9:Fish Grunion

In the surfboard world, the fish is considered a throw back to the days of yore. The days of yore in which long hair and mustaches ruled the lineup. The fish is a short, thick, wide board (usually with a wide-open swallow tail) designed for small, gutless surf, but some ten years ago in huge waves over a then unknown reef in the Indian Ocean, two-time world champ and uber-soulman Tommy Curren rode a fish better than any thought possible. The following summer, the fish was back in a big way.

Today, the retro movement is in full-swing. Classic long boards, middle school single fins, and crazy-deep swallows are all par for the course at most local breaks. Since most board builders are producing neo-retro models, it was easy to catch a fish for trial and review.

9:Fish is a company specializing in 70’s neo-classical designs like the Grunion, which I got my hands (and feet) on for a test ride. As with most companies today in our global marketplace, 9:Fish offers a few select models to create a smooth and simple operation, but one look at these old school soul nuggets conjures images of customized El Caminos plastered with “Keep on Truckin’” stickers rather than sweat shop kids covered in fiberglass powder.

Although all the 9:Fish models look funky and functional, the Grunion looked particularly interesting. Standing at a mere 5’ 8” and a portly 3” thick, the Grunion is built for fun. The rotund 21.25” width insures that this model will have no problem with flotation or wave catching. But as we all know, looks can be deceiving as subtle nuances such as rocker and tail configuration can ruin any pretty board’s potential.

This board is actually quite fetching what with its deep blue air brush and smooth gloss finish, but I wanted to get it in the water for a test ride.

Once in the water, I enjoyed the flotation as the last few boards I’ve reviewed were a little chipish (if that is even a word) and really needed some cushion (foam) for the pushin’ (paddling). The Grunion has cushion to spare and the flat rocker really performed in Florida’s putrid summer surf. It caught waves easily due its increased flotation and diminutive stature. In addition, the wide swallow and quad fin design infuse this model with energy and fun, allowing the rider to really make use of the wave face.

I believe it is the deep (extremely deep) swallow tail that really lets this board breathe. Swallow tails offer much more maneuverability in smaller surf as they float on top of the water and break up its flow as it rushes past. This, along with the drive and lift of the FCS quad fin configuration (two removable color matched fins and two 2” baby keels), made for a fun and unpredictable session.

In some ways, I get the idea of a board like this working in bigger surf (the thickness will get you in early), but and I really like more grab in my turns when the waves are thumping. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend this board for bigger waves (unless maybe if it’s super clean).

The Verdict

The Grunion ripped! I had a great session. Its width and thickness made it a wave-catching machine, and its length, deep swallow-tail, and funky quad fin design really opened up loads of possible lines to draw on the wave. I would not recommend this board for a novice only because of its small size, but its thickness is helpful for an intermediate who wants to catch a lot of waves and practice on a board that is easy to handle. Personally, I think the Grunion is best for an advanced rider who is sick of his/her status quo 6’ 4” squash-tail.

Note: Another cool thing 9:Fish offers is their innovative boardbag/rack product which you can order along with your board for a extra $60.