Our smallest all-around carving board just got a surfskate update for the ages from the fiberglass construction to the adjustable traction block to the updated riser system.
We developed the Derringer 28 to ride like the longest carver while carrying like the smallest mini. Flexible to throw you into your next turn and quick enough to pick you back up on the other side, the Derringer is an all-around ripper and one of our all-time favorite longboards since 2006.
Tailored Construction
Modern times call for modern construction when it comes to surfskate systems and boards. In 2006, we made the OG Derringer with pre-preg fiberglass, aka the standard for a majority of surfskates. While you get the flex, it lacks the pop of the modern triaxial wet lay up.
Short story: out with the old, in with the new triaxial wet layup for more pop, and more power.
Added Flex + Carbonfiber Tail = Total Surfskate Control.
The Derringer’s tail doesn’t stop there. As lifelong surfers, we understand that surfskates are all about the ease of driving off your back foot, steering with your fins (or in this case wheels), pivoting vertically and putting your nose exactly where you want it for the perfect snap. A flexible surfskate deck makes that nose pivoting an organic part of your ride motion. On the flattest days of the year accurately emulating that energy we get from the wave is essential…for our mentality and humanity. #facts
To simulate the motion of the ocean, a good surfskate replicates the flex that happens in the surfboard itself, and also the flex of the water as we drive our board, rails and fins into and through it. The “flexing” of the water and impacting of the board creates spray but also leads to a powerful rebound feeling just behind your back foot as the water pushes back, and pushes you forward, on every turn. To make this happen, we added pop and flex to the well-loved taper of this classic shape.
BUT to really make it work (I guess, it’s not that simple after all), we added a carbon fiber tail. Why? ….Because math, science, and construction.
Most surfskate decks rely solely on forward pivot points, but they do not simulate that feeling well and we set out to do better with this surfskate. We cut down the thickness of the Derringer and let the tapered shape of the deck work with the triaxial fiberglass to make sure you feel the power coming out of every turn, driving forward from just behind your back foot, exactly where it should be.
Owing to its surf roots, the Derringer 28 excels at generating powerful-carves at slow speeds, turning flatland and small hills into rippable, enjoyable, runs. Your mini longboard can be more than just transportation.
Footloose + Fancy Free Traction Block
After 15+ years of riding this shape, this oldie, but goldie has certainly had a few facelifts, but one thing we learned about a shorter board: foot placement is everything.
With a face-forward asymmetrical stance focused on the nose, the Derringer 28 is one of the more unique carving shapes we have designed. Allowing a rider's front foot to overlap the forward truck mounting bracket the wide nose of the Derringer generates leverage for your front foot over your front trucks which translates to fantastic direction control.
The backfoot, however, that’s another tail. Knowing where your back foot is without thinking about it is even more than everything. It’s all the things. To take the guesswork out of where your foot should be on your board, we’ve added a removable, adjustable, traction block.
The traction block is a stiffer-but-still-flexible skate version of your foam surf traction pad, with a w concave shape that acts like orthotics for your board. Its subtle dome locks right into the arch of your foot creating the perfect pocket for the ball of your back foot, and the gradual uphill angle comfortably lets you know where your feet should be and increases your rear leverage and drive.
Bonus points: it has two foot placement options to accommodate riders of all shapes and stances from those sasquatch-like wide stances to those tiny dancer narrow foot placements.
This traction block is like your favorite old living room recliner, you just know, it feels right. So sink in and enjoy the ride. You’re about to be comfy AF.
Dive in. Bottom Turn Out. Angled Risers for Day.
If you've heard that risers are just for added height and clearance, we're here to tell you, there are so much more. We decreased the overall height and split the angles (wedge/dewedge) to reduce speed wobble and give you more control and surfskate drive at any speed.
- Front riser (grey): added +2.5° turning angle, 1/2" tall
- Back riser (red): reduced -10° turning angle, 5/8" tall
Flex for Thought
Mellow concave allows the Derringer to flex consistently and utilizes the lively rebound of all three fiber directions tip to tail to generate flex and power. Since the concave under your front foot isn’t a part of the flex owing to the wider nose width, your forward platform remains relatively unchanged during your hardest carves and slashes keeping your directional control predictable even as your backfoot powers you deep into and out of your bottom turns.
While the Derringer may have a shallower concave depth than some other longboards out there, the concave is there for a reason and designed to keep you in control while having an outsized impact on the flex curve that makes the board so unique.
The Derringer is our smallest all-around carving longboard. Owing to its surf roots, the Derringer 28 excels at generating powerful-carves at slow speeds, turning flatland and small hills into rippable, enjoyable, runs. Your mini longboard can be more than just transportation.