Hello SI I am new to this site and looking to purchase a new or used Austin Custom Surfboards "Paipo Board". I met a guy yesterday who was riding one in our very small waves up here in ME and he was catching everything that came his way. Thanks, M
Austin closed up shop I believe , you would need to scour the for sale by on the net for an original Austin..check out in California Paipos are big out there,i got mine from out, normally only use it on clean days it does scream down the line... course Cali is always a few years ahead of the rest of the world
Austin sold a number of paipo boards to surf shops up in New England. Ask around some of the surf shops and you might get lucky.
Of course, that begs the question, "Why?" Because of their collector's value, a wall hanger or you like the shape? If the shape, which one as the Greg Noll logo was slapped on several different shapes, one that is similar to an Austin plan shape and another that is known as the guitar pic shape (aka the modern day HPDs).
I like your spirit, stank... I agree, and say build one! Personally, I'd never use plywood... the end grain is a beeatch to work with. Maybe some cedar boards glued together, then glassed.
There are many styles of surfriding and this applies to paipo/bellyboard surfing as well. There are also many different characteristics of ply, cork, wood, foam/glass, fins/skegs. The type of paipo may also dictate how one catches a wave and paddles about (e.g., flotation vs. neutral buoyancy). Board flex can also be a big deal in selecting a wood or ply board --3/4 inch ply, and especially if glassed, can be very heavy and stiff. So... if you choose to go ply then try to get hold of some marine ply. Also, as many bodyboarders and bodysurfers would tell you, a person needs to acquire swim fins that fit well for that person's feet and also paddle well for that person. When it comes to swim fins, what is great for one person can be terrible for another.
Idk about a paipo... But I do have an Austin longboard- and can say for sure that the guy is a true craftsman. The board is a peice of art work - it's a pig shape, glasses on D fin and all with a wood inlay. The board rides better then it looks ... If that's possible lol He is out of business now... Bummer... But a super nice guy. Maybe he would make one special... Idk.. I personally would make one myself like LB crew said
Austin made fine boards, the best. Not sure who would compare up and down the East Coast. Sorry he is no longer in the business (that has been discussed in other threads).
love mine its really speedy..you do have to paddle good or be in the perfect position to get into the wave, as said above works really best on clean days
I'm gonna build me a paipo and paint some cool sh!t on it. There's these cork borts out now I wanna try too.
yea the Bodypo guy that makes them took a bunch of them on the beaches in California this past summer and lets people try them out
Hello Everyone, I just wanted to say Thank You for all of the helpful/interesting comments. They are all much appreciated. I will keep you posted as I start to figure out which direction to go and will probably have more questions. Marty
That is exactly what the guy I met who had one said. And from what I saw he was able to catch more small waves easily and get more ride out of them as well. That is why I am holding out hope to find a used one eventually. Thanks for your reply
