I bought my first board the other day and made my own stick for about $8.

I've cut some beautiful yellow and green striped bamboo from the backyard that will match my board, but while I wait for it to dry out, I got a bamboo garden stake from the hardware. Also got a couple of packets of different sized rubber "leg tips" - designed for table and chair legs - and put one on each end of the bamboo stake. It looks a bit like a long double-ended walking stick, but it's quite light and when the rubber tips wear out I've got plenty more to replace them with.

The stake cost $3 and the rubber tips were $2-3 for a packet of 4. The tips come in black or white rubber and they've stayed on without any glue or screws/nails.

Has anyone else found their stick useful for fending off swooping magpies?!

good on you for building something mate.....yet your stick will not be any good for street imo. the edge wears and splits. shoulders and arm get a shock due to the weird/no angle to grip and drive etc.. enjoy and let us know how it goes for you

I see what you mean!!

If you'e going DIY, A lacrosse ball makes a very good tip for your stick...good grip and very durable, about $6