Airush | Behind the Design – The Slayer
Thu 23rd Sep, 2021 @ 3:00 pm
A recent addition to the Airush convertible range, the Slayer, is a hot topic. From strapless freestyle, foiling, wave riding, wakeskating, and even possibly the funnest kite-skimboard you have owned… It’s hard to imagine one board that can do it all. Yet, it is the first board to leave the beach and the last to return on demo days.
So what makes the Slayer such a wanted item?
Visually, this board has a few similarities to the Foil Skate, but these two boards are miles apart when it comes to the outline and functionality.
“The Slayer is one of those ‘personal projects’ that the designers at Airush often bring to the market, not because it is demanded, but because it is just what they want to ride. I’ve been building and riding boards like the Slayer for myself for maybe 15 years. It broadly fits the description of a ‘Skimboard with fins’ or ‘Directional Twin Tip’.” – DK
Construction:
Being built in a twin tip style sidewall construction, the Slayer is robust compared to a wrapped rail surfboard. It is also thinner, putting the rider closer and more connected to the water. As a result, riders riding only twin tip boards often find themselves more at home on the Slayer than a high-volume surfboard.
- Raised grip rails running tip to tail
- High-density PVC foam with Basalt fibre lamination for low weight and high strength
- 100% EVA deck coverage
- Flush M6 foil mounts in the base
The Slayer crosses over many different riding styles hard to put ‘into a box’. However, there are plenty of combinations of accessories that will allow you to ride anything and pretty much everything.
- Strapless, with fins in onshore waves – it turns average conditions into a water skate park.
- The grip rails and full EVA make it super easy and fun for strapless freestyle.
- With fins and straps, it can attack bigger waves and stronger wind.
- Finless in shallow water, it becomes a skimboard/wakeskate.
- Add an AK Trek or Tracer foil, and it’s a killer light-wind solution.
- It even crosses over perfectly to wake surfing/skurfing and wake foiling.
DK, What kind of rider would be looking at the Slayer?
“Typically it is a rider with 2-3 years of twin tip experience looking to expand their quiver with a directional board. The unique features of the Slayer (low volume, tough construction, full EVA and grip rails) all help riders new to directional riding to have fun and progress quickly.” – DK
“The Slayer is a super nice versatile board. The full deck pad is so comfortable and easy to grab for freestyle. It is easy to find its balance for foiling. The Slayer is quite perfect for an epic Freeride session!” – Colin Oudot
“The Slayer is a very versatile board with many unique functions and performance styles. This board is able to perform in different water conditions, from rough chop and big swell to flat waters and smooth freestyle sections. I personally enjoyed the unique style this board provides me with when wave riding.
The small fins allow for quick changes in direction and movement, exciting outcomes on your top turn, and a faster reaction time when hitting close-out sections of a wave. The almost twintip shape of the board brings a creative aspect to it. This shape allows for a rider to use the board as if it were a skateboard, enabling them to attempt tricks such as kickflips and pop-shuvits, off rough chops, or on flat water.” – Djebbe Hiscock
To learn even more about the Slayer, watch this tech video below.
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