Hollow Alaia Prototype 1

After 2 months of planning, designing, shaping and finishing a new prototype hollow alaia is ready for her maiden surf.

It has been a long time coming with many little hurdles along the way. I have experimented with new building methods and new glue and there has been some good lessons learnt.

The board doesn't look perfect. One of those lessons was which glue works best for which application. Luckily as a prototype all I really want to know if it works the way I imagined.

It is fairly short and not as wide as my previous hollow wooden boards. Despite being hollow I have kept it quite thin and flexible. Combining a fairly standard alaia bottom contour only slightly enhanced and a rolled deck.

The weight is probably a third less than an equivalent alaia.

God has switched on the perfect conditions with a medium small swell and offshore winds forecast.

I'll keep you posted on the ride report!

Cheers

James

Two alaias almost ready for the waves

Looking forward to seeing this new film!

A great looking film promoting diversity in the line up! Can only be a good thing!

Next Gen Alaia Hybrid in action at Lorne

Here is the latest alaia hybrid in action on its first outing at Lorne Point. This is Tim's first session on the board and the 2nd on an alaia, normally alaias are crazy hard to learn how to surf, this hybrid makes it a lot easier to pick up.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87364047@N08/7994220098/in/photostream

Tiny swell, but you get the idea - speed, glide, control and FUN!

Any questions drop me an email!

Cheers James

Newest Edition...

Alaia hybrid 6'1 x 19' x 1 Paulownia board with ceder keels. Super fast and smooth with more hold and control in the pocket. Built for Tim. Ride report and vid to come.

Next Gen Alaia Hybrid

The next model of the alaia hybrids in currently in progress and is looking beautiful! similar to the Edddy Sled it is 6'1 by 19' by 1' however the rails have been pinched in a little more with more continues flow through to a gentle swallow tail. This board will be finnished in the next week or so - stay tuned for photos.

New Model - Eddy Sled

Just a quick update on the newest model named The Eddy Sled - 1st prototype is 6'1 by 19' by 1'. It is a parabolic design with tiny red ceder keels and a square tail. It is sealed with linseed oil/gum turpentine and bees wax. The first prototype was built here in Australia and I took her over to Chile to test her out in some long peeling point breaks, unfortunately the surf I had over there was not ideal, but the board still worked really well. To cut a long story short I ended up surfing at Renaca, a heavy, punchy, beach break in central Chile. The Eddy Sled paddled slightly better than a regular alaia, due to the increased buoyancy from the added length width and improved directional control from the mini keels. The real high point however, is the fact that in overhead heavy and hollow waves, this alaia hybrid held in really well. It is still loose enough to pull out a few sliding 360's, but plenty of hold when you need it most. I really loved building and surfing this board and so does her new owner, a Chilean bloke named Edwardo. I'm about to finish off another board very similar to this but with a swallow tail for a slightly snappier feel. Enjoy the photos and any queries just drop me an email. Cheers James