Last summer my alaia almosted replaced all the time that I used to spend on my paipo. The alaia was so fast and agile but I missed the float and paddling characteristics of the paipo. I was talking to Austin about how I would like to combine all the positive characteristics of both. What you see in the picture is the outcome. It is an alaia-paipo hybrid. When the water gets a little water I will test it out and let you know what I think.

Post from: Cross Step: A Surf Blog by Austin Surfboards

New Alaia-Paipo Hybrid

    Many ships were tossed around during the crazy hurrincane season of 2008.  One container ship pitched so badly that one of its containers was washed overboard.  Upon impact with the ocean the container broke open and spilled its contents into the sea.  A few weeks later blocks of balsa began washing up on the shores of North Carolina.  Recently we were given a few of these blocks to make something that would return to the sea.  Since the blocks were a maximum of 37 inches the only thing that popped in our minds was to make some Paipos.  A few limited edition Paipos will be made with these Neptune returned balsa blocks.  Since they are a little too short to make a full lenth Paipos these limited edition models will have a nose and tail block made from Paulonia wood.  These too make a great combination due to balsa’s lightness and Paulonia’s strength. 

Pictured is Uncle Joe taking the balsa blocks to thickness and then passing them onto Austin for the final touches.  The first one should be finished sometime around the middle of this month.

Post from: Cross Step: A Surf Blog by Austin Surfboards

Neptune Giveth. We Make a Paipo!

This is one our Paipos that we just completed.  The pigment work by Austin and Joe was incredible.  One inch pigment squares were achieved by laying out strips of masking tape back and forth and applying one color then pulling the tape and then reapplying the tape and then laying the other color down.  A great example of old school resin work that is similar to what was done in the 60s.

Post from: Cross Step: A Surf Blog by Austin Surfboards

Checkered Paipo