I thought I'd document my first foray into building (and riding) Paipos.
Following an arm injury which curtailed my competitive kayaking activities combined with a long-repressed desire to surf (I'm 42 and did some when younger, but life got in the way) and a recent surfing lesson, I figured it was time to get into surfing. And in the spirit of walking before I run, I thought I'd lie before I stand. And I really liked my surf mat when younger
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
So, that's my motivation. I'm heading off on holidays in 2 weeks to camp on the coast (south coast of NSW) so just enough time to make a solid wood board and then I can test it out.
As a starting point, I thought I'd use what I had available. Photos show work on day one...I've ripped some red cedar (surian/Australian cedar) - the red stuff; paulownia - the medium light bits, and balsa - the white bits. I was going to use pine instead of balsa, bit thought the balsa would add a bit of lightess/bouyancy. The cedar was just under 1" thick so I've used this as a starting thickness. The cedar was about 12" wide so I decided to cut thatnito strips and combine with the other woods for contrast.
At this stage the plan is to make the final length 40" - 50" (total useable length of the wood is 55" but this is getting onto alaia lengths). Width at the widest point will be around 20" and I plan to have a slightly rounded nose and taper towards the tail by a couple of inches. I'll reduce the thickness slightly and taper towards the front. I'll cover with a thin layer of fiberglass to protect the balsa, then varnish.
Only decision now is on fins/skegs, I'm thinking of a couple around 6" at the base by 3" high, glassed on wood fins in cedar. Bottom will be flat.
I'm open to ideas and input on final shape, tail design, bottom profile and fin placement/size. We'll see how it progresses!
Tomorrow or the next day should see it all glued up, then on Boxing Day I'll define the final shape and finish ready for glassing.
May make a handplane or two for bodysurfing out of the scrap.
Regards,
Darren