Introducing the Phantasm XL — Speed, Lift, and a Flash of ’80s Energy
Some boards begin life as sketches, others as experiments—but Phantasm XL started as a feeling. I wanted a board that blended classic California flow with the punch and playfulness of the early-’80s Town & Country era. Thick, fast, colorful, and unapologetically fun. A board that makes you grin the moment it leaves your hands and touches the water.
And now it’s here.
Designing the Phantasm XL
On paper, this board lives in that sweet spot between a groveler and a high-performance hybrid. In practice, it’s a speed generator with surprising sensitivity—an everyday board for Santa Cruz-style conditions where you need to connect sections, drive off your back foot, and still fit a proper turn in the pocket.
Key Dimensions
- Length: 6' 1"
- Width: 21"
- Thickness: 2 ¾"
- Volume: 38L
- Tail: Full squash
- Bottom contours: Slight single → small double → subtle vee off the tail
- Rails: Performance rails preserved despite added thickness
The extra foam under the chest gives this board the XL in its name: more paddle power, early entry, and the ability to motor through flat spots. Yet by pinching the rails and controlling foil, the board still transitions cleanly rail-to-rail without feeling bulky.
Why the Fuller Squash Tail?
I shaped the tail wide and full to:
- Maintain speed in softer conditions
- Help the board plane early
- Give the surfer enough lift to make quick sections
It still breaks cleanly at the corners, so you get that instant release when you push, but with the stability of a broader platform.
Nose Profile: Brought Up & Ready for Steeper Drops
I refined the nose to sit slightly higher than your typical hybrid. This helps prevent pearling when the takeoff steepens—especially at the Hook and Indicators. The result is a more confident drop and a more aggressive first pump.
Bottom Contours: Subtle but Trustworthy
The bottom is meant to feel familiar and forgiving:
- Light single under the front foot = lift and immediate speed
- Soft double concave between the fins = directs water and adds control
- Tiny vee behind the trailer fin = smooth rail release and easier transitions
Nothing radical—just a clean, dependable flow.
This is my first full surfboard artwork, and I knew exactly where I wanted to start.
Growing up, the neon chaos of Steve Nazar’s characters—Thrilla Gorilla, Kool Kat, and the rest of the T&C universe—left a mark on me. His bold shapes and high-contrast palettes always made surfboards feel alive. Those boards weren’t just equipment; they were attitude.
For the Phantasm XL, I didn’t recreate Nazar’s characters, but I did borrow the spirit:
- Explosive lightning-bolt geometry
- Saturated yellow, orange, and electric blue fields
- Stylized line-bursts radiating from the stringer
- Sharp black outlines to anchor the colors
The result is a blend of modern shape + retro soul—something that looks like it could’ve dropped into Ala Moana Bowls in 1986 and still hold its own today.
Build Notes
- Blank: US Blanks PU
- Lam: Entropy Epoxy resin
- Fin Setup: Thruster Futures
- Finish: Sanded with full-wrap artwork under the glass and black resin pinline
One detail I’m particularly stoked about: the way the pinline and color split track from the deck over the rails and continue onto the bottom. It adds a sense of motion even when the board is sitting still.
Final Thoughts
The Phantasm XL is a milestone build for me—not just in refinement of shape, but in finally bringing expressive artwork onto a board. It represents a fusion of my shaping philosophy and my lifelong love for bold surf art.
