The Continuing Tale Of The 5’4 Hypto Krypto In Waves Of Consequence

In 2016, Craig Anderson rode a 5’4 Hypto Krypto in bombing Kandui. The result? The surf photo of the year. It ran on the cover of The Surfer’s Journal and across scrolling thumbs of surf enthusiasts globally. It raised the question: How versatile is Haydenshapes best selling blade?

Since then, the Hypto Krypto has suffered flack from the so-called core. As Hayden’s run a pretty penny, the Hypto is now seen in parking lots, toted by tech-savvy surfers with a decent paycheck and a tenuous grasp on surfing. This is because the boards are easy to ride. They’re forgiving, fun. And, a lot of times, there scaled up to 7’0 and 46 liters. A kook board became the Hypto’s label.

The undisputed surf photo of 2016.

Despite that, as has been proven again, they work in literally any sort of condition. From knee high slop to double overhead tubes. It’s in the volume and the pulled in tail.

This morning, filmmaker Taylor Curran slid this Vimeo link starring Jake Kelley across our desk and our heads went straight back that notorious Kandui session from 2016. It’s oxygen in the furnace of why Hayden Cox’s teardrop shape should not be ignored.

“The Hypto Krypto just offers a different feeling when the waves cranking,” Jake tells Stab on the board’s versatility. “It’s really easy to paddle and get into waves but once you are on it, the board holds just as good as a step up and feels faster. The wide nose and pulled in tail make it travel smoothly through the barrel.”

For the record, Jake is 5’10, 150lbs.

Hit play above.