Three individual boards were completed along with a class surfboard, which was donated to the school for display.

It is planned that the board will eventually be sold or auctioned to raise funds for the course.

Every board was first designed on paper before being hand shaped from a block of polyurethane foam.

When the shape was symmetrical, smooth and suitably streamlined, it was spray painted with a design chosen by the student.

The board is then coated in fibreglass, set with its fins and polished to a mirror finish.

The resulting boards are a credit to the student’s willingness to learn and accept instruction and training, until they had achieved industry standard skills.

These new skills were recognised by the presentation of certificates of competency.

Course co-ordinator Evan Ramsden thanked participants, Michael Asbury, Matt Parret and Jacob Ramsden for their dedication and commitment.

Mr Ramsden also praised the Kempsey Adventist School, woodwork teacher Bill Iro, and the school council for opening up their facilities to the community.

School principal Rohan Deanshaw said that building strong community partnerships was part of the ethos of Adventist schools.

Matt Parret said he was thrilled with how his board had come out.

“It’s sick, I went ‘old school’ with the shape and the twin plywood fins,” he said.

“Today is the first time I have seen it completely finished and I’m rapt.

“In future I am going to make all my boards.”

The surfboard making class is open to the general public and the next class will start soon.

Christian Surfers Australia are sponsoring two places on the next course for disadvantaged youths.

If you would like more information or would like to apply for a sponsored place please contact the Kempsey Adventist School on 6562 7023.