For the standout days on last weeks first PNW winter swell,I rode a bellyboard reshaped from a broken longboard.Being able to shape my own appeals to me, as well as the recycling deal.Not to mention the quality time spent behind the curtain.The stand-up crew accepted my presence, more so than had I been on a sponge.Having surfed Washington for 40 years, with a full array of equipment, I am reawakened to spots passed over and almost forgotten.
Dale, I thought you’d come the rescue. I have to say, out of all the various things I rode as a grom in the 60’s - the surf mat was the most astonishing! I can remember getting bucked off it, and flying all helter-skelter. My wipe-outs were sooo different and unpredicable compared to anything else - but, that was before I figured out “too much air!”. I can still taste the metallic valve taste! The memories are stand-outs. I am looking forward to getting one as an adult and as having gotten the bulk of the learning curve out of the way when I was 8, I am sure, not only will the mat be new and improved but the ride as well. If we pull off a Paipoalooza - I think we could have, as one of the contests, The OverInflated Surf Mat heat…where whoever can catch a wave and stay on it the longest on a TIGHT HARD Surf Mat, wins. I am sure it would be a scream! Cheers Birdie
Could you share a few photos and specs? We never get to see enough of each others’ personal creations.
Birdie- could you also share a few photos and specs of your designs? Top, bottom, side, detail close-ups, etc.? It`s not hard to describe many prone craft as mini nitro dragsters! As I said to Phantom, we never get to see enough of these highly personalized designs.
Dale, I am still working up the design (s) I want to have made…a big part of the reason why I would love to do a Paipoalooza, is to try everybody elses designs and share the boards I have…as…part of the design process involves knowing all the variables. I am starting to think I want a keel as opposed to fins… and you know, using carbon fiber and various molding techniques for the whole board, not limited to foam/ hand shaping, and, with tail rails that “curl” under the board…and are part of the “turbo channels” on the bottom. That sort of thing - strictly carbon fiber, because I’m sure they’d break or crack otherwise. Think the tail/bottom of the U.S.O board but more extreme with the rail curling under to help form the turbo channels… - Tansmania devil or Banshee might be good names for that board!! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa whoosh! Has anyone used PowerCadd for designing? It’s the Max OS X “Auto Cadd” program. I want to get that. Anyway, I’ve got this hybrid paipo, bellyboard, U.S.O thing going on for one design and…I’d love to try other boards…and meet up with other people who have made/designed boards…I need someone who understands keels vs. fins and the placement of them…with channels next to them… With the strength and ways that carbon fiber can be shaped, I think a whole new world exists out there for Bellyboards! I am primarily into trimming, speed, floation, and turning… I don’t give a toss about doing tricks…I’m not 15 years old…just give me a nice long right and some tubes…or some fun sections. Bodyboards don’t duck dive and they aren’t sharp turners, etc…and since I had a Bellyboard when I was a kid…I’ll never get over those aspects. With my Paipo, I slice right under a wave…whereas the bodyboard drags me back by the yard sometimes when I go under…speaking of drags… In some respects, the bodyboard is totally a step backwards!!! Anyway, I look forward to a carbon fiber, EVA rubber on the deck, spooned out nose…rails that wrap under into being part of a turbo channels on the bottom, and a keel. Oh, and about mid-board, top deck, where my solar plexus would rest…would be the thickest part of the board - somewhat convex…helping to create some flotation. Bat Tail. Hard edges on the rails all around. I have to read up on carbon fiber and shaping for it. --Birdie
Dale, I wil try and post a shot of my board, after I glass in a couple FCS cups in the corners today. Though unnecessary so far, it will give these little trailer fins that have been kicking around somewhere to go…For booties, I get the 5mm H20 sock from eBodyboarding.com.Deck traction comes from Deluxe Super Surf PADZ, at nsipadz.com.Presently using a leash, and a Gath.Kick with Ducks,and U.S.Divers split fins.Waves in my locale can be viewed at nxnwsurf.com.Count me in for Paipopaloosa, Phantom surfing with the salmon.
Phantom… nice surf pics! http://nxnwsurf.com/
It seems like of chunk of this thread fell off somewhare. Or I am losing it more than usual. Pictures of beautiful paipos and discussion of a paipo gathering. Well, if I am getting delusional at least they are good delusions. Hooray!
Phantom, Youve ridden surfboards so you have some basis for your opinions? You actually go fast on those paipo things? Or does it just seem that way- what I mean is because youre laying down close to the wave? Do you define differences between belly boards and paipos?
Friend, Hmmm, the speed thing. Im not any more concerned bout that, than I would be while eating or having sex. I make the majority of my waves,however, I have sensed a subtle slowing, and lingering in the pit . Whats up with that? Name wise; for now Im going with “Beer Belly Board”, it keeps the line-up loose. I may have to pull out my 8`7`` Caster pintail, and perhaps the mat, set up the video camera and do some comparative analysis. Nah. … Phantom sizzle in the drizzle.
Nice example of cross-stepping finesse! Are you sure you aren`t a longboarder pretending to be a pronenoid?
Ahoy, I just got back from my camping trip. I’m new to this forum and I’m having trouble finding recent posts. Before I left town I mentioned having a palooza for custom and vintage bellyboards, paipos and rafts. I’ve mentioned to Rod Rogers in the past that I’d like to have a sort of a club for prone riders. Not something that required dues, but something that involved getting together and sharing boards. Membership in the club would involve having at least one board that your’e willing to share, and having the board featured in a web site (your personal contact info could be as private as you want it.) My working title for the club was the League of Lamaroos. Well anyway this long-threatened project of mine has resurfaced recently because of some web space becoming available to me in the near future (unless somebody else really wants to do it.) But during my recent road trip I had a sort of epiphany…the membership in the club should be for the boards and not people. Many of the boards already have names. Right? The managers and owners of the boards can change, but the boards are what’s really imortant to the inquiring minds. My first step in that direction is to change my profile from larryob to lamaroo on this forum. In the near future I’ll start a new thread on the League of Lamaroos here on Swaylock’s. In the meantime (if you’re interested in this) you might take some measurements and photos of your board(s) that you’d like to submit for inclusion in the League of Lamaroos. All free of course. So what do you think? Me? I started surfing in the late sixties transitional era. I know I’m not the only incurable tinkerer. If you want to be certain that a message gets to me, then you can e-mail me directly at Cheers, Larry OB lamaroo http://members.cox.net/seacaver/butterfly.htm
You can type in Paipo or Bellyboard or Paipo Bellyboard in the search swaylocks window and I think all the threads/posts will come up! Off to County Line or Leo Carrillo with the Paipo today Cheers Birdie
Welcome back, Larry! My first transitional board, was in the late 60’s, I was about 10 years old, and it was this 7’4" Rick diamond tail, with 3 redwood stringers. Oh yeah. My fingers got maybe 1/2 way across the rail when carrying it - under arm. How I got down to the beach and back with it (I lived on 5th street in Manhattan Beach - just above Highland - few blocks uphill from the beach), was worthy of a short film. Great idea to focus n the boards and mats and things. I don’t have a digital camera right now, but will let you know when I do. One of the biggest design challenges is simply finding different boards to try out to get ideas from and also, to learn what you may want to stay away from. There are so many different factors involved in getting it right…and everyone is different, as are different breaks. I’m in. Cheers Birdie
O.k. Ill chomp the bait. Ive heard it all from the air matters. They rave and foam at the mouth like a pack of stoked suicide bombers. Scary people. Now I ask you guys: why do the paipo thing? Can`t stand up because of a medical condition? Evolved from the Boogie (larvae board)? Just wannabe different? Trying to get in touch with your Hawaiian roots? Serious higher performance? More than a rubber serving tray? Hit us with the shocking inner truths. Please elucidate.
It makes little waves seem big. Tubes are more accessable. “Spots” that aren’t really spots become ridable.
so does a good hit of acid. micro vision and lasts longer too. surfing free in an altered state of mind.
because Fred would go…out…because nobody else was out besides stan ross… and magoo,.ambrose
I took the bodyboard in yesterday - walling up mostly closing out beach nearly shorepound with a few small sections and shoulders when you could find them. Bodyboars have their place as do the paipo’s. The paipo stayed on the beach yesterday. All my boards are suited for different conditions. Slammin’ shorepound and a paipo is not a good idea. Now, give me a good clean big winter swell, with outside sets, and it’s paipo time. Bodyboards are OK in those conditions, but, I’d spend a ton more energy and time trying to paddle out - as with a BB, you can’t really duck dive - you get dragged back with the wave…with a paipo, you can slice right down into/under and through the incoming wave…oh how I LOVE that about them…and in big surf…you can FLY. Birdie
Bellyboards are foam/glass and offer flotation and you can paddle on them. They also have fins to keep you from spinning/sliding out. You can paddle out and into waves with them. Same with Bodyboards. Paipo’s are thin plywood or thin resin/glass with no foam - and very little flotation. You cannot paddle on them. You swim out with them…pushing them ahead of you…with either one or two hands on the back tail or rails. Your whole body is in the water. To catch a wave you have to wait until it is basically starting to or just about to break and you have to swim/push the board into the wave and then, pull it under you as you feel the wave start to pitch or you are in it. If you have the paipo’s tail tilted down too much and not as flat as possible with the surface, the wave will push against it, and can prevent you from getting into the wave. So, positioning is different as is the handling. Mats are different even still…