josh@xylemsurfboards
My blogs
| Gender | Male |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Occupation | Surfboard Design |
| Location | Kapa'au, HI, United States |
| Introduction | Each board can be completely taylored to you and all designs are based from early alaia/olo shapes. From flex, to rails, to bottom contours these boards are basically what the ancient hawaiians rode back in the old,old school. Top surfers are digging the alaia, guys like Tom Wegener, Rob Machado and Thomas Cambell are especially into them. Just do some you-tube searches using "alaia surfing" and you'll see what I'm saying. feel free to call 1(910)547-1450 or email livinattheocean@yahoo.com |
| Interests | If you've seen the article in Surfing or Surfer magazine, "Shaper of the year" with Tom Wegener you know what I'm talking about. It's all about these boards. I am all about these boards. They are the most fun I have ever had in the water. If you get some wall in front of you they fly, if the wave slacks off, they keep flying. You turn, you trim, you slide and have massive control in the pocket. It's so great to ride such an old design. Anyway, I'm currently taking orders for custom "Alaia's" and welcome questions about these ancient boards. Each design can be taylored to you and all designs are based from early alaia/olo shapes. If you have any questions or don't hesitate to contact me. |
| Favorite Movies | These boards are made of wood, thin (from 1/2" to 1-1/8" thick), finless, and have knife-edged rails and have barely any float. They take a while to figure out but are a blast to ride. There's nothing out there like it. They are not gonna ride like a thruster or some boogey board or longboard, the alaia is incredibly fast and can slide, cutback, 360, ride the tube, and trim really high on the face and very parallel to the wave. The key to these boards is flex. Boards from the turn of the century were solid wood like these but were pretty stiff and didn't turn well. The flex throughout the board makes it work. The ancient Hawaiians designed theirs with flex cause that's what works. |
| Favorite Music | I offer cedar, redwood and pine alaias. I use these types of wood because of their functionality and beauty. The exotic woods the hawaiians used are not easy to get and to me, not worth the high cost. Even though I live in Hawaii, I prefer a more functional wood that's more available. Out of the three types of wood I use, I prefer western red cedar because of its rot resistance and light weight. I don't use Koa or willi-willi or ulu, it's just not worth the cost. My boards could make pretty nice wall hangers but, I make them all to surf first. |