Aipa Big Boy Sting Review. The BEST "Mid Length" I Have EVER Surfed. Sell Your Funboard! This SHREDS

A review of the Aipa Big Boy Sting. Forget your mini longboard, forget your funboard, forget your mid-length. This is by far the best one board quiver for older and/or heavier guys who still want to shred. Thank you Aipa family for saving my surfing career!

[@Californiansurfer]

I have two now, I love this board.. I sold my boards, I paid $800 each…. I love this board…. Downey California ❤❤❤

[@yankou4412]

Which size ? Thank you

[@ninerminer370]

Wondering the same, what size?

[@Cam-eo2hz]

How are they working for you now?

[@GIF_CANCEL]

Horrible horrible horrible board.

[@Cam-eo2hz]

Why do you write that?

[@sike228]

Im 46yo, 200lbs and have the 7'. Its like everything he describes in this video, with the exception that the 7' is just small enough for me to duck dive the board. Hes right, you will be getting into early and shredding the waves the other guys are struggling to catch--and the short board performance is there. Super fast down the line too, I have a similar fin set up. Dont walk, run and get you one asap

[@markrichardson8382]

Absolutely stoked for ya finally finding that magic board!!!!!!

[@rdance3]

I just turned 59 last week and I'm 190 lbs. I recently gained some weight due to illness. I'm going to look at the Big Boy Sting today in 7'8".

[@Cam-eo2hz]

How’d it go?

[@rdance3]

@@Cam-eo2hz I live in NE Florida and where I surf is a shore break. They just dredged and added a bunch of new sand. This is making everything break on shore. The only good surf is low tide. The first time I took it out, it was low tide and it took some getting used to. So much floatation made me think I could stand up before i actually could. I literally stood up on three waves as they passed me by. Once I figured out this, I started catching some good rides, until my leash broke due to the increased stress due to more floatation. I went directly to the surfshop and got a new lease and paddled out the next day. It was terrible surf. No good. The only other day, I've had time was when Ernesto was off shore. I tried but I'm not fit enough to paddle through the white water without the ability to duck dive. I could have done it was my smarter side told me not to keep trying by myself, so I called it a failed day. Still hopefull though. I just need to relearn the area and tides. Things have really changed.

[@fredcrawford8853]

I just got a 7ft big boy sting. Have ridden it as a 2+1. I am going to try out some quad options now. Do you think the future small rear thermotech 3.75 fins will work just as well. The fins you mentioned I believe are FCS and I have Future fin boxes.

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

It depends on the rake of the fin. Ask a surf shop guy. I am using small performer rear quads with a Mark Richards Twin

[@fredcrawford8853]

@@shreddinghippiesurfshow Thanks man. Im going to give it a try. Didnt really like the 2+1 setup. Will let you know how it goes. Im going to use the Future ENs on the front which are close to the MRs .

[@yankou4412]

@@fredcrawford8853 can i have your feedback for your 7' ?? the fins (i want future)??? your weigth ???? it will be helpful for me. Thank you

[@ralphramirez1979]

I'm 6'4 230 66yrs. In the water 3 4 times a week. Longboard . Your explanation is spot on. Be looking for one as soon as I get some cash.😊😊

[@Cam-eo2hz]

I’ve got a beast of an FCS (Patagonia) HP longboard…9’6”…thicc… bought a really clean FCS 7’6” off CL for a really good price…haven’t surfed it yet as we moved to Flagstaff from SoCal in 2010…bought the 7’6” because I wanted something more high performance for beach breaks, but I have a sneaky feeling that it’s not going to have enough volume to float me… 56 years old, 5’11” 205-210lbs… Wife and I are heading to SoCal for two weeks and staying in Huntington Beach…thinking about selling the 7’6” and picking up an 8’0” or 8’4” Big Boy Sting. Mahalo for the review bruddah. 🤙🤙

[@rafaeln21]

Very hard to get a hold of them, left many messages. Perhaps you need to have an in

[@AK-ms5zk]

Now I’m tearing up to, as a native Hawaiian im a huge Apia fan Akila as well ✊🏽

[@vajradev]

AIPA ohana, forever young !

[@Ozee.Aaron1234]

I’m in love! I’m 6’3 245lbs and 51yo! Can you get these in Australia what size would you suggest? Thanks

[@ronwurst2022]

Im actually looking at a mid for beach breaks / sandbars ..i eas considering the pyzel mid but the Aipa has me curious

[@brentrose2199]

I got a custom from Duke. It’s a version of the Big Boy sting that he has been working on. It’s called the Midway. More modern rocker, pulled in nose and hips and a bat tail. Mine is a 7’4” @ 64.5L. This board straight up SURFS!! I’m 42 yrs old, 6’1”, 225lbs. It feels big and clunky while under arm but feels like a 6’2” - 6’6” under foot. For anyone on the fence, just do it. You won’t be disappointed..

[@yankou4412]

cool, which fins do you use ?? thanks

[@brentrose2199]

@@yankou4412 NVS Horseman quad. Forgot to mention the other difference is that this board is set up with the ability to be a quad or thruster. It doesn’t have a large center fin box.

[@botaccount3449]

Hey brent, is this a burner acct for you lol?

[@yankou4412]

@@brentrose2199 thank you

[@pierre-mariemartin3454]

Hey @brentrose2199. I'm super interested in the Midway, do you know if it is in production or only custom?

[@bendare8210]

I just bought a 7’ big boy sting and have it set up as a 2+1 with a 8” Greenough 4-A center fin and NVS 3.7” side bites. By the way, the picture you put up of Duke Aipa going off the lip, I believe he’s on a 7’4”. Glad to hear that you love your board. 🤙🏽

[@ninerminer370]

What is your height and weight? I’m 5’11” and 225lbs and trying to decide between a 7’8” and 8’0”. And maybe even a 7’4”..

[@bendare8210]

@@ninerminer370You’re not going to believe this but I’m your exact height and weight. It all depends on what you want in the board, I bought my 7’ Big Boy Sting which is 59.53 liters to replace my last shortboard that’s 6’4 @ 42 liters because I’m 59 now and just don’t have the paddle strength that I used to have. If you want more paddle power go bigger, if you opt for more performance go shorter.

[@ninerminer370]

@@bendare8210 Nice! Thanks for the quick reply. That makes me lean more towards the 7’8”. It’s 4” shorter and only less than 5 L difference in volume compared to the 8’.

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

with these boards longer is better. go at least 6 inches longer than you think.

[@yankou4412]

could you duck dive your 7' big boy ? thanks

[@davidrades5701]

Love the vids! I’m 6’ and 235 lbs and not sure if I should go with the 8’ or 8’4 big boy sting in surf tech . Need it for river surfing.

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

Well, I don't have any experience in river surfing but my experience is that with this particular board, length is not an issue. Aipa says that the sting will surf like a board 18 inches shorter. That is definitely my experience. So, I don't think you will feel like you have gone to big. Once you learn where to stand, the board acts like a shortboard. But, I also don't know anything about river surfing... Thanks for the comment.

[@boostige2685]

Sold!

[@ruibiscaya872]

By watching your review I know exactly what you mean. Denial... musr lead to a more volume board that usually people think it won't have performance/fun and will make you think you are starting all over again. You couldn't be more wrong. These boards just make you get into the wave much easier. But after they take off... . All the other guys with the short boards (which are the majority because it's like a trend thing and will ever be.) will look at you and think, what the hell is that!! I sometimes take the local school softboards and do that!! Even if the comparison is not the best. Thank you!!

[@SasoCasablanca63]

Awesome review. I actually going to get the 949 comp 7.2 I am taking it to Nicaragua/Costa Rica and also surfing the EAST Coast. I am 59 and looking forward to the board. I know you are a also a fan of the 949 version and hopefully still are 🙂

[@ruibiscaya872]

And the part when you say that other surfers understimate your abilities. The other day I took my performance longboard and there were a bunch of kids shredding o just couldn't paddle and catch waves. I just didn't had the same paddling as before. And you begin to feel down. And that was until I picked the local surf softboard and shredded it. And guys were like WTF... 😂

[@MarmiteP]

how does this compare to the big brother sting? Currently have a 9ft big brother

[@mightybeastk]

🔥🔥🔥

[@JamesHills-e6i]

Got one. Incredible thanks

[@odedkuznik-qk8ir]

Hi Mate great video. I bought from you the Stewart 939 comp back in the sunny coast a few years ago. As you suggested it didn't work great with all the bottom concaves. I just managed to buy the Aipa in 7'8 after I saw your video and after 3 surfs I'm loving it. Thanks for the great review.

[@OdedKuznik-fk5gs]

I meant 949 :-) not 939

[@BillShort-jw7fc]

Shredding Hippy you are rad . Really like your insight . Question - your first Apia review was the 9’ ft Big Brother . Then you got the 8’4” sting . Seems you were eluding to the fact that the sting and the 9’ big brother were similar in size and flotation . And that you were ripping on the sting , possibly they were too similar and you’d rather use the sting . Then at the end I believe you mentioned , that the only thing you would do different is get a longer big brother . Maybe a 9’6” for really small , for more of a long board effect ?

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

They are both big boards, but they have very different plan shapes and surf differently. My current preference (now surfing weak Florida waves) is the 9'0 Aipa for most small to medium days and the 8'4 for bigger days

[@tomwoodward1802]

So inspirational to hear you talk about boards for bigger guys. You nailed exactly what it feels like to be in your 50s, heavy but you have all the experience and the skills to rip but the equipment isn’t available. Until now!! I’m sold, I just can’t decide whether to get the 9’0” Big Brother or this 8’4”. I’m a longboarder but came from shortboards 30 years ago. I have plenty of longboards and think the 8’4” big boy will help me recapture my performance roots!!

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

I have both. They are incredible

[@klaiejah]

Hey fella, great review 👍🏼 I’m currently loving a 6’4 Yahoo Kelvinator at 50L - haven’t been able to get off it lol. Your take on the Big Boy has sold me on the idea - I’m almost 61 and over 100kg - have increased volumes in recent years to 47-50L and always looking for that board which you’ve just described - something for heavy guys who can still shred a wave. I have read a couple of reviews where the guys complained about the deck collapsing and cracking along the stringer. Just wondering how yours has held up?

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

I haven't had any problems with the construction. I even dropped it pretty hard and zero damage...

[@klaiejah]

@@shreddinghippiesurfshow cheers mate 👍🏼

[@adamc3173]

Where can we get one in Australia ?

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

www.aroonasurf.shop/products/aipa-big-brother-sting-fusion-hd

[@ninerminer370]

I don’t know your height and weight but would you have considered a 7’8” Big Boy Sting? If not, why not or if so, how do you think it would’ve ridden different then the 8’ or 8’4”?

[@ThunderWizard]

My suggestion is to not look at surfboard length. Those boards ride at least 1 foot shorter. It's not an overstatement to say they ride 18 inches shorter. i also have the 9' big brother sting and it surfs shorter than many "mid lengths". off the top, floaters, crazy cutbacks on head high barrels... Instead I would look at what liters you WISH you could ride your perfect shortboard and then add another 15 liters. The obvious answer to your question is that the shorter boards would not catch waves as easy and would be more maneuverable. But when I ride the 8'4", I am doing the same radical maneuvers I did when I was a kid. So, get whatever length gives you the liters you wish you could surf on small mushy days. My 8'4 will surf anything that I have the balls to paddle into big or small. Just make sure you put large twin fins with small quad rears and it won't matter what size you get. Short answer get a size larger than you think you need. and I'm 60 years old, 5'9" 210 pounds

[@ninerminer370]

Watching your video and reading your reply makes me lean towards getting the 8’0”. But I can’t help but think there’s not much difference in volume between the 8’0” and the 7’8”. Here are the advertised dims: 7'8" x 23.5" x 3.75" - 71.03L verses the 8'0" x 23.38" x 3.81" - 74.95L. Less then 4 liters difference, the 7’8” is 6 inches shorter but 0.12” wider. I would think 4” shorter would be easier to handle and control while 4 L in volume wouldn’t be much in paddle power. I’m not sure if I’d feel the difference in 0.12” width. What’s your opinion on the difference on how the two sizes would feel?

[@rdance3]

I got my board yesterday. Do you use a traction pad?

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

Yes. These boards want to be surfed from the tail when doing maneuvers.

[@rdance3]

@@shreddinghippiesurfshow How far from the back did you mount yours? This is the longest board I've had or will have riden.

[@rdance3]

@@shreddinghippiesurfshow I was just watching your video on the Go Softboards. You mentioned the Surf Station in St. Augustine. That's where I bought my new board!

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

Cool. I was just there earlier today...

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

Re: where to place the tail pad: The same spot that tail pads are usually placed, right above the fins...

[@touchetbenjamin4938]

Hi can you tell me exactly the size of the front fin and and rear, THANKS. b

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

You don't need that. You just need to get the MR twin fin and small performer rear quad

[@rdance3]

@@shreddinghippiesurfshow Do you know the height of your rear quad? I have Futures boxes and I'd like to find something compatible.

[@shreddinghippiesurfshow]

@@rdance3 Call your local surf shop and ask for the futures equivalent for a mark richards twin with performers small quad rear.

[@rdance3]

@@shreddinghippiesurfshow When I bought the board, the shop didn't have the MR in Futures so I had them hand me the MR in FCS and all of the twins they had in Futures. I ended up getting Son of Cobra twins. They were the closest profile they had but with much more cant. They had no rear quads so I just ordered some NVS Apex Kestrel Rears. They are a little shorter (3.1") and less area than the Futures Small rears.