AIPA Wrecking Ball Surfboard Review and Evaluation
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- Опубликовано: 29 июн 2023
- "Taking hints from an experimental board made in 1977 made by Ben Aipa, The Wrecking Ball is the High Performance / Super Groveler that fills the void between Fish and HP Shortboards that brings together all the design qualities needed to pack a ton of action into a small board."
I found this board to surf as unique as its design. It didn't surf like a conventional board. At moments it was radical and other times, I need to get used how the rails responded and surfed as well as the Sting. I only got one day at it but I can see the potential. Having said that, I feel like for Beginner and Intermediate surfers, some of these design elements could be very beneficial for oversizing this board. This is my theory and not AIPAs. He recommends you surf this board at 2 to 5 inches below your standard board however, I feel that is for high end intermediates and above.
I plan to retest this board at a much longer length to test my theory. Even at the shorter length for me, it surfed great. It was responsive and fast and at times, almost too fast. Setting the beveled rails took a bit to get used to.
Surfer: 5'8" 145lbs
Surfboard: 5'4" x 20" x 2.563" @ 29.84 L
Fins: Futures Stretch Quads (didn't have AIPA fins yet, now I have a few)
Traction: N/A
Leash: FCS 6' Helix
Wetsuit: Volcom 4/3 Modulator
#surfer #surf #surfing #surfboard #surfboards #surfboardreview #surfboardreviews #firewire #harelyingleby #firewiremoe #moe #surfermag #stab #surflesson #surflessons #surfergirl #asiansurfer #beginnersurflessons #beginnersurfer #learningtosurf #wavestorm #firewiresurfboards #twinfin #surftwinfin
@SurftechUSA @AIPASURF 
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![Surfboard Shaping & Glassing [High-Performance Shortboard]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rYYuDt8Z2cY/mqdefault.jpg)
I love this board, surfs a wide range of surf really well. It’s fast, turns on a dime and paddles well. What’s not to like! I sized up and do not regret my decision.
Mind if I ask how much you sized up?
@@ThomyeSurfs Just one size, I was between the 6’0” & the 6’2”, so I went up for paddle power and lower end waves.
@@tristanholsgrove7619 thanks. I suspect just the extra rail line will also make it surf better. I am very keen on trying out the 6'0
your analysis is always so informative
Love how you break down the dynamics of the board in “simple terms”! Thank you!
man I love this channel, please keep up the content ! - from a japanese aussie :)
That thing looks super fun. Beveled rails work especially well on wide boards and longboards (and probably surf sups). I had a 9’ Stewart Hydro Hull years ago and you could feel in your turns when you got on the bevel. It makes wide boards turn easier. I could really lay into a bottom turn on that Stewart.
Great review as always
Okay this video got me hooked on this board. Gonna have to get one asap!
Haha epic intro!
Sick 🌶 footage
great review, nice waves. The Sting seems to be everywhere now, AIPA boards of course, Lost collabs, Albums... And that rail bevel seems similar to what I have on my Lost Hydra but way more extreme.
I didn't think about that. What is interesting is that I I surfed boards with Sting back in the early '90s. 6 ft performance boards with stingers at about 16 to 20 in off the tail above the front fins. Never knew what they did, just thought they looked cool. Lol
another great vid!
😅 i know this is a AIPA WB rev, but noticed it looks like you got a new Mashup (grey)…and thought “hmm what’s his quiver like now?” You bought the Sci-Fi 2.0 but never talked about again and…ever bought that SP 2 after your FW demo day…
a “year in review” about your quiver might be a topic for future video.
Could never wrap my head around it for a high performance board more of a retro suited shape given the dynamics of her.
Thanks!
Another great review! Quick question, what's the construction? It does not say on their web page. Forgive me if I missed a mention in the video.
the Tech is called Fusion HD. EPS and epoxy. e-glass and biax glass, hand finished. I don't think I mentioned it. I should have. thanks
Nice review, I usually ride similar dims as you review. I was looking at this board. Thinking of a 5’6 since there are no 5’4 in stock. I am lower level adv in level. Wanted to get your take. Thanks
You looking to rip around on it? I think the dark twin a better option for performance type surfing. I plan on testing a 5'10" version of this board. I really think it is a better big board groveler and not so much a small board groveler. The 28L dark twin caught waves about the same.
@@ThomyeSurfs definitely looking for more ripping than groveling. I have a 28L flat earth which is similar to the dark twin. I will wait till something else catches my eye. Thanks for the help.
Have you done any Tomo boards? Would love one on the tomo revo!
I have the Revo actually, but haven't had any surf on it except for 2 waves at the Waco Pool. Also, since I own it, I have it on low priority. I have to surf and review the demos/borrowed boards first since I only have them for a very short period of time.
Also, I have reviewed the El Tomo Fish and the SciFi2.0. I think the SciFi2.0 is a Tomo board even though it has the Slater designs logo.
@@ThomyeSurfswhat do you think of the Revo? - I had an Evo and loved it
@@thestow35 I have only had a couple sessions on it and because of demo's and my limited time on them, I had to back burner the REVO for once i ran out of boards. I will definitely hit that up again.
First impression, I feel like I bought mine too small. I got a 5'3 which isn't even available based on the website. I have a friend who has a 5'4 so I am hoping to swap with her for a session and if we both like the swap, we'll trade. That's definitely coming though.
Hiii, I just started surfing and I found this surfboard really nice, really like it a lot, I’m 5 foot 7, do you recommend me buying this one 6 feet long as my first owned board?
What board are transitioning from and where are you in your surfing journey (catching green waves, going straight or done the line, etc), how in shape are you and how often do you go out?
Hey Thomye. Could you make a comparison between this one and the Seaside? Considering this board for more of a groveler?
the seaside is going to be more user friendly. at the same volume but this board would be better bigger. the seaside as it gets bigger will be more chunky and not feel as good. The seaside works well under you height while this might work better over your height. in the end, it is hard to say without really trying both of them where the exact tipping point is.
Looking at buying this, I’m a low level intermediate at 6’4 230lbs. Kinda thinking of trying the 6’4 42L but worried I’m not good enough for it. Is that kinda what you were saying it might be good for though?
yes, that is what I was saying, but at your weight, it might not be enough volume. I say this because, me at 145lbs on the 5'4 30L would be like a 230lbs version of me at 47L. I would need that to get the same result in volume. So, you might want to look at something likely in the 50 to 55L range.
You could try something like the big boy sting by Aipa. surftech.com/products/big-boy-sting?variant=43437912752380
the shortest one which is 7' is 59L. This is a much better board for you height, weight, and skill level in my opinion. The basic sting design is the same but the rails or conventional which is actually more user friendly. I have not surfed this board mostly cuz i'm a little guy and not a big boy. My buddy who is 200 lbs says it catches waves super easy for him. He got a custom since he is only 5'8. you at 6'4 can go with the stock 7'0 maybe even longer
@@ThomyeSurfs thanks a ton! That 7’ should just be able to fly under the plane without the oversized bag fee too I think
Thanks for the review. I typical ride a 6.0 but the wrecking ball has high volume at 6.0. making duck dives harder from my experience, wouldn't you agree?
what is your normal 6'? I weigh 145lbs and my max duck dive is about 38L. any more, I have difficulty sinking the board. also, if the waves are bigger or more consistent, then 38 is too much too. 33 becomes my max in those conditions. the WB at 6' is 37L, roughly.
I'm 175lbs xls suit. My 6.0 is 33.3l. Tinder from NSP. Anything close to 37 to 43ish...I seem to gas out quicker. I can do the dives but conditions have to be right to enjoy long sessions at those numbers.
@@clearthejunk Psyched to see the review on this, saw this board online a couple of years ago and fell in love with it, YOLO! It is 6'0" x 20.75" x 2.9375" = 39.9L in regular PU, super light, and I am similar weight as Thomye. As noted in his review the width is really not 20.75" and is more like 19.25" according to the AIPA crew.. I personally have found that even though on the stat sheet = 39.9L it hardly surfs like that. I find it easy to duck dive, and I think this board does not surf like the dims reflect. I can't really call it a groveler, it can work in the lower end, but not my choice in that range, would grab a similar volume board that actually 'feels' like 40L. And honestly I have no idea how the dynamics really work, I've never been an 'engineer' minded surfer, but this board has worked for me, and in some really high quality surf 8'+, 18 second intervals, I am left wondering what the upper limits are on the board. Have both the quad and tri AIPA fins, quad tends to feel best. Right now I am wrestling with if I should take it to the Mentawai (board bag space dilemma) on an upcoming trip, I know it would work in anything between all around to step up, and beyond?! I could go on and on about the board, on those bigger days it kind of made me feel 'safe' with it underfoot; very forgiving, compact, fast, maybe it's the Hawaiian heritage. Again, sorry to restate it, just does not feel like 39.9 L at all.
Heard anything about the Too Fish yet? I am pretty close to pulling the trigger...
I'm waiting for a demo. If it's anything like the gofish, it'll be a fantastic board. In fact because this board comes in helium construction it'll float better than the old goldfish. In the same size it is a liter more plus the extra buoyancy of the helium.
@@ThomyeSurfs sweet! I’ll probably pick one up in the next month. First ever fish I’m stoked
Hey Thomye, will you do a review on the Revo?
Yes, I own one so I hope to do it soon. I have to get through the demos first since they are on a time restriction.
@@ThomyeSurfs Great, can't wait to get your perspective on it.
Hi Thomye,
Are you still planning on testing out a bigger size of this board?
Likely not. Can't get a hold of one. If I can I will.
any thoughts on how this board compares to a machado seaside same length?
you would need to go a bit longer. Seaside is more user friendly, this board has a very unusual feel. Cool the experiment with but unless you go much longer, not recommended as a daily driver.
did you ever tried as midlength size?, i am 5'5 about 144 lbs and was thinking of getting a 5'6 but based on your review I am inclined to trying the 5'8 or even 5'10, but unsure what would be the wave range for those sizes and also if it wouldn't tend to be difficult to control its speed
I never got around to testing a bigger size, surftech for some reason sold off their demo fleet, i'm guess to make room for new demos. At any rate, this option became unavailable to me in the larger size after that. :( I tested teh 5'4 but I would like consider 6' for myself. 5'10 at teh shortest. it is wider so yes, if the wave is punchy, I could see this becoming difficult to control but in softer or smaller waves, it would be fast and likely very maneuverable due to the sting and quad setup. More often than not, boards surf like their design but every so often, you get boards the do the opposite. Definitely best to test it. And sorry I couldn't get a larger version. I really wanted to try it.
@@ThomyeSurfs thanks for the input, hard to tell then without testing. I would guess you prefer the dark horse as a better low to mid Wave? Or even better groveler than WB?, only thing i believe dual core may not hold or last as well as other techs
@@jagsanz I haven't ridden the dark horse yet but would imagine it is similar to the dark twin. I really liked that board. But I also like a certain style of surfing that I can't get with certain boards. I can get maybe 30 to 40 percent in performance but psychologically, every time I ride a shorter board, I want to do shortboard maneuvers. The WB wasn't giving me 100% back only about 50% which I why I thought it would go well longer. Then my expectations get lowered and the board ends up giving back 100%. :)
love the content you make from ireland 🇮🇪 will you be checking out the too fish?
I am trying to get hold of a demo. The demo days are too short, 1 day and if the surf is bad it isn't ideal for a proper review. I like surfing it in bad waves but also need to surf it in good conditions to give an honest review.
Where do you surf in Ireland? My best friend just got back from there. He keeps telling me there is no surf in Ireland even though he lives on the water, somewhere around Cork. I can never remember where exactly.
@@ThomyeSurfs I look foward to your review. I am in Clare myself witch is on the West coast. Cork wouldn't be the best for surfing but there is waves there. Ireland has amazing waves the best being on the west coast check out Clare, Sligo and Donegal you will find loads of waves for every skill level.
Would this go as a twin plus trailer or do you think there’ll be too much lift/speed with that fin combo?
Also, since this board seems quite maneuverable, do you think a raked quad would work better than a neutral quad set? Maybe to mellow out the top turns a little bit?
@@FuzzyL0g1c I've been surprised by 2+1 so that one you would have to try to know. But for me, 2+1 seems to work on all boards just better in smaller waves or softer bigger waves.
as for raked, that too for me depends on the wave. Places where I need tighter turns, I seem to like neutral/pivot and places where I like longer open turns I like raked. the part on that is funny for my break is that it is often soft on the outside with open faces and then pockety and hollow on the inside. LOL I tend to like wider boards with pivot fins which allows me the flow on the outside and maneuverability on the inside.
in general, fins always surprise me so I don't often know till I try it on the specific board.
@@ThomyeSurfs I got some Dan Mann NVS quads, I’ll try those first then maybe look at getting some Aipa Sequencers. Thanks as always for the input! 🤙🏼
both duke and akila got that beveled idea from their dad. i have an old long board shaped by ben aipa and it has beveled rails. they should give credit to their pops RIP
could you have surged a shorter one 5 long 🤔🤙
Not sure. Maybe without the sting. At 5 ft, the sting would probably be in the wrong place but I don't know for sure.
Looks basically the same as a FireWire Sci Fi to me
The tail for sure. The sting, rails, and nose are completely different.
Great review like always Thomye! Interesting that you say the design features would be better on a bigger board. I might have the story wrong but I think the wrecking ball represents the evolution of much smaller fishy board called the Da Buttz which was shaped for Buttons Kaluhiokalani in the 1970s. The Da Buttz looks like a knee board but has many of the same design features as the wrecking ball. My Da Buttz is short and thick at 5'2 and 35 liters. I'd love to see you review the Da Buttz especially since you enjoy surfing short and fat boards like the Baked Potato. Here's the only link on RUclips I have found for the Da Buttz ruclips.net/video/AoaNiZCqU00/видео.html
yes, you are correct that it is supposed to be ridden smaller and I thought that too but based on what I felt on the 5'4, I thought it would go better bigger. Ironically, I would also like one that was smaller. either 5'0 or 6'0. haha But I don't know for sure, just a theory based on how the 5'4 felt. thanks for the video link, will look at it now.
that board looks so interesting. I love that it has a US box. I may have to call up Duke to see if has one I can borrow. :)
kind of looked like the board was holding you back a little.
I wouldn't say holding me back, it just feels so different that it didn't respond the way a board normally would. In smaller stuff when tick tacking, it goes rail to rail super easy but the rails don't bite, so you almost have to use your fins instead of the back of the board. It's super fast if the bigger waves but then hard to set a rail cuz of the speed and the rails don't bite. Which is why I think it would go better bigger.
@@ThomyeSurfsjust didn't look as loose as some of other boards
@@jaekim7395 it' different for sure. I think the rails an slower speeds engage too much and at high speeds makes you go almost too fast. LOL a bigger version would definitely help.
Enjoy your videos but that board looked terrible comparing to most of the others in past videos. It looked slow, lots of drag and rail catching. Just didn't seem lively at all. Maybe a quad fin set might work better
It felt like it had less drag. The one thing I did notice is that when setting the rail it wanted to keep going straight so it was a little harder for me to generate my own speed. If I was standing there or going down the line and the wave was giving me the speed, it was really fast. But I think it was a matter of me getting used to the board as well and you might be right a different set of fins.