Field Days

Neal Purchase Jnr.

We decided it was time to get out of the office to go catch up with our long-time friend and part founder of Rhythm, Neal Purchase Jr. The field mission was simple, hit the road early to meet Neal for a surf check, where the waves were fun, and then a post-surf coffee catch-up back at his coastal abode.

Mornings like these make you appreciate the small things, and keep the stoke flowing.

What are you riding?

This board has been my go to recently in 2-6 ft waves.

It’s a 7’0 Duoza …..a duo with small side bites and have been tinkering around with it for 6 months or so.

The bottom shape is a slight single to an exaggerated Bonza double concave. Low entry rocker and an accelerated tail lift. Probably more of a longer shortboard then a mid length as it is 21 inches wide, a 13 3/4 Nose and 15 1/2 Tail and 2 5/8 thick. I’m constantly tweaking and changing rockers or dimensions slightly to achieve different feelings. This one was based off my original Stingfish duo and have just tweaked it slightly with the bonzered inspired additions.

What are you listening to?

Being a Shaper I listen to a lot of music or podcasts whilst shaping. I like lots of different music but tend to be drawn to instrumental music, whether it’s post punk, jazz, funk and classical guitar, or psych rock stuff. These include, Marbled Eye, BJTM, Civic, Low Life, Gold Class, Vintage Crop, Paul Desmond, Suprise Chef, Cymande, John Williams etc

What does your daily routine look like?

My morning routine tends to changed a bit as I don’t like routine too much. It usually involves one or all of 3 things and then I shape during working hours 4-5 days a week. It starts a lot earlier these days too and either involves an early shaping session, a walk with my wife and the dog or a surf. Actually the first thing I do after awakening is, breathing exercises and stretching, a coffee and then I’m ready for anything !!