Alaias

For a few people, learning to ride the alaia comes very quick and naturally. For the rest of us it takes a commitment and practice. People often ask us for tips on how to ride an alaia. So we thought that we would share some pointers that you might find helpful. Keep in mind that it is not like riding your surfboard. The boards don’t have as much flotation, less rocker, and no fins. You are not just going to paddle out to your favorite lineup and start catching waves. It takes a little time and a lot of humility. But once you get your first ride, you will be hooked, just like the rest of us. This will help you stay in control of your session, and not get too frustrated with current, and big wipe outs. Staying away from longboarders is also a good idea for now too. (Actually alaia surfing will teach you to look for good shaped waves where no one else is surfing. It’s tiring to paddle back and forth as you would on your surfboard. This makes you a wiser and more efficient surfer no matter what board you are riding.) Stay in a crouched position. Keeping a low center of gravity works best. Jon Wegener’s handcrafted alaia (Ah-LIE-ah) boards pay homage to surfings early days — reaching all the way back to the sport’s Polynesian roots. He’s a craftsman, open to new ideas while being reverent of the old ways. Every board he shapes is a reminder that surfing is about more than contests or chasing sponsorships… it’s about pursuing joy. Jon makes 100% Paulownia alaias, Foam core alaias for improved buoyancy, plain or with decoration.