Traktor Team Tahiti Quivers

Julian, the reigning champ, settling straight back in at Teahupo'o. Photo Ryan Miller

While the forecast for the event looks more technical than terrifying, JW's proved he's more than ready for anything. Another warm-up session spent threading smaller but still super hollow Chopes. Photo Ryan Miller

It doesn't get much better than jumping off a ski into a tropical lineup with a favourite board and non-stop perfect waves... Here's Jules, with an updated version of last year's event winner.  Photo Ryan Miller

Other than a few go-to shortboards for the smaller stuff, Julian's Forget Me Not IIs were the main feature of his Tahiti quiver. Built to excel in good shaped waves of any size, particularly when it's barrelling, the FMNII is the gold standard for equipment at waves like Teahupo'o when they're anything close to their best. Full breakdown below (he's 6'0" / 80kg):

Air 17 
6'0" x 18 3/4" x 2 3/8" x 28L

FMNII round pin 
6'0 1/2" x 18 3/4" x 2 7/16" x 28.6L
6'2" x 18 3/4" x 2 7/16" x 28.8L
6'3" x 18 3/4" x 2 7/16" x 29.3L
6’4” x 18 3/4” x 2 7/16” x 29.6L

Fred, with some more evidence that playful sized Teahupo'o still has teeth. Photo Ryan Miller

The Portuguese Prince, on his way to "work" in paradise... Fred's quiver details, below (he's 6'1" / 81kg)

Monsta 8
6'0" x 18 7/8" x 2 3/8" x 28.1L

FMNII round pin 
6’1 1/2” x 18 7/8” x 2 7/16” x 29.2L
6’2” x 18 7/8” x 2 7/17” x 29.4
6’4” x 18 7/8” x 2 7/16” x 30L
6'6" x 18 7/8" x 2 1/2" x 30.7L



Sure, he'd shine in the big stuff, but Mikey's got the tube sense to excel at Chopes no matter the size. Photo Ryan Miller

With Mikey getting even leaner in the last few months, his regular Monsta 8 shortboards have all become a fraction thinner to now be 2 5/16", and his FMNIIs 2 3/8". Due to slightly more foam redistributed to the centre for speed and paddle power, but with lower rails to knife into quality waves at high speeds, FMNIIs are usually ridden 1/16" thicker than normal performance boards. Mikey's full quiver details, below (he's 6'0" / 75kg):

Monsta 8
6’0” x 18 3/4” x 2 5/16” x 27.2L

FMNII round pin 
6’0” x 18 3/4” x 2 3/8” x 27.6L
6’2” x 18 3/4” x 2 3/8” x 28.5L
6’4” x 18 3/4” x 2 3/8” x 28.9L
6’6” x 18 3/4” x 2 7/16” x 30.2L

Parko in familiar territory - tropical tubes surrounded by more than a few good fishing options for the lay days. Photo Ryan Miller



While Joel's had a lot of success at barrel-riding events using quad setups, smaller days that mix tubes with turns often call for the versatility and pivot of a thruster. Case in point, this FMNII paired with our JS thruster template, in large. Photo Ryan Miller

Full quiver details, below:

Monsta 8
6'0" x 18 7/8" x 2 3/8" x 28.2L

FMNII round pin 
6'0" x 18 7/8" x 2 7/16" x 28.6L
6'1" x 18 7/8" x 2 7/16" x 29L
6’2” x 18 7/8” x 2 7/17” x 29.4
6’4” x 18 7/8” x 2 7/16” x 30L
6'6" x 18 7/8" x 2 1/2" x 30.7L

Another former Chopes Champ, Jeremy knows exactly what works best for knifing into anything the heaviest wave on tour throws at him. Clip Dane Burnheim

Monsta 8
5’9 1/2” x 18 1/4” x 2 1/4” x 24.6L
5’10 1/2” x 18 1/4” x 2 1/4” x 24.9L

FMNII round pin 
6'0" x 18 1/4" x 2 5/16" x 25.5L
6’1” x 18 1/4" x 2 5/16" x 26L
6’2” x 18 1/4" x 2 5/16" x 26.2L

The year Ace won at Teahupo'o, it was all about getting as deep and critical as possible on whatever opportunity the Pacific offered up. Whether it's this size, or a whole lot scarier, he's in his element. Photo Ryan Miller 

A few more equipment insights from the man himself! Clip Peter King / AwayCo

Monsta 8
5'10" x 18 5/8" x 2 3/8" x 26.5L
5'11" x 18 5/8" x 2 3/8" x 26.9L

FMNII round pin 
5’11” x 18 5/8” x 2 3/8” x 27.1L
6’0” x 18 5/8” x 2 3/8” x 27.5L
6’2” x 18 5/8” x 2 3/8” x 28.2L
6’4” x 18 5/8” x 2 3/8” x 28.8L
6’6” x 18 5/8” x 2 7/16” x 30.1L

The best behind the scenes series in surfing - STAB and Red Bull's No Contest, filmed by our good mate and left tube enthusiast Jacob Wooden.