Sunova Pro Paraflex - Futures - 3 Fin - Longboard

The PRO arose from a simple need: to catch waves on small days, but still perform when it gets bigger.

As competitive longboarding emerged, surfers began requesting a more versatile board that offered superior performance without losing sight of traditional longboard criteria. The PRO combines a full-fledged performance thruster setup with Sunova's BalsaFlex composite construction technology. The result is a board so free and loose that no one believes a longboard can be surfed so radically.

The PRO is the ultimate performance longboard, striking that fine balance between competitive sharpness and longboard tradition.

Fin(s) included: None

What is the general purpose/theme of this board?

A super refined high-performance longboard that is at home everywhere.

In what wave type/wave size does this board work best?

All waves. From just below hip height to double overhead and larger.

Which maneuvers does this board perform best?

All-round performance, and it also goes really well vertically.

For what level is this board?

From beginner to pro.

How is the paddle power?

Average.

What was considered in the design?

Originally designed as the ultimate competition longboard: it had to perform at a high level and nose ride in all conditions.

Where might it fall short?

Due to the focus on performance and the advanced full-performance rocker, it lacks glide when the waves get really small and weak. At very low speeds, the nose rocker pushes water away, and you fall off the back of soft, rolling waves if you try to nose ride.

Shape details and design info

OUTLINE: Traditional, clean longboard outline with a subtle flyer and a rounded pin. The outline is reasonably balanced with the widest point in the middle. It maintains width up to about 3ft from the tail, then tapers into a performance shortboard outline. This allows the board to be easily pumped for speed, and you can surf freely from the tail. If you've never had one, you'll be surprised at how well this board surfs.

RAILS: Low profile, shortboard style. These very low rails do a few things at once. Thick rails are harder to bury, especially at speed, so the low rails make the board super sensitive and responsive in turns. Because Sunova's stringers are in the rail line, the board has a greater flex range and more rebound. The low rail sits deeper in the water during walking and nose riding, making the board nice and stable for walking: the water flows over the rails and pushes them down. Finally, the bottom edge is significantly tucked in by the tail, which gives the board good hold on late drops and generally a smooth ride.

ROCKER: Full high-performance rocker. This amount of rocker fits nicely into the tighter sections of the wave but is still flat enough to carry speed without pumping – and can be effortlessly pumped if the wave demands it. The curve runs smoothly all the way out of the tail, so you maintain speed even when standing right on the tail. If you stomp your back foot, the board gives a nice squirt or acceleration, instead of a tail flip that acts like hitting the brakes.

BOTTOM: Flat bottom. The idea is to keep the board fast. There are already enough features to make it loose and sensitive, so extra contours are not needed: the design does not rely on bottom contours for control. In addition, the Sunova construction with the flexible bottom adds another dimension that reduces the need for contours.

DECK: Standard deck roll. Not much else happens here, apart from the thickness distribution. Because the nose and tail are quite refined, the swing weight remains low, and the board feels sensitive.

FIN SETUP: Thruster. Without a doubt the best performance option. At Sunova, they themselves like to ride with a slightly smaller rear fin, as this gives the tail a bit more freedom in tight turns under the lip and in snaps in general.

FINAL WORD: A high-performance longboard that will blow you away with how well it surfs. A combination of a proven shape and superior technology that together elevate the performance to this complete package.

Construction - Paraflex

Paraflex is SUNOVA's premium performance construction. Developed over the past five years from the relentless pursuit of perfect performance, it is SUNOVA's elite construction for all surfboards under 8'.

Paraflex is designed to give shorter boards more spring and rebound than its predecessor, Balsaflex. This results in a positive, "flexier" flex pattern as the board is loaded and unloaded through sections. They flex and bend deep into the pocket and rebound predictably, making these boards shoot out of sections with great speed and life. A lightweight EPS core is coupled with a ½" parabolic balsa/composite rail, which is then sandwiched between balsa skins on the top and bottom: good for unparalleled spring and rebound.

The bottom is a 1.5mm Paulownia/fiberglass sandwich that is not fully rigid. That softer area on the bottom dampens the ride and makes the board astonishingly insensitive to chatter, so you glide smoothly even in choppy, average conditions. The deck is a 2mm Paulownia/fiberglass sandwich with highlighted mini I-beams connecting the glass under the wood to the glass over it. This results in a very stiff, strong sandwich structure that is incredibly resistant to impressions and feels strong and responsive underfoot.

Finished with solid balsa/composite nose and tail blocks for extra ding resistance, these boards look even better than they perform. They feature a self-regulating air vent with a lightly permeable Goretex membrane in a special aluminum valve, designed and engineered by TBF. Paraflex boards are functional and progressive.

About Sunova

SUNOVA Surfboards creates high-performance, lightweight surfboards using advanced materials and innovative technologies, designed for serious surfers who expect durability and class in every wave. Each board is a testament to craftsmanship and precision, delivering a surfing experience that is unparalleled.

SUNOVA was founded in 1976 by surfer and shaper Bert Burger. The brand developed its core values as Bert learned his craft in the rugged testing grounds of Western Australia. He shaped his first board at thirteen and was later named shaper of the year by Surfboard Magazine for his revolutionary design of the 'Parabolic Rail'.

Bert took his competition-winning designs to the next level by opening his own factory, where he combined traditional board building techniques with advanced engineering.

Bert started shaping SUNOVA Surfboards over 50 years ago, spending countless hours experimenting with different materials to develop revolutionary new surfboard technology. His award-winning innovations reached the general public when he co-founded Firewire Surfboards with Nev Hyman.

After Firewire, Bert returned to SUNOVA, joining Martin and Klaus to further his vision and push the boundaries of watercraft design. Martin and Klaus were the perfect partners with their extensive experience in manufacturing, R&D, and sales. Martin honed his skills earlier at Cobra International, the world's largest surfboard manufacturer, and Klaus has a background in the automotive industry.

The Board Factory (TBF) is home to SUNOVA Surfboards, where the brand creates, innovates, and plays. The factory is located in southern Thailand, in the coastal town of Khaolak, also known as Khaolak Surf Town by locals. It's the perfect place to test and develop boards: close to the ocean and surrounded by nature, the team remains inspired and connected to the essence of surfing.

This is not your average surfboard factory. It's not just the place where the team builds award-winning, record-breaking watercraft; it's also increasingly becoming a destination for visitors from all over the world. You can pick up a demo board and some wax at the SUNOVA Flagship store, grab a boardshort from one of the retailers on site, cruise through the skatepark, and get a bite or a coffee at the 'nTrance' cafe before heading to the beach.

Sunova builds its boards themselves in Thailand, using wood composite technologies like Paraflex and Balsaflex. The brand is known for unusually light, resilient boards that offer much more than an average surfboard. At Hart Beach, this appeals to surfers looking for a single board that will last for years and still perform at a top level.