Steve O'Donnell

Bennett Surfboards linked me up with Steve O'Donnell in 2010 and since then he's been shaping my longboards. He thoughtfully crafts his boards and they are amazing to ride. In 2012 Steve will be shaping under his own label and Bennett Surfboards is introducing me to a new Bennett shaper. I really respect Steve's board shaping skills but also appreciate the many hours he's been willing to spend talking about boards and surfing and the encouragement he's given whenever we've been competing at the same events. I'm stoked about meeting my new shaper and keen to learn different things board design but will be looking out for Steve to catch up at future comps.


free surfing on a Steve O'Donnell shaped high performance Bennett eight footer

The Snowy

A while ago i stayed down in Manly for my first year competing in the Snowy McAlister. We caught up with Greg Bennett and Steve O'Donnell from Bennett Surfboards. The surf was fairly average with messy onshore winds. I had decided to enter the U/18's, Open 8ft's and the open fish. The fish that i had brought with me was disqualified due to the tail being a swallow tail instead of a fish tail. Luckily for me Sage Joske was there with a van full of fish (the surfboard) and lent me an amazing little Valla board.

It was a very fun weekend and I ended up coming 4th in the open 8's and 5th in the under 18 9's on my very reliable Bennett surfboards.

Arrawarra

Travelled up to Arrawarra with the fam and the Bennett O'Donnell log.

Great break. Top fun.

the log

Visiting one of my fav places. Great boards to dream about.

Steve brings out the insane log he's been shaping for me.

It's the sickest board in the world

It's my Christmas gift. Thanks Dad, Mum, Greg, Andrew and Steve.

more visiting the shaper

More of visiting Steve O'Donnell from Bennett surfboards

The downside of travelling into and around Sydney is the traffic and all the crowds of people

But sometimes there's interesting sights (people).

Best of all is arriving at Bennetts and checking out the boards.

Critical Cyclonic Conditions

Noosa this year was great - keen to ride the new Steve O’Donnell shaped Bennett high performance longboard at 2011 Noosa Festival

(photos thanks to Tess at Surf Industries)

Testing the new Eight Footer

The new 8ft rides really well with it's quad fin set up. Its really noticable the difference a hand shaped board makes.

Eight Foot

Received an Eight foot Steve O'Donnell hand crafted Bennett board for Birthday! Thanks Mum, Dad, Greg, Andrew and Steve!

Board Froth

As a team rider for Bennett I've just recieved a newly shaped, newly sprayed performance longboard. Hand shaped and custom made by Steve O'donnell it rides really good.
Thank's Greg, Andrew and Steve from Bennett surfboards

freshwater

Last weekend I went down to Manly and saw crowds of people hanging around so i went to see what was going on and it was the Manly Freshwater area being announced as a surfing reserve. Amongst is was 1963 world title winner Midget Farrely, womens 1964 world title winner Phyllis O'donnell and my shaper Steve O'donnell.
Photo from surf city

Yellow Eight Footer

Had a go of Steve O'Donnell's Yellow Eight Footer.




Great speed and turning ability!

Can't wait for my new one..

day tripping to visit the shaper

It’s always cool going for a trip to visit Bennett Surfboards. Part of it is the journey and the stuff you see on the way - here’s a new way travelling oldies to describe their lifestyles: “recycled teenages”. But all roads eventually lead to Brookvale and Bennett Surfboards

Talking with Steve O’Donnell you get the chance to see and think about your surfing and the boards you ride in a different way. He knows his boards and can make subtle suggestions that just tweek ideas and shapes so that they might suit the performance to the individual rider and their different styles. He rides in comps and knows all about the range of conditions you face and what can make the perfect board.

I’m currently trying out a log shaped by Steve – really smooth, very stable

Steve O'Donnell shaped Bennett Board

I've been trying out a Bennett performance longboard (thanks again Tom!) shaped by Steve O'Donnell. Not much in the way of waves on this day but i'm noticing more and more the precision that a custom shaped board makes.

Steve O'Donnell shaped Bennett Board

Not much in the way of waves or banks on the central coast lately
but have been trying out a sick board hand shaped by Steve O’Donnell at Bennett surfboards (thanx for the loan Tom).
So much fun riding a finely tunned and crafted surfboard. The way the board reacts and surfs is just amazing.