Dropping into a big one in Waikiki. Photo: Courtesy Mike Ito
Born and raised in Waikiki, Kai Sallas is no stranger to the surf. He grew up bodyboarding before transitioning to longboarding when he was ten, eventually landing a spot on the longboard world tour. In 2009, with the money he won from a contest, Sallas bought a van and a bunch of boards and opened a surf school in Waikiki. When COVID-19 hit and lessons started slowing down, Sallas frequently found himself in the shaping room, designing boards inspired by the waves on which he learned to surf. In 2020, Sallas opened KSLCO: Kai Sallas Longboard Company.
Although the brand is young, Sallas has already created a stacked team of local talent. Kelis Kaleopa’a, Kaniela Stewart, Keani Canullo, John Michael Van Hohenstein, and Jack Ho are a few of the impressive riders with KSLCO boards under their feet. Here, Sallas shares how he first got into shaping, why he’s focused on designing longboards, and how he’s creating Waikiki’s dream longboard team.
How did you get into shaping?
Shaping was something I always wanted to do. When I was young, I would fix boards for side cash, so I learned a lot from that. When I got into shaping, I was pretty much self taught. The first board I ever shaped was a longboard I broke surfing Pipeline. I broke two feet off the nose, so I striped the fiberglass so that I had a foam blank. I cut and reshaped a little five-foot fish out of it—it turned out pretty good and I still have it.
Did you have any mentors?
I was lucky enough to be sponsored by Donald Takayama who, in my eyes, was the best longboard shaper ever. I used to visit him in his shaping room in California and he would show me his boards and talk about his next board design that he was working on.
I never wanted to do it enough to ask him to show me anything, I was just curious about what he was doing to the board to make it work better. In doing that, I learned a lot about design — what works and what doesn’t. When I really got into shaping, I remembered those conversations we used to have about figuring out what works and what doesn’t.
Kai’s mission is simple: make boards that ride well. Photo: Courtesy Mike Ito
Why the focus on longboards?
My background as a professional longboard surfer for over 20 years and competing internationally has allowed me to see so many boards. And then riding for Donald [Takayama], seeing his boards, and hearing what he had to say really inspired me. I felt like I knew a lot more than your average Joe about longboarding and I thought I’d be good at it, so when I started the company, I named it Kai Sallas Longboard Co. because I wanted to focus on longboards.
What do you love about longboarding?
It’s mainly what I’m used to. I just love the whole style and history of it — the way the boards flow and you can catch waves and speed easily. It’s a whole lifestyle and a more laid-back style of surfing than shortboarding.
How would you describe your boards?
My boards are simple, no crazy design features. For someone who’s at the beginner or intermediate level they’re all user friendly — they’re easy to catch waves on and easy to get used to. But with the same board, I’ll have some of the best longboarders in the world riding them in contests. I just try to design what I think is going to work.
Kai Sallas, showing just how well his boards work. Photo: Courtesy Mike Ito
What are your most popular models?
The Guava Jam and Mango Jam have been popular as well as the Waikiki model. I think it’s because they work the best. The Waikiki is perfect for someone who wants to surf those Waikiki style waves — just smooth, stylish longboarding. And the Mango Jam is good for people that want to go a bit faster and turn a bit sharper. There’s something for everybody there. I like the Mango Jam.
How did you build your team of talented local riders?
When I started my brand, I was fortunate to partner with Thunderbolt and I had a really good deal as far as board sales. I wanted to share it with some of the up-and-coming kids. I saw how good they were getting and I saw their potential. I noticed that their board sponsors weren’t the best and I thought I could not only make them good boards but could also offer them a good sponsorship. I wanted to help all the kids that came from the same surfing location where I grew up, so I started a team of surfers from Waikiki. It was important for me to keep the team local and they just so happen to be the best guys.
What are your goals for the future of the company?
I’ve been riding waves for so long but when I started making boards it brought a new light to my surfing. Grabbing a board that I shaped and getting a good wave or a good nose ride is a whole other feeling for me. It’s more of a passion than a business for me — I just want to keep making boards and keep having fun doing it.
