I’ve been playing around with finless wooden boards for about a year now since I first read about Alaias. It’s been a pretty interesting journey so far, it really has been like learning to surf all over again, in the best possible way.
Here’s an alaia I’m working on for a customer, it’s solid cedar and doesn’t needed to be glassed. You just need to treat the wood every so often with linseed oil.
Although it might not look like much this board has some very subtle design elements and has to be seen first hand to be truly appreciated. This particular customer was a long-time bodyboarder who hasn’t ridden a bodyboard since he got his first alaia. The speed you get from these boards is incredible.
I’m looking to source some Paulownia wood pretty soon to build a few more stand-up alaias. If you’re interested in trying out one of these boards, just gimme a shout!
October 12th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Ive had this board out twice since picking her up (thanks again Alan, that picture does not do the board justice) and this thing flies! It catches waves so easily its, tracks well on a nice wall, and turns like its on a sixpence. The cedar finish looks much better then my paulownia alaia. Looking forward to taking her out in bigger/hollower conditions, the sooner the better!
August 11th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
hi im looking on derections on how to make my own stand up alaia any help that you could give me would be greatly apresiated
August 19th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
No worries, where about are you based? If your around the kerry area, your welcome to try one of mine. The alaia Im currently riding is a little easier to ride then the standard alaias. The lack of paddle power was starting to get to me so I came up with an idea to make life a little easier, but the construction method is a little more involved.