Nine Lights Composite Foam / Wood Alaia
12/11 
Jeff Beck at Nine Light surfboards brought by his latest surfboard design using epoxy composite construction to build a unique design extension of the Alaia for those that want to experience the Alaia ride with a little more float.
These composite foam and wood alaias let you have the amazing trim and speed that alaias get without the difficultly in paddling. They are completely hand made out of lightweight EPS foam and epoxy, with a 1/8″ layer of balsa wood on the deck. The wood on the deck acts like a stringer oriented horizontally, so it flexes with the board instead of resisting it like an I- beam. It also makes the deck very strong and resistant to pressure dings. The parabolic shape helps the board set trim and stick to the water while turning, even without the addition of a fin. This combined with radically pinched and chined rails keeps the board feeling relatively secure for having no fins.
Riding them is a bit different then a normal alaia. The slightest body movement engages the board, so you have to surf more reserved. Meaning you can’t push it as much. You stay low, on top and centered on the board and turn your shoulders in the direction you want to go. The board will follow. If you’re used to alaias, the adjustment shouldn’t be too hard.
"turn your shoulders in the direction you want to go..."
"...the board will follow."
