Single Sessions Ep. 4: Boss Up with Michel Bourez

Watch Michel Bourez at home in Tahiti on the all-new Boss Up in I-Bolic Technology by Dan Mann - Kelly Slater's first-ever midlength.
This utility midlength is the most well-rounded and versatile shape in the Slater Designs range, designed by Dan Mann. The shape was designed to work well in both weak waves as well as heavier conditions - it can cruise across flat wave faces while also shoot through cavernous overhead tubes.
The Boss Up is the board you would travel with if you could only bring one board with you. Your one board quiver with maximum performance in a purely versatile package.
Our crew has really been enjoying this midlength when keeping it mellow and cruising is top-of-mind (or the need to be more mobile to battle crowds). That said, Dan Mann's also been putting it in punchier surf with an open face - as it's perfect for carving. Michel Bourez has ridden well-overhead barrels at home in Tahiti, and loved it equally in those conditions.
For fins, we'd recommend running the KS1 template as a Quad. This template has a lot of pivot for a neutral template, and when combined with the long rail line of the Boss Up, you want fins that can pivot immediately like the KS1. Or, start with your favorite fin set and if it feels too stiff, add more pivot with the KS1 template.
For size and volume, the beauty of this shape is that it doesn't command you dial-in your volume perfectly. Any single surfer can ride the Boss Up in a variety of sizes. Dan Mann has been enjoying both the 6'8" and the 7'0", while Kelly, Shane Dorian and Kevin Schulz have stayed on the 6'8", and Michel has been riding the 6'10". We recommend riding this around 13 liters more in volume than your standard shortboard. The increased volume means paddle power is incredible, but doesn't compromise performance.
Shop Boss Up in United States: bit.ly/4bhlznZ
Shop Boss Up in Australia: bit.ly/4aArrZx
Shop Boss Up in Europe: bit.ly/443s1wa
Shop Boss Up in United Kingdom: bit.ly/3U4n0yN

[@thestow35]

Bourez is a pro surfer, so he does things most of us can only dream of. His ability to surf those conditions on a board like that is incredible. That said, the board looked slow-ish in those conditions. And it looked like the board struggled to drive smoothly through some of those turns...? He pulled it off, but didn't look like the right board for those conditions. Boss Up looks like a good option for the average surfer for everyday conditions....which is most of us :)

[@joshsmith7999]

100% agree, even then is us average Joe's ever tackled waves like that I think we would want a little bit more rocker. Pretty sick that this board does work from 2ft - 10ft though

[@9_Finga]

That's how you ride a mid-length. Shane take notes. 🤙✌

[@berone1642]

good to see bourz in action ! scoring bombs!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Still waiting for Kelly to ride this thing😎

[@kevingrandyify]

He has

[@zorrobreizh44]

Tuamotu paradise 🤙😎

[@FrankTankFlinns]

Legend

[@Hydrnaught]

The board looked slow but he showed what's possible if you're a pro he had the ability to surf out of a bad situation. Most of us would've been caught well behind on any of those waves.

[@williamhanley7031]

Stability, speed . One button turn up the face instead of 2. Ive been trying to get my friends to understand the stoke factor of these for 10 years

[@cloud84strife]

I thought was a board for fun small waves lol

[@DGT73]

Bit late to the party FireWire?

[@shempdizzlebiznatchy]

Ditch the quad

[@Gontran_Courtjoie]

C'est quel spot ?

[@Heavymetalhettel]

basically very similar shape to what many knowledgable, older or bigger riders have been using for years- nothing new. 10 years ago I predicted that in the near future pro level surfers will be riding mids

[@foxgd88]

Really cool😮

[@Gontran_Courtjoie]

Michel isn't pro anymore, he is retired now

[@raguripper]

Where is the after surf comments? I guess you had to edit out the truth?

[@lj2700]

That is too much board for him. He is able to get away with riding it because of his strength and knowledge but it won't work for the average surfer in smaller conditions. I think he would be better suited on a 6'6 max. They are just using their names for marketing. They would never ride that board in real life.

[@paulbaker7675]

He's only riding it because hes paid to. These boards are completely pointless.