What do you think about this alaia thing? I'm an alaia rider/builder and just haven't seen many others. I ride mine every session no matter what and prefer it over everything else. Even after 15 years of surfing "modern" boards, I'm totally hooked on the alaia. It's really a ton of fun, I don't get why hardly anyone rides one. It's not really harder, it's just different so it just takes some time to figure it out. Is it just too kooky or something? Too hard? Too expensive? Too much investment of time? I don't know... I can't figure it out. Maybe beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Thanks for your honest input, Josh Xylem Surfboards
ok, i'll bite.... not to be crass and cynical, but are you selling them? more importantly, what's different in the approach? i know what they are, but what's the ride?
yeah i can't see myself buying an alaia anytime soon... if i had the money i'd probably spend it on upgrading other equipment - rubber, fins, maybe a used stick... but i have nothing against them i think they're rad. i'd buy one just to add to my quiver if i had the extra cash really any thing people come up with that rides waves is cool to me; except maybe that kook stick with the engine on the tail. i mean any natural thing i guess, no fuel-burning propulsion crap
Thanks for the comments. It always helps to get a different perspective about stuff. It's good to hear some positive stuff and the other stuff is helpful too. If any one has any questions for me just ask, I'm glad to (hopefully) answer whatever you got. I'm glad to share the stoke! Yes, I do sell alaias. I run Xylem Surfboards out here on the east coast. Xylem Surfboards is still real grassroots, but who knows, that might change. I started in Hawaii and moved here 2 years ago. You might see some of my boards out there on the west coast and back in Hawaii too. The approach is like starting over again except on something way better. It's like being really good at riding a bike with training wheels and then taking the training wheels off. All of a sudden you can do stuff you never thought possible. So, it's weird and feels strange at first, but it just takes some adjustment to get control of how the board works. When you do get control, it's just so fun... and you feel kinda proud of yourself too. It's not easy, but anyone with devotion, discipline and desire can get it. It's like karate or something.
