Torq Chopper ACT - Futures - 2 + 1 Fin - Mid-Length

“Switched out the fins on my 6’10 for a set of MR twins. Works so well in fun waves, holds its line and carves on a dime.”

The Chopper is a super versatile shape – it has the volume and length to catch knee-high waves or to take off early in surf well overhead.

The design features some volume forward and a low entry rocker, allowing it to trim smoothly on an open face or in small conditions. There's a good amount of foam under your chest, making it paddle well without feeling big and corky.

In the tail of the board, you'll see the modern refinement of a classic egg: the narrow, pulled-in tail combined with a low rail, a single to double concave, and a smooth exit rocker makes it surprisingly lively when ridden from the tail.

It features a 2+1 fin set-up and can be ridden as a 2+1, as a single fin, or as a twin.

Fin(s) included: None.

Construction - ACT

Torq's ACT surfboards are the world's first EPS/Epoxy pre-preg surfboards. Pre-preg is the highest performing composite process, with the best strength-to-weight ratio and the best reflex (spring-back) of any fiberglass layup.

That's a bold claim, so here's some more:

“Pre-preg fabrics virtually eliminate all process variation that you see in traditional layups or vacuum infusion. As a result, pre-pregs have completely changed composite production.”

They boast “maximum strength properties” and ensure “less mess and less waste. All the excess of hand laminates – cups of resin, sticky rollers, drips – are no longer an issue.”

“Without the pitfalls of hand lamination, there are no resin-rich spots and no dry spots.” “Pre-pregs are considered the most advanced system for composite production.”

These are quotes from industry sources, websites, and manuals. Search Google for ‘pre-preg composites’ and you'll find pages full of this kind of information. It is unanimously considered the most advanced composite process.

What is it?

Pre-preg is short for pre-impregnated. Resin and hardener are applied to the fiberglass fabric by machine, creating a fiber-resin matrix.

This matrix has a perfect ratio of resin to hardener, and a perfect resin content and distribution.

The matrix is machine-cut (Torq has cut files for every model and size, ensuring the exact right fiber and resin weight is used on each board) and then laid onto the surfboard blank and cured under high heat and pressure in an oven.

What are the benefits?

Reflex or spring-back:

Hand laminates, even with a vacuum bag, retain a significant amount of excess resin. This adds weight, makes the whole thing more brittle, and limits the properties of the fiber because it's trapped in a thick shell.

Pre-pregs are machine-impregnated with precisely the right resin density. Whatever fiber is used – glass, carbon, or basalt – the pre-preg process allows the fiber to perform without the limitation of excess resin.

In surfboards, this translates to a springy, responsive feel. Every flex you put into it in a turn returns instantly as reflex instead of being dampened by the resin. They return all the energy you put into them. Because the board can flex naturally, they also absorb much more vibration than you're used to from light epoxy boards.

Strength-to-weight ratio:

The other advantage of not having unnecessary extra weight from excess resin is the additional amount of fiber that can be used at the same total board weight. ACTs have a sturdy fiber layup, making them significantly stronger than a surfboard of comparable weight in any other construction.

These boards contain 2 to 3 times as much fiber as a light PU of the same weight. They are not Torq's strongest boards, but they do have a much better strength-to-weight ratio.

How do they surf?

They feel lively from the very first wave.

The feel is somewhere between a light PU and epoxy, with an extra spring that you won't find in either technology. They feel familiar in both, so you won't need much time to get used to them. But once you're accustomed to it, every other board will feel flat.

About Torq

Torq is known for epoxy surfboards that combine low weight with high strength, from accessible all-rounders to high-performance shapes developed with renowned shapers. Each construction – TET, TEC, or ACT – has its own character, but all are built to last. This makes Torq boards a good fit for Hart Beach: boards that can withstand daily use in the North Sea and work for every skill level.