Hey! I’m Josh Hail. Thanks for taking some time to learn about what I do. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have my questions!
Of all the different types of boards in the world why do I ride these unique boards? While traditional boards work just fine, there’s something else a surfer can get from riding these ancient styled surfboards. Of course, there’s that novelty factor of surfing on a solid wooden board with no rocker or fins. But more than that, it’s supremely exciting to feel the board come alive as it speeds down the line—it can actually be startling to feel it work. Who’d have thought a slab of wood could do this?!
This way of riding waves feels special. It is liberating. There are no rules in this art form. There is a feeling of freedom being able to create your own lines within the waves however you want, wherever you want. What was impossible has become possible. Logic is defied. No more script to follow. You get to surf how you want to surf. End result: Fun.
How are the boards made?
Xylem surfboards are built by hand using minimal power tools. Not only do hand tools produce higher quality boards, but their use is a nod to the shapers of long ago. I believe there is value in doing things the old-fashioned way.
The wood used to make these boards is called Paulownia. It is known for being split resistant and lightweight, which makes it great for surfboards! Additionally, Paulownia wood doesn’t absorb seawater well, making it rot-resistant and durable for many years to come. Each board is finished with a hand-rubbed Tung oil finish. This traditional finish is easy to repair, and is much like what the ancient Hawaiians used long ago.
Ancient Elements Enhanced
Historians say that Alaia surfboards were originally designed for steeper waves like those found on the North shore of Oahu, a short island hop from the town of Kona where I first began designing surfboards. The ancient Hawaiians spent hundreds (or thousands?) of years refining this design, and my mission with my surfboards was to simply enhance great riding boardsdesigned by the ingenious ancient shapers.
Xylem Surfcraft’s original design, the “Srfdord” is a culmination of many different ideas by some of the greatest minds in the surfcraft design world. Drawing first from the ancient Hawaiian designs, inspiration was taken from Ryan Burch’s “Lord” boards (unreal!), Lindsay Lorde’s experiments with planning hull aspect ratio, and of course Tom Morey’s “boogie board” designs. And who can forget the honorable Derek Hynd and his work carving up J-Bay on all manner of finless things.
The first step in designing this board was to add a crazy amount of width by taking a traditional Alaia from about 18” to 28”, while retaining the same bottom contours of the ancient Alaia because that is where the magical feel comes from. Then, I cut the board in half (longways) and never looked back. This added more stability and a lot more speed. However, it was a wild beast to control (and it looked super funny), so I chopped off that rounded nose. I then realized that making the rail shorter added a lot more control in critical situations. So, I ended up hacking off more than a foot in length overall.
After nearly seven years of refinement, I now have my “go to” board. I’m no Joel Tudor, but I’m having more fun than ever--and isn’t that’s what it’s all about?