The Remote Location - Your Go-To Down-the-Line Step-Up

Coined by STAB Mag as “a very unassuming Shippies board,” it can hold its own in serious surf.

The RL board came about after an afternoon watching footage of long '90s thrusters being ridden at small to average-sized Pipe. Think prime Andy Irons era and the Momentum Generation. The way those long, narrow boards were adapted to the hollow, cupped-out faces showcased some incredible surfing.

Around this same time, I also happened to see Creed McTaggart riding what I believe was one of Gunther Rohn’s '90s thrusters at home. The board then sat in my mind for some time until Torren and my son Dash were on Calypte. It was right around the time of Mikala Jones’ sad passing. Like Mikala, the boys were a long way from help if needed. My parental instincts kicked in, and I started to think of all the boards I had seen and heard of where the noses had their points removed for safety, without compromising performance.

Probably the most striking design feature of the RL is the nose concave. This is in place to mitigate any catch points that may be created with the blunt nose.

The plan shape is full of foam, with it pushed nose to tail and rail to rail. Its overall rocker is relaxed with a late nose acceleration to help with steep drops.

The rails are low and boxy for hold but add resistance through turns. As for bottom contours, it's a single concave throughout, with the concave not reaching the tuck of the rail under the midpoint of the board, importantly creating hold and control.