Meet: The Glassman.
Meet Evan Ledger, the virtuoso of the glassing bay at Moonshine Surfboards. With a steady hand and an artist's eye, Evan is an unsung hero, adding the final touch that elevates each board into a thing of beauty and function.
Evan is not only known for his commitment to fibreglass and resin; he's also making waves of his own in the world of surf competitions. Evan recently orchestrated an inaugural event – the South West Log Fest held in Denmark, WA. Competitors from all over Western Australia and even the wave-rich East Coast converged upon Ocean Beach for the event. The event's popularity and positive feedback were overwhelming, proving that the world of surfing is ever-evolving, and there are those like Evan who are not only riding the waves but shaping the very culture that surrounds them. Evan plans to run the South West Log Fest annually, making it a fixture on the surfing calendar.
What's your earliest memory of catching a wave?
I remember booging in my early days of surfing when Swanbourne beach got super dumpy, I only really started surfing an actual surfboard when I was in year 7. I think my first proper crack at surfing was on a horribly onshore day at tiny Scarbrough on a 6'8 JS. My Dad helped me figure it all out and we went from there. Then i mostly resided at Cove in Cottesloe and then one day I saw the light and got into the longboarding side of things. Iso's was the main place you'd find me if there were waves. It was nice in the early days of being a kid without a license just walking over the golf course and having that little stretch of waves just there.
What Moonshine shape is your go-to weapon at the moment?
I've been hard into the Longhorn shape, I really like how its just a bit more of a chunkier log, personally I much prefer flat bottom longboards over rolled bottom, I think Jack might prefer the other way around so it's nice to be able to experiment with all different shapes and see what we both think of them having different preferences. Otherwise the Demon model has been my go to shortboard, I'm currently on a 6'2 stringerless which goes unreal in all sorts of waves.
Share with us how you first got into the art of glassing surfboards? What drew you to this particular aspect of board crafting?
I got into making surfboards maybe 3 years ago. Jack had always made my boards and I felt that I wanted to help him out, he taught me in my last year of University while I was still living in Perth. I would drive down and stay with him in Dunsborough and for a couple days a week in between classes he would teach me how to build boards. Eventually I finished my Architecture degree and moved straight down to Injidup and have been working with Jack ever since.
What are some of the challenges you face as a glasser, and on the flip side, what are the most rewarding aspects of your role in crafting surfboards?
Some challenges you face as a glasser would be maintaining a consistent high quality finish. Taping up for cut laps still takes me a bit of time to get perfectly straight, but then it's immediately worth it once you cut the laps and you can see no imperfections. If you take your time to do a good job, building surfboards is a very rewarding process because you have the product in your hands and can physically see all the work you have put into it. It is nice when you do take a step back and look at the rack of boards we have in our showroom and think about the amount of hours that we put into making them.
What's the most exciting surfing destination on your bucket list and why?
Most exciting on the list is Angola or something proper different like that, I was looking into places like Somalia that could be a bit edgy but I reckon you'd score some uncrowded waves!
More probable is a trip to New Zealand, I have been a few times now and exploring more and more of the country, every time I go back I find out about different places I want to check out, I really like it over there, all the waves and scenery is incredible and a huge reason of why I've kept going back is the people. II've made some great mates in New Zealand over the years and can't wait to get back.
A pint of Swan Draught off the wood.
Bottoms up.
Evan is not only known for his commitment to fibreglass and resin; he's also making waves of his own in the world of surf competitions. Evan recently orchestrated an inaugural event – the South West Log Fest held in Denmark, WA. Competitors from all over Western Australia and even the wave-rich East Coast converged upon Ocean Beach for the event. The event's popularity and positive feedback were overwhelming, proving that the world of surfing is ever-evolving, and there are those like Evan who are not only riding the waves but shaping the very culture that surrounds them. Evan plans to run the South West Log Fest annually, making it a fixture on the surfing calendar.
What's your earliest memory of catching a wave?
I remember booging in my early days of surfing when Swanbourne beach got super dumpy, I only really started surfing an actual surfboard when I was in year 7. I think my first proper crack at surfing was on a horribly onshore day at tiny Scarbrough on a 6'8 JS. My Dad helped me figure it all out and we went from there. Then i mostly resided at Cove in Cottesloe and then one day I saw the light and got into the longboarding side of things. Iso's was the main place you'd find me if there were waves. It was nice in the early days of being a kid without a license just walking over the golf course and having that little stretch of waves just there.
What Moonshine shape is your go-to weapon at the moment?
I've been hard into the Longhorn shape, I really like how its just a bit more of a chunkier log, personally I much prefer flat bottom longboards over rolled bottom, I think Jack might prefer the other way around so it's nice to be able to experiment with all different shapes and see what we both think of them having different preferences. Otherwise the Demon model has been my go to shortboard, I'm currently on a 6'2 stringerless which goes unreal in all sorts of waves.
Share with us how you first got into the art of glassing surfboards? What drew you to this particular aspect of board crafting?
I got into making surfboards maybe 3 years ago. Jack had always made my boards and I felt that I wanted to help him out, he taught me in my last year of University while I was still living in Perth. I would drive down and stay with him in Dunsborough and for a couple days a week in between classes he would teach me how to build boards. Eventually I finished my Architecture degree and moved straight down to Injidup and have been working with Jack ever since.
What are some of the challenges you face as a glasser, and on the flip side, what are the most rewarding aspects of your role in crafting surfboards?
Some challenges you face as a glasser would be maintaining a consistent high quality finish. Taping up for cut laps still takes me a bit of time to get perfectly straight, but then it's immediately worth it once you cut the laps and you can see no imperfections. If you take your time to do a good job, building surfboards is a very rewarding process because you have the product in your hands and can physically see all the work you have put into it. It is nice when you do take a step back and look at the rack of boards we have in our showroom and think about the amount of hours that we put into making them.
What's the most exciting surfing destination on your bucket list and why?
Most exciting on the list is Angola or something proper different like that, I was looking into places like Somalia that could be a bit edgy but I reckon you'd score some uncrowded waves!
More probable is a trip to New Zealand, I have been a few times now and exploring more and more of the country, every time I go back I find out about different places I want to check out, I really like it over there, all the waves and scenery is incredible and a huge reason of why I've kept going back is the people. II've made some great mates in New Zealand over the years and can't wait to get back.
Favourite bevvy at the moment?
A pint of Swan Draught off the wood.
Bottoms up.
Images by @georgiaminnie_ & @peggyvoir