Tail Sliding fun on the Alaia
The Alaia Journey
I’ve always been fascinated by how the Hawaiians surfed over the centuries. Now in my mid-50s, having ridden just about every surfboard shape imaginable, I was looking for a new challenge — something that would reconnect me with the roots of surfing. The traditional Alaia caught my eye, but the idea of riding a slim, wooden, finless board didn’t exactly appeal to me at my age, especially as I’m not a small guy!
Then I came across an Alaia design that closely resembled the original Hawaiian template. Inspired, I decided to scale it up to better suit my size and surfing style. Knowing how demanding a finless board can be, I also added fin boxes to the tail, allowing for small stubby side bites — just enough to offer a touch of control while keeping that classic Alaia glide.
Riding the Alaia
I’m genuinely astounded by how this board rides. I didn’t want to go too small — I was after a true wave-catching machine — so I settled on 6’4” at around 50 litres. The size turned out to be perfect. It doesn’t feel big at all; in fact, once on the wave, it feels light and lively underfoot. I’m so glad I went for this size because it’s just pure fun.
The feeling this board delivers is mind-blowing — the freedom and flow across the wave face are incredibly addictive. Honestly, since riding it, I’ve barely touched a standard finned board.
Performance & Feel
The wave-catching ability of this board is unbelievable — even in steeper conditions, which really surprised me. It’s easily the fastest board I’ve ever ridden and an absolute blast to surf. The way it slides sideways down the wave face, then hooks itself perfectly into the sweet spot, is something truly special.
I won’t lie — it wasn’t easy at first. This board demands patience and time to master. But once you start linking a few solid rides, you’re completely hooked. The sense of speed and freedom is unlike anything else.
Alaia Features
The nearly finless Alaia features a classic planing hull design inspired directly by the original wooden Hawaiian boards. With a super-flat rocker and plenty of volume, it paddles fast and catches waves effortlessly.
Available in either EPS or PU construction, the Alaia is glassed with 6/4 oz fiberglass for strength and durability. It comes fitted with a Futures Twin fin setup, giving you the freedom to ride it as a stubby twin or experience the pure glide of a finless setup.
Contact me for Size options and availability, board featured is a 6ft4″ @50ltrs northerndawnsurfboards@gmail.com
Price starts at £559.99 plus shipping
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