I'm John and have been a woodworker since I was 3 yrs old, tinkering on projects with my Dad who was a carpenter. I was an Industrial Technology teacher for over 20 years before being medically retired in 2014. Have worked predominantly with wood, but also taught Metal Technology and Automotive (I was a motor mechanic before training to be a teacher).
I also taught students to make projects in fibreglass, making planter pots and a kayak as a class project. I've personally built over 20 kayaks (mostly for Canoe Polo) and was a keen whitewater paddler before injury took me out of that sport. At school I established and coached canoe polo and over the years took teams to compete in Canberra, Bomaderry, Newcastle, Sydney and Nambucca Heads. I competed in the 2009 World Masters Games with my fellow Shoalhaven Canoe and Kayak Club members which was a great experience.
Most of my woodwork now centres around pen making, trying to use a wide variety of timbers as I can get my hands on them. Most of the timbers I've used so far has been sourced locally (Woonona NSW), and I've got some Tallowwood from Martinsville NSW as well as purchasing some exotic timbers. Others I've picked up on the beach after storms have washed up building debris.
