Sunova Soul Paraflex - Futures - 5 Fin - Shortboard

The Soul is an absolute quiver killer. If you only want one board that covers a huge range of conditions, this is it.

Are you looking for a board to travel with and get the most out of everything nature throws at you? Look no further, this one has you covered.

Fin(s) included: None.

What is the general purpose or theme of the board?

An all-around daily board that catches waves easily.

What wave type and size does this board work best in?

All waves. From just below waist high to one-and-a-half head high, and you can stretch it further.

What maneuvers does this board perform best?

General surfing, a strong bottom turn, and wave catching.

What skill level is this board for?

Beginner to pro.

How is the paddle power?

Above average.

What was the design concept?

Originally, in the late 90s, the Soul was a single fin, when retro designs made a comeback. In recent years, people asked for a board similar to Haydenshapes' Hypto Krypto. When the original Soul was compared to that model, they turned out to be almost identical. So, the extra fins were added, it was made a bit sturdier, and it remained in the line under the same name.

Where does it fall short then?

It's not a high-performance board, so if you're all about airs, tight snaps in the pocket, and critical top-to-bottom surfing, then look for something else.

Shape details and design info

OUTLINE: Full nose, widest point forward, sleek outline, rounded pin. The fuller nose helps the board get on top of the water more easily during the first strokes. Because the widest point is forward, it creates a longer tail and a shorter nose. As the arc of the outline in the back is longer and straighter, you can also throw the board into bigger surf and draw tight, powerful lines. You essentially have the tail of a longer board. What you gain in a bigger, open wave is also precisely why it doesn't like to get stuck tightly in the pocket and easily goes vertical.

RAILS: Fuller. The rails are relative, as the board carries some volume. The rail shape from nose to tail has been kept quite general, aiming for a board with a wide range of use.

ROCKER: Medium, slightly flatter. With this rocker, the board glides very well through waves, maintains its speed over dead sections, and catches waves easily. Additionally, it transitions well into cutbacks and over flatter sections.

BOTTOM: Single concave. The wider nose and the longer arc of the tail outline make the reaction time slightly longer when you lean forward and onto the rail to initiate a turn. The single concave helps the rail engage a bit earlier and simultaneously sprays water away from the other rail, bringing it onto the rail sooner.

DECK: The deck has a fairly standard profile, with the board as a whole being slightly thicker. This allows the volume to extend proportionately into the rails and into the nose and tail. That volume provides comfort when paddling and catching waves: you won't be climbing out of the water on your first strokes.

FIN SETUP: 5 fins. For top-to-bottom surfing, the thruster is the better choice. If the waves get steeper and faster, switch to the quad to maintain a higher, more direct line. If the waves are flatter and more open, with little chance of top-to-bottom surfing, the quad is also an option.

FINAL WORD: A fun board that anyone can ride and catch waves on. If you can only own one board, this is the board to have. The Soul is an entire quiver in one board and offers more range and versatility than any other board.

Construction - Paraflex

Paraflex is SUNOVA's premium performance construction. Developed over the past five years from an unrelenting pursuit of perfect performance, it is the top 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, more flexible flex pattern as the board loads and unloads through sections. The boards flex deep into the pocket, rebound predictably, and exit sections with great speed and life. A lightweight EPS core is combined with a 1/2" parabolic balsa/composite rail, sandwiched between balsa skins on the top and bottom. The result is unparalleled spring and rebound.

The bottom consists of a 1.5mm paulownia/fiberglass sandwich that isn't entirely stiff. This softer area on the bottom dampens the ride, making the board remarkably impervious to chatter and ensuring a smooth ride, even when conditions are bumpy and mediocre. 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 creates a very rigid, strong sandwich structure that is extremely resistant to denting and feels sturdy and responsive under your feet.

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

The History of SUNOVA Surfboards

SUNOVA Surfboards creates high-performance, lightweight surfboards using advanced materials and innovative technologies, developed for serious surfers who expect durability and quality in every wave. Each board represents craftsmanship and precision, delivering a surfing experience on its own level.

SUNOVA was founded by surfer and shaper Bert Burger in 1976. The brand developed its core values as Bert learned his craft in the tough school 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 winning competition designs to the next level by opening his own production facility, combining traditional board building with advanced engineering.

Bert started shaping SUNOVA Surfboards over 50 years ago, investing countless hours experimenting with materials to develop a 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 and joined 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 production, R&D, and sales. Martin honed his skills previously at Cobra International, the world's largest surfboard manufacturer, and Klaus comes from the automotive industry.

The Board Factory (TBF) is the home of SUNOVA Surfboards, where the brand creates, innovates, and plays. The factory is located in southern Thailand, in the coastal town of Khaolak, also known to locals as Khaolak Surf Town. This is 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 only where the team builds award-winning, record-breaking watercraft, but also increasingly a destination for visitors from around the world. You can grab a demo board and some wax at the SUNOVA flagship store, pick up a boardshort from one of the retailers on the premises, cruise through the skatepark, and grab a snack or coffee at the nTrance cafe before heading to the beach.

About Sunova

Sunova builds its boards in The Board Factory in Thailand using wood and composite sandwich constructions. The brand is known for light, strong boards with lively flex and a long lifespan. Versatile shapes that also perform well in North Sea waves, which is why they are on the rack at Hart Beach.