rodndtube.com's (OLD) MyPaipoBoards Forums. Reading but no posting on the OLD forums.

[Solo]

See Neal Miyake`s article...

"When it comes to "surfing," most people think of shortboarding, longboarding and maybe bodyboarding. However, there are many alternative methods of waveriding that enthusiasts throughout Hawaii participate in..." (www.hisurfadvisory.com)

http://www.aroundhawaii.com/leisure/reviews/neal_miyake/2004-02_awmethods.htm

[tumak]

Thanks for that, Solo. That's a cool article...seems to me that paipoboarding is experiencing somewhat of a resurgence, isn't it? I got into it about 2.5 years ago, when I walked into George Robinson's shop for a ding repair when I spied an old paipo he'd made for his dad leaning against the wall. I asked him to make me one as soon as he could! I'd always wanted to try it, starting in the early 60's...but I just never did it! I remember riding ordinary mats in the late 50s.
They're having competitions now at Point Panic, right? That doesn't matter to me, really, but I don't think it's going to go away if Galera kicks, is it? I was at a local beach today with a friend riding some head-high surf...afterwards we were talking about my transition from longboarding to paipoboarding. I told him that one of the things about paipoboarding that attracted me was the lack of ego...just the purist's surfing experience. He said, "I don't know...it [more egotism] could happen if more and more people start to do it." I replied, "I don't think that'll ever happen...it'll never get that popular."
With all the hoopla all over the place about "regular" surfing, with its vast economy and all it's little cliques and tribes, I just don't see a huge fad emerging, but I do think that there will continue to be a unique cadre of individualists like us who relate to it as a unique artform. I'm really glad to see the League of Lamaroos arise, and was really stoked when I saw Rod's site and the Pods For Primates thing...but I kinda hope the whole thing stays underground. What do you think?

[Poobah]

I thought the abundant supply of Chinese-made skimboards could lead to a resurgence in paipo riding, but the cheap skimboards never seem to make it out to deeper water. Probably because they start to crack and delam long before the kid develops good water skills. And I've never seen the nicer skimboards being ridden like paipos either. Any of you ever see skimboards being taken outside and ridden prono? I think the skimboard and wakeboard manufacterers with vacuum setups are probably in the best position to produce stock paipos. Have you seen any of them dabble in paipos?
P.S. Not a vac bag model, but there was a 6'7" skimboard on ebay recently. The El Paipo Grande of skimboards.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2782410234&category=16265

[Nels]

6'7" skimboard? I assume Skip Engblom is the Skipperboy behind that. Why not? I've seen vid of the skimmers riding waves at the Wedge.

As for the foam vacbag glassed skimmers, I think there was one in a photo of Point Panic paipoboarders in the Honolulu paper some time back. Tex Haines at Victoria Skimboards actually had a small fin box glassed in his personal skimmer a couple of years ago for smaller days when skimming wasn't prime goal. That area is wide open.

[Poobah]

These Meyer skimboards made in Florida look like a good dual purpose skim/paipo.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3657785883&category=22710

[doc]

[Poobah]

Okay,
perhaps the Meyer board isn't made in Florida. Or maybe it is. Their website doesn't specify that, but it does say: Meyer Skimboards has proven to be a pioneer in the skimboard industry since 1985, offering innovative and price concious products such as the hybrid board with uncrushable decks and undingable rails. Backed by a manufacturer's warranty and an ironclad commitment to you and your customers' satisfaction. Meyer Skimboard promises to be around for the best ride of your life.
The Meyer I referenced on ebay is rated for heavy riders. If a heavy rider can stand-up ride the thing on shorebreak faces, then surely it'd be strong enough for prone riding. I only chose it as an example of a skimboard thick enough (barely maybe) to take a fin box. A lot of skimboards aren't made very thick, because too much flotation subtracts from manueverability. I did some looking around and found that Maui skimboards are 1.5 inches. But I suspect that if they found our you put a fin box in one their channel bottoms, they'd probably make a special trip to your house to make you a woop ass sandwich.
http://www.mauiskimmers.com/intro.html

[Poobah]

Well anyway...I think the skimboard/paipo combo is a good deal for the money. I could probably buy two boards for what it costs these days to have a custom bellyboard hand shaped and glassed. And get my boards a half a year faster than the custom model. Perhaps Vic or Zap or someone will develop a hybrid to market as a dual purpose board to be ridden in either shallow or deep water. Alternatives are good.

[Birdie]

Does anyone know if Skip Engblom "Skipperboy" will glass - do artwork for boards he doesn't shape??

He'd be ideal for my Cleary Quest Quad....

[doc]

Ahmmm...maybe there's something I'm missing here. You got a questionably constructed ( mahohany plywood and eps foam) skimboard with a really kinda lousy shape for use as a paipo ( the old pintail in the groin problem) , odd rocker, no fin(s) and more.

Looking at what this place carries, it's all made-in-china cr@p. Including the dreaded 'liquid shredder' surfboards....and I have seen one up close and personal and they are most definitely garbage.

So, my question is, why bother? Make one yourself that can't help but be better.

[Phantom]

I like the way Poobah looks at something, and considers the wave riding possibilities it may or may not have. A fresh way to see the world. But I love a busted longboard!

[doc]

[Nels]

Doc, when you start making "Busted Longboard Paipos" this year you know you gotta make a "Devil Girl" model...probably sell out a whole prod run to the Blue Crush Generation.

Just no "chewing rope" jokes...unless you want to use that phrase for leashes...

[Kneeridin]

http://vagabondsurf.com/PaipoHome.html - lots of possibilities.

Doc,
Freaky...the black & white ad for Newport Paipos on vagabondsurf.com, Vintage Paipo Ads - I have both boards in my quiver.
Chet

[doc]