Ryan's Twin Fin Grin

One session in Bali, with R-Cal and his Black Baron twin. The first thing we noticed? He's going faster and having more fun than just about any other surf clip we've seen this year. Enjoy! Clip by Alessio Saraifoger 

Mateus Herdy joins the Traktor Team

"I always thought JS made the best boards in the world. Now I know for sure."  

He's the WSL World Junior Champion, one of Brazil's brightest prospects for the next decade, and the type of talent we know will push us to innovate constantly to create even better surfboards. Here's one minute with Mateus, filmed during a few sessions in Australia on a fresh batch from JS. We can't wait to see what he'll do with the rest of this year and beyond. Filming by Ian Tavares, edit by Dan Scott & photos by Peter Boskovic. Board breakdowns, below (he's 5'8" / 60kg): 

WIN Occy's Raging Bull from Bells

The great man is back in a big way since his Bells heritage heat, and to celebrate, we're giving away the exact Raging Bull he rode to beat Tom Curren. The winner will be drawn July 1, 2019 from our Traktor Board Riders Club, so if you're not a member already, all you have to do is sign up here.

Also included is a TBRC gift pack with some of our favoruite merch, and a $500 AUD Billabong voucher. Further details, below:

Occy's Bells Quiver

Occ’s surfing and training regime in the last 12 months has seen him in the water more and fitter than he has been for years. Last winter, he started spending extra time working with JS on an updated quiver, then jumped on some Billabong trips to WA and Hawaii, throwing down some of his best performances in recent memory. And now, he has a heritage heat with Tom Curren at Bells to reignite the fire even further. 

In honour of the great man’s return to form, we’re updating his original Raging Bull shortboard and Bullseye step down. This quiver also includes a beautiful 6’5” Raging Bull channel bottom that’s a throwback to what he rode during the infamous Bells domination at the skins event 20 years ago. 

With JS riding similar, generously proportioned dims in his own boards lately too, he’s managed to dial in exactly what Occ needs to keep performance surfing easy at 52 years young. And considering how much Occy and Jase have loved these last two batches, it might be the only type of shortboard that gets Parko out of twin fin retirement and back onto a thruster. 

Quiver details, below:

Stab and RedBull's No Contest Gold Coast

Just before the CT circus really kicked into gear for the 2019 WSL Season Opener in our backyard, we held a few #TraktorTeam R&D sessions to get everyone excited and prepare for the year ahead together. All of the CT crew from Julian to young gun Mateus Herdy prioritised their most high performance shortboards, while Parko and Occ couldn't get enough of the Black Baron twin fins. And thankfully, we invited STAB & RedBull Surfing along for the ride too. Clip above, dims below:

Mikey Wright in DUST

Our favourite edit of the year so far, Dust is STAB's new profile film on everything that went into Mikey's road to qualification throughout 2018. Injuries, honest insights, and of course, the kind of surfing that stops you in your tracks. Long form interview over here, and full board breakdowns, below (he's 6'0" / 75kg):

Summer in Queensland with Kai Hing

Everything we love about the Gold Coast in summer - warm water, consistent swells, and fun beachies to break up the crowds. Board breakdowns, below:

Inside Look - JW at the Pipe Masters

Coming into the showdown at Pipe, with the most challenging road in our sport standing between him and even a shot at the World Title, you’d think Julian Wilson would be feeling the pressure. From a surfing mad nation, as its best shot at the crown. From family, friends and fans, willing J-Dub on to the win. From himself, as Julian’s ultimate career goal looms large, almost within reach.

What we saw however, and what Julian’s best mate and filmer Jimmy Lees has captured here, wasn’t quite the pressure cooker you’d imagine. It was just Australia’s best surfer, almost the world’s best, going about his daily routine. Taking care of his young family first and foremost, hanging with friends, surfing and training at every chance he’d get. 


Among these were several historic performances on the North Shore, from some of the thickest Backdoor waves ridden during the biggest comp day run in years, to a huge victory against Kelly Slater at Pipeline to make the final.

We’re honoured to have been along for the ride as Julian closed out his best year yet on the WSL Dream Tour. 2019, here we come.

Kai Hing Slotted in Nicaragua

"Fun warm waves with no one around."  That's how Kai summed up his last mission to Nicaragua, which is pretty close to the ideal surf trip in our books. Gallery and board details, below (he's 5'10" / 68kg):

Traktor Team Ready For Anything in Hawaii

Ace, with everything from a 5'5" Black Baron twin up to his 6'6" FMNII round pins... and bigger. Just before the last proper swell washed all of this sand away. Photos by Ryan Miller and Trevor Moran