Stand Up Surf Board Paddle Build

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A few years back, I was hanging out in Laguna Beach, CA. I went into a surf shop and saw some beautifully laminated-wooden stand up surf board paddles. I’d love to have one, but man they were expensive. So I figured that I’d try making one when I got back home.

I hated to leave this view from my room, but I had to go back to work to pay for vacations like this one.

I’d never done any wood lamination work before, so as I always do I went to the web for knowledge. I found a set of instructions on how to build and finish all kinds of paddles. The instructions also included templates. I think I paid $20.00 for the downloadable set, but if you look around you can likely find some for free on the web.

After reviewing the instructions, I started digging through my wood pile. I didn’t have any really nice lumber, but I figured for my first attempt I should just use what I have.

Also, since I did not own a paddle board, I decided to make it as a gift for a wonderful friend who does own one.

I began by laying out and gluing up the paddle, paddle shaft, and paddle shaft angle. As I always say, you can never have too many clamps!

I don’t have many power tools, but I do have a biscuit joiner. This is very helpful in joining pieces of wood together. The tool makes a semi-circle cut in the edge of the wood. You then do the same to the piece of wood you want to join. An oblong wooden piece (biscuit) fits into the two semicircle cuts. All you need is to glue up the cuts with the biscuit in place and clamp together. Works great.

In the second picture (on the right), I have glued up the shaft, shaft angle, and the paddle. I put weight on the paddle so that it would not bow under the pressure of the clamps.

Here I have rough cut the paddle end and the shaft handle.

Next I used a power sander to shape the entire paddle. The paddle is very long as it is a stand up paddle. Note the lower shaft has about a 30 degree angle and was attached to the upper shaft using the biscuit method as well.

The angle gives the paddler more power per stroke.

Finally, I stained the paddle and gave it four coats of marine Varathane. That gave it a deep, glossy look and waterproofed it too.

For my first attempt, the paddle turned out pretty well. My friend loved it! I will be making more paddles in the future.

Meyer Lemon Chutney

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If you have never tasted a Meyer lemon before, they are sweeter than a regular lemon – a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange.

January through April are the best months to either purchase Meyer lemons or pick them from your tree (if you are lucky enough to have one).

I’m going to show you how I make Meyer lemon chutney. Chutney is a traditional Indian subcontinent (India, South Asia, Caribbean, parts of Africa and Fuji) chunky spread. It comes in many different varieties, but is usually spicy in taste, and made with fruits, spices, ginger, and brown sugar.

Chutneys are wonderful as a spread for meats, a stand-alone side dish, or as a topping on rice or desserts. Really, it’s the ‘bomb‘ and goes with anything as far as I am concerned!

Okay, let’s get started.

I use a simple recipe from Food 52 that I found on the web:

Ingredients

  • 4 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup of lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
  • 1/2 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1 pound brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 8 lemons (for the mix)
  • 2 tablespoons sea salt

Directions

  1. Remove the zest from 8 lemons with a vegetable peeler, being careful to not include the pith (white part). Cut away the pith and discard. Chop the zest and the flesh fine with a good sharp knife. Transfer into a glass or earthenware bowl, mix with 2 tablespoons salt, and let sit overnight.
  2. On the next day, transfer the lemons to the pan and add all the other ingredients. Stir and cook gently over medium heat till it becomes thick (up to 45 minutes), dark brown and gooey. You will fill 4 to 5 medium size jars

As a side note, I found that 45 minutes was not enough time to get the mixture gooey. It was more like 90 minutes. Don’t worry too much as it will thicken up in the refrigerator overnight.

Zest from 8 Meyer lemons.

Finely chopped zest.

Ingredients combined in a sauce pan.

Enjoying chutney in the morning on bread topped with banana – so yummy.

Simply Amazing – Give it a try!