From music to surfboarding
Woodyboard - a brand of wooden kitesurfing boards - was created in 2014 by Nicolas Guindé in Locmiquelic, in Morbihan. After studying chemistry and biochemistry, this passionate art and drawing enthusiast became a sound engineer "I created music for dance companies for 15 years as an intermittent showman." nicolas begins.
He then created his first wooden board "I've been kiting for 12 years, and I wanted to buy a used board. But finally, I decided to do my own board five years ago. I love learning new things." he explains.
As his intermittent status ends, he embarks on a skills assessment and integrates a business incubator. Finally, a year later he launched Woody Board. His spécialité?? Design and build kite and surf boards, but made of wood.
Why bois??
It is through his in-laws - organic farmers - that he discovers this world. He then chose to build his boards out of local wood, using bio-based resins and natural dyes. In addition to being beautiful, these boards are équitables?! And of course, they are built in Brittany at his home, which he has specifically arranged - wooden workshop in the garage and resin workshop in the basement. For the fittings, he works with the two major manufacturers in the field.
"I wanted to build clean boards. On the one hand for my health and on the other hand for the environment. I have tested recipes, made recipes... I don't produce waste" nicolas explains.
For his boards, Nicolas chose a mixture of wood: redwood, red cedar and poplar, a light wood "Each piece is unique." he adds.
Tailor-made solutions
Although he specializes in kitesurfing, he also makes some skateboards and surfboards. All these boards are custom built according to the needs of each individual "There are several shapes of twin-tip (NDRL: symmetrical board on the front and back for wakaboard or kitesurfing) and it will change the way you ride. I build 3 different shapes and customize the size, flexibility, colors, logos and foot spacing" explains Nicolas.
If it takes between 10 and 12 days of work to get a twin-tip out, it will be a little longer for surfboarding. The board can come from a plan or model or be left to the designer's free choice.
"On my site, each rider first completes a questionnaire so that I know what he is looking for. It is also necessary to take into account the water body, navigation conditions, etc." concludes the Woody Board manager.
It is necessary to count 795 ? for a complete board made to measure with a after-sales service and a two-year guarantee.
A great notoriety
Today, Nicolas Guindé enjoys a good reputation - about 250 boards sold in four years - thanks in particular to his partnerships with influencers in the field, on social networks. Although he made a name for himself by word of mouth, he exhibited his boards - and his know-how - for the first time at the Grand Pavois 2018 show.
