Pyzel Shadow / Shadow 12 Review with Jon Pyzel

[@bgax]

"eastcoast, when there's waves." So true.

[@ericschmitt7369]

Pyzel seems like a really great dude. Nice info!

[@REALWatersports]

He's a great dude, and really knows board design. We were stoked to have him stop by!

[@daphantom6632]

Having owned the Channel Islands Fever in Spine Tek, Neckbeard 2, MBM, Pyzel Ghost, and Pyzel Shadow, and I had to choose only 1, I would choose Pyzel Shadow every single time. It is the fastest and most refined, without sacrificing ease of use and paddle ability. Pyzel Shadow is, hands down, my favorite surfboard of all time. But, if I had to choose a dedicated 'good wave' board, Pyzel Ghost.

[@REALWatersports]

Those are both good picks, good to hear with the variety you have ridden as well!

[@ccozzarelli]

Hello ! I have a 6’2 ghost as my step up board when it is 8ft plus. Most of the times I’m surfing 6 or 7 fr waves ... I’m between getting another ghost but 5’10 for those good wave days (not necessary big but fast and steep) or just get a shadow 5’10. You have both ... what do you think is the main difference between them ? Thank you !

[@daphantom6632]

@@ccozzarelli The shadow is much more fun for smaller days; single concave through the middle helps maintain speed-double-v out the tail make it easier to generate speed. Also, the squash tail will help you release off the top. It can definitely handle 6-7 punchy conditions though. But, if you are looking at a surfboard to ride specifically in 6-7ft, hollow, punchy, conditions, nothing smaller, I would be more comfortable riding the ghost. The foiled rails, pulled in round tail, and rocker are all there to help position you in the critical part of the wave (pocket) and give you much more control. TLDR- Ghost if you are looking for a board only for 6-7 punchy hollow; Shadow if you want to ride 6-7 punchy and smaller.

[@ccozzarelli]

@@daphantom6632 thank you ! Maybe I’ll go “ghost” .. for those smaller days 2-5 ft I already have a pyzalien 2 xl , amazing board ! It might handle bigger than that but at 5’9 I struggled last time on bigger heavier punchier point break... i think a 5,10 or 5,11 ghost might be great on 5 ft and up ... and more if it is steeper and hollower ... and at that length it might handle even 7-8 ft waves

[@daphantom6632]

@@ccozzarelli Yes, I agree. The ghost will "light up" 5ft and bigger conditions. If you need a second opinion on boards or fins, shoot me a message, I'm happy to help!

[@dukeflyingcow]

L0ve your format. No cheesy music straight to the point:)

[@audioeins]

very great explanation of that rad board :)

[@HelloHello-vw6wr]

Id like to hear a comparison against the same in EPS for an intermediate surfer with average abilities to use in a wave pool (Melbourne Australia). also for styles of open water surf breaks. cheers mate.

[@jeremyrburke]

Love the reviews with their shapers!

[@fighttilldeath3687]

Good stuff shaper insight is nice to hear

[@wolf-yw9wk]

great follow up!! stoked to grab one of these soon

[@RhodesCalvin-r9s]

Marielle Centers

[@samueldoeslife]

Yew boys.

[@JisanKhan-m2i]

Harris Timothy Jackson Sarah Perez Joseph

[@LizzieLena-u9v]

Brown Jason Lewis Matthew Davis Steven

[@JouleLouise-x4g]

Muhammad Burg

[@hokuinsai4299]

🤮🤙🏾

[@brettgussey6015]

That was great, 6 foot is the best size for a compatition board,

[@thomasvinsen1410]

Do you recommend the shadow over the ghost? Can the shadow handle solid surf?

[@dadthelad]

If you're riding waves up to bigger than double overhead, get both. If not, then just get the Shadow. In the vid, Pyzel said the Shadow works in waist to double overhead (but not mushy waist, and double overhead is pushing it), and the Ghost will work in shoulder and higher, but is more for the bigger stuff, like double overhead and beyond. Ideally, if you choose your volumes right, your Shadow will work best in shoulder to head and a half, and you'll reach for your step up Ghost when it hits double over head. Below shoulder, you'll want a third board, maybe a Phantom, which will be your step down. Below waist, get a groveler, maybe a Gremlin. Below thigh, you're going to need a lot of volume, maybe a minimal, or maybe you've got better things to do, like go to the gym instead. So yep, if you can, get a 3, 4 , or 5 board quiver. If you can only afford 1 board, choose according to the size of waves you ride most, then add a bit of volume to it to expand the range of waves it can take, e.g. get a Shadow with a bit of extra volume so that it really can handle waist to double overhead. But if you can afford 3 boards, then say, get the Shadow with less volume to make it more manoeuvrable and fun, but cuts it down to shoulder to head and a half, and get a Ghost step up, and Phantom step down, both with maybe a little more volume than your Shadow. That's how I do it, I've got a 5 board quiver, which covers me from everything up to triple overhead, which is as big as it gets where I live. But I mostly only use 3. My Shadow gets the most action, then my step down, then my step up. I usually go to the gym instead when it's too small for my step down, but when I'm desperate for a surf, I'll get out the groveler or minimal. It's not as expensive as it sounds, as my groveler and minimal are old and rarely get replaced. I order my main board and step up with strong glass, which makes them last. My main board will even get a good 3 or 4 years if I need it to. My step down and smaller I get in epoxy, which makes them light and also last well. PU for main board and step up, as it works better in those waves. Some guys change boards every 6 months, and sure that would be nice, but you don't have to. Hope that helps :D

[@thomasvinsen1410]

Keith you are the man. Thanks heaps for that.

[@dadthelad]

@@thomasvinsen1410 You're welcome, took me years to work all that stuff out, glad to pass it on. Did you get a Shadow or Ghost yet?

[@thomasvinsen1410]

Keith I got a shadow and love it. I’m going to get the ghost in the next month before my trip to Rarotonga.

[@dadthelad]

@@thomasvinsen1410 Awesome!