Black Diamond

Rupert · Age: 43 · Height: 179 cm · Weight: 73 kg · Skill: Competent · 19 May 2021

Have been surfing 2 1/2 years and bought this after last having a slightly bigger fish. Still catches waves really easily even small stuff but takes steeper drops much better. Fast and good speed with lots of drive. I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s given me more confidence in slightly bigger faster waves. Really progressed my surfing.

Peter · Age: 57 · Height: 183 cm · Weight: 93 kg · Skill: Advanced · 31 Jan 2021

My surfing has improved out of sight with this board .My Flow speed and turns feels so much better, it’s been a great addition to my Quiver.

Ryan · Age: 28 · Height: 183 cm · Weight: 90 kg · Skill: Advanced · 29 Jan 2021

Great small wave board, very skatey with lots of tail release when you want it. I didn’t like it as a quad. Some suggest going for a quad when it gets bigger but you’re not wanting to ride this board above head height anyway.

luke · Age: 29 · Height: 194 cm · Weight: 93 kg · Skill: Competent · 26 Jan 2021

Real happy with the board. Paddles easy and is quite mobile when turning down the line. I’m a tall guy and would recommend it to others. It’s Definitely an all rounder, works in the 1ft to 5ft range. Worth the money.

Stewart · Age: 40 · Height: 187 cm · Weight: 92 kg · Skill: Beginner · 18 Jan 2021

First short board after a 10yr break from surfing and boy am I happy with my choice. This has been a great confidence builder and would recommend to anyone getting their first short board. Found it best in waist to chest high but still can have fun on chopped up shories if conditions are sub par.

Brad · Age: 50 · Height: 195 cm · Weight: 106 kg · Skill: Experienced · 16 Jan 2021

Great all round board. Excellent volume under chest for paddling into waves. Low rocker provides speed but still very good manoeuvrability. Mainly use in 3-4 foot surf but was also brilliant in double overhead Indo. Was told this was a good alternative to the Hypto Krypto as a versatile board. That it has been!

Jon · Age: 22 · Height: 188 cm · Weight: 87 kg · Skill: Advanced · 6 Nov 2020

First chance I got to surf my 5'11 BD was luckily pumping, hollow 3-5 foot shorebreak with rare bomb sets. First thing I noticed was the great paddle power. The volume under the chest makes this thing paddle like a log. You can get around a lineup or go to battle with a big current far more successfully than a normal shortboard of the same volume. Performance wise the board holds very well in forehand & backhand barrels. You can trust it on a late drop which is very important, it's stable and makes you feel in control of even solid unruley waves. Fell out of the sky into strong offshore wind 2 times on my first surf, on waves that I didn't really want to eat it on, but it connected on the way down superbly, and ended up making both drops. Much to the credit of the really well shaped pulled in rails & double concave at the tail. It's stable in critical takeoffs and forgiving / very under control when you're at speed. It lacks acceleration in smaller surf, it doesn't want to shoot out when you take off down the line or accelerate out of turns unless you've got a steep pocket, so it's not ideal for slop. But it's still "ridable" in any conditions 2-6 ft. Personally I think it's best in 3-5 ft average and better surf, making it super versatile and relevant most days. Not quite the one board quiver, but it'll still be my go to when it's 4ft, glassy, clean and steep. I've only ridden it with a couple of thruster setups so far but I am very exctited to try it as a quad. I think the shape will compliment 4 fins very well..

Cyril · Age: 43 · Height: 177 cm · Weight: 73 kg · Skill: Competent · 13 Oct 2020

The Black Diamond is an excellent all-rounder. It has the right area and volume under the chest but not much in the tail, making it great to manoeuvre. It paddles exceptionally well and is fast off the front foot. This board is easy to ride, gets you lots of speed. It's a take-everwhere board. I had the chance to get my board directly shaped by Darren himself, so it makes that board even extra special for me. I love this board so much that I bought a second one in epoxy this time.

stuart · Age: 54 · Height: 174 cm · Weight: 74 kg · Skill: Experienced · 6 Oct 2020

A great board that handles powerful sucky waves and mellower walls. extra volume gets you in nice and early and feels positive with plenty of drive into turns. A real confidence booster when things do start to get critical. If you cant get in as regular this board is a great paddler and very forgiving.

John · Age: 34 · Height: 172 cm · Weight: 77 kg · Skill: Competent · 5 Oct 2020

Bought this at 6’4” as my first “short board” after learning on a 7’6” mini mal. Great first board to size down on. Paddles well but still feels more like a shortboard compared to the mini mal

Craig · Age: 50 · Height: 175 cm · Weight: 90 kg · Skill: Experienced · 13 Aug 2020

Set mine up as a quad. Easy to paddle, picks up waves nicely, gets up and goes down the line, nice and quick with forward foot placement, move back on the tail and it snaps around. Great overall performance. Very forgiving.

Brad · Age: 50 · Height: 195 cm · Weight: 106 kg · Skill: Experienced · 4 Aug 2020

I’m a tall bloke over 100kg. Have surfed all my life but wanted a versatile board with volume for a range of conditions . The DHD Black Diamond has been great in medium sized surf but also in larger Indo swell. It’s probably DHDs answer to the HyptoKrypto. Great all round board to have in quiver !

Hu · Age: 44 · Height: 165 cm · Weight: 65 kg · Skill: Beginner · 30 May 2020

Excellent board for paddling power and manoeuvres. Ideal board from beginner through to advanced. Good for knee high waves and above. If you only have one board to travel this is the go to board which suits most conditions. Get one now and have fun!!

Hugo · Age: 29 · Height: 198 cm · Weight: 140 kg · Skill: Competent · 20 May 2020

Great versatile board with lots of volume and paddle power for a bigger surfer. Flat Rocker can make it a bit challenging for steeper take offs and can lacks a bit of move ability of a more performance board, but I’m no Kelly slater so it’s still a really fun board. A very good choice for someone who wants to transition from longboard to short board.

Callum · Age: 33 · Height: 179 cm · Weight: 91 kg · Skill: Experienced · 21 Nov 2019

Super fun board, being on the heavy side the extra volume works very well. but will still perform when you throw it around. Great summer board but also handles bigger waves no problem, a great all rounder.

EBEN · Age: 27 · Height: 185 cm · Weight: 82 kg · Skill: Experienced · 7 Nov 2019

It goes extremely well! It's easily the best board I've ever had and it has made my confidence go through the roof since I started surfing it a month or so ago. Goes really well in heavy beach breaks, reefs, points and also handles the small fuller waves with ease. I'm so happy with the purchase!

Glenn · Age: 52 · Height: 178 cm · Weight: 83 kg · Skill: Experienced · 7 Nov 2019

The board performs really well and I am extremely happy with it. I have found the rocker to be a little flat on steep takeoffs, especially with the board tending to take off late on smaller waves. There is no issue on bigger waves as they have the power to propel the board more for a sooner takeoff. The board turns well but is a little sluggish compared to my narrower and thinner boards but I expected that and am happy with it.

Dave · Age: 54 · Height: 5'11" cm · Weight: 180 kg · Skill: Competent · 6 Nov 2019

This is now my go to board for almost all conditions.

Charlie · Age: 53 · Height: 183 cm · Weight: 79 kg · Skill: Competent · 6 Nov 2019

Super fast and really manoeuvrable. As a 50+ year old surfer, this is a great shorter board for me.

Stuart · Age: 22 · Height: 178 cm · Weight: 78 kg · Skill: Competent · 6 Nov 2019

My Black Diamond goes great in all kinds of condiitons. Easy to paddle and gets into waves early. I've taken it out in some solid 4-6ft beach breaks and it really comes to life. I especially like riding it as a quad for the steeper/more hollow stuff. The added volume gets it across flat and mushy sections easily as well. Definately recommend it as an all rounder or for someone who wants more of a short board type outline

Simon · Age: 24 · Height: 180 cm · Weight: 85 kg · Skill: Competent · 6 Nov 2019

Very well balanced board.