Anybody know Skip? Know about his shapes? His blanks? Thanks.
From Redondo Beach to the jungles of Ecuador, Skip “Andres” Kozminski lives a uniquely simple surf-centered life. One that fosters an appreciation of the true soul of surfing, and a keen “outside” view of its slide toward corporatization. Balsa boards are his stock in trade, and more and more surfers are taking notice of advantages of balsa. From organic beginnings, shaped skillfully into works of art, you might be lucky enough to find yourself floating on one out in the lineup. Then you’ll learn something Skip has known for years, or maybe just get a few comments from envious surfers…“Man that is one bitchen board!”
Longboards are not only causing ranks of surfers to rise worldwide, but they are pushing the balsa trend throughout the world. Skip and Balsa Flite have emerged as probably the most preeminent balsa board artisans on the planet.
Gary Linden, Dick Brewer, Ben Aipa, Eric Arakawa, Reynolds Yater, Steve Boehne, have all shaped these blanks, and Garret Mc Namara has one specially shaped by Dick Brewer for competing in the Eddie Aikau Invitational big wave contest at Wiamea bay this year.
August, Jones, Stewart, Gordon****all know who he is, and Skip supplies superior blanks for many of the balsa sticks you see in brick and mortar surf shops under many different labels.
Balsa’s unique beauty and practicality, along with a skilled shaper, are combining to create high performance and durable boards that look great. Go Balsa, before it’s too late!!
Mark Mcmullen www.longboard.net
Balsa Flite is the official website for Balsa Flite surfboard blanks and finished boards from Playas, Ecuador. These lightweight, hollow balsawood surfboards are individually handcrafted by Skip Kozminski.
**“Your finished balsa board will last an easy five years of weekly use. We are not destroying the rain forest to make these surfboards. These trees are planted and cultivated on the same haciendas that grow your bananas, coffee and chocolate. They take 3-5 years to grow from a sprout to a tree 12” in diameter.
The blanks are made four per week in a little carpentry shop. On the other hand, a foam blank starts in an oil well (which really raises hell with the rain forest). And then proceeds through a series of environmentally hostile chemical plants. What good is foam dust?? The shavings from this blank make great mulch for your garden. In order to make this blank, we used 2-5 year old trees that use about much forest space as your shaping stall. Compare that to an oil well. I sincerely hope you enjoy shaping this baby as much as I do. Make us all a knockout!"**
Skip “Andres” Kozminski
Playas, Ecuador
