Aipa Big Boy Sting - Fusion HD - Futures - 5 Fin - Mid-Length

The Big Boy Sting is designed for bigger guys and girls who want maximum power without sacrificing maneuverability. Ben Aipa proved what the board is capable of on the south shore of Oahu: he designed the Big Boy Sting in the late 90s, after which the model was extensively tested throughout the 2000s.

After minor refinements and hundreds of boards built, the Big Boy Sting is now considered the most iconic Aipa design. Thickness where it counts and tapered rails, combined with a pulled-in nose and tail, allow the Big Boy Sting to turn tight and fast in the pocket. This is not an inflated board for the old guard; it's a precision weapon for the high-performance power surfer, with extra volume only where it's needed.

Aipa added a swallow tail for extra control when you stomp through powerful sections on your tail, and for less drag when you drift out of the bottom turn. To make the board work in diverse conditions, it has a 4+1 fin setup. You can choose a quad setup if you need to skate over flat sections, or a 2 + 1 if you need extra control in powerful waves.

For the first time, the Big Boy Sting is now also available in Surftech's Fusion HD construction: a light, durable epoxy build that adds extra liveliness to an already energetic design.

Construction - Fusion HD

Surftech's version of a standard EPS and epoxy surfboard construction. A closed-cell EPS core with a wooden stringer is built with E-glass and biax glass, for a lightweight performance board with a lively feel. All Fusion HD boards are hand-finished.

• FUSED CELL EPS CORE // Closed-cell EPS core provides more response and buoyancy
• CLEAR HD-EPOXY RESIN // High thermo-mechanical performance epoxy resin system
• HIGH-QUALITY E-GLASS FIBERGLASS // E-glass has the best strength-to-weight ratio available
• FULL BIAX DECK PATCH (45° / -45°) // The biax fiberglass distributes forces and protects against dings
• WOOD STRINGER // Distributes forces, provides pop and increases break strength
• FCS II FIN BOXES // Your fins are in and out in seconds
• HAND-FINISHED // Machine shaped, hand laminated and hand finished

Fin(s) included: None
Fin box setup 6'0 - 6'4 - 6'8 -> 5 Fin Setup
Fin box setup 7'0 - 7'4 - 7'8 - 8'0 - 8'4 -> 4 + 1 Fin Setup

A legacy of Aloha

Ben Aipa has left one of the biggest marks on the surfing world: he built the board with which Hawaiian Fred Hemmings won the world championship in 1968 and founded his own brand Aipa Surfboards in 1970. Ben invented the double-edged swallowtail design in 1972 and followed that up in 1974 with the split-tail design. In addition, he was an informal coach and trainer for top surfers such as Michael Ho, Larry Bertleman, Mark Liddell, Sunny Garcia, Brad Gerlach and Kalani Robb.

Ben Aipa continued to compete himself: he won the Grandmasters division of the United States Surfing Championship in 1989 and the Legends division of the U.S. Championships in 2000. In 1992 he was inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame and in 2004 Surfing magazine named him one of the ten best shapers of all time. His work is now continued by his sons Duke and Akila, who enrich Ben's legacy with new shapes and ideas.

"I never looked at what other board builders were doing... I looked at the surfers and the nature around me. Their movements showed me what was missing... I was always looking for the next wave, the next move." - Ben Aipa

About Aipa

Aipa Surfboards is the Hawaiian brand of shaper legend Ben Aipa, known for innovative tail designs and boards that combine power and maneuverability. The shapes are still built with the same precision, nowadays by the next generation of the family. Boards with character, which also perform well on the North Sea.