Today’s surfers have many options to choose from when it comes to adding to their excitement. There are so many types of surfboard materials and construction methods out there, complete with all kinds of accessories and devices for virtually every purpose.
In recent times, carbon fiber surfboards have risen in popularity as surfers look for boosts in performance. Also, carbon fiber, as a material, offers a lot of potential in delivering that. It retains all the best things about carbon, such as its resistance to high temperatures, abrasion, and corrosion. But it is softer and can be maneuvered into various shapes and sizes.
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Top 4 Best Carbon Fiber Surfboards in Review
Big surfing companies are pumping more on innovations to make the surfing industry more popular, especially the mass production of surfboards.
Carbon fiber surfboards are currently on the trend because of their many features, including durability, high quality, and usability.
Additionally, carbon fiber is more lightweight, offers better balance, and has high strength. So, if you’re thinking of getting a board made out of this fantastic material, you will surely make the most out of surfing. To get you started, here are four of the best of them.
- Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto V FutureFlex
- Aviso DVS 5’10 Rocket Fish Surfboard
- Guy Takayama KOA GT20 9′ Surfboard
- Guy Takayama Makani Paddleboard
1. Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto V FutureFlex – Best Overall Carbon Fiber Surfboard
Specifications:
- Height: 6’2″/188 cm
- Width: 75″/ 53 cm
- Thickness: 2.75″/7 cm
- Volume: 38.39 L
One of the most popular carbon fiber surfboards today, the Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto V FutureFlex board, features a stringer-less parabolic carbon fiber frame construction made out of high-density EPS foam, as well as custom materials. The result is a high-performance board that delivers ultimate speed and drive.
Its carbon fiber frame is built for maximum speed and drive, while still allowing for flex. This board won’t twist as much, so you can control it just the way you like it, and just as fast, too!
The Hypto Krypto boasts of striking the perfect balance between traditional and modern performance, with its old-school twin-fin nose alongside its rounded pintail. It makes the board extremely fast, but also easy to control for tight pocket turns.
Another feature of the board is its versatility for every user. Every day, surfers and even elite surfers will surely enjoy the board because of its versatility for all types of surf conditions – from small beach waves to as high as 8 ft.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect for all types of surfers | A little expensive |
| Speedy but offers flex | |
| Ideal for 1-8 ft waves |
|
2. Aviso DVS 5’10 Rocket Fish – Best Value for Your Money
Specifications:
- Length: 5’10”/180 cm
- Tail Width: 16″/40 cm
- Center Width: 19.75″/50 cm
- Nose Width: 13.9″/35 cm
- Thickness: 2.25″/6 cm
Designed by renowned surfing legend Dick Van Straalen, the Aviso DVS 5’10 Rocket Fish is patterned after the traditional twin-fin fish. It means that the board is built to rip through various beach break conditions and waves but with the added benefit of being more versatile. Its narrower outline, combined with its rocker and concave and different fin template, enables it for optimal performance for the top to bottom surfs.
This particular model is hailed by many surfers faster than other boards and with far less resistance. One surfer compared it to the race car to the traditional twin-fin sports car.
The carbon fiber composite also offers a lot of feedback and flex, but these are directional and maneuverable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Loved by experienced surfers | If it breaks, it's hard to repair |
| Fast but offers flex |
|
| Solid but light |
|
3. Guy Takayama KOA GT20 9 ft – Best Carbon Fiber Surfboard for Beginners
Specifications:
- Length: 9’0″/ 274 cm
- Width: 21.75″/ 55 cm
- Thickness: 2.625″/ 7 cm
- Nose: 17.5″/ 44 cm
- Tail: 14.375″/ 37 cm
The Guy Takayama KOA GT20 9′ features the brand’s high-performance design principles, and in fact, this longboard is a Surf Team Competition Model. Lightweight, durable, and maneuverable, it is perfect for beginner to seasoned surfers who want to rip on an exceptionally responsive board.
The model features fiberglass covers both top and bottom, equating to 12 ounces in total. With the fiberglass material, there is added strength and durability to every surfing experience. There is also an added resistance to every dent.
This model has been tested on Oahu, and it is excellent for handling even bigger waves. Its speed does not get compromised, and the inclusion of carbon fiber to form part of its deck and bottom adds to its durability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Speedy and maneuverable | Expensive compared to other brands |
| Resistant to heel dents | |
4. Guy Takayama Makani – Best Carbon Fiber Paddle Board
Specifications:
- Length: 9’/ 274 cm; 9’6″/ 297 cm
- Width: 30.375″/ 77 cm; 31″/ 79 cm
- Thickness: 4″/ 10 cm; 4.25″/ 11 cm
- Volume: 118 L; 135 L
Another carbon fiber surfboard from Guy Takayama, the Makani (or Wind) model, is a standup paddleboard that is perfect for those who want to combine the best of both surfing and paddleboarding.
With its 5-fin setup, surfers who intend to ride two-foot faces and up are in for a great experience. Its well-designed internal management components also make for excellent responsiveness and flexibility, while its carbon fiber deck makes it very strong and durable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best for both surfing and paddleboarding | Also more expensive than other similar products |
| Durable and strong |
|
Our Top Pick – Best Carbon Fiber Surfboard
We have listed some fantastic carbon fiber surfboards in this article, but our best bet goes to the Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto V FutureFlex – for a lot of good reasons.
First off, its 5-fin setup allows you to surf it as a quad or a thruster, so more experienced surfers will get a full range of experience with this one. It is also the reason it is well-loved by a lot of people, and it’s easy to find reviews of this brand that has many positive criticisms. With it, you will get great value for your money.
Speaking of money, the Hypto Krypto V is not as expensive as the other carbon fiber surfboards in this article or on the market. So if you don’t have that much cash to burn, this one is a cost-effective purchase.
Finally, it is designed for all types of breaks and swells. So wherever you’re going to be surfing, you can carry this one-stop board with you.
Why Carbon Fiber is a Good Material for Surfboards
There are many advantages to choosing a surfboard made out of carbon fiber, such as:
#1. Complete Control over the Design Process
Many designers that work with carbon fiber go for the material because it is something that they can control. They can better fine-tune the design process so that they can maximize the performance impact of the product.
Other materials for surfboards, such as polyurethane, are ideal for many reasons, but they are harder to trim according to the designer’s specific set of requirements. Wood, for instance, has grain textures and knots that are natural to the material, and in using it, designers can’t do much about these characteristics.
With carbon fiber, the design process is entirely up to the designers.
#2. Better Flex Pattern
Carbon fiber also contributes to creating better flex patterns. According to the designer of the Hypto Krypto V FutureFlex board, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic is about 20 times stiffer than pine wood; using it on surfboards results in a more controlled process of determining the exact flex that designers wish to achieve in the final product.
#3. Strong and Lightweight
The boards in our lists are stable; in fact, many surfers that have tried and tested them have found them extremely durable in withstanding multiple types of impacts and other external conditions. But they are also lightweight. Carbon fiber is four times stronger than steel, but its weight is only a fourth of steel. You can look forward to enjoying the waves without fearing for your board’s life, while also feeling buoyant and free.
#4. Great Balance
Surfing is a sport that requires a great deal of ability to balance, and many surfers can attest to the fact that a great board can significantly help them balance. In using carbon fiber surfboards, surfers have claimed that there is hardly any difference between standing on the water with it and standing on solid ground.
#5. Resistance to Corrosion
Finally, these boards have a high resistance quotient against alkaline, hydrogen, and oxygen. Their stable chemical properties will ensure that you can enjoy them for a very long time.
What to Consider When Buying Carbon Fiber Surfboards – Buyers’ Guide
How do you know which carbon fiber surfboard is best for you? Here are some factors to consider.
Specific Material Design
Carbon fiber surfboards are all designed to be lightweight, fast, and balanced. But that does not mean that they all deliver the same quality in performance. The specific material design that goes into a model still dictates the range of experience that you are getting out of the product.
For instance, some of the models that we featured in this article come with an advanced fin system that lets you use the board in more than just one way. Also, there are inclusions in the design of the other products that extend their functionality and allow a broader set of applications in performance.
Budget
Carbon fiber surfboards are pretty pricey. The key to making the best purchase is to find the model that best fits your needs and your budget. Some of the things that you should see in your chosen product include:
- Durability
- Flex
- Maneuverability; and
- Warranty
Preferred Type of Board
Carbon fiber surfboards come in various styles, such as fish, longboards, and even stand-up paddleboards. Choosing one just depends on which specific type of board you want to go for. But in choosing your board, it is best to consider:
- Your skill level. Beginners are recommended to choose boards that are longer and offer more volume. So if you’re a beginner and want a carbon fiber surfboard, go for longer and bigger ones.
- The type of waves that you’ll be surfing. Fishes are best suited for small to moderate waves and breaks that may require turning in pockets. Longboards are best for more giant waves.
- The frequency with which you surf. If you’re not going to surf every day, choose the more significant and longer carbon fiber surfboards.
Commitment to Aftercare (Warranties)
Finally, think about the level of maintenance that you are willing to put in. Some boards may require more aftercare than others. To know more about this, you can check with the manufacturer for specific guidelines.
Conclusion
With the many innovations that the surfboard has gone through, the creation of carbon fiber surfboards might be one of the best things ever in history. The innovation was well-thought-through, and technology even took over to better its features.
Along with the superior technology that was brought to the regular surfboard is the huge cost. We can’t deny the fact that carbon fiber surfboards will indeed burn holes in your pocket. But, if you have enough cash to spare, it would be an excellent addition to your most prized possessions. You just have to make sure that every feature of the board will fit your standards and needs so that your every penny would count.
But whichever carbon fiber surfboard you end up choosing, we hope that you will have as much fun as you can with it, which is the most crucial part.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: How do I care for my carbon fiber surfboard?
Q: I purchased the wrong board. Can I return it?
Torsten Bird is a talented and adventurous waterman from Western Australia, passionate about surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, hydrofoiling, skimboarding, snowboarding and skateboarding. Torsten has spent countless hours mastering his skills and his dream is to one day represent Australia as an Olympic athlete. Follow Torsten’s adventures on Instagram.
