Kaimanu Surfboards was born in Cayucos, California in 1992 when my father, Bruce Jackson, an avid shaper

and glasser since the 60's began making boards for his sons. After learning to surf and observing my dad make

the boards, I soon began shaping and glassing as well, quite fitting since he named the surfboards after my

Hawaiian name, Kaimanu, which means ocean bird.

Riding self made boards for the last 15 years has helped me to become more closely in touch with the relationship

between design and performance. Known for quality glass jobs and clean shapes, our boards are now leading the

charge to a more environmentally conscious and sustainably produced surfboard.

In the desire to create a more environmentally sound surfboard I have been experimenting with new materials

over the last 5 years. Now introducing the Kaimanu eco-line utilizing state-of-the-art technology designed

specifically to create non-petroleum surfboards that perform as well as conventional ones. 

Kaimanu eco-boards are shaped from either: Biofoam, a soy-base foam or Ice-9 a sugar cane based foam as

opposed to petroleum-based polyurethane and epoxy foam. These new foams have very similar flex and density

properties to that of polyurethane foam. Sustainably harvested wood is used for the stringers and other sustainable

practices are utilized throughout the production cycle.

Lamination is done with 100% hemp cloth in various weight ratios of 5.9oz to 4.6oz with low v.o.c. epoxy and can

be finished with linseed bio-resin. The hemp has a natural memory flex and is stronger in tensil strength and strength

to weight ratio to that of fiberglass. Using hemp, you support the use of industrial hemp which is one of the most

useful and environmentally sound resources on Earth. The use of hemp for Food, Fuel, Fiber, Paper, Hempseed

oil-based plastics and health products is vital in the move towards a sustainable future as it is one of the most

renewable resources on Earth. 

I offer all hemp laminated boards and also traditional fiberglass boards with hemp cloth deck patches.

Feel the glide of a Kaimanu as you ride the green wave and support a sustainable future. 

Mahalo

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 5'10" tow board full hemp Kaimanu Whale Tail Quad (same board in photo on homepage)

Hand-shaped hand-grassed and pit proven by Chad Kaimanu Jackson and friends. Chad has been building

surfboards since the early 90's when his father Bruce Jackson passed on the tradition to him in the remote

Central California town of Cayucos. It was here that Chad and other kids learned to surf in the cold but

pristine waters being influenced by such underground chargers as Gabe Gazzola, Tony Foster,

Tyson Armstrong, Abe Toke, Steve Denham, Van Curaza, JW, Murph, DHart, DRay, Casamir Polowski,

Gub Gub, and other more old school legends. The culture is unique and hardcore with virtually no surf

industry or major population center within 200 miles. This is our home...