We recently dropped in on Neal Purchase Jnr (@nealpurchasejnr) and Ambrose McNeill (@amsliding) for a slow morning at the Purchase residence. Over coffee and stories of recent surf trips, the conversation turned, as it always does, to boards — all while the guys kept things simple in pieces from our Classics collection, everyday staples they wear on repeat.

What’s a typical morning look like for you?

Ambrose - Ideally - it’s waking up after 9 hours, checking surf reports from bed and then after a big glass of water and a banana, rolling straight down for a morning session with some mates. After that it’s straight to my favourite coffee spot / bakery in Tweed - Bread Social for coffee and breaky.
Purcho - Generally, I wake up and do some breath work, stretches and push-ups. Then a coffee followed by either a surf check or yard work, depending on conditions.

What inspires a new shape? A wave, a feeling, a surfer?

Purcho - I get inspired so shape, obviously just by surfing my current quiver and wanting to explore new feelings underfoot in a reaction to current feelings. Sometimes I’ll see a surfer that inspires me and want to experience similar actions and feelings.

Go-to coffee order?

Purcho - Flat white
Ambrose - Long black with a side of cream.

Single fin, twin fin, or thruster?

Purcho - Twin fin.
Ambrose - My logs are strictly single, but anything shorter might have 1, 2 or 3 fins depending on the day.

What do you look for when you pick up a new board?

Ambrose - Firstly I admire the outlines of the board. Secondly I get hands on and feel the shape (the classic under-arm test is essential!). Finally I imagine how it’ll surf and start getting psyched.

Is there a wave or location that shaped you the most as a surfer?

Purcho - Definitely Kirra and Duranbah growing up in Tweed Heads.
Ambrose - Sumner - my hometown in New Zealand. The waves are often slow and rolling, which led me and my friends into longboarding. It also taught me how important the community and culture that surrounds surfing is.

What do you look for when you pick up a new board?

Ambrose - Firstly I admire the outlines of the board. Secondly I get hands on and feel the shape (the classic under-arm test is essential!). Finally I imagine how it’ll surf and start getting psyched.

Are we in a good place with surfboard design, or are things getting over-engineered?

Purcho - I believe we are in a fantastic time for surfboard design and access to materials. We have a rich history to choose from and understand the design principles a lot more than previously, and are still refining certain designs to their full potential.
Ambrose - I think the mass production of boards is pretty concerning for surfing - not only for the environmental impacts but also culturally. True surfboard craftsmanship is such a special part of surfing so it’s crucial that we as surfers continue to invest in it.

Is there a board in your quiver you’d never part with? Why?

Ambrose - I’ve got a magic 6’8 Duo that Neal made me 4 years ago and have had some of the waves of my life on it. It’s a bit beat up now but still my go-to whenever the waves are firing.

What’s the most memorable wave you’ve ever ridden?

Ambrose - This year it was at Kirra during Cyclone Alfred on the aforementioned board.

Who in surfing (past or present) do you look to for inspiration?

Purcho - Probably Tom Curren, mostly then Occy, Nat Young, Wayne Lynch, on tour …. Italo
Ambrose - These days I find the most inspiration from older peers who are still stoked in and out of the water. Purcho is definitely one of those.

If you could only ride one board for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Purcho - At the moment a 6’10 Duoza
Ambrose - A 12-foot glider should keep me going til the end.

What are you listening to right now? Any tunes on repeat?

Purcho - Dinastia moon, Bondo, Tommy Guerrero, link ray, John fahey
Ambrose - The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery is usually sitting on my record player.

If you could have one breakfast for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Ambrose - Scrambled eggs on sourdough and avocado has been a constant for the last 10 years and I still love having it every morning.