Grain Surfboards is proud to introduce the latest addition to our lineup: Christian Beamish’s Mid-Length for Black Belts (MLBB). This shape, built using Grain’s banded rail construction method, is the result of a collaboration between renowned shaper Christian Beamish and our talented lead board designer, Nolan. The MLBB blends speed-egg elements with Hawaiian-inspired design, offering a versatile and high-performance riding experience.
Christian Beamish—a surfer, shaper, and writer—brings decades of experience to the MLBB. Inspired by the legendary surfing of the late '70s and early '80s, his designs prioritize power, flow, and a deep connection to the wave. His expertise in channel-bottom designs, whether single, twin, or "two-plus-one" fin configurations, is evident in the MLBB’s performance.
"There are two exciting aspects about this collaboration between Grain and my label, Surfboards California. First, Grain can produce these boards at scale, making them available to more surfers. Second, Grain's construction suits this classic design really well—the feeling of wood on water resonates in a very particular and ancient way."
—Christian Beamish
Photo by: Eddie Devereaux
The Beamish x Grain board made its debut at Surf Re-Evolution 2024, where Christian was the featured shaper. The very first board was raffled off, giving one lucky attendee the opportunity to own a piece of history. "STOKED" is an understatement to describe just how excited the board winner was to add this board to his quiver. This event marked the beginning of an exciting partnership between Christian and Grain.
“Converting the MLBB into a hollow-style wood construction challenged us to think in new ways about our board designs. A good deal more work than carving into a block of foam, but in the end, quite rewarding to see such a complex shape come out of our shop!”
—Nolan
Nolan worked closely with Christian to translate the shaper's vision into Grain's signature GreenRail construction. This innovative construction method ensures that the MLBB not only performs exceptionally but also looks pretty damn sweet.
We are beyond excited to announce that the MLBB is now available for purchase. Whether you’re ordering it as a custom board (channels optional), building your own (non-channel) at a workshop, or snagging one from our in-stock inventory as we build them—this 8’3” shape will be a rad addition to your quiver.
If you’re looking for a board that “rides fast in the pocket, locks in, and turns on a dime,” as the MLBB Surf Re-Evolution raffle winner put it, this one’s for you.
Photo by: Eddie Devereaux
Check out THE MLBB or THE MLBB CHANNEL BOTTOM!
Order yours today or sign up for a workshop to build a non-channel MLBB!