Stab Recommends: The Chilli Volume II

There are few surfers in the world more qualified to head up the R&D process on a “small wave performance board” than Mitch Coleborn.

Think about it. Mitch came whipping onto the scene as one of Kai Neville’s Modern Collectors, and since then he’s spent a fair chunk of his time slogging it out with surfers of a far lesser calibre, in waves of a far lesser calibre than his aptitude deserves, on the dreaded World Qualifying Tour. Whilst it mightn’t have done much for Mitch’s love of surfing beachbreaks, it’s resulted in one hell of an everyday utility craft: the Chilli Volume II.

Gorgeous ducks, all in a row.

The Volume II is tailor-made to add as much spice as possible to your everyday surfing. Not many of us are lucky enough to live in the vicinity of quality waves that break often, so it’s beachbreak mush that occupies the majority of our water time—especially this time of year on the east coast of Australia. When you see a good surfer on a magic craft in slop it never ceases to impress, and that’s exactly what the Volume II is designed to be: a weapon to counteract the surfing doldrums. 

Volume II, flight tested.

Now for those concerned with the details, let’s get technical. Chilli’s Volume II features a single concave starting 12 cm from the nose and continuing all the way to just north of the side fins. There’s a hint of a double concave through said fins that finishes off with a single exit tail. In layman’s terms, it’s built to go like a bat outta mushy hell, even in the most meagre of conditions; the double concave offering the accomplished surfer the ability to release the tail and slide in the pocket, or off the coping if the opportunity presents itself. For the slightly less courageous pilot, the Volume II will go fast and turn on a dime, and Chilli are quick to point out that their new raft is inclusive (in true ’19 fashion), and aimed at the intermediate surfer all the way up to those who flare like Mitch. 

Truly a thing of beauty.

Perhaps the Volume II’s most significant factor is hidden it its namesake. You’ll often find Chills under the feet of Stab‘s more accomplished surfers (Joyride coming soon-ish), and the most common trait we hear is that they catch more waves than they’re entitled to. Chili’s a master at volume distribution, and therein lies the key to surfing success: it doesn’t matter how loose your fins or how tight your arc—if you’re knife’s too bladey to scratch into every lump slithering through, you’re gonna have a bad time. And the Volume II (among other previously mentioned and more technical attributes) features a sweet spot of volume just under the chest for maximum paddle power. Finding a craft that’ll get you into anything, trim at warp speed and loosen in the pocket is not an easy quest, but if you’re after an everyday board to breathe life into your surfing, then Chilli’s Volume II may just be exactly what you’re looking for.

Scoop up your next dream craft here.