‘It Put Me In A Blissful Stupor Usually Available Only To Those Who Have Had 30 Cups Of Kava’

Editor’s note: Sam Zubevich is the second Australian winner of the Db x Stab giveaway. Sam received his Db x Stab gear in the nick of time before heading to Fiji. For his review, he took a punchy, time stamped approach which reflects the vast superiority of the product range. – Ethan Davis

Palm Beach, QLD. 4:35pm, March 13^th. I open a box from STAB and begin to love this boardbag before even unrolling it. Surely, anything in this particularly bulky class of luggage that can comfortably transport three surfboards, yet comes to you neatly rolled up, is already well ahead of the competition. 

Palm Beach, QLD, 4:37pm March 13^th. Two minutes later – it’s completely unfurled and ready to be packed for a week in Fiji. Further inspection confirms my initial hunch – this board bag blows it’s competitors out of the water. My roommate and I felt that this sleek Norwegian vessel had instantly backdated every other large boardbag — similar to how Tesla just made the rest of the automobile industry look like a horse and cart. 

And let’s be transparent, I drive a V8 turbo diesel Landcruiser Troopcarrier – Tesla’s inverse both in terms of polarity and technological prowess. For now at least it can take me places that most Teslas cannot, until Elon brings the CyberTruck down under. The same cannot be said of this Db stallion that feels as if it could follow me around the world for the next decade.

Brisbane International, QLD. 8:52am, March 14^th. Unload my luggage and our group’s five other various boardbags from the back of the Troopy as we prepare to disembark. The subtle Db handles, protective padding and rigid walls elicit some not-so-subtle murmurs of jealousy from the rest of our party. The Fiji Airways hostess yells Bula and we check in via oversize, the tropics are so close we almost opt for beers instead of coffee with breakfast. 

Waidroka Bay Resort, Fiji. 5:47am, March 15^th. Anticipation wakes us just before dawn to get ready for the first boat ride out to the closest reefs. Relieved but not surprised to see that all three sleds have arrived completely clean and unscathed. Further bonus points to Db for the included board sock that keeps my chosen shooter clean during a day on the boat with a dozen other boards and excessive amounts of sun, zinc and half melted wax. 

Waidroka Bay Resort, Fiji. 6:22pm, March 20^th. Our last evening. We each drink a cold Vonu in the lineup before heading in for a Fijian Bobo massage and seared Mahi Mahi. I return the quiver to their Db safe haven and sink into a blissful stupor usually available only to those who have had 30 cups of kava. I’ve only had 12 cups, so I put the state of happiness down to the peace of mind gained from transporting valuables in the classiest functional luggage you’ll ever lay eyes on. 

Well that and experience-based life choices, but mostly the boardbag.