Spooked Kooks is the brainchild of 3 surfing friends based in Bondi (the foamie mecca of Australia), a range of high performing and high quality soft tops made with a large proportion of post consumer recycled plastic. They started the company with a mission to make the best performing and most durable softboards containing as much recycled plastic waste as possible.
With the slogans; “No Hard Feelings” and “Soft tops that don’t cost the Earth”, surfboard models such as the Dead Hippie and Frankenfish, really nice pastel colours and unique logos for each board model, Spooked Kooks is a really fun brand made all the more special with their environmental ethos at the heart of their business. These guys are having an impact in this space and I believe (and hope) a lot of foamie brands (and surf brands in general) will start following suit.
While a number of brands are marketing their boards as sustainable because they can be recycled at the end of their lifetime (Album Surf, Almond surfboards and Formula Fun), Spooked Kooks are taking it much further by making their boards from recycled waste in the first place.
Our Spooked Kooks review will look at what goes into the construction of their softboards and how they utilise recycled plastic waste. Following that we will dive into a look at each of the foamie surfboard models within the Spooked Kooks surfboards range.
Spooked Kooks surfboards construction
Features
- Reinforced EPS Foam Core
- Double Stringer (Paulownia Wood)
- 6 oz fiberglass & epoxy layer wrap around the Core for added strength and stiffness
- 8LB PE Deck
- HDPE Slick – 100% Recycled Plastic
- Removable Fin System (Fins and Fin Key Included) – 100% Recycled Plastic which work with FCS 1 and FCS 2 fins.
- All boards have a heat treatment in a vacuum sealed lamination process for solid fusion between the layers to prevent delaminations from occurring.
Recycled Plastic Waste
Currently, the recycled plastic used in Spooked Kooks surfboards is collected from coastal communities in the Philippines and converted into molds.
The local communities get money for collecting the plastics, so for a place like the Philippines with no waste infrastructure, the premise makes a lot of sense. The country is one of the biggest sources of ocean plastics in the world and may of the neighbouring South East Asian countries are the same, giving even greater reason for the launch of more initiatives like this.
Surfboards for Social & Environmental Change
Spooked Kooks have partnered with Plastic Bank and GromNation, two not for profit organisations. Plastic Bank is attempting to create a currency in plastic waste and improve the lives of people living within impoverished communities inundated with plastic waste by paying those people to assist in the collection and processing of that waste.
GromNation work to improve the lives of children in Siargao Island, Philippines. Children are incentivised to attend classes run by GromNation in return for surf lessons and access to GromNation’s collection of surfboards.
1. Dead Hippie 7’0″ & 8’0″
The Spooked Kooks Dead Hippie is a user friendly mid-length soft top designed with plenty of width and volume so it’s easy to paddle, to get into waves and to stand up on.
Check out our detailed review from beginner Lucas of the Dead Hippie 8’0″ here.
Sizes: 7’0” x 22” x 2 7/8” (53L)
8’0” x 22 1/2” x 3” (66L)
Who is the Dead Hippie suited to:
This board is suited to all skill levels. It’s ideal for beginners but also for more advanced surfers who want a fun wave catching option for smaller days or crowded breaks.
The 7 ft is a bit more versatile and maneuverable and good for waves from 1-4 ft. The 8 ft Dead Hippie is better suited to waves from 1-3 ft.
User FEEDBACK:
They’re a little bit more refined – not as chunky and fat as other types of learner softboards, so you can still do a turn on them and you can do a cutback on them – it’s probably as close as you’ll get to a fibreglass board.
I’m a beginner and this board is great fun to use and easy to get up on. I have no fear of the board getting damaged or hurting me when I fall off and it is usable in any surf. Definitely worth the money considering the minimal environmental impact it has.
Super fun board.. easy paddling gets heaps of speed in small waves and on fat high tide waves the DH flys through flat sections & turns were you want to put it…Perfect summer shred sled.
Really nice board to use. A lot of volume. Efficient delivery etc. Pity there was so much plastic packing but I guess all boards are sent that way. Hope SK make a 6ft6in. Would recommend the boards without reservation assuming you can afford to pay a little more. well done SK!! Hope you can use even more recycled material
Love this board, well made and really good shape.
2. Frankenfish 5’8″
The Spooked Kooks Frankenfish is a retro fish shape with plenty of width and volume at the chest for glide and a swallow tail.
It comes with a quad fin setup but can be ridden as a classic twin fin.
Size: 5’8” x 21” x 2 9/16” (36L)
Who’s the Frankenfish suited to:
This board is suited to all levels but probably best for intermediate to advanced surfers. A learner is going to have a bit of trouble with the relatively short length and looseness when compared to say the Dead Hippie.
The quad-fin set up provides plenty of drive and glide and refined rails give it some real performance factor.
Ideally suited best for waves in the 2-4 ft region with some down-the-line form.
User FEEDBACK:
- I bought this as a xmas gift for my daughter. She’s an advanced surfer and just loves this addition to her quiver. It’s her new travel companion. I chose you’re brand for the recycling/ sustainability elements and because it’s a great shaped board available in lovely colours.
- Great board. Feels really stiff for a foamie which is really nice. Lots of volume in the chest helps paddling power.
Absolutely love the board.
It’s so much fun. Just surf it in any conditions. You won’t regret it
Fun times every day on this weapon!
3. Batrat 4’11”
The Spooked Kooks Batrat is a tiny twin-finned foamie with bat tail for control and drive. With a wide mini simmons style shape it has a decent amount of volume for its size.
Size: 4’11” x 21 3/8” x 2 3/8” (29L)
Who’s the Batrat suited to?: Ideally as a kids board or for a lightweight shredder.
Best for shorebreaks and beachbreaks in the 1-3 ft range.
4. Dagger 6’0″
The Spooked Kooks Dagger is a high performance foamie surfboard for the average to advanced surfer that will excel in a variety of conditions from smaller waves to decent sized surf.
Size: 6’0” x 20 3/4” x 2 7/8” (39L)
Who is the Dagger suited to: Ideally an intermediate to advanced surfer. Learners would do better finding a fuller shape to start off on.
Ideal waves for this board are between 2-6 foot waves with a decent amount of power.
User FEEDBACK:
Absolutely amazing board. I just transitioned from 7’2 epoxy to this guy and have taken it out about 4 times now. It handles really nice, and can jump on loads of different sized waves.I cannot recommend it enough, I would be riding it all day everyday if i didn’t have a job!
5. Tomby 5’6″
The Spooked Kooks Tomby (Tombstone) is super fun, fast and loose.
With a wide and full template, and good volume this board is easy to paddle and provides good stability for its short length.
Size: 5’6” x 21 1/4” x 2 3/8” (33L)
Who is the Tomby best suited to: Ideal for kids/youth or for intermediate to advanced adult surfers.
In terms of waves this board goes well in 1-4 ft beach breaks.
Thanks for reading the Spooked Kooks Review! As always, please feel free to leave a comment or get in touch via the our email address shown on the very bottom of this page.
Happy surfing!
