9'6" Step Deck #8423

Pick Up: San Diego, CA

The Step Deck features a wide Californian style template and a noticeable but subtle step in the deck. While it’s not currently in vogue amongst the team, it’s one of my all-time favourite designs, and I get excited to shape the Step Deck every time an order comes through. 

From a design perspective, the step in the deck reduces volume in the front 3rd of the board, which reduces the swing weight when you’re turning from the tail, and also increases the amount of flex when you’re standing on the nose. I’ve found that the flex allows the board to be manipulated by the wave when the wave requires it. If you're perched on the nose and the wave is peeling off real fast, you can push your hips forward, which promotes a forward flex that will help to flatten the nose rocker and increase your speed. Similarly, if you’re in a slow section and your weight is on your heels, or you're hanging five with a gap between your feet, the flex lifts the nose up and makes the board push a little more water, which helps to slow you down. Combine this with a long, blended nose concave and some belly down the back, and the Step Deck becomes a pretty epic noserider. It’s also just a really appealing surfboard aesthetically, and I guess I love designs that are both functional and aesthetically appealing.

Board Dimensions: 9'6" x 23" x 3"