WHEN David Germain moved back to the coastline where he had surfed since childhood, he was struck by how many young people weren’t enjoying the water.

The revelation led the former London designer to start his own small business promoting the oldest form of surfing.

South Hand Crafted is based in a converted toilet in the Factory Studios at Haviland Road, Boscombe, where David makes wooden handplanes for bodysurfing, bellyboards for surfing, and skateboards. He also runs workshops where people can make their own boards, out of sustainable materials.

Body surfing, he says, is the oldest form of surfing, yet had not been seen locally.

“I’m not a dreamer but I am a creative and have had ideas and followed them so I’m just trying to follow one at the moment,” he said.

Originally from Sway, he got his first board from Bournemouth Surf Centre aged 10.

He studied at what was then Bournemouth Art College and went on to become a designer, working in branding and advertising. He still does some freelance work in that field while running his business.

“I lived in several different places before returning here to settle,” he said. “When I moved back here, I couldn’t believe the number of kids that weren’t in the sea or learning to surf. I got the idea for an opportunity to change that.

“The next generation needs that. It’s a bit of a dream but I’m trying my best.”

He said body surfing originated in Hawaii and has recently become known globally.

“It’s one of those sports that’s become a sport. It’s existed from the year dot but it’s never been recognised as a sport, with events, before,” he said.

The success of local body surfer Ben Schofield, who is in the sport’s world championships, would boost its profile, he said.

David had become increasingly concerned about the number of manufactured plastic boards which were thrown away on the beach, especially in the most popular surfing destinations in Cornwall.

“Those pieces of plastic have gone around the world probably twice and then got onto the beach,” he said.

His own boards are made of locally sourced sustainable woods.“I spent a lot of time perfecting them and I build all my own plywoods,” he said.

He hopes to contribute towards a better awareness of the problem of litter on beaches.

“You only have to look at last summer, how bad Bournemouth has got with litter. I’m not saying I’m going to solve that but you can educate people a little better,” he said.