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The Padillac is Pyzel’s definitive big-wave weapon—a paddle-in gun that’s been at the heart of some of the most iconic sessions and competition wins in modern surfing. From John John Florence’s 2016 Eddie Aikau win on his 9'8", to Billy Kemper’s dominance at Jaws (including what many consider the greatest barrel ever ridden there), the Padillac has a storied legacy. But the name itself and much of its DNA comes from Mark Healey, who helped design and refine the board en route to his 2014 XXL Biggest Paddle Award win.
Over the years, the Padillac has become the go-to big-wave board for Nathan and Ivan Florence, Makua and Koa Rothman, Eli Olson, Nic Von Rupp, and other elite chargers pushing limits at spots like Jaws, Mavericks, Mullaghmore, Puerto, Cloudbreak, and more. The universal feedback? It works—consistently, predictably, and with confidence—when it matters most.
The Padillac features a full outline and added thickness, placing emphasis on paddle power and ease of entry in serious surf. The clean, continuous rocker paired with a vee-to-double-concave bottom gives it an ideal mix of speed, control, and sensitivity at high velocity, while the quad fin setup keeps it fast and maneuverable in steep, down-the-line barrels or powerful open faces.
Pros:
Proven track record at the highest level of big-wave performance.
Paddle power for early entry into critical, heavy surf.
Clean rocker + vee/double concave for control, speed, and rail engagement.
Quad fin setup balances speed with maneuverability.
Available up to 10'6" — ideal for deep-water reefs and charging monsters.
Trusted by the world’s best big-wave surfers.
Cons:
Too much board for average conditions — this is not your daily driver.
Quad-only fin setup may deter tri-fin purists.
Designed for high-level big-wave surfing — requires commitment and ocean knowledge to fully benefit.
Summary:
The Pyzel Padillac is not just a big-wave board — it’s the big-wave board. Created by and for surfers who routinely paddle into the heaviest waves on Earth, the Padillac offers an elite combination of power, paddle, and performance. It’s equally suited for deep reef pits, long-period beach break bombs, or lined-up cold water slabs. For those committed to surfing BIG, the Padillac is the ultimate safety net and performance enhancer, rolled into one beautifully engineered piece of foam and fiberglass.
