Summary:
The Rare Bird is Chilli’s crown jewel—a go-to all-rounder that blends performance, forgiveness, and versatility in one sleek, compact package. Born from Mitch Coleborn’s beloved Toucan and refined over years of team feedback, it’s become Chilli’s best-selling board of all time for good reason. With a wide sweet spot, reliable rail-to-rail flow, and adaptable five-fin setup, the Rare Bird is the kind of board that just works—whether you're groveling in small stuff or threading clean overhead tubes.Pros:
Proven Design: Refined from years of team input, with a legacy rooted in the Toucan and Birdseye, this board has stood the test of time.
User-Friendly Shape: Forward wide point and medium rail make it easy to paddle, generate speed, and recover from missteps.
Adaptable Bottom Contour: Single to double concave with a vee off the tail creates lift, drive, and smooth transitions from rail to rail.
Quad or Thruster Option: The five-fin setup makes it extremely adaptable—go quad for speed and hold, or thruster for control and pivot.
Cons:
Not a Niche Specialist: While versatile, it’s not a pure groveller or a full-blown step-up—some surfers may want something more specialized for either extreme.
Less Suitable for Vertical Attack: Compared to more high-performance shortboards, the Rare Bird is more about flow than ultra-tight turns in the pocket.
Final Verdict:
The Rare Bird is a true quiver-killer—a board that suits a wide range of conditions and surfers. If you’ve been caught between your Sugar and A2, this board bridges the gap beautifully, offering the paddle power and glide of a hybrid with the responsiveness of a performance shortboard. Ride it 2–4 inches shorter than your standard shorty and expect smooth, stylish surfing with just the right mix of control and freedom.
