The Rusty What? is a no-compromise, high-performance shortboard built for surfers chasing the upper edge of their potential. Designed for committed turns, lofty airs, and barreling waves, The What? delivers when conditions turn on—particularly in shoulder-high to well-overhead surf with power and push. This board isn't trying to be everything to everyone; it's laser-focused on elevating performance surfing in quality waves.
The outline features a moderately narrow nose for precision entry, leading into a curvy midsection and finishing with a slight, elongated bump past the front fins—giving the tail added bite without sacrificing flow. The rocker is fairly aggressive nose to tail, catering to top-to-bottom surfing and rapid directional changes.
What truly defines this board is the bottom contour. Starting flat at the tip, it quickly drops into a deep single concave up front (with the deepest point placed forward of center), feeding early water flow for added lift and speed. That concave shallows through the middle, transitions into a subtle, slightly hooked double concave, and finishes with a slight vee off the tail—making rail-to-rail transitions seamless even at high speeds.
This is a board for surfers pushing performance in powerful surf, not for cruising or groveling.
Pros:
Forward-placed deep concave enhances lift, acceleration, and down-the-line drive.
Aggressive rocker allows for sharp vertical surfing, quick adjustments, and explosive maneuvers.
Thoughtful contouring offers a blend of speed and responsiveness with smooth rail transitions.
Built for performance in solid surf—turns, airs, and barrels.
Cons:
Less forgiving in weak or small surf—this board wants energy beneath it.
Demands an intermediate to advanced surfer to unlock its full potential.
Not ideal for cruising or everyday conditions without punch.
Summary:
The Rusty What? is a finely engineered performance board that thrives when the waves are on and your surfing is dialed in. With a fast, aggressive bottom contour and rocker profile, it’s designed for surfers who want to push boundaries—whether launching airs, carving tight arcs, or threading barrels. If you’re looking for the board that will keep up when you’re surfing at your best, The What? is the answer.
