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

JS All Set for Summer

The boss, with three new Summer Series sleds. 

Joel at JBay on his Black Baron twin

Parko and his go-to alternate craft, about to draw some new lines all over Jeffrey's Bay. All photos Ryan Miller and Trevor Moran

See below for STAB's hardware feature on the Black Baron,, and why it was the first board Joel chose to ride after announcing his retirement from the Championship Tour at JBay this year:

Parko on top to start the Triple Crown

The dream start to Joel's last ever full Hawaiian season - champion at Haleiwa. All photos by Ryan Miller & Trevor Moran

Monsta Box Awarded 2018 SBIA Board of the Year

Our Monsta Box, the SBIA Board of the Year for 2018, as voted on by surf shops around Australia.

Behind the Curtain R&D on HYFI technology

In this episode of the FCS series Behind the Curtain, JS talks about the development and success of our HYFI epoxy construction. From the years of trial and error before its release to the public, to the constant and rapid change of surfboards in 2018, we're at the stage where Traktor Team riders are winning events on HYFIs, while our friends and long time customers are giving us more and more feedback of "best board ever" about HYFIs they surf every day at home. 

Julian Crowned Champion in France

As good as it gets. Julian, moments after taking out a dream final with Ryan at Les Estagnots. All photos Ryan Miller & Trevor Moran