Laguna Beach is an important part of One Drop’s history because it is where Shawn and David first met in 1991. They both spent their Friday nights at Club Post Nuclear and eventually became roommates and close friends. In many ways, One Drop began in Laguna Beach. Naming this new yo-yo the Laguna is a tribute to how it all started.
Their friendship quickly grew into a lifelong one. The idea to start a business together came not long after meeting, and although it took a decade to turn that idea into reality, One Drop Design was officially formed in 2001. They began making yo-yos in 2007. People often say not to go into business with your friends, and while that is probably true in many cases, One Drop thrives on that friendship. It works because the friendship is the foundation.
One Drop has only made two Delrin models before, the Cabal and the Cabal Gen 2, so it was time for something new. The goal was to reach modern specs without adding a weight ring. Delrin is lighter than aluminum, which means you need more material to reach the desired weight. The original Cabal was not very wide, so it had to be thick to make up for the weight. By making the Laguna much wider and lighter, ten millimeters wider and five grams lighter than the Cabal, One Drop achieved the right weight without excessive thickness and pushed a significant amount of mass to the rims.
With help from their physicist friend Dirty Birdy, the Laguna was confirmed to be deep into the “Dark Side,” which means it has substantial rim weight and long spin times. The feel of machined Delrin brings back the nostalgia of classic plastic yo-yos while still meeting modern performance expectations.
Wide, rim-weighted, smooth, and nostalgic. The Laguna is a joy to throw and a tribute to where One Drop began.
The only reason I’ve used my blue one so sparingly is because I’m afflicted with a dumb disease where if I like a yoyo too much I’m too nervous to throw it. I’m hoping they come out with a white or black version soon.