Gus Hamborg // Alaia

Gus stopped by a couple weeks ago to pick up an alaia blank... he wanted to see if his Hamboard experience crossed over to Alaia making... and frankly I'm quite impressed with the finished product. He even wood-burned a tree into the deck.

Offshore Tuesdays // Paipo Party

Offshore Tuesdays // Paipo Preview

Some days when it's small and blowing super hard off-shore, it's nearly-impossible to get into waves on a surfboard. With the Santa Ana winds in mind, as well as the coming close-out South swells in the summertime, Cameron and I decided to make ourselves a pair of paipos.

I hadn't ridden a body board since elementary school, but it seemed like a reasonable enough experiment; and a perfect option for windy offshore days with nobody out. We've dubbed days like this Offshore Tuesdays, regardless of which day of the week it actually is. Tuesdays seemed to embody the most exciting day for the surf to be perfect, because people are at work, and there's still nearly a whole work week ahead to enjoy offshore conditions.

Oden put together a little clip of the paipo creating and riding we did this weekend.

Not ready to make a full-time switch from logging to paipo-ing, but definitely a good option to keep handy. I still need to try this matting thing I keep seeing and hearing about.

Look for the paipo video tomorrow morning...

Almond Wake Sliding Alaia #2

4'6 x 18.5 x thin

Mini wake-slider

Alaias for Japan

3 Almond Alaias headed to Japan.

Finishing Touches

Just put some logos and linseed on a few Alaias for Japan.

Almond Peanut

Wood-burning pen logo.

Alaia blanks available here.

Peanut-shaped Cashew by Almond

Griffin has been wanting to try shaping an alaia for a while (however we're still pretty far from getting him to try one)

So I gave him creative freedom to experiment with one of the Obeche wood blanks yesterday.

It resulted in a beautiful 5'10, peanut-inspired alaia that looks insanely fun.

Oden documented the process.

Obeche Wood Alaia Blanks

Obeche wood alaia blanks are now available here at the shop.

Obeche is native to Africa, and is infinitely better for making alaias than anything you'll find at your hardware store.

Perfect compliment to your copy of Tom's Creation Plantation

$180

Tom's Creation Plantation is now in stock

Cyrus' new film, Tom's Creation Plantation is now out on DVD, and available at Almond.

Nathan Adams | Alaia

Here's a portrait Cam took of Nate, with his alaia by Sam Hann.

Hann Alaias | Korduroy TV

New All Yew episode on Korduroy TV: Sam Hann talking about the alaias he makes.

He makes Nathan's alaias, and he's a super nice guy.

All Yew- Sam Hann from www.KORDUROY.tv on Vimeo.

Lala

C. Amoden and I are working on our alaias this week.

Here's Nate riding his at Malibu and Lowers.

(Screen Shot and Photo by Sea Amoden)


























Also, read the piece on Jon Wegener from Liquid Salt

Alaia by Felipe Siebert

Check out this beautiful alaia by our Brazilian friend, Felipe Siebert.

Weekend Workin'

Cyrus inspired me to re-shape my redwood alaia. It's going to be much more similar to the wake sliding alaia that I did in Idaho this summer. I'm really happy with the progress so far. Photos to come.























Also, here's a photo of our pet Shrimp, Wally.

Tom's Creation Plantation

I had the pleasure of spending a few days with Cyrus Sutton last week. He left me a copy of Tom's Creation Plantation while he was here.

I get a lot of people asking about making their own alaias, and I would definitely recommend everyone see this film before tackling the project. Tom Wegener walks you through everything from the design concepts to the execution of making your own alaia.

The alaia riding portion of the film is insane. Ryan Burch especially will blow your mind
in regards to what you thought was possible on these boards.

Stoked I got a chance to meet Cyrus and talk with him. He's an amazingly talented surfer and film-maker with a really good approach and mindset about surfing and all that falls under that umbrella.

Tom's Creation Plantation Trailer from Cyrus Sutton on Vimeo.

Body Svrf & Destroy?

I think Oden has been hanging out with Lightner too much.

At least he's been staying creative in his free time... introducing the Tombstone Prone Alaia.

Alaia Wake Slide

If you've been wondering (or even noticing) that there have been no blog updates this week, it's because I'm visiting my Grandparents in Sandpoint, Idaho.  In order to cope with the separation from waves for a week (because wakeboarding just doesn't quite cut it all the time) I embarked on an a little wegener/sutton inspired experiment.  Turns out alaias are perfect for dragging behind a boat.

Korduroy.tv

Check out this little video short that Cyrus did of handplanes and alaias. And check that wetsuit he's wearing at the end....

Wood Monday from Cyrus Sutton on Vimeo.

Sea Walking Blues

Christian, hope Aus is treating you guys well. California has the surf blues again.

Watch this video