Sometimes the old adage that ‘less, is more’ sounds a welcome tone, especially when it comes to surfboards. Don’t get me wrong, having a well-stocked quiver, with boards in all sizes from 5’ to 11’ is what surf dreams are made of but, then again, it can also be a burden. You can find yourself wondering if you made the right call, or if you should have brought something else, when you should just be focused on the moment and enjoying the surf.
If you’re looking for a board that can live in the back of your truck, front of your mind, and deep inside your heart–look no further than the DeadKooks Yin Yang. This is a board that I can speak to personally, one that I surfed many times in a wide range of conditions and spots. I first connected with Eden Saul, founder and head shaper of DeadKooks, through an old roommate and that led to a custom 6’5 that quickly became my go-to. I could go on and on about all my sick waves and recount various moments of pure stoke, hey…but I’d rather share with what led me to the Yin Yan–Mr. Dave Rastovich .
According to Eden, the Yin Yang was born as he refined another board, the Aphex. It has since become one of his more popular models, clearly validated by Rasta, and enjoyed by many around the world. Stock models range from 6’4-7’0 so it serves as a solid all-around shortboard hybrid, or a sneaky mid-length if you go up in size. Easiest way for me to describe it as a fish with a with a longer rail line and narrower outline, or you could view it as a step-up fish. I rode mine with the Rasta fins from Futures and it was a perfect combo.
While the Yin Yang won’t best a longboard on the 1’-2’ mushy days, she’ll handle most everything from 2’ onwards to the point where you’re thinking that you should have brought a gun…
I enjoyed mine most on days that were chest-high to overhead, if the conditions were clean, it could handle even more. For what it’s worth, Jon Roseman has a quiver he rides at Cloudbreak and all around Tavarua. I’ve never been to Fiji but enjoyed mine everywhere from surfing the sandbar at Ehukai, the reefs of San Diego, and Baja pointbreaks. All in all, if you’re looking for a board that can balance it all, the Yin Yang is a clear choice. Find yours here..
Related: Redefining What it Means to be a Good Surfer with Dave Rastovich