What was the moment Good Surf People went from an idea to an actual timber board in someone's hands?

Back in 2016 I started making surfboards in our back sunroom as a hobby that soon turned into a similar business called Hughies, building timber boards whilst my wife ran her brand ‘ Luca the label. In 2022 We took a short break to travel Australia with the girls.  I was pondering on what was my next thing? I constantly had people message me asking for boards.  So I went to Court and said: "how about we do the boards again?" She was keen but wanted us to have a proper crack at it business wise. Probably the best shift we have had! Now we are so busy building bellyboards and surfboards for people all over the country. 

Why timber over foam? Was that a sustainability call, a performance call, or both?

I have always made things out of timber, I’m a joiner by trade. I got intrigued seeing Tom Wegener building these timber boards and I was determined to build one. Really - it just started flowing from there. I like the fact the I can make a product that has very little harmful impact on the environment. But also no harm to the myself or consumer.

"Surf for joy, not for status" we love this. What made you want to build a brand around that instead of the usual performance-surf angle?

The ocean is for everyone and all abilities. It’s a place to find joy whether your laying down on a board, or standing up. The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun!

You mention picking up rubbish at the beach as part of who you are, not a marketing line. Where did that habit start? 

We started that really early with the girls. We wanted our girls to respect our beaches and the natural environment. Keep it beautiful, keep enjoying it. It’s the same values that Court and I grew up with. It’s all about respect. 

Running a business and raising three girls. What does a normal week actually look like for you?

It’s chaotic at times haha.  Without Court I don’t know how I would do it.  The two older girls have so many commitments from musicals to netball. But we love it . If they are happy, so are we.  Little Dee pretty much goes with the flow tagging along to all the nights of netball and time spent in the shed.

Has fatherhood changed the way you build boards, or the way you run the business?

The girls are my drive. I want them to be able to do the things they want to do and it’s the flexibility of running my own business which allows that to happen. I'm never missing the girls sports or other important activities they have on. 

 Best family beach day you can remember?

Theres one before Delilah came along.  It was winter in Coolum beach, it was raining but we all had the urge to go and find a clean wave somewhere. We pulled up at the bays in Coolum beach and it was sooo clean the four of us, catching perfect peelers, the girls were frothing.