Nate Yeomans talks about the Slayer.
I was originally thinking of covering the Happy Shovel from Rusty this week, but I’ve been watching video footage of some monster waves in South Africa, and decided instead to have a look at a different board from Rusty… Something that could handle bigger, more serious waves.
Although The Slayer model was designed for big waves, it’s not a typical step up. It rides a little shorter, puts the wide point closer to the nose, has a somewhat relaxed rocker, and adds a bit of thickness in place of the missing length.
Top, bottom, and rocker view.
The end result is a shape that’s gunny (especially towards the tail,) but with a front section that’s a bit more user friendly. There’s less foam to maneuver above your front foot, but it maintains the feeling of having a longer rail outline in the face of bigger waves.
Tail on the Slayer.
The drivey forward point and pulled in thumb tail combine to also make this an incredible barrel board. It’s secure in double overhead waves, but can be ridden short enough to fit nicely in the pocket. (Josh Kerr has actually said this is his favorite board for overhead barrels.)
John Maher on a Slayer at La Jolla.
In the video posted at the top of this article, Nate Yeomans says that the Slayer also works in crappier small waves… Personally, I disagree. The Slayer is a really sick board for good waves, but I don’t think it’s much of a groveler. It can handle the smaller stuff OK if it’s pitchy enough or the wave has a lot of power, but there are plenty of other boards to surf dribble with. Save the Slayer for when it gets beastly.
(Great travel board in my opinion too.) Check it out. The Slayer from Rusty.
