Kona Boys is lucky enough to carry some of Gary’s boards, and we’re glad to call him a friend of the shop.
For over 30 years Gary has worked independently in Natural Fiber Composites Product Development using mostly wood/epoxy and bamboo/epoxy laminates Young is most known for unique products like formed wood-veneer skinned surfboards and sailboards – receiving awards for his work. He has also built race-winning canoes, paddles, and foam-core Alaia boards.
In 1976, using veneer, epoxy resin, and a patented vacuum bagging process, he successfully made his first surfboard. He had created a light, durable and responsive board that didn’t use fiberglass and required less than half the amount of resin needed for a glassed board – something, at the time, the surf industry had neither seen nor heard of.
Recently, due to the scarcity of Bamboo veneer, Gary has been using Albizia, a relative to Koa known to most Hawai’i residents as a “rubbish tree”. Albizia is a logical substitution for bamboo because it has enough fiber that you don’t need to cover it with glass. It grows fast, is found all over the island, and shares many of the ecologically friendly qualities of bamboo. Instead of sourcing the material from across the planet, he can find it in his backyard.
He’s shaped boards for the greats, from Sunny Garcia to Nat Young, but his passion has reached a new level because “for the first time I’ve been able to use a natural fiber and make a strong, light surfboard that is the same price as a middle of the road fiberglass board. I really feel that I’m doing the best work of my whole life.”
Gary continues to shape and innovate at his home near Hilo, Hawaii.
You can check out some of his work, history, and theory at http://bamboosurfboardshawaii.com.