By sourcing invasive albizia wood, we are reconnecting the tradition of wave riding Hawaiʻi-grown wood while helping to restore native forests.
2010
When Eric Bello, founding partner and master woodworker, saw an unfinished chambered surfboard in the back of a pickup truck in Hale'iwa, he took the inspiration back to his workshop.
Eric knew he'd need help to make his vision come to life. He reached out to legendary shaper, Dick Brewer for guidance. With the design help of an apprentice and final shaping by Dick, the first prototype of what is now the Waimea Big Wave Gun was created.
2016
Joey Valenti, a University of Hawai'i Doctor of Architecture student, was studying the efficacy of building with Hawaii's most prolific invasive species: albizia.
Joey and Eric teamed up to bring Lika, a house entirely built out of albizia wood, to life. The structure was displayed on the University of Hawai'i, Mānoa campus as an expression of creative awareness around the materials we use to build.
As collaborators, Joey and Eric sat down to pencil out the future of Hawai'i-grown performance wood surfboards, known today as Bizia.
2022
Many prototypes later, the first Hawai'i-based sustainable surfboard company was born.
Bizia aims to inspire tomorrow's global surf culture towards a regenerative future.
When you ride a Bizia surfboard you support ecosystem restoration and reduce consumption of toxic petroleum-based products.
Our process harnesses the energy of a living material, new technology, and traditional hand craftsmanship to produce performance wood surfboards. From tree to sea our supply chain has unmatched integrity.
We're on a mission to create a greener surf industry.