The Modern Swallow from Aipa Surf is a forward-thinking design that blends speed, style, and versatility into a wave-hungry board that makes catching waves a breeze. Shaped for progressive surfing but deeply rooted in Aipa’s legacy of innovation, the Modern Swallow is all about flow, smooth transitions, and rail-to-rail responsiveness.
The Modern Swallow’s signature swallow tail increases drive and hold through sharp turns while adding extra release off the top. A flatter rocker and fuller outline make it an easy paddler and a fast accelerator, whether you’re threading small beach breaks or pushing through chest-high walls. It’s the perfect blend of retro influence and modern performance—ready to rip but always smooth.
For riders seeking a dynamic alternative to standard shortboards, the Aipa Modern Swallow offers unmatched versatility, packaged in a clean, responsive design built for the future.
Natural Fiber Technology (NFT)
Natural Fiber Technology is not only made with natural composite reinforcements but it got an amazing natural feel. Half of the reinforcement by volume on these boards is made from naturally derived fiber such as flax and hemp. The other half is composed of E glass and the whole lot is layered up and vacuum bagged under pressure to maximize the bond and minimize any excess resin, allowing for an incredible strength-to-weight ratio. The natural fiber not only replaces a good chunk of what would otherwise be fiberglass but also improves dampening for a predictable, natural response. There is an elegance to the simple aesthetic of the layup that is matched only by its ride.
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FUSED CELL EPS CORE (DUAL-CORE W/PU RAILS) // Closed cell EPS core provides more response + Flotation
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CLEAR HD-EPOXY RESIN // Epoxy resin with high thermo-mechanical performances
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HIGH QUALITY E-GLASS FIBERGLASS // E-glass is the industry standard reinforcement as it has the most reliable strength and performance of all surf glass variations.
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NATURAL FIBER REINFORCMENT // Renewable, reliable, resilient, and real smooth.
Fin(s) included: None
A Legacy of Aloha
Ben Aipa has made a most significant mark in the world of surfing: making the board that fellow Hawaiian Fred Hemmings used to win the World Championship in 1968 and founded his own brand Aipa Surfboards in 1970. Ben invented the doubled-edged swallowtail design in 1972 and followed this with the split-tail design in 1974. Moreover, Ben has served as an informal coach and trainer to such top surfers as Michael Ho, Larry Bertleman, Mark Liddell, Sunny Garcia, Brad Gerlach, and Kalani Robb.
Ben Aipa continued to enter and compete in various surfing contests: He won the Grandmasters division of the 1989 United States Surfing Championship and the Legends division of the 2000 U.S. Championships. Inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame in 1992, Ben was named one of the Top Ten Shapers of All-Time by Surfing magazine in 2004. Now spearheaded by sons Duke and Akila, Ben's legacy continues with fresh shapes and ideas from the minds of his talented children.
"I was never watching what other board builders were doing...I was watching the surfers and the natural world around me. Their movements showed me what was missing...I was always looking for the next wave, the next move." – Ben Aipa
