The original Project Velo page from the BlastHawaii web site from 2001. Do not contact Blast about these as they were all sold and are in private hands.

Here’s the scoop…

In recent conversations with Paul Gross (a long time friend and board building collaborator of George Greenough) we began to wonder if anyone might be interested in replicas of George’s all time favorite glass spoon kneeboard — “Velo.” (See information on Velo in Surfer’s Journals Vol. 3 – #1, Vol. 7 – #2, and Vol. 7 – #4.)

Through the many kneeboarder contacts I’ve gained with www.blasthawaii.com, I sent out inquiries to people I thought might appreciate this unique opportunity.

Amazingly, within just a few days there were a number of folks who showed keen interest (and/or have their money in hand, so to speak) and are ready to get one. Some heard of it second hand, and contacted me about their interest on their own.

The response to the idea is very encouraging, and it’s bringing this project closer to reality every day.

Here are some FAQs:

How much will they cost?

The answer is US $1500, plus shipping.

(After you finish choking, please continue reading…)

Why so much?

Spoons made with Greenough’s exact design and flexibility take anywhere from 5 to 10 times longer than conventional boards to make, and the material cost is much higher due to the many layers of cloth needed to build up the solid glass areas. When you consider the material cost and amount of labor, they are a deal.

Also, there are only two people in the world who have the knowledge to build them…George and Paul. George doesn’t make boards for other people (he’s too busy making his own stuff, 24/7) so that leaves Paul!

Lots of folks have made Greenough-type spoons over the years, but none of them were as highly developed. George evolved his knowledge of how and why a board and fin should flex over many years. This is not to say that other people’s spoons don’t work, it’s just that they are different…and Greenough’s boards have a feeling and performance that are, like George, very unique.

Another factor to consider is the high cost of other high tech surf craft on the market today. Windsurfers and even the new composite longboards are well over the $500 mark…and many of these are now being mass produced in Thailand, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Even top of the line short standup boards are over $500. These are now computer shaped and finished by “ghost shapers” then signed by the designer, Rawson, Merrick, Rusty etc. etc. They are not “custom” made and tuned, as this run of Velos will be.

Before his permanent move to his home in Byron Bay Australia, George Greenough sold his 4 all time favorite spoons to a collector in Morrow Bay for $22,000. I think you can do the math.

Can I make a deposit?

No. Paul needs the entire purchase price up front. He is in no position to absorb any losses due to unpaid balances.

Are Greenough spoons available anywhere else?

No. There has never been a run of Greenough boards made for sale. In fact, I don’t think he has ever made a board for anyone else. The handful of Greenough boards that are out there are either boards Paul has made, or George’s used ones he has sold to friends. (By the way, one the boards George himself rides was made by Paul…that’s how good his boards are.)

Do Velo models work anywhere?

NO, NO and NO!!!!!

It is very important to realize that the Velo concept needs long, semi-hollow to very hollow waves to work. They will not even begin to fire in beach break or the lesser reefs. Think Rincon, Honolua Bay, Lennox Head, Scorpion Bay. Don’t think Manhattan Beach Pier, Virginia Beach, or San-Onofre. The principle behind the board is that the very deep displacement hull under the nose sucks the board over into deep, carving turns, and the large fin drives it forward. Velo DOES NOT respond to simply being pushed towards the beach, even by a powerful wave. It needs a long, looping wall. When it finds that kind of power, watch out. It takes off like a rocket, and is the most natural tube riding vehicle of all time. (Check out “The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun” for some good tube riding action on Velo.)

So what is the value of having one?

For starters, Velo was the board that sparked two revolutions…the shortboard revolution, and the kneeboard revolution. Secondly, it is one of the single highest performing boards of all time…if you consider long, carving, accelerating turns, 180 degree cutbacks off the white water, and deep tube rides performance surfing. They don’t paddle well, but spoons duck dive as well as a body surfer…which is great in big waves. And the feeling of riding a board that flexes in the proper way is unforgettable. You feel like a fish in the water.

Secondly, because of the clear area in the center, Velo boards are the coolest wall hangers.

Will my board be identical to the Velo board George rode back in the 60’s?

Yes and no. They will be made using George’s templates, hull shape and flex pattern. However, Paul wants to make them a few inches longer because most of us weigh more than George’s 135 lbs. George’s spoons were all 5′ 0″. Paul thinks 5′ 3″ will be correct. (Because of the flat tail rocker on Greenough shapes, every inch of added length makes a big difference.) The one variable in each individual board will be the amount of flex. Your weight will determine how much the fin and tail bend. (If you can find a video version of “The History of Australian Surfing,” there is a great shot of George demonstrating the flex of Velo’s tail and fin. It is really radical, but remember, that is flex for a 135 lb. rider!!!)

We have had some discussion whether the fin should be glassed-on like George’s original Velo model, or bolted-on like his later boards. The bolt-on has many advantages: It you damage the fin it can be replaced (at a cost, of course), it’s easier for travel and shipping, you can also try other fin designs and placements. Also, boards with the fin removed are easier to mount on the wall with the deck up. However, the glass-on is “cleaner” looking.

How strong are the spoons?

That depends. They are a lot tougher than the typical foam and glass board. George’s own boards typically lasted 5 years of constant use. However, if you are careless and bang the flexible tail into something while transporting it, it could chip or break. They rarely ding because there is so much cloth over the foam areas, and they don’t wash into the beach because they have neutral buoyancy…so rocks aren’t a problem. Overall, they are very durable, but you do have to treat them with the same respect you show any good piece of equipment.

Can I wear a leash?

Not a good idea. Spoons don’t wash into shore anyway, and the glass tail could really cut you us if a leash were to pull it back at you. Paul told me that George used a leash on a board he used to shoot movies from, and he attached it to the nose and used a body harness as an anchor point, so it is possible but not advisable.

Can I get any color?

All of these boards will have the color pattern shown in the Surfer’s Journal Vol. 7 – #2 article. If you want another color besides red, that’s fine. But remember, red, orange and/or yellow boards are a lot easier to find when you lose the board in the water. Stay away from blue and green.

How long will it take to have a Velo Model made?

Count on 3 months. It might get done sooner, but 3 months is a safe bet. Each glassing step needs to cure before the next, and there many glassing steps to make a good spoon.

One last thought…

This project is a sort of preservation effort. These boards were directly responsible for the short board revolution and spawned the myriad of kneeboard designs we now enjoy. A few functioning examples of these unique boards and people capable of riding them out there is a good thing.

I’m not getting any $ from this. For my efforts, Paul will compensate me with the conditional use of movie footage he shot at Big Rock in the 70’s. This will be added to a kneeboard film project I’ve got going.

If you are interested, you have some time to think about it. Paul wants to get together a batch of between 3 and 10 boards before he dives into the toxic fumes and itch dust!

Aloha,
Bud McCray

Project Velo Update from Paul Gross

It’s been almost four months since we announced our intention to build fully functional replicas of George Greenough’s legendary “Velo” model spoon kneeboard. So far, 6 spoons have been ordered.

Dozens of other kneeboarders from around the world have contacted me, stoked that someone is keeping kneeboarding and George’s designs alive. Corresponding with everyone has been the most fun part of the project so far.

I spoke to George over the phone the other day, and he can’t believe there has been so much interest in his board. He really sounded flattered. Over the years (decades, actually) George has been extremely generous with his knowledge and enthusiasm relating to spoons. It’s a great feeling to dust off all that dormant knowledge and put it to good use.

The new photos of a Velo model under construction clearly show the areas where glass has to be built up and then carefully tapered into the board. Balancing the stiff and flexible areas are the key to making spoons which surf well and are durable in the water.

If you have any questions or comments about the spoons, feel free to contact me at