Slater Designs Flat Earth by Akila Aipa Surfboard Review

In this episode, I review a high performance twin, a surfboard that was designed by Akila Aipa & dialed-in by Kelly Slater. It comes with a thruster fin setup if you need more stability and control.
The Slater Designs & Akila Aipa Flat Earth surfboard covers a good range of waves from knee up to overhead but I would only surf on it in clean or semi clean conditions.
It’s so much fun riding this board and if you love the feel of the twin fin, you will enjoy it even more.
I didn’t notice a significant difference in terms of performance even though it has 3 liters more over my standard high performance shortboard 5’8” Firewire Dominator 2.0 at 30.1L. It still has a nice pop right after take off and it’s moderately responsive.
The glassing job is outstanding. I’ve put 8 sessions on this board and I couldn’t find any foot impressions on the deck. I think it’s the most durable board in LFT construction that I’ve ever had.
I played with a few fin sets (FCS2 Performer Set, Rob Machado Quad Set) and I ended up liking FCS II Mark Richards Twin + Stabiliser Neo.
It’s got a great hold, speed and responsiveness.
I’d recommend this board to anyone who doesn’t want to work hard on a regular high performance shortboard but wants to be able to go radical with maneuvers or to someone who is looking to have more fun in the water.
It can be a one board quiver if you surf waves with a good form.
Don't forget to click the subscribe button and enjoy this episode!
Feel free to add me on Instagram: / skippersurfreview
Board dimensions: 5' 10" X 20 X 2.75 Volume: 33.4L
Weight: 5.5 Lb / 2.5 Kg.
Filmed on iPhone 12 Pro, Soloshot Optic25 & Optic65, DJI Mavic Air 2.
My Height: 5’9” or 175.3 cm
My Weight: 155 lbs or 70.3 kg
Fins:
FCS II MARK RICHARDS TWIN + STABILISER NEO FINS
www.surffcs.com/products/fcs-...
FCS II ROB MACHADO SEASIDE QUAD FIN SET rmsurfboards.com/products/rob...
FCS II PERFORMER PC TRI FINS
www.surffcs.com/products/fcs-...

[@aloha808_lmh5]

Getting mine today. Stoked. Thanks for a nice review, Skip! Keep up the good work.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks for watching! Stoked for you! Please let me know how it goes 🙌🏻

[@localripper8904]

Nice review! I've already ordered one. Can't wait!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@antonyian3972]

Looks smooth. I need one! Great review. Thank you!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Any time!

[@hughmckendrick3018]

Good format. Like the surf conditions displayed and the fin set ups used at that time.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you, Hugh!

[@zandakaskieva2349]

I like your style,very smooth🏄🏻‍♂️Thank you for review👍

[@SkipperSurfReview]

My pleasure!

[@user-mq4pl8li9n]

Very helpful review! 👍

[@aisaochirova1310]

Great review! Very helpful 👌

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you. Glad it was helpful!

[@rickmc1018]

Great review, Skipper! A few boards just landed at my local surf shop. I'm going to pick up 5'8" tomorrow.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Have fun!

[@zacklee6169]

Would love to see how it works in overhead waves. Love this review!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks. We're getting a new swell this weekend. Hope I can catch some bombs :)

[@None40352]

This is so cool!

[@danilivanov9288]

Super! I will follow your advice. Thank you!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-nn8hk7kz4h]

Great review 👍

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks! 👍

[@gilliamm.5732]

Revo!!!!’ Thanks for the review

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Any time!

[@joeblow2183]

Hi Skipper love your reviews and you give volume liters and your BW and I can compute to mine pounds per Liter. I’ve already put in my flat earth order. I’m also a big fan of Noel Salis but his level is way above mine. I’m near yours ( but you might have me a tad on pop up) . Thus your reviews are especially relevant . When I get back from my trip in June I’m also thinking to pull the trigger on Carbon Dark arts Inferno 72 or a Carbon dark arts Dad bod. Would love to hear from you soon on these boards! Thanks again Skipper aye aye!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hi Joe! Sorry for the late response. Glad you are getting one soon! Thank you for watching and I hope you enjoy it! I'm a bit at slower pace with boards as we are getting into the summer season which is usually pretty flat. The boards from Dark Arts look so sick! I may have to get one soon :) Cheers!

[@dkilla01]

Great review

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you, Miguel! Much appreciated.

[@eddewes8409]

Nice review 🤙🏼

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks for watching! 👍

[@garygolembiewski1085]

Yew sick review!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you, Gary!

[@JackSmith-bs4uc]

Great review! It looks like it needs 3+ waves but you made it to work nicely!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you!

[@MakeWarMusic]

Love your reviews man. Did you ever had a Go Fish? Wondering how do they compare. I can’t believe you said this is the BEST BOARD YOU EVER HAD. That must be a great feeling. I feel the same way about my seaside.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hi MakeWar! Thank you. Yes, I did have 6'1" Go Fish for almost 2.5 years. It was super fun at that time before I explored the Seaside and Beyond which overlapped and replaced it with a good honor. I'd like to suggest watching Comparing all four Rob Machado's boards review kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJymhJurr9yYpJI where I touch the Go Fish moments. If I roughly compare Akila Aipa Flat Earth to Go Fish then the main differences go as follows: the take off & down the line speed is pretty much the same, the Go Fish is way more skatey and loose on turns and it can slide off unexpectedly especially on bigger days no matter what fins you go with. I loved to surf it in 1-3 ft waves whether it's a mush or clean peeling dreamers. Cheers!

[@sangikivanov3538]

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽Very good review!!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you!

[@KB-jh8ul]

great video! thanks

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you for watching!

[@sdaqss]

Would be nice to see you review a Libtech since you analyze the board construction well

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hi! Unfortunately I’m not a fan of Libtech surfboards. Just not liking the flex and flow.

[@akilaaipa6698]

Mahalo 🤙🏾 nice work

[@Dicko301]

NICE REVIEW try the power twins they"ll work good on that board heaps of drive but easy to turn and maintain speed.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you for watching and suggestion, Dicko301. I've had the power twins set before that was paired with the Go Fish. You're totally right, it was super drivey. I sold the board with side fins and left the stabilizer. LOL. I may get this set again!

[@karljakobsson2687]

hi mate, did you ride them with or without a stabilizer?

[@Dicko301]

@@karljakobsson2687 i rode the power twin shape without but all depends on the board as different shapes have different fin placements,plus my board is a normal twin fish shape no trailer.

[@ricardoazambuja2978]

dear Skipper, first of all, thank you very much for you work - it is of great help for the worldwide surf community. I would like to ask your help. I'm 5'8, 165 pounds, low-level intermediary surfer looking to have fun, to improve turns and to do some maneuvers. I am not trying to do radical turns, but I would like to evolve while having fun. I surf once a week and most of the time with a 4mm or 5mm wetsuit in Portugal (punchy beach breaks). I have a 6'6 (39L) mini-malibu and a 5'8 Firewire Evo (35.6L), which are great boards where I feel comfortable and able to have fun, and now I am looking for a board for the better days when the waves get overhead (not double overhead, but overhead). I am not a strong paddler, thus I need a board which works well when oversized. so, I ask you: do you believe that the Flat Earth is a good option for me? what size should I get it? once again, thank you very much!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Ricardo! Thank you for your feedback! Based on the dims and your level of surfing, I wouldn't take Flat Earth in overhead surf. If you were more advanced, then you would probably be able to find a spot to take off and handle it. So, you may want to consider something like in mid-length range something like JS Big Baron in 6'8" ft size. Its a twinny though. You can check out my review on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYXOkp5sdqZ_jNk. Hope this helps!

[@ricardoazambuja2978]

@@SkipperSurfReview thanks for your reply - I'll definitely check the JS Big Baron review. yet, if I decide to get the Flat Earth to surf chest/head high, what size would you recommend?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@ricardoazambuja2978 I would probably go with 5'9" or 5'10 if you are cool with more volume :) It does have more volume up front, so you want to surf more of your front foot to push that foam down.

[@ricardoazambuja2978]

@@SkipperSurfReview thank you very much Skipper! and, once again, congratulations for such a great work and channel!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@ricardoazambuja2978 Thank you, Ricardo!!

[@diesaffer]

Dang this makes me appreciate my home break. Jbay

[@SkipperSurfReview]

I would appreciate JBay as well :) What a great spot! Cheers!

[@lawson45uk]

Could you tell us what the nose and tail rocker measures? Looks like it's a fair bit of rocker and struggling to get moving in the smaller waves. Really love the look of the board though just looks like it would need shoulder plus and fairly clean for the weaker waves that we get too. Good to see LFT has got a bit better quality too. Cheers.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hi Dave, I think the Firewire has already done it. Please check out the link below for dims: www.firewiresurfboards.com/products/flat-earth?variant=35003636285485 In terms of struggling, it's really personal. We don't get many days with good surf. An average, we get a good shoulder high + day once a month. So, I try to enjoy whatever I get in the backyard and make the best out of it. The mid length would definitely help to beat the flats easier but I like to play and learn how to get around these sections on a shortboard. Cheers!

[@njsurfer2352]

Thank you for well detailed review! My sister wants to get one. She's 5'3" @115lb average surfer. What size would you recommend?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks for watching! She can probably go for 5’5” at 25.9L. That way she could charge solid Nor’easter swells🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@boltup5566]

Conditions looked mushy to me and didn't seem great for that board. A lot of chop hopping and surfing off your front foot...I think it would work better in shoulder to OH hollow surf. Maybe I'm using west coast scale...but those 4 and 5 ft waves looked like 2-3 ft.

[@Toades8513]

Think he's surfing North East Coast so yeah from Cali waves a bit different :)

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey mate, I count these conditions in my backyard as really fun and at some point it could go as good to epic. There are many factors work against us in New York and the East Coast in general to receive the meat of the swells. The first one is bathymetry. The North East Coast is generally shallow especially around Rockaway beach. Any good swell, starts slowing down hundred miles away from the shore. So, even it says 5 ft 12 sec on buoy, we may get 3-5 ft waves max. The West Coast is deeper and it gets the best conditions out of the swell. You basically multiply East Coast surf x2 for CA and x3 for Hawaii in terms of power and size of the waves. Another factor is related to the wind. On the West Coast, the prevailing winds are behind the waves, which increases the waves' energy. On the East Coast, the prevailing winds blow against the incoming waves, decreasing the waves' energy. Hope this would be helpful. Cheers!

[@boltup5566]

@@Toades8513 doesn't the board look like its bogging and he's working too hard for those waves? The board doesn't seem great regardless what size you see those waves

[@boltup5566]

@@SkipperSurfReview yeah I get that. I still think the board doesn't work that great on those waves in the video. My personal opinion

[@sheldonsimpson8780]

@@boltup5566 The board has 33.4 L and he's 155 lbs, so no wonder he has to work for small mushy waves.

[@glengoodwin]

I’m grabbing one of these or a Dominator 2. I already own a Seaside and Glazer. Seeing that you’ve surfed both, what do you prefer?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hi Glen! It depends on the conditions. The 5’8” Dominator 2 works great as an all around board however when it goes over 5 ft, with steeper faces, I find it challenging to get into the waves however up to 5 ft it works great, especially in crappy waves. I didn’t have any issues on 5’10” Dominator2 in big waves but it does feel super oversized when the waves are smaller. The Flat Earth starts working perfectly once it goes over 3 ft.. lotsa confidence in big waves. I was able to surf smaller waves however it doesn’t grovel at all, lotsa rocker up front along with the foam in the chest area. Hope this helps!

[@zandakaskieva2349]

😍😍😍

[@marcolima7074]

Great review again!! Can I ask you if this board is suitable for low intermediate level, in which I only have change to surf 1x week? I was thinking to use this board, when the waves are Steeper ? As this board much performance, that is difficult to control? Thank you for the help, Best regards, Marco Lima

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Marco! If you have no issues with catching waves on a shortboard plus you surfed the twin fin before, then you will be fine. It’s got enough rocker to handle steeper waves but you really want to be in the right spot. So, if you consider surfing this board in small waves, I would recommend getting it. Hope this helps.

[@marcolima7074]

Thank you so much for the answer and help! Best regards and good waves for you! Cheers

[@christophersmith8850]

Squan spotted!

[@SeaSurfnBird]

I recently got the 5’11” Flat Earth 34L and I’m 6’5” 216 lbs. Although I got some great waves I realized that I should have waited for a 6’2” 40L. They recommend going up 2 L from normal but alas they don’t make a 6’1”. I also liked the Rasta keel fins better than regular twin fins for more drive, but I’ll experiment with different stabilizer fins to see what works best. 6’2” on order so 5 weeks out. 🤙🏼

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Nice! This board opens up a lot of options to play with the fins and you can feel the difference pretty quick. I felt the difference from keels to regular twins in a way that the keels had less skatey feel but definitely better than the regular Tri set. I should test it out on good good day but those days come once in 3 months out here and if I work at the office, I am out luck lol! Hope your 6’2” comes soon and you get more fun🙌🏻

[@adam_hr8231]

Are you going to review the CI Fishbeard?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

If I see a used one somewhere I will try to grab it for review and see how it works in crappy beach break. There is a lot of talk about Fishbeard lately again! Cheers.

[@roninplaya1]

Hi Yuri ... can you do an update on your impressions of the Flat Earth after using it for a while? That would be cool.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Ron A! I had to unload it but I kept it for a while. I think I should've gone a little bit smaller like 5'8". Are you looking to get one?

[@roninplaya1]

@@SkipperSurfReview Hi Yuri ... I have a 5'9" but haven't gotten a chance to use in really good waves since I got it. I am your same height and weight.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@roninplaya1 I think you are on the right size! I think finding the right set of fins could be a game changer with the Flat Earth. I was running it with the MR set which I really liked. What's you go to setup?

[@roninplaya1]

@@SkipperSurfReview I have a board with Futures boxes and have a set of the Akila Aipa twin fins. Until recently, I was also using a Channel Islands trailer fin.

[@Slickjim91]

Hey mate, have you still got this board? I’m thinking of getting one to replace my mashup when it gets a little bigger. Thanks

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hi Jimbo! No, I sold it a while ago. If I compare it to the Mashup, it's way better for medium and bigger size waves. Flat Earth 5'10" did feel oversized sometimes but when the waves have more size, it felts good. 5'9 would likely be the a proper size for me. Hope this helps!

[@Slickjim91]

@@SkipperSurfReview Thanks mate, I’m gonna give it a go. Mashup is great in the small stuff but I need another board when it gets a little bigger 👍

[@ThomyeSurfs]

wow, that thing is rockered out. I thought it was flat and that's why they called it flat earth. I guess not. Looks cool though. I am debating, any similarities to D2?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Not really, however it flattens on landing really well. You will definitely love it. I'd suggest to start selling your Glazer right now. I sold mine a few weeks ago. I think the only similar feel is a release off the tail. D2 is a bit quicker but missing the flow. The Flat Earth is loaded with a flow and speed, it slightly reminds the Glazer but just more upgraded version in some ways. Other than that, it's just more about having fun on a twin fin! Hope you get one soon :)

[@Dill_doh]

How would this fit with a dominator 2?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey! It feels like a fun & beefed up Dominator 2 with a slight advantage to get into the waves easier. In terms of performance, it's a mellower version of it. D2 has better pop and less foam overall.. it allows you to get sharper and more radical turns. Hope this helps!

[@sladestreet6086]

Where do you live? Is that Georgia? Let me know what beaches have the best surf. Much appreciated!!!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Rockaway beach, NY!

[@griffinleblanc8260]

Torn between this and the dominator 2

[@SkipperSurfReview]

The Dominator2 is a true high performance horse that will keep you busy with a reward such as instant pop straight from take off, way sharper and precise turns. It would also handle chop better and pretty much overlap your groveler. The Flat Earth is a true twin fin that pivots smoothly quick and adding more fun to surfing. Both boards are equally fast. Hope this helps 🤙🏽

[@MrRobinski]

Those waves i thing you have more fun and performance with a dhd phenox style board.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Troy, I've just looked it up. Looks pretty nice. I also tried the volume calc on his website and it guided me to get 33-35L board :) If I come across this board, I will try to snatch it! Thank you for your suggestion! I appreciate it!

[@MrRobinski]

@@SkipperSurfReview i wouldn't recomend anyting longer than 5.8

[@deancronn5745]

Nicely done! My wife will kill me if I get this one. Sigh..

[@paulyc5455]

Hi, I'm debating this board to a Dominator 2 to sit beside my slightly oversized Firewire Seaside at 34L. I'm 77kg, and 170cm (5'7) in height, looks like I surf mostly in quite similar conditions as you, but want something for when the waves get bigger and faster. Do you have a recommendation for sizing? I was thinking of 5'10, since I don't want to go too wide.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hi Pauly! I find 5'10" Flat Earth to handle big stuff well especially when it's steep. The rocker helps a lot. However for smaller waves like 2-3 ft, I would've preferred to have Flat Earth in 5'8" size. It's pretty well packed with volume in the chest area. I think the Dominator 2 in size 5'8" suits better for small/medium size waves 1-4+ ft when the waves are not steep. When it gets steeper, the nose falls down similar behavior of the Seaside. Hope this helps!

[@paulyc5455]

Hey! Thanks for the response, that was helpful. Seems like FE + Seaside gives a wider waverange.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@paulyc5455 Definitely. You may also want to consider CI TwinPin as a great step up board. I'm going to post review soon.

[@craig8638]

Great review. It looks like that board was wasted on the gutless Surf.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Totally. We don’t get many good waves in NY except hurricane swells that happen in the fall. Perhaps, you can multiply fun on this board if you surf the waves with more power and push 🤙🏽

[@adamwaz5615]

Looks like it definitely bogs out on small surf. It wasn't designed for tiny surf though. 3-6ft would be ideal.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Adam! I personally prefer the boards with more volume. Due to inconsistent surf in New York, I really need that to be able to catch and ride the waves longer when the swell hits us😁 So most of my boards are over volumed a bit. It definitely affects my performance but I mostly look for more fun at this point. I don’t think I would ride it better on any of my other boards. I’m really stoked on how easy it pivots despite the conditions. If I lived on the West Coast (California), I wouldn’t need it and more likely would be under 30L mark though. Cheers!

[@xWaxxy]

“3 foot” 🤣🤣 Cool review though, just got myself one too

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks for watching! Good choice!

[@kickamatus]

how does it grovel in small waves ?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

It grovels ok, as long as you have a steep section to take off, then the twin fin does it's job. If you go back to 3:23 session (it's a windswell at 3 ft 8 sec), that's probably the smallest conditions I would surf on it. The Dominator 2 grovels much better in smaller waves. Hope that helps!

[@alavallee2]

All the waves in his videos are small groveler waves. Def not the conditions that board was meant for. One of those Dan mann potato boards would be better for most of the waves in that video.