The RIPPER!
A rip-roaring, radically fun, small wave slasher, carved out from the ridiculously popular Rad Ripper. A board designed to violently shred everyday, average surf and leave neon ’80s nostalgia dying on the sand.
The BIG RIPPER was inspired by Kolohe Andino, whose love for (and performances on) the Rad Ripper are undeniable. Admittedly addicted to the Rad Ripper, Kolohe requested adjustments that would eliminate the nostalgic ’80s influences and create a more modern look with less emphasis on revivalism, resulting in an all-new small wave shred sled.
To achieve this, we removed the beak nose and re-foiled the entire deck line, abandoning the flat deck and steep rails for a more contemporary, moderately rolled rail and deck. The tail is scooped out with a thinner, boxy block. We removed the deep fluted wing, leaving behind a subtle bump/hip, but retained plenty of small wave surface area. The nose is slightly pulled, with a touch more rocker, to fit just a bit better into kinky transitions.
Like its forefather, the Rad Ripper, The BIG RIPPER retains an overall low rocker with a single concave center and a deep double concave/vee that runs through the fins and out the tail. The built-in speed, paddle-ability, and firm carving control that defined the Rad Ripper are integrated into this update.
The BIG RIPPER loves to be surfed aggressively, off the tail. The low rocker and wide tail block relish rear foot pressure, driving, snapping, and carving harder the more aggressively it’s ridden. More modest or casual surfers will also enjoy its built-in speed and the ease of directional changes enabled by the double concave vee.
The rolled deck, lower/softer rails, increased nose rocker, and reduced nose area, combined with a more blended tail outline and scooped out deck, all work together to modernize and unleash The RIPPER, out of the shadows and into the limelight. The RIPPER is a small wave weapon for hacking and lacerating minuscule to moderate surf, under the feet of both average Joes and pumped-up pros.
Ride about the same size as your original Rad Ripper but with a touch less foam for a cheeky feeling or easily go a bit longer if you want to cruise and enjoy.
BlackSheepBuilt boards begin with light weight, 1.5lb virgin EPS and utilize the most advanced “Triax-NCF” (Non-Crimp Fabric) high-quality carbon fiber, to create a fast, responsive and lively surfboard. A board that is both lightweight and flexible, but also surprisingly strong.
“Triax” Carbon is laminated only on the deck, with a short bottom lap and sandwiched with multiple layers of 4oz, “D-size” fiberglass, top and bottom, for both durability and performance.
•Engineered for rapid reaction and maintaining a forgiving flex and dampened overall feel, under foot.
The combination of both Triax Carbon and fiberglass helps BlackSheepBuilt boards feel lively and exciting, but familiar at the same time.
The unique performance of BlackSheepBuilt boards comes from the Triax Carbon, which combines a triple-axis +30/-30°/0 layup. It is an “un-crimped”, multi-directional carbon, which enhances and controls torsional force from rail to rail. Multi-axial carbon fiber is a great alternative to traditional woven carbon fibers because it is made up of alternately aligned layers of unidirectional carbon reinforcement.
Because it’s not woven, the fibers do not “crimp” under and over perpendicular fibers, in the way that traditional woven fabrics do. The fibers lay flatter, retain less resin, remain smoother, straighter and stronger, with a more natural flex. Unlike traditional woven fabrics, there is also no 90 (degree) rail to rail carbon, which creates weak points and easy fissures for deck buckles, cracks and breaks.
The +30/-30° fabric orientation, the torsion force and pressure from the surfer’s feet radiates outward to more of the rail line, creating greater drive, connection and thus control, with the edges and perimeter of the board. Strength and stability underfoot and along the rail line, work together as one.
WARNING: Carbon Fiber surfboards can easily get Hot! They’re dark…and like all things dark, they soak sun and heat up. The BlackSheepBuilt boards are made with lightweight EPS foam and a Carbon Fiber shell.
BlackSheepBuilt boards are a high end surfboard construction. Treat them that way. Do not leave them in your car when shopping. Do not leave them in direct sunlight while bronzing on the beach. They will get hot and it is possible for them to overheat and bubble up. Protect and take proper care of your investment. We recommend keeping these boards safe in a heat reflective day bag. Take the bag all the way to the beach, if you plan to hang out in the sun, before or after surfing. If the boards do get dinged, let them dry out and fix them properly. With proper care and a little love, these boards will take the day to day bumps and bruises very well, remain light and extremely lively on the waves and provide hundreds of days of surfing enjoyment.