Visiuals From the Noosa Festival

The Noosa Festival of surfing just wrapped up. The surf looked pretty amazing. Tom had all his boards out for everyone to ride. Alaias, toothpicks, tunas, even a bluegill all the way from Michigan. I am pretty sure that is Cameron with a 20' long toothpick by Bill Wallace. At the festival this year they had a 20 minute long finless expression session during the contest and undoubtfully the funnest time of the event. This is Isaac Blyth on one of Tom's alaias, I am not sure of the size or model, during the session. It is amazing how these boards can slide down a wave but then engage to do a gouging cutback and then back into a lala down the line again.

All photoes by: Chris Stevens

More about the Noosa event to come

Foggy Bluegill Day

This is a nice video, showing how the Bluegills, and alaias, utilize control slides are used as a manuever for pocket positioning. This sliding is called the Lala. This word lala is found in Polinesian language prior to the arrival of European conquestidors. We believe lalaing is going to become a standard move in surfing like a off the lip or cutback.

milling lumber for a batch of alaias

Today was spent chewing on some rough cut lumber for alaias. The Sacred Craft is comming up and want to bring a couple of the models.

I use as much of the shavings as possible in mulch and my friend grows mushrooms with it, but when alaia season comes this stuff piles up. If anyone has a use let me know.

The hard part is getting one side straight, so the other side can be trued up on the table saw. Good, sharp tools and it helps to see straight.

I cringe looking at the scraps, Thats gold!

Bluegill Beach

Here is some more Bluegill footage. Sorry about the editing. I am learning. Soon I will learn how to remove the background noise. This was last week on one of the nicest days, weatherwise, of the new year.

My new Bluegill

6'0'' 19.5 2 1/8 epoxy. Rails
palownia, sequoia. Bottom up
to the imagination.

9'6' 'for sale

I had a custom order for a floaty 9'6''. He wanted a little extra paddling power and stability. Basically a good begginer board or for someone a little bigger. As it turns out he has to wait awhile to pick it up, so it is for sale now. The price is negotiable. Let me know if anyone is interested. Blue pigment, pinlines, removable fins. 3 and 1/8 thick.

Turned 40 the other day.

Mike Beckwith speeding down the freeway.
Photos: John Smart

My apprentice, Woody

planet alaia

John Smart took this picture through his telescope. This Shot not only proves their is water on Mars. It also indicates the locals are riding alaias.

Here are some boards on their way to Hawaii. Some are going to Surf Garage on Oahu and the others to High Tech Surf and Sport on Maui. It looks like Alaia season has begun.

Sometimes the grain alone is worth taking note.

Handplanes and blanks

If you are unimpressed with all this hype about surfboards you may be interested in bodysurfing. It is always a good time. If you are reading this you probably already know. We have finished handplanes and wood blanks for sale. We are working with Cyrus Sutton and Korduroy to advance the designs and promote the oldest form of wave riding. More to come.