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The Big Horse isn’t just a big wave board — it’s a next-level tube hound, designed with one thing in mind: making critical drops and deep barrels more accessible, more often. With its roots in prototype testing by Kauli Vaast and Ramzi Boukhiam in heavy reef setups, and later refined with the input of Bali-based slab hunter Tai “Buddha” Graham, the Big Horse is a rare combination of unmatched paddle power, refined control, and confidence at speed.
Unlike most step-ups that simply stretch dimensions, the Big Horse takes a unique approach to foil and volume distribution. It packs up to 6 extra liters of foam into the centerline of the board, giving you the paddle strength of a much bigger board — yet it pulls down into low, precise rails, so you still get drive, bite, and hold in critical sections. The result is a deceptively thick board that surfs like a tuned step-up and paddles like a dream.
Its medium rocker profile gives the board just the right lift to drop into steep faces without bogging or catching, while still keeping glide and flow on rail. Underneath, a deeper single concave under the chest adds lift and control, transitioning to a shallow double between the fins for responsiveness and drive when setting your line or adjusting mid-barrel.
The Big Horse fills a special tier in JS's lineup — one step beyond the Schooner and FMN3 Step Up, made for serious conditions, big-point break tubes, and mission-level reef days. It’s not a one-board quiver, but if you chase real swell and want to make the most of the opportunity, this is the board you’ll want under your arm.
Pros
Insane Paddle Power: Extra foam down the centerline means you’re into waves earlier and deeper.
Low Rails for Control: Despite the volume, it still holds an edge in critical sections and steep faces.
Tube-Ready Bottom Contour: Deep single to shallow double concave allows for control at high speed.
Tailored for Hollow Surf: Meant for 3–10ft+, it thrives in points, reefs, and slabby beach breaks.
Custom Fit Volume Range: Ridden ¼” to ½” thicker and 3–6L more than your standard board—optimized for power without sacrificing performance.
Cons
Not for Daily Use: This is a serious step-up. In everyday surf, it’ll feel too boaty and overbuilt.
Requires Commitment: Best used in real conditions — if you’re not regularly chasing swell, it may be too much board.
Foil Takes Adjusting To: The hidden volume means the board paddles bigger than it surfs; it takes a few sessions to fully dial in.
Final Verdict
The Big Horse is the paddle king of step-ups, built for surfers who want to feel fully equipped when the waves turn on. Designed by and for tube hunters who live for those rare, all-time sessions, it makes no compromises in chasing performance in big, hollow surf. Whether you’re hunting down double-overhead points or threading reef break bombs, this board gives you the confidence to commit—and the speed to make it. If you’ve ever missed the wave of the day because you didn’t have the right board, the Big Horse was built for you.
