Now here is what we call another smart innovation. By adding inflatable air chambers to a basic surfboard bag, Nicholas Martino has improved it’s usability in multiple ways.
First of all, it protects the surfboard from damaging. Martino himself suggests that it can be filled with a light gas like helium to make it lighter to carry. (Which is a little far out if you ask me, but it possible nevertheless…).
Finally, it can also be used as an airbed, which comes in handy if you have to hike to that one sweet surfspot and sleep while waiting for that perfect wave…
For me just the look of one of these Grain Surfboards is enough for me. Don’t they look great? However, the fact that the production of these boards puts less strain on the environment than your average plastic board does, makes them even cooler.
Grain Surfboards began in the basement of a home minutes from the waves in York Beach, Maine. Mike LaVecchia combined his love of board sports with a passion for traditional wooden boat-building techniques to create works of art for riding waves. Brad Anderson joined as co-owner shortly after and, with the help of some friends, Grain has grown into a full-fledged surfboard manufacturer known for innovative techniques, classic designs and ground-breaking products. And pieces of art their products are!
Just look at the pictures. These are fine pieces of work… You can buy them off the rack, but also have a board custom made for you. Imagine yourself: Whaleshark wetsuit, Grain Surfboard, waves and sunshine….
Ever wondered why wetsuits are always black(ish) and all look alike? Diddo did, and decided to do something about it.
He took the challenge to create an alternative. With custom inks and unique printing techniques, he was able to map textures onto the suits to create original designs that evoke the mysteries of the seas.
The first edition contains four original designs: a rusted iron diving suit evoking the days of Jules Verne, the anatomic musculature suit as a homage to our inner strength, a wet suit which gives the illusion that the wearer has been attacked by a group of hungry sharks and finally a whale shark patterned suit that celebrates the brilliance and originality of our natural water world.
Great idea, and brilliantly executed! The wetsuits will be available soon through Diddo’s website.
The BBC has made a new documentary using a state of the art under water camera, which can shoot in super slow motion. The results are absolutely stunning… Check out the clip!
Having surfed once or twice myself these pictures give me the shivers… Great stuff.
The footage is the first part of a new series by the BBC on the South Pacific: Ocean of Islands. No doubt there will be more stunning pictures to come.
