Tech Talk: Go behind the scenes of the 2026 Duotone Surfboard Range

Sky Solbach:

 For this season, our lineup stays consistent in terms of models. We’ve got four board shapes in the range, the Whip, Volt, Blur, and the Voke, our dedicated strapless freestyle shape.

Voke

Let’s start with the Voke. This is still our pure strapless freestyle board, but for 2026, it’s taken on a slightly more surf-inspired shape. It’s not as square and parallel as before, with a bit more curve in the outline, which frees up the board to turn more fluidly, while keeping that solid freestyle DNA.

We also updated the rail and deck shape. The rails are now more surf-influenced, with a 50/50 rounder profile instead of the harder, twin-tip-style rail of the past. The result is a board that feels smoother underfoot, turns more easily, and has a more comfortable, all-round ride, while still being the go-to for strapless freestyle tricks, spins, and flips in flat water.

Volt

Moving on to the Volt, this is the shape we’ve completely updated for 2026. It still draws from last year’s design, short, wide, and made for small-wave, high-performance riding, but now it’s even shorter and slightly wider. That gives the board a rounder outline and makes it more lively, snappy, and playful.

The Volt is built to carry speed through small, mushy waves, even with minimal kite power. It flows beautifully through turns, maintaining momentum when the waves or wind aren’t ideal. This year, it features a new retro bat tail, which functions similarly to a swallow tail by reducing surface area at the back, letting the tail sit a bit deeper in the water for added control.

Up front, there’s more width and a flatter rocker for speed, while the bat tail balances that out with precision and grip. It’s available in 4'11", 5'1", and 5'3" sizes, in both D/LAB and SLS constructions. Overall, it’s a major update from last year, faster, more responsive, and even more fun to ride.

Blur

Next up, the Blur, which also comes in both SLS and D/LAB constructions. The shape remains unchanged from 2025, but it’s updated with the new constructions and graphics.

The Blur really proved itself this past season on tour, with riders using it in Cabo Verde and Brazil, and Pedro winning in Punta Preta on this exact shape. It’s a true all-rounder, powerful in big, steep waves, yet fast and loose enough for smaller, beach break conditions.

It features a round tail, plenty of rocker, and a compact outline that gives it the perfect mix of control, speed, and versatility. Whether you’re charging overhead waves or cruising playful surf, the Blur handles it all. If you’re looking for one board to throw in the car that can handle any session, this is it.

Whip

Finally, the Whip carries over its proven shape from 2025, now offered in both SLS and D/LAB constructions, with updated layups and materials.

Compact, wide, and easy to control, the Whip remains the ultimate all-rounder. It’s great for strapless freestyle, lightwind cruising, or clean surf sessions. The short length and square nose make it super maneuverable with minimal swing weight, ideal for riders of all levels.

While it’s friendly and stable for everyday sessions, it’s also been ridden by team riders in double-overhead barreling waves. The Whip and the Blur together cover the full spectrum, the Blur leaning toward high-performance surf, the Whip toward compact versatility.

The 2026 Range

That wraps up our 2026 Surfboard Range. It’s a cohesive lineup where every rider can find a board that fits their style, whether you’re into strapless freestyle, playful small waves, or pushing hard in powerful surf.

2026 Duotone Surfboard Constructions

 Valentin Peiker.

I’m going to run you through some of the constructions we use in the 2026 surfboard range. This year, we have two main constructions: our premium D/LAB construction, and our performance-oriented, price-conscious SLS construction.

Both constructions use a 45-degree Biax fiber, compared to traditional surfboards, which often use a 0/90-degree Biax fiber. The 45-degree Biax fibers provide excellent torsional stiffness and flex pattern control, allowing the rider to push the board deep into turns while benefiting from the rebound characteristics of the fiber and the foam core. Using Biax fibers also helps us save weight in production, as it allows us to work more precisely, especially around tight angles on the surfboards, folding fibers accurately, and reducing resin and material usage.

The D/LAB surfboards use an RMF shock absorber, which stands for Reflex Memory Foam. A thin layer of this foam is laminated on top of the core, creating a soft, comfortable, and lightweight board. The RMF shock absorber is super durable, prevents common heel dents, and keeps the board light, offering riders both performance and longevity.

 The SLS surfboards also use the 45-degree Biax fiber orientation, but with glass fibers instead of carbon fibers. They are still light, but roughly 15% heavier than the D/LAB boards. SLS boards feature a cork shock absorber, which is eco-friendly and durable, though slightly heavier and with less rebound and dampening compared to the RMF absorber.

For riders seeking a highly performance-oriented surfboard, the D/LAB boards are ideal, offering that classic PU surfboard feel with excellent durability. The SLS boards provide a strong, light, and durable option for the price-performance focused rider.

 All surfboards in the 2026 range, including the Blur, Whip, and Volt are offered in both SLS and D/LAB constructions, with identical sizes across both, so you can easily switch between a Blur D/LAB or a Blur SLS, for example.

 The choice is yours, and we hope you enjoy the 2026 surfboard range.