Alaïa Wooden Boards

Alaïa....More than just a surfboard, it's a symbol of surfing culture, the feel of bare feet on wood gliding over water...

Surfing an Alaia board means :

• Different, Fun, Nothing but happiness...

Finless and flat, these boards like to go fast. Although it takes a little practice to get used to turning, you'll be amazed at the handling and responsiveness of these boards. Slippery turns, 360° spins and endless floats!

Hand-crafted on different types of wood

- Surf, Wake and Kite, custom orders

Tracks
The hard, sharp rail under the rear foot holds the board in place and gives it bite in the turns.

Thickness
The thin board flexes enormously and creates drive and responsiveness in turns. The flex of the board is phenomenal and you can feel it under your feet as you turn on the wave.

Width
The ideal width for an Alaia is 16-17″. Any wider and it becomes very slippery, any thinner and it's too difficult to paddle.

Background contours
The classic bottom is a single concave entry hull. The simple, smooth concave runs from the tail for about 1/3 of the board and increases control under the rear foot and prevents the board from sliding out too much. The slight roll from the waterline to the rails allows for smooth transitions in turns.

Nose
The flared nose helps avoid nose-diving on steeper waves and pearling on turns.

Length
The ideal length of an Alaia is between 2 and 3 metres. Lighter, smaller and more advanced surfers should look for something between 6 and 6'6″. Heavier, taller and less advanced surfers should look at around 6'6″ - 7″ for a board with a bit more paddle power. If you only plan to surf small, fat, rolling waves with your Alaia, then a longer board up to 7'11" may be suitable.

Weight
Finished boards generally weigh between 3.0 - 4.5kg.

Materials
Generally made from Paulownia wood. Paulownia is an incredibly light hardwood that is highly resistant to water and rot. The blank is glued with a waterproof glue, shaped by hand and then oiled with a linseed oil-based mixture. The board will need to be re-oiled (simply wipe the board with an oil-soaked cloth) every few weeks/months, depending on how often you surf.