Yonder X Visionary - The Sister Slide Project
Welcome to the Yonder Sister Slide Project!
For anyone that has ever been on either a lesson or a camp you know how passionate we are about doing things right. From speaking to so many of you that are ready to take that next step moving on from either a foamy or your first mini-mal, those wanting to try longboarding or step down onto something a little smaller we want to help you to get it right.
It can be a complex issue knowing what board is right for you so in order to demystify and teach you some of the fundamentals we are launching this fantastic initiative in collaboration with the awesome Saltburn based shaper Glenn Nary. Glenn shaped my Orange 6’2 six channel Singlefin that I have been surfing since November - it is beautifully made, finished and surfs really well. I worked with Glenn on the design and I can’t wait to work on the next ones with him.
We will be making ten boards this spring with the aim of getting ten girls on the right board. For more details on how to get involved see the blog post below. We are putting the feelers out at this stage so if this is something that interests you, please get in touch. We are being transparent with pricing from the offset. These will be boards built to last, the idea is that these boards are to be kept for years or kept in the community of Sisters of the North Sea. They will be glassed to last with beautiful, functional design from years of surfing and shaping experience.
YONDER X VISIONARY SURFBOARDS
Ultimately, we want to see an emerging community of female surfers in the North East of England. We want to help to grow that community and put the North East on the global map as a hot spot for female surfing through events, initiatives, grom clubs, surf lessons and outreach events. We don’t want to separate ourselves from the men; but integrate seamlessly, bringing the wider surf community together.
So far, we have helped hundreds of girls to get in the sea for the first time, get to their feet or refine their technique and build confidence. Since Yonder started, developing independent surfers has been at the core of what we are trying to achieve.
In 2019 we developed a mini-mal surfboard with local shaper David Kennett of K&K Surfboards and as a result, we are confident that a group of women in the North East and beyond who were a part of that scheme are on the right equipment.
Believe it or not, the commercial surf industry isn’t always on the side of the surfer - they are on the side of profit. There are many examples of ‘beginner boards’ that are a huge hindrance to beginner surfers. Working with a local shaper to create something specifically for you and your needs is the best way to make sure that you are getting the right equipment to help your surfing.
Surfboards are an investment and buying one is a big decision to make - so it’s worth getting it right.
The Sister Slide Project is an opportunity to work with Yonder and Visionary to get one of ten boards we will be making as part of the project - with a workshop and educational event to design it and a launch party/exhibition of the completed boards to show the boards to the envious public.
The Concept -
We want to simplify and demystify the process of ordering a board and create something beautiful with our combined knowledge and experience. Using the quiver of boards (past and present) from our collection and Glenn’s beautiful designs there will be a base design for three categories of board.
To launch the project we will host a private event with Glenn Nary of Visionary Surfboards. We will discuss some of the fundamental elements of surfboard design and construction and explain the design features of the three boards. The idea of this project is that the ten participants not only get a beautiful surfboard, but some new knowledge and understanding to take forward as independent surfers.
Once the boards are finished, we will throw a public launch party for the project somewhere in Newcastle. Kind of like an art show come celebration of female surfing and surfing in the North East of England.
The Boards -
Mini-Mal -
Fins - FCSII Thruster
That perfect blend of long and short - somewhere in the region of 7’6 with a good bit of foam packed into it. This is the starting point beyond foamies. We love foamies but trust us, you will get bored and they will hold you back after a certain point in your surfing.
Longboard - Singlefin
We know that there are a handful of ladies who are going to be amazing long boarders; graceful, stylish and surfing with considered movements on those smaller, clean days. We have a design that is a tried and tested blend of tradition and contemporary longboard.
Midlength - 2+1
Smooth surfing, turns, early take-offs and a bit more speed than longboarding. More of an all-rounder for those wanting to surf slightly bigger waves and step down from a mini-mal onto something a bit more manoeuvrable. Some of our favourite surfing happens on single fin boards between 6’8-7’4.
The Price -
Midlength - £550
Mini-Mal - £580
Longboard - £725
*The idea is that these boards are to be kept for years or kept in the community of Sisters of the North Sea. They will be glassed to last with beautiful, functional design from years of surfing and shaping experience.