Hi! And welcome to Astro Surfboards' new blogspot!

If you're not yet familiar with Gary Burden - you can read a bit about him and his shaping below, in the Shaper Profile section. It's just a snapshot for now - as this blog is so new - but there'll be more to follow in the coming weeks.

Also in the pipeline... keep an eye out for Astro's Choice Boards Gallery; Testimonials; Special Offers and lots more.

In the meantime, if you'd like to know more about Gary's shapes, designs and prices, please feel free to email him at:

astrosurfboards@aapt.net.au

Shaper Profile: Gary

Growing-up on Sydney's Northern Beaches in the '60s and '70s, Gary Burden spent his childhood, like most around him, in the surf.

Never having too much time for school, Gary left at age 16 and had shaped his first board before his 18th birthday. Working, at the time, for Lee Riley - he familiarized himself with all facets of board manufacture; polishing, glossing, sanding and glassing.

In 1989, Gary started his own board business Ombok, in Europe. Two years later, he returned to Sydney - where he further honed his shaping skills working for Midget Farrelly and, later, the Haymes Family's board business, The Laminator.

In '94, Gary established Astro Surfboards in Avalon and between '98 and 2000 also ran his own Astro Surf Cafe there.

Having always been interested in all designs of the modern surfboard evolution - Gary dramatically shifted his riding and shaping focus towards longer boards and mals, in 93 - after a back injury forced him temporarily away from short boards...

... And with the dawning of the new millennium, Gary's shaping and surfing saw yet another rebirth - this time following his relocation to Byron Bay - where he had previously spent many of his teenage years and early twenties, camping out at Possum Creek and The Pass, sometimes with his step-brothers, sisters and friends and sometimes by himself - literally... Gary has fond memories of spending nearly the entire winter virtually alone at Clarks Beach Caravan Park - losing himself in day after day of uncrowded (or empty!) waves at the Pass and Wategos - hard to imagine these days!

Perhaps it was this return to his teenage playground or perhaps just the creative energy for which Byron has become infamous but something at this time sparked, in Gary, a newfound enthusiasm for board design - as he immersed himself in a variety of retro styles - resurrecting shaping know-how from classic twin-fins, fishes and fun-boards of all eras.

Today, this enthusiasm for the 'glory days' of shaping (and surfing) remains strong for Gary - who is continually experimenting with the full spectrum of styles when designing for surfers of all shapes, size and ability. For Gary, it's all about creating the best possible outcome for each individual. Ever putting people before profit, Gary is known among locals and loyal customers alike, as the shaper who still has time to sit and chat to each and every surfer who comes his way. Each board is very much a labour of love, commitment and passion...

And, of course, Gary's passion for experimentation never wanes - there's always a new concept, combination or technique to try... ever searching for a yet more 'perfect' board!