“This thing rips”: Starboard’s new TallTwin SUP longboard unleashed

Starboard has done it again with the TallTwin, and when Zane Kekoa Schweitzer says “this thing rips,” the SUP surf world pays attention.

Starboard‘s latest wave shape, the TallTwin, blends two seemingly opposite worlds: the speed, looseness and freedom of a Twinfin with the glide, trim and flow of a classic longboard. The result is a board designed to reward stylish surfing while opening up a whole new level of speed and playfulness.

Co-designed by Portugal’s Luis Lacrau and Ollie O’Reilly, the TallTwin was born from a simple idea: create a board that gets into waves early, trims effortlessly, nose rides with confidence, yet still feels lively and responsive through every turn.

From concept to reality

Development took place between May and August 2025, with Trevor Tunnington playing a key role throughout the testing and refinement process. Multiple test trips produced three prototype iterations before the final production shape was locked in.

With the added board length came a careful balancing act. The design team focused on combining the loose feel of a TwinFin tail with smooth rail-to-rail transitions for trimming and nose riding. Subtle refinements to the channel depth, hip angle and nose profile produced significant differences in speed generation, release and rail engagement, helping dial in a board that feels equally at home carving turns or walking to the nose.

Proven where it matters

The TallTwin’s first major test came at the Longboard SUP Revolution in Bali, where Starboard Dream Team riders chose to compete on the new design. The result? Three gold medals and an impressive debut that validated months of development: Riding the TallTwin, Zane Kekoa Schweitzer won the Elite Men’s title, Ke’ale Dorries topped the Elite Women’s division, and Pete Cox took gold in the Weekend Warriors category.

Fast, loose and built to flow

Built on Twinfin DNA, the TallTwin remains responsive through turns while delivering the glide and stability expected from a longer board.

The Twinfin setup creates a fast, free-flowing feel that encourages drawn-out lines, fluid cutbacks and effortless movement around the wave. Rather than feeling locked into a traditional centre-fin setup, the board invites creativity, allowing surfers to generate speed naturally while maintaining smooth control through every section.

Its added length also extends every ride. Riders can catch waves earlier, carry momentum through flatter sections and maintain speed with less effort, while the tail remains loose enough to pivot quickly when the wave steepens.

Whether it’s small, playful surf or faster, more powerful conditions, the TallTwin delivers an engaging balance of speed, control and confidence.

Who’s it for?

The TallTwin is aimed at a wide range of surfers:

• Longboard riders looking for more speed, looseness and progression without sacrificing glide or nose-riding performance
• Twinfin enthusiasts wanting the familiar freedom and responsiveness of their favourite setup, combined with added trim, flow and wave-catching ability
• Everyone from elite competitors to progressing surfers seeking a board that delivers performance while remaining accessible and confidence inspiring.

One of the TallTwin’s standout qualities is its versatility. Despite its playful character, it remains stable off the nose, with riders able to add a Nubster fin for extra hold and confidence while nose riding.

Ke’ale Dorries

Four sizes, two constructions

The TallTwin is available in 145L, 132L, 108L and 94L, giving riders a range of options to suit different sizes and surfing styles. Each model is offered in either Carbon Reflex or XTEC Carbon construction, ensuring there’s a TallTwin to suit everyone – from first-time Twinfin converts to high-performance wave specialists.

Judging by the early feedback from the Starboard Dream Team – and Zane Kekoa Schweitzer’s verdict – the TallTwin isn’t just another addition to the range. It’s a fresh take on SUP surfing that combines the best of two proven designs into one board built for speed, style and endless flow.

Explore the White Paper

Register your interest and read the official Press Release

Find out more about Starboard range at sup.star-board.com

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