The Retro Tripper is a high-performance twist on the retro fish concept, designed for surfers seeking glide, confidence, and control in powerful waves—without giving up everyday fun. Short, wide, and built for travel and variety, it merges classic aesthetics with modern performance cues, excelling in everything from punchy beach breaks to long-lined point waves.
Initially developed in early 2021 for a surf strike mission to Salina Cruz, the board quickly evolved from a personal project into a team-tested, travel-ready weapon. Drawing inspiration from the Retro Ripper and the MonkFish (as seen in Cory Lopez’s Skeleton Bay segment), the Retro Tripper was refined through feedback from team riders like Coco Ho and Luke Davis during real-world testing in solid surf across Mexico, the Mentawais, and El Salvador.
Built around a shortened Retro Ripper chassis, the board features:
A low entry rocker for easy paddling and early entry.
A wide beaked nose and flat deck for added volume and glide.
Steep, downturned rails for bite and control in faster sections.
 A winged pin tail that reduces surface area for precision in steep faces.
 A Twin + 1 fin setup, delivering a blend of skatey looseness and rear-foot hold.
The bottom contours combine a soft rolled vee entry, a subtle single concave through the center, and a double concave/vee through the tail—all matched with a curvy tail rocker. This results in a board that balances speed and flow with tight-arc performance and rail hold, despite its generous width and volume.
Finished with minimalist 1970s-inspired graphics—opaque tints and understated logos—it leans into style without sacrificing substance.
Pros:
* Easy paddling and early entry due to low rocker and added volume.
* Versatile: handles small beach breaks to solid point surf with equal ease.
* Twin + 1 setup offers both glide and control.
* Winged pin tail allows for tight, confident turns in hollow or fast surf.
* Stylish, understated aesthetic.
Cons:
* May feel bulky or wide underfoot for surfers used to narrow, high-performance boards.
* Twin + 1 setup may not suit those who prefer the full grip of a thruster.
* Less suited for ultra-small or super soft surf compared to flatter grovelers.
Summary:
The Retro Tripper is a modern mid-length-meets-fish fusion, built for surfers chasing versatility, style, and confidence—whether at home or on the road. It paddles like a dream, trims effortlessly, and turns with unexpected sharpness in punchy, fast surf. Ideal for adventurous surfers who want a dependable board that works across a wide range of waves without lugging a full quiver, the Retro Tripper delivers glide, flow, and flair in one smart package.