The Uber Driver lives up to its name—“uber” meaning excessive or beyond—and delivers exactly that: a surfboard that exceeds expectations while remaining a fun and reliable everyday option. It bridges the gap between hybrid and high-performance shortboards, blending playful versatility with pro-level responsiveness.
The Uber Driver’s design borrows the outline, rocker, and concave details from the back half—the "engine room"—of the Driver model used on tour by Kolohe Andino and Griffin Colapinto in smaller waves. This foundation is merged with a lower, wider, and more forgiving nose inspired by the Rocket series, creating a board that paddles easily, accelerates quickly, and provides stability and drive for daily surfing. The tail’s low centerline rocker combined with a curvy rail rocker under the rear foot, transitioning from a single/double concave through the fins to a vee out the tail, adds to its responsiveness and smooth rail-to-rail transitions.
Updated in 2018 based on team feedback, the Uber Driver was refined to become a “small wave speed machine” — flatter, wider, and faster—perfect for less-than-ideal surf conditions. Top pros like Mason Ho, Ian Crane, Michael Rodrigues, and Yago Dora have praised the updated version as their go-to alternative shape, especially in subpar surf. It remains a highly playable board that feels almost like “cheating” with its ease of speed and control.
Pros:
* **Versatile All-Around Performer:** Works well in a variety of conditions, especially small to medium, less powerful waves.
Blend of Playfulness and Performance: Combines forgiving, wide nose and tail with responsive rocker and concave design from pro-level boards.
Paddles and Accelerates Easily: The lower rocker and increased volume help catch waves early and maintain speed through flat sections.
Favored by Top Pros: Regularly used and praised by professional surfers, proving its effectiveness and reliability.
Customizable: Available for custom orders with updated or original dimensions to suit rider preference.Cons:
Needs a Decent Wave to Shine: While it excels in smaller surf, it performs best when there’s at least some push, potentially feeling less lively in very weak conditions.
May Not Satisfy Traditionalists: Surfers looking for a classic, minimalistic shortboard might find it too hybrid or forgiving.
Volume Increase: The added volume and wider shape may feel bulky to surfers used to leaner, high-performance boards.Summary:
The Uber Driver is a dynamic, playful hybrid that offers the best of both worlds: the fun, forgiving nature of a groveler combined with the precision and drive of a pro-level shortboard. Perfect for surfers seeking a small wave speed machine that thrives in less-than-perfect conditions, it has earned the respect and enthusiasm of top riders worldwide. Its 2018 update further solidified its reputation as a go-to board for everyday shredding with an extra dose of excitement.
