NEWS ARCHIVE
Falmouth Marine School Hits The Surf with Glass Tiger
Falmouth Marine School is proudly displaying in its foyer area one of the latest creations from Glass Tiger Surfboards.
Mark Roberts, owner of Glass Tiger surfboards based in Penryn, studied Marine Craft Fitting at the College almost six years ago. Mark came back to the College in December to give a lecture for one of the core modules on the Marine Leisure Management foundation degree. The lecture based around surfboard design and construction is not a new topic to most students. However, Glass Tiger boards designed to out-perform most other boards, use some of the latest and most creative methods in the field, which made for an interesting an extremely informative lecture. They are produced using durable materials that are environmentally responsible.
Amazed at the interest and enthusiasm the students showed in the wooden surfboard that Mark brought along with him to the lecture, he decided to not only share his experience and method with any budding shapers of the future, but to also lend the college one of his surfboards.
Phil Sanger, module leader for the course said: "I was really pleased when Mark offered us a board to show for a few months as it created such interest within his lecture. Even when we were planning where to place the board at the College, we were stopped by lecturers who'd never seen such a board before."
Rory MacPhee, Course Manager, Marine Environmental Management Foundation Degree, saw the board and commented: "I am making a wooden style surfboard at the moment and was amazed to see one of Glass Tigers in our foyer that the students can appreciate. It was interesting to chat to Mark and hear about the radical methods he uses to create these lovely boards. They look so good you almost don't want to surf them."
Mark commented: "The tutors at Falmouth Marine School have a real passion and genuine interest in small dynamic local businesses such as mine. I spend a lot of time working on refining my construction technique, sourcing materials as well as working on new board designs and it's a pleasure talking to people who take more than a passing interest in what I do. I hope having one of my short boards on display at the College will generate interest, questions, and inspiration from all who see it."
Head of College Tom Shaw thanked Mark and concluded: "The board will be a great showpiece in our foyer and as Mark is an ex-student a great example of what you can achieve with the right training, experience and guidance not forgetting raw talent."
Glass Tiger is a local Company based in Penryn and the boards are surfed at breaks in both Cornwall and Devon. For more information please visit: www.glass-tiger.com
Dave Linnell, Deputy Chief Executive of Cornwall College commented: "It is great to see one of our former students not only running his own business but doing something so innovative. These success stories are a great inspiration to our currents students."
