After Surfing and reviewing the complete Spooked Kooks Softboard range, I broke down each model into a short bio to help you decide which board is the right choice for you.
My aim is to give you the perspective from your average knockabout surfer (or ‘kook’ like me) without all the technical terms and manoeuvres.
Why choose ‘Spooked Kooks’?
These legends are the company behind environmentally friendly Softboards, so you know you're doing your part for the environment when Surfing these boards.
They achieve this because all the hard plastics in their boards are made from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic waste. This includes the ‘Eco slick’, leash plug, fins and fin key. This technology is standalone compared to other brands in the Market.
Not only that, Each board they make plants at least one mangrove tree to mitigate the board's environmental impact. Mangrove trees are one of the best sequesters of CO2 on the planet, with each plant soaking up over 300kg of CO2 throughout its life.
Listen to the podcast episode I recorded with Tom to learn more about the brand and the amazing things they are doing for the environment.
Before we get into each model, here is a list of unique features each one of their Surfboards has.
- Textured deck on newer models
- ECO SLICK made from Ocean Bound Recycled Plastic
- Triple / Double Fibreglass Protected EPS Foam Core
- Double Wood Stringer Structure
- Futures Fin System (Fin Key Included 100% Recycled Plastic)
- FREE Learn to Surf videos on the website
The Spooked Kooks models!
Lazy Daisy
Sizes - 8’ 0 (65L) & 7’0 (50L)
Colours - Dusty Pink, Almost Grey & Aqua Green
Recommended rider - The Lazy Daisy is ideal for the laid-back beginner looking for an easy entry into surfing.
My opinion - After falling in love with this model, it quickly became my pick of the bunch. I had so much fun teaching my friends to Surf on this board while attempting to do creative things such as Bum riding and Headstands.
‘Lazy Dasiy’s’ size run is perfect for the majority of frothers on their learn-to-surf journey. I personally reckon 8ft is the perfect size for adults, with the 7 ft size covering the Groms. The benefit of this is that for adults, is that you will never outgrow this size either. (This is something I get asked a lot when it comes to buying your first board). As once you have the fundamentals of surfing down pat, 8 ft is the perfect length to use as a log for those small waves days.
I got my hands on the ‘Lazy Daisy’ at the perfect time, as there was a brief pause in the swell. I had so much fun experimenting with finless surfing and seeing how small of a ripple I could catch. If you are an experienced surfer who is looking for a board for the learners in your life, at least you know there is some fun in it for you!
Check out the full review here or have a look at the Full Spooked Kooks range on their website
Dead Hippy
Sizes 8’ 0 (60L) & 7’0 (47L)
Colours - Merlot & Cream, Beach Butter & Blue, Pasic Blue & Sea Foam, Seafoam Blue, Dawny Pink, Merlot & Peach
Recommended rider: The absolute all-rounder, which is easy to paddle, easy to stand and easy to trim. Heaps of fun for all skill levels.
My opinion - After a couple of surfs, I can see why the Dead Hippy is their most popular model. It is an excellent all-rounder, mid-length at 7’0 for a more intermediate surfer or Grom, but if you are learning, I would recommend getting the 8’0 for that shorter learning curve.
It has a touch of class as it turns beautifully and is super responsive. I found it a fun alternative board if you want to mix it up from your regular shortboard or fish.
This board truly shines in smaller and fuller waves, boasting easy paddling and a sweet spot that is forgiving for those still mastering the art of surfing.
The vibrant colour options add to the appeal, making it a tough choice due to the aesthetic allure they all share, turning heads on any beach stroll.
Check out the full review here or have a look at the Full Spooked Kooks range on their website
U.F.O
Sizes- 6’7 (42L) & 7’6 (54L)
Colours - Euca Green & Cream, Merlot & Peach, Pacific Blue & Sea Foam, Merlot & Cream, Beach Butter & Blue.
Recommended rider: This board is ideal for the progressive surfer. If you have mastered the basics and want to turn sharper and go faster, this is the board for you.
My opinion - The UFO, is the perfect progressive board for summer. I would be comfortable grabbing this board, knowing it would handle any conditions that get thrown at it. It can handle that freak bomb set that randomly appears on those small days whilst easily hand-picking the smaller waves.
I ended up turning it into a Twin Fin and had a blast experimenting with different turns on it and really trying to get as much speed as I could in the Sharper, more peakier waves.
It’s probably not my first pick for a beginner, as Spooked Kooks has various models that would cater to a learner, but it is a great, fun muck-around board for someone trying a different style of surfing.
Check out the full review here or have a look at the Full Spooked Kooks range on their website
Franken Fish
Sizes available - 5’8 (36L)
Colours- Pretty much Black, Seafoam Blue, Mellow Yellow, Almost Grey
Recommended rider: fun for all skill levels but ideal for intermediate-level to advanced surfers.
My opinion - I found that the Frankenfish was the perfect board to get my Stoke back after a brief pause in my surfing.
After the first couple of sessions, I knew this board was made for someone like me! An Intermediate Surfer trying to have fun and relax in the waves. It’s a fun board that does everything that I wanted it to do, or in better words, that I am capable of doing.
I found that I could generate speed with a quick pump or shuffle forward and could navigate the wave fairly easily whilst having stability for the wide tail and midsection of the board and being a foamie, it doesn’t matter what tide or condition the waves are, as I know it will hold its own.
I surfed the Frankenfish a lot when the lineup was crowded. Paddling around, I had a definite advantage as it easily catches waves for an intermediate surfer. It is an absolute crowd-beater if you are surfing during the summer holidays or surfing in a popular spot.
Check out the full review here or have a look at the Full Spooked Kooks range on their website
As always, I am here to help answer any questions you may have. Email me at creativekooks@gmail.com , and I'll be stoked to talk Surf with you.
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