A Surfboard Stab Loves: Chilli’s Faded 2.0

Goddammit, the boys at Chilli have done it again. 

A few months back, I sampled Chilli’s Volume II and fell head-over-heels in love. It’s the only Chilli I’ve ever ridden, and from the first session it was pure bliss. Responsive, electric, engaged—all the famous buzzwords were realized in an instant. A slight case of tail cancer has limited the board’s lifespan, but they say the good die young. (Plus, what can you expect with a team-lite glass job?)

Following that blockbuster success, Chilli came out with a new model for more substantial surf—they called it the Faded 2.0. While I haven’t personally laid my hands on one of these finely-tuned tube missiles, I know that Stab principal and former Solander regular, Sam McIntosh, was able to snag one for Australia’s exceptional winter run.

He had this to say:

There are those moments when you just know you’re on the right surfboard. You’re not haughty but you know it’s just on you. If you’re in that double overhead, takeoff-on-your-tippy-toes and trying to duck under the lip situation, there really is no better surfboard. The volume allows you to get in early and the pulled tail creates drive. 

Sam, some years ago, making a near-impossible wave look like a backyard stroll. Coincidently, in this photo, he’s riding a long-deceased Chilli step-up that happened to be his favorite of all time. Read about that here.

McIntosh’s words hold weight, but we find that seeing is believing. And there’s no denying the Jay Davies clip above.

The Silverback went fucking bananas on his Faded 2.0 both at home and abroad, reminding us how a man is meant to surf. Heavy, but agile. Like a rugby player who spends his weekends at the ballet.

Jay also confirms Sam’s claims on the technical front, stating that Chilli added more volume through front half of the Faded 2.0—which allows for increased paddle power—while keeping the tail nice and tight for mobility.

And if you needed any further evidence of the 2.0’s efficacy, below is the ultimate discussion ender. A true mic drop in pixel form. 

Here we present 16-year-old Kobi Clements—a former Stab Innocent—who just put all of east coast Aus on notice by paddling this north-of-Sydney bomb on a 6’10 Faded 2.0…while everyone else towed.

Wallhanger? Nah. Wrap your goddamn car with this one, kid. Photo: Fabio Silvestre

Get a Faded 2.0 here.