Fundraiser launched for iconic northern beaches’ surfboard business after devastating blaze

The northern beaches surfing community has launched a fundraising campaign for a beloved decades-old Brookvale surfboard business destroyed by fire in a ‘matter of minutes’.

The surfing community on the northern beaches is rallying behind a fundraising campaign for a beloved decades-old surfboard business that’s been destroyed by fire.

Rhino Laminating, owned by Juan and Jessie Twycross, is renowned in Australian surfing circles for making and selling premium customised surfboards.

It also offered glassing, polishing and sanding service to leading board manufacturers and shapers at its popular Brookvale premises.

On its website, Rhino Laminating states “we specialise in building premium custom surfboards. Order your dream board and customise it how you had always imagined.

“We offer a wide variety of services and take care of all the processes involved in surfboard manufacturing in our factory in Brookvale.”

A blaze destroyed the Rhino Laminating custom surfboard factory in Orchard Rd, Brookvale. Picture: Supplied

It also did surfboard repairs.

But on the evening of Sunday, November 23, a blaze erupted in the workshop while two people were working inside.

Juan Twycross, the owner of Rhino Laminating, is grateful for community support. Picture: Instagram/Rhino Laminating

A boy, 15, suffered minor burns to a hand.

Dozens of boards, some selling for more than $2000, were destroyed along with a number of wetsuits in the company’s shop.

The intense fire, caused by highly flammable materials on the premises, caused its roof to collapse.

Despite the efforts of more than 40 firefighters, the business could not be saved.

Now friends are trying to raise at least $15,000 to help Juan and Jessie as they battle to rebuild the business.

They said that the couple had spent years building Rhino Laminating in Orchard Rd “from the ground up”.

The owners of Rhino Laminating are hoping to get the business open again. Picture: Rhino Laminating

“In a matter of minutes, decades of tools, materials, custom boards, and irreplaceable projects were lost. The emotional and financial impact has been overwhelming,” friends stated as part of their GoFundMe campaign.

“We’re starting this GoFundMe to help them get back on their feet and rebuild Rhino Laminating.

“These are incredibly kind, generous people who have always shown up for others, and now it’s our turn to show up for them.”

In a message to his Instagram followers, Juan thanked those people who had already contributed generously “to see if we can get back open again and hopefully do what we love, making beautiful boards”

Fire and Rescue NSW and Northern Beaches Police are preparing a report into the cause of the fire.

Originally published as Fundraiser launched for iconic northern beaches’ surfboard business after devastating blaze