Reviewing the New D/LAB Surfboard Lineup

Hi Sky, let’s start by discussing the overall lineup. Can you outline the three board models in this year’s surf range?

This year, we’ve streamlined our range to three main models: the Whip, the Volt, and a brand-new shape, the Blur. Each model comes in three different sizes and features two construction types: the established SLS and the new D/LAB Construction.

The Blur is new to the lineup. What can you tell us about this board?

The Blur is quite an innovation for us. It originally started as an attempt to merge two of our previous boards—the WAM and the Session—but it evolved into something entirely unique. The Blur essentially replaces the WAM as our high-performance all-rounder, capable of handling both small and larger waves. It’s become a quiver killer for me because it’s the only board I find myself needing regardless of the conditions.

How does the Blur manage to balance the characteristics of both the WAM and the Session?

The Blur combines a rounded tail, similar to the Session, with slightly wider and shorter dimensions compared to the WAM. This design makes it agile and fast, especially in small waves, but it also holds up surprisingly well in bigger waves—up to double overhead. The significant entry rocker and round tail help enhance control when you engage the rail, making it a true all-rounder, so depending on where you place your weight you can have a locked in rail carving board or if you shift your weight forward it allows for really progressive riding.

Would you recommend the Blur as a versatile board for most conditions?

Absolutely, it’s the epitome of a high-performance all-rounder within our range. It might not be perfect for strapless freestyle—that’s more the domain of models like the Whip or the Volt—but for anyone who wants a versatile, traditional shape, the Blur is really exciting.

Speaking of the Whip, what updates have come into play this year?

The Whip has seen a significant redesign, particularly in the bottom shape. We removed the deep center channel, which, while providing control, created drag. Now, it features a deep double concave, similar to the Volt, enhancing speed without sacrificing control. The Whip feels livelier and faster, especially on top turns where it previously felt restricted.

And how about the Volt? Any changes there?

The shape of the Volt remains the same as last year, but we’ve updated its construction significantly with both the SLS and the new D/LAB options. It’s designed as a high-performance board for small waves, agile and snappy, making it perfect for generating speed in less-than-ideal conditions. It's particularly well-suited for the small, onshore waves you might find in places like the North Sea.

Let’s talk about the new D/LAB Construction. What sets it apart?

The D/LAB Construction is a groundbreaking step for us, yielding the lightest and best-feeling boards we've ever produced. To give you an example, our new 5'6" Blur under the D/LAB Construction weighs around 2.6 kilograms, compared to last year's 5'7" WAM, which weighed about 3.2 kilograms. It’s significantly lighter, almost like comparing it to custom board weights but ours a significantly more durable than any custom.

That’s impressive, what materials are used in the D/LAB Construction?

The team at the Duotone Lab in Munich have been hard at work optimizing the board's core and external materials. The core is EPS with a closed-cell design that gives us much more controlled resin content, allowing us to hit consistent weights of the boards. We’ve minimized the use of fiberglass, primarily using it under the stances to bond components. The major change is the full carbon construction with a layer of biaxial carbon over the entire board and Innegra on the rails. Innegra adds impact resistance and dampens the ride without making the board brittle.

How does this construction affect the board’s performance?

The D/LAB Construction not only makes the boards lighter but also enhances their flexibility and response. The rails are wrapped in Innegra, allowing for more torsional flexibility compared to more rigid materials like carbon or fiberglass. This flexibility translates into incredible handling and durability.

What about the comfort and feel of the board underfoot?

That's another area we've innovated. In the stance area, we've incorporated Reflex Memory Foam 3.0. It's an evolution from last year’s material, offering a softer, more forgiving feel under your feet. This is crucial for comfort, especially during high-impact maneuvers.

What’s been your personal experience riding them?

It's been phenomenal. The board I’ve been riding the most is the 5'9" Blur, is the best I’ve ever had. The blend of responsiveness from the carbon and the comfort from the memory foam encourages aggressive riding. You feel confident going for risky maneuvers because you know the board will absorb the shock and respond excellently.