Vassallo Kelp Forest Bolt 9'6"

This one’s sold! Learn more about Ventana custom wooden surfboards.

This custom, kelp forest surfboard was created for the Vassallo Family as a surfable work of art.

The bottom deck includes redwood burl driftwood collected in Big Sur as the rocks for the kelp holdfast. The kelp blades are made of black walnut from Trae Vassallo's family property in Minnesota. The kelp stalks are oak and walnut from an Eames chair. There is an urchin of Indian rosewood and a bat star of cocobolo, both from Santa Cruz Guitar Company. There is an additional bat star of bloodwood from Copper Pig Woodworking. The otter, named "Kelp Cake," is made of salvaged oak and includes wood-burned details. The eyes of the otter are Mylo™ Unleather, a sustainable alternative to leather made from infinitely renewable mycelium.

The blue-green resin pour was created using soy-based EcoPoxy and various pigments from Black Diamond Pigments.

The glassed-on, translucent kelp single fin is made of redwood driftwood from Big Sur. 

The top deck is made of mahogany from a conference room table donated by Poke House restaurant with stringers of Indian rosewood, spruce, and Honduras mahogany from Santa Cruz Guitar Company.

The tail block is Douglas fir from the original hull of the Western Flyer, considered by many to be the most famous fishing boat in the world. John Steinbeck, Ed "Doc" Ricketts and crew sailed this 77-foot sardine boat into the Sea of Cortez in Baja California, Mexico in 1940. The following year, Steinbeck published his book, The Log from the Sea of Cortez about the adventure. Learn more about this amazing boat and Ventana's use of its wood. The tail also includes an abalone inlay and an original square nail hole filled with Entropy Resins.

The vent and leash plug is made of a white oak wine barrel stave from Hans Fahden Vineyards, where Steve and Trae Vassallo were married. Under the leash plug is an inlay of ebony from Santa Cruz Guitar Company offcuts.

The rails are made of cork, which is sustainable, more resistant to dings, and easier to repair. There are two sheets of Aerialite 4-ounce fiberglass on top and one on bottom. The epoxy is Entropy Resins bio-resin which is up to 40% tree sap and is very strong and light. It is finished with soy-based EcoPoxy.

As with all Ventana Surfboards, the interior is glassed and sealed, as well.

This board is hollow, lightweight and will ride as great as it looks. Given the uniqueness of each side, it's two art pieces in one and can be flipped to display either side.

Made in Santa Cruz, California by master artisan Martijn Stiphout.

Includes a wooden display sign and a handmade bag by Sagebrush Board Bags created using coffee bean sacks and unique, remnant fabrics.

Dimensions: 9'6" x 22.5" x 2.75"

Approx. 24 pounds

See progress pics and videos, including Vassallo family construction days, of the creation of this incredible longboard.

Each Ventana board comes with a special edition of our standard Save-a-Surf Wax Box. This version includes two, custom-made vent plug screws.

All Ventana Surfboards are ECOBOARD Project Gold Level Verified by SustainableSurf.org!

Learn about Ventana surfboards and custom orders.