Tyler

When I initially looked at it I knew it was too big for me. But you approach these Tests with an open mind and I was keen to see what it’d do. I really had to work it on the tail to get it to do turns without the size of the board getting on top of me. It was nice and light and the carbon strip stiffened the board noticeably. I could ride a 5’4” version really well.

Tai

I always had faith in the Dumpster because I’ve had a couple and they always go well. I actually like ’em a bit longer length than suggested; I think one issue might be that everyone sees what Dane does on them and so they go really small, but to me they work better with a bit more length. So when I saw “5’9”, epoxy” I thought sweet! As soon as I picked it up and stood up on a wave I liked it. I did find I had to push on it a bit more because of the epoxy’s buoyancy, just to get the rail to set firmly, but once that was dealt with it just went. I actually tried to hang on to it after the Test! For tiny waves, fattish waves, or riding out on the face, it’s perfect.

Channel Islands Natural Necessity

PH: (02) 4234 1636

WEB: www.naturalnecessity.com.au

EMAIL: nnsurfshop@optusnet.com.au

Al Merrick/Dane Reynolds
Santa Barbara California,
made in Australia

CI’s call:“This is the second version of the Dumpster, with a bit more of a drawn-in tail and nose template – a more refined version of the first one, which was basically a summer board with a huge square tail. You probably want to go three or four inches shorter than your height with it. The carbon’s there partly to stiffen the board and partly to strengthen it. A lot of surfers see these as air boards and try new moves on it, which might lead to damage otherwise. Businesswise things are going pretty well at the moment. CI has a good team and the shops we stock are behind us. About 15-20% of the sales are custom, which has actually gone a bit lower lately. I think that’s because we’re seeing that customers, even the hard-core surfers who are our clients, are finding the right board for them on the racks these days and don’t get to the point of ordering a custom, there’s just so much variety.”