed Wed and Weekend
Email cwdvs@bigpond.com
Website by Seawolf...first team rider
