The Zag crew are usually pretty chuffed with our paperclip desk sculptures, but after seeing the quality of some of the entries into our WE MAKE IT SIC competition, we’re not quite so proud of our limited creativity. You’ll also be impressed if you check out some of the entrants into this year’s DIY compo sponsored by Bosch & Dremel.

With so many great concepts and meticulous craftsmanship, it was a tough decision to pick the winners for both categories – each scoring R15 000 worth of power tools from the sponsors.

In the end, Cape Town’s Jasper Eales came out on top in the ‘Innovation’ category, while Patrick ‘Tiny’ Peggs claimed the ‘Craftmanship’ award for his excellent wooden surfboard bar.

We chatted to our DIY champs to hear more about their projects.

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THE INNOVATION AWARD: The judges wanted entrants to get clever and think of something new in the surf world. This is all about the concept behind the entry.

Winner: JABBA SURF RACK
by Jasper Eales

Let’s start with the most important question first. Have you been scoring any waves lately, because it looks like your project kept you very busy?
I have been extremely busy recently, although weekend missions allow for epic, uncrowded surf. So yes, I have had some good waves recently, although in small doses.

How did you hear about the We Make It SIC competition?
I was notified by a friend who thought I should get involved, as it is a competition for my kind of thinking.

Does DIY make you stoked?
Very much so, I think DIY on a daily basis. It’s an extremely valuable skill.

Tell us about your entry. The concept behind it and the materials used.
I have grown up surfing and in a family full of surfers. I also grew up in a house close to the beach, where all my buddies pop in and leave their boards. This resulted in constant piles and a clutter of surfboards, always taking floor space and secondly, damaging the boards. So being a creative minded guy with a passion for DIY, I began this process of creating various surf rack designs. I have made about six different prototypes to date, and am still working on new concepts.
The concept is based on functionality and usability, with a use of low cost sustainable materials. The design is user friendly, showcases your artwork on your boards and is a completely unique surfboard storage system.

How long did it take you to get from concept to finished product?
As I mentioned above, it has been something I have been developing and re-working for a good few years. My mind is always reworking and designing things. I have a very busy and creative mind.

Describe the process of making your entry?
It started with a pen and paper, placing my ideas in my head onto paper. Then it was about measuring and figuring out a shape that would accommodate most board sizes and lengths. Then it was about how I wanted to interact and use the rack so that it was as functional as possible, but as simple to use as possible. Once I had an idea of the size, and function, I then looked at material choices. Being a man of the outdoors, it was important that the materials were environmentally friendly and sustainable. I also didn’t want to spend too much on materials, so it needed to be a cost effective material too. Once all this was achieved I focused my creativity on the finishing touches to try and achieve a look and feel that was appealing to the eye.

You’ve just won R15,000 worth of Bosch and Dremel power tools for winning the Innovation category. Is there any tool in particular that you are looking to get your hands on?
I would love to get a mitre saw.

Now that you’ve created all that space, what have you put in its place?
More surfboards… (laughs)

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THE CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARD: The judges were looking at the skill and craft that entrants put into making their entry.

Winner: SURFBOARD BAR
by Patrick “Tiny” Peggs

Howzit Patrick, it looks like your project kept you busy. Have you been getting time to surf?
I moved to Mauritius two years ago and surfing on the west coast is very tribal. I surf in the south and we have a cooking left hand reef break. Unfortunately this is windy season, so I’ve had to put the surfboard away and pull out the kite and kiteboard. Oh the project… Ask my girlfriend! (laughs)

How did you hear about the We Make It SIC competition?
I am an online Zigzag subscriber and I saw the ad in the mag.

Does DIY make you stoked?
I love it! I love working with my hands and learning new things. Building the bar was a first for me and was quite challenging. I’ve made a few things out of wood, like a surfboard clock/picture frame, a surfboard key holder, and my next project is a wooden surfboard beach chair – that’s if “the boss” doesn’t divorce me! (laughs)

Tell us about your entry. The concept behind it and the materials used.
Every New Year we have a house-to-house “pub” crawl and our place never had a bar. This year I decided to become part of the crawl, I wanted something totally different and unique. I did a bit of research on how to build a bar. I love surfing and I finally came up with the idea of a surfboard bar. Fortunately my job entails traveling a lot, so I managed to buy the tools from overseas because machinery here is expensive. The liquid products are difficult, I didn’t really know much about them and carrying liquid goods on your check-in luggage can be illegal.

How long did it take you to get from concept to finished product?
This project took about three and a half months – and nearly a breakup with my girlfriend!

Describe the process of making your entry?
The surfboard itself was built from different types of Miranti wood that I glued together double thick to form the basic thickness of the board. To get the shape, I googled surfboard shapes and found a really good website that you can download and print basically any shape you want. I made a template, then started shaping. Once the shape was complete, I did more research to learn how to glass a surfboard, but as the surfboard took me about a month to complete (and my glassing sucks), so I wasn’t prepared to take the chance. I finally decided to go with the epoxy varnish. Varnish, sand, varnish, sand…and so on.
The bar would be outside and the epoxy varnish has a UV protection which would prevent the discoloration over time. The bar itself is made from Kiaat wood. I think this wood has such great colours, but it does come with a nice little price tag. I glued the Kiaat strips together to make the top, sides and behind the bar. The bar is coated with UV protection outdoor varnish, but no epoxy.
I decided to fit RGB LED lights, allowing me to change the colour. I chose the Rip Curl logo as I think it’s great. It was easy to cut out – red just fits in with it, as the wave is traditionally red. At night the bar looks like ‘Hong Kong’ (laughs). It just gives a whole different vibe – whether it be sitting down to drink a glass of red, or letting your hair down.

You’ve just won R15,000 worth of Bosch and Dremel power tools for winning the Craftmanship category. Is there any tool in particular that you are looking to get your hands on?
A drill press and buffing machine.

Have you had any memorable drinking sessions with your mates at your bar?
Lets just say some things are better left unsaid.