Surfing and a new partnership swells at Chewonki
Chewonki Summer Wilderness Programs Director Ryan Linehan, right, and Grain staff member Andrew Gardiner show off two hand-made surfboards in front of the Chewonki barn, as part of the launch of the new Chewonki Board Building Expedition. Courtesy of Chewonki
Chewonki Summer Wilderness Programs Director Ryan Linehan, right, and Grain staff member Andrew Gardiner show off two hand-made surfboards in front of the Chewonki barn, as part of the launch of the new Chewonki Board Building Expedition. Courtesy of Chewonki
Chewonki’s announced December 18 that it would be partnering with Grain Surfboards of York to launch a new 3 1/2 week Surfboard Building Expedition. 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. The trip is open to beginner and intermediate surfers and woodworkers.
The coed adventure provides the opportunity for 16- to 18-year-olds to build their own wooden surfboards and then embark on a week-long surfing trip in the warm, inviting waters of Nova Scotia. The inaugural trip will run from July 20 to August 11, 2014. Enrollment is open now and will continue until the eight spots are filled.
“We are proud and excited to partner with Grain,” said Chewonki Summer Wilderness Programs Director Ryan Linehan. “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 their amazing 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.
“Grain is proud to begin a partnership with Chewonki to bring new and exciting programs to an already renowned suite of teen programs,” said Andrew Gardiner of Grain. “This partnership is the first of its kind for us and provides for young people to be challenged as designers, builders and adventurers.
“The freedom of surfing combined with the empowerment of building your own board will enhance every student's life, while enriching their teamwork, outdoor and woodworking skills.”
To learn more, visit www.chewonki.org/trips/trip_boardbuilding_expedition.asp.
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