Once upon a time, some 45 years ago, by grandfather made me and my brother copies of what he used to ride when he was growing up in Waikiki. His mom owned property there…
What resulted was, more or less, an alaia, though he never used the term. Why should he, he was haole though even then kamaaina.
He used a 7-6 length of kiln dried redwood, perhaps 1-1/2" thick. The template was not like yours, some time I’ll post a pic… Rails beveled wit 1/4" radius top and bottom. Absolutely flat deck and bottom (this concave thing seems to be a recent development) and completely rockerless. One he painted orange (mine) the other yellow (brother’s).
We took 'em out where to that day we had been riding our paipos and styrofoam “thunderboards” which were very popular in the 60s. They paddled as you’d expect. But we got on some mushy waves one way or another and stood up. They would immediately, in his words “slide ass” though since we were kids he tried not to use that term too frequently.
NOW I MUST ASK… how do you keep these things moving forward without totally doing twirlies? We soon enough made and screwed on some thick mahogany fins, which of course we were continually tearing off because it was shallow and rocky.
Every rider of finless equpment I can recall having seen, has voluntarily or not, used or has been used by sideslipping. Even the vid of Derek Hynde at J-bay shows a lot of this. He maintains a pretty full squat position, too. Is that the “secret” to riding finless board and maintaining direction?
What other materials are alaia worthy? I’ve seen some folks surf many kinds of surfcraft (a toboggan, a suitcase…) anything that they can get up on plane I suppose will work. Has anyone done an alaia along the lines of a George Greenough flex spoon? After watching Derek Hynde again, this clip popped up afterwards. Not alaias, not crazy or even unique shapes, no fins and similar performances.
Hi, completed my first Alaia recently, havnt water tested it yet , waiting for a clean small lined up day which does not happen here too often!
Nice boards “Oldy” , just a question on the drawings and text; what did you use to write on the timber with, I know you can brand or burn them but would prefer to write on them like you have done, is it just a water proof marker or similar, thanks…
Paulownia 6’2" x16" x 1", ceder stringer, mother of pearl inlay on deck!
I held both those boards in my hands a few days ago.
I went from saying to Nathan " I’m not really interested in the alaia thing , I’ve got trouble enough just maintaining my skills on long and shortboards as it is without another distraction " as he got them out of the bag to ( as I looked them over and hefted them)…
" Hmmm I gotta try this ! " - the simplicity , feel of the wood , the sound when you tap them , it’s all a bit spellbinding.
When Oldy says above about having two now so he can share with his buddies ,
I think of George Harrison and how he would always carry two ukeleles with him so he had a jamming partner.
Maybe alaias are a bit like a uke -they can be a pleasant diversion for some or in the right hands , an instrument of virtuosity !
nocean, nice work mate. i like the inlay. really sweet. in regards to your question, i just drew on the blanks with a pencil as a temporary measure. i’ve since got my hands on a wood burning tool & burnt the images in.
