WYVE collaborates with Johnny Cabianca to combine the best of shape and cutting-edge technology

 

After 3 years of research and development into 3D printing of high-performance surfboards, the WYVE brand has collaborated with Johnny Cabianca (shaper of three-time world champion Gabriel Medina) to bring out a range that combines the shaper's know-how with the mechanical performance of WYVE technology.

 

A collaboration prepared over 9 months

In February 2023, Johnny Cabianca visited the WYVE workshops in Anglet. The possible synergies of collaboration are obvious to both the WYVE team and the shaper: on the one hand, new mechanical properties and reduced environmental impact, and on the other, shapes and know-how that have been validated by the world's best surfers for years.

Following this exchange, WYVE and Johnny work on prototypes of the DFK 2.0 model (Gabriel Medina's shortboard) to make sure that the shaper's curves are perfectly respected by WYVE's 3D printing process.

 

In search of the best shape standard

For 35 years, from São Paulo to Zarautz, via Sunset Beach and Santa Cruz, Johnny Cabianca has been shaping thousands of boards, concentrating on performance models. Encyclopedic in his knowledge of the subtleties of board building, Johnny has collaborated with the best.

He began shaping boards for a talented youngster on his home beach in Maresias, Brazil. It soon became clear that this youngster was exceptionally gifted; Gabriel Medina was to become world champion. The rest is history: a legendary collaboration that led him in 2016 to create his workshop Basque Country Surf Company.

 

Technology that combines performance and reduced environmental impact

Through its 3D printing technology, WYVE is rethinking board manufacturing to improve performance (flexibility, torsion) and environmental impact.
Indeed, 3D printing makes it possible to distribute the material inside the board to give more or less flexibility according to use, which gives new keys to board performance in terms of speed and maneuverability. What's more, this internal structure, 3 times more resistant to impact than a block of foam, is 60% bio-sourced, reducing the manufacturing carbon footprint by 40%.

In this way, the technology makes it possible to start from a tried-and-tested shape (outline, concaves, rails, daggerboard placement) such as Cabianca's, and print it precisely by varying the inside of the board. This is an unprecedented breakthrough in shaping.

 

3 models to cover the needs of intermediate to expert surfers

Johnny Cabianca has chosen 3 highly complementary shapes to combine his know-how with patented WYVE technology.

1. DFK 2.0: champion Gabriel Medina's performance shortboard
2. The Candy: an affordable hybrid shortboard
3. The Sherpa: a mid-length board that combines pleasure and performance

>> Find out more about this collab' and discover the boards!

 

A few words about WYVE & Cabianca

Sylvain Fleury, co-founder of WYVE:

"For the whole team, Johnny's trust represents a tremendous validation of the quality of our products. We're proud to be able to offer an alternative that continues the history of surfing, combining the art of shaping with science. It's a great milestone for our young company."