Sunova Torpedo Paraflex - Futures - 4 + 1 Fin - Shortboard

The Torpedo is a small wave groveller that allows you to ride almost non-existent waves, but also holds up when the waves get a bit bigger. It's a pretty versatile board: it handles almost anything without feeling sluggish or heavy. On the contrary, the board always feels super loose and fun.

It runs on just about anything and lets you fly down the line, making sections at record speed while still being able to hook a turn from the bottom.

Fin(s) included: None.

What is the general purpose or theme of the board?

A fast, positive feeling board for small down-the-line waves.

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

Most weaker wave types, down-the-line and open waves. From just below waist-high to one and a half head-high.

What maneuvers does this board do best?

Power carves and cutbacks.

What level is this board for?

Beginner to pro.

How is the paddle power?

Well above average.

What was the design idea behind it?

The goal was the shortest possible functional board that could fly down the line. With maximum tail area, you'd expect it to slide out, but the large center fin feels firm and positive, giving it maximum hold and drive. The short length compensates for that, so you can still do very tight snaps and lean into power turns.

Where does it compromise then?

It doesn't like choppy beach breaks with short wave lengths where you need to be out of the way immediately. It has masses of drive from the bottom turn due to the larger center fin, and precisely because of this, it's difficult to get immediate top speed from the first pump if the wave closes out. Going from take-off to a re-entry on a closeout is therefore a big ask.

Shape details and design info

OUTLINE: Full mini mal-like nose, widest point forward, rounded swallow. The fuller nose helps the board climb onto the water more easily with the first strokes. The outline in the middle is somewhat more parallel, but there is a significant amount of tail area. Normally, a board that is so short and wide feels difficult to draw lines and carve with. The Torpedo carves, carries momentum, and provides drive through turns, feeling positive underfoot instead of like a slippery hovercraft.

RAILS: Slightly fuller with hard bottom edges. The fuller rails are a bit more forgiving; super thin rails are sensitive, but then you also need to surf with precision to avoid mistakes. The bottom edge of the front rail is strongly beveled, and the entire rail has more of a hard edge. Instead of the water wrapping around the rail and pulling the board into the wave face, the board releases cleanly from the bottom edge and rides high on the water. This gives a fast, skatey feel, but not slippery and uncontrollable: it's forward speed.

ROCKER: The flattest shortboard Sunova makes. For its size, it's a paddling machine and carries momentum very well in waves. Generally, the more rocker, the more you have to pump for speed, but the Torpedo carries itself. Maximum glide, so you have plenty of time to set your feet properly. It also carries well over flat sections and maintains its speed through turns.

BOTTOM: Flat bottom. Since the board is designed for weaker waves, maximum speed is the goal. Sunova's unique flexible bottom adds another layer of performance, making the boards less dependent on bottom contours anyway.

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

FIN SETUP: 4+1. The larger tail fin provides bizarre amounts of grip, drive, and direction. Combined with a shortboard that would normally do the opposite, the combination of a smaller board with a larger fin works very well. The board has also been ridden as a twin fin, with large raked side fins, and that went surprisingly well. The idea with this board is to intentionally put too much fin on it, to compensate for the skatey and drifting feeling of a wide tail.

FINAL WORD: A fun board for down-the-line waves. You'll be surprised how many meters you can cover on the face.

Construction - Paraflex

Paraflex is SUNOVA’s premium performance construction. Developed over the past five years in the relentless pursuit of perfect performance, it is the top-tier 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 shoot out of sections with plenty of speed and life. A lightweight EPS core is combined with a 1/2" parabolic balsa/composite rail, which is 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 is not entirely rigid. This softer area on the bottom dampens the ride, making the board remarkably insensitive 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 stiff, strong sandwich structure that is extremely resistant to denting and feels solid 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 are equipped with a self-regulating vent with a slightly permeable Goretex membrane in a special aluminum vent, designed and built by TBF. This makes Paraflex boards functional and cutting-edge.

The history of SUNOVA Surfboards

SUNOVA Surfboards creates high-performance, lightweight surfboards with advanced materials and innovative technologies, developed for serious surfers who expect durability and quality in every wave. Each board embodies craftsmanship and precision, delivering a unique surfing experience.

SUNOVA was founded by surfer and shaper Bert Burger in 1976. The brand developed its core values while 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 parabolic rail design.

Bert took his winning competitive 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, dedicating countless hours to experimenting with 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 production, R&D, and sales. Martin previously honed his skills 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 no ordinary surfboard factory. It's not only where the team builds award-winning, record-breaking watercraft, but also increasingly a destination for visitors from all over 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 site, cruise through the skatepark, and grab a bite 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 long durability. Versatile shapes that also perform excellently in North Sea waves, which is why they are stocked at Hart Beach.