Azorean surfboards
wooden
surf
sustainable
Soul surfers also connect with the ocean,
through the way they consume.
99% more sustainable
The wood
Cryptomeria Japonica or japanese cedar
The Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is a very light, flexible and water resistant wood which grows in abundance on the Azores islands. These trees have a density of 0.3g/cm3, which matches that of the Pawlonia wood (Pawlonia tomentosa), a tree commonly used to build surfboards. However Cryptomeria wood is more flexible. This tree is considered a sustainable resource as it has a fast growth during the first years of its life, yet it can live up to over 3000 years. Originally from Japan, it also has significant spiritual value as it was used to build buddhist temples. The biggest tree alive is called Jamon Sugi and is over 25m tall and over 5m wide. No need to say more to understand the suitability of this wood to build unique surfboards. Moreover, exposed to the strong Azorean winds and substrat, some specimens grow under tension and create wonderfully natural patterns which remind us of the waves.
Wood is often seen as an heavy material to build surfboards but the truth is that some surfboards made out of Balza wood are even lighter than fiber boards. But is lighter better? Not always, this depend very much on your style, in many situations a little more weight can quickly turn out as an advantage.
BOARDS
HANDMADE SURFBOARD
Mini Simons
First shaped by Joe Beauguess in 2006, the mini simon was inspired by the old longboards of Robert Wilson Simon, the classic spoon model. It is a short twin fin shape ranging from 5′ to 5’6 feet long and over 20″ large for a large volume ranging from 30 to 40L. This board is perfect for summer waves, a perfect shape for every level surfers to taste speed and get the most out of a small wave.
Retros fish & egg
Eggs have similar sizes, the main difference stands in the shape of the tail, which is round. Performance-wise, round tails combine the manoeuvrability of square tails and the speed of pin tails. Regarding the fin set, eggs are usually mounted thruster but they are also suitable for twin or even single fins. This shape help you carry speed in weaker waves, which is also suitable for beginners.
LONGBOARDS
Longboards come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, which make it difficult to describe, but our shapes range from 8 to 10 feet long for 50 to 90L of volume. This shape can be personalised for your needs from the tail to the nose, the bottom is usually shaped slightly concave on the nose which fades into a double concave as it nears the tail, but can also be tuned to your needs. These boards are usually mounted in single fins or twos one setups.
GUNs & semi guns
Semi guns from 6.6 feet to 8 feet and guns over 8 feet (up to 10.6 feet) are next level surfboards for big wave riders. The width of these boards ranges from 18″ 1/2 to 21″ 1/2 with an accentuated pin tail and a special rocker to provide maximum speed and high paddling motion. These boards can be mounted in thruster or quad to maximise control at high speed. The wood comes out as an excellent material for the performance of guns since the extra weight improves stability at high speed on a choppy walls and limits the impact of strong wind at take off.
Paddle boards
Stand up paddle are high volume boards (from 100 to 200L) which allow riders to stand on it in flat lakes or river waters for a peacefull tour or to surf waves. Our models range from 8′ to 10′ feet long, shorter boards are recommended for advanced riders, while larger ones (10′) are perfect for beginners and flat river tours, of course we adapt the shape to your size and weight. Stand up paddles are usually mounted with thruster or two one fin sets.
PERFORMANCEs & hybrids
These modern shapes are characterised by strong rockers which facilitate late take off on hollow waves, usually mounted on thruster or quad they offer the highest manoeuvrability and control for a radical surf style. With a length ranging from 5’5 to 6’5 feet and a narrow width from 18″ to 20″ inches these shapes are built for advanced surfers to get the most out of a powerful and steep wall.
FinS SET
From left to right: Single, thruster, twin, quad & twos one
FinS Boxes
Building process
99% of wood and air
99% more sustainable
- Our boards are built following the same technique as the Brazilian shaper David Weber, using a hollow skeleton generated on computer and cut by laser. The skeleton gives us the shape of the board, outline, deck convex, rocker and concave.
- The skeleton is then glued to the bottom of the board, made of a 4mm thick layer of wood, this step gives he bottom of your board the perfect rocker and concave previously generated by the computer.
- The rails of the boards are then made using multiple strings (1*1cm) of wood, bent and glued around the outline of the skeleton.
- The deck of the board is glued on top, once the board is closed.
- We then shape the nose, the tail, the rails etc. to retrieve the exact outline of the initial skeleton.
- Finally the board is covered with a layer of fibreglass and epoxy resin to seal it all off, providing a very high durability.
The Azores
Our inspiration
Prices Workshops
100% hand crafted and uniQUE
Build your own board:
- 4 Days of Workshop
- Accomodation in 4 stars, ocean view lofts shared by two
- No previous experience needed
- Max 6 students to receive all attention
- Build a unique piece of art, performant in the waves
- All tools and materials included
Offered:
- FCS I fin boxes
- GORE automatic air vent
- One leach plug
- One Flexi-Hex protection bag for transport
Prices, accomodation included
5′ até 10′
PADDLE BOARD
890€
1190€
Glass on fins / unit
50€
Lamination and plugs instalations (air vent, fins, leach plug)
This last step can be service by Criptosurboards team on demand
or we provide you with a Flexi-Hex protection bag to leave with your board not laminated and your plugs.
How to get to Faial Island ?
I do not need accomodation, how much would cost the workshop ?
Prices Boards on Order
100% hand crafted and uniQUE
Boards on Order:
Offered:
- FCS I fin boxes
- GORE automatic air vent
- One leach plug
- 2 years warranty against manufacturing defaults
Price / foot
180€
Glass on fins / unit
50€
Technical fin sets prices:
