When you step on this surfboard, you may feel like it is riding on steroids. It will be your versatile choice on low to medium waves.
Positive sides of Hypto Crypto:
- capable of very fast trips on small waves, suitable even for inexperienced sportsmen;
- behaves well in steep and hollow conditions;
- there are variants with large volumes, in which they still quickly pick up speed.
Negative sides of Hypto Crypto:
- too light construction, which is difficult to operate on the water.
Best Wave Type for Hypto Crypto: Crypto is suitable to chest height, feels great in beach conditions on the shore, but if handled correctly, you can even ride well in Indonesia.
Hypto Crypto surfboard belongs to the genus of fish, which says a lot about how exactly you need to ride it and where.
One of the most significant events in the history of surfing was the “shortboard revolution” that took place in the 60s and 70s of the XX century.
In addition to making surfing accessible to more people by mass-produced surfboards and modern materials, the modern design of shortboards has opened up entirely new possibilities for riders.
Lightweight, short and thin surfboards have led to increasingly sophisticated tricks and maneuvers and added entertainment to surfing, making professional surfing more appealing and giving a boost to the industry.
But in those same years, there were people who, despite all the excitement around newfangled short surfboards, were of the opinion that surfing is not only a sport with the motto “faster, higher, stronger”, but also an endless source of joy and fun from contact with the ocean …
And to make communication with the elements more accessible and fun, a surfboard design different from a professional one is required. And nowadays most surfers smile at the word fish.
The first fish appeared in 1967 in the garage of Hawaiian surfer Steve Lis and was a kneeboard, i.e. kneeling surfboard.
Nevertheless, the advantages of the design, especially on small and low-quality waves, were quickly appreciated, over time, the length of the surfboard increased, and it became one of the most popular models of surfboards.
The distinctive Hypto Crypto pairs are:
- bifurcated tail, which is also sometimes called “dovetail”;
- large width and volumetric rails;
- low, unlike the classic shortboard, rocker;
- in classic fish models, there are usually two finals, which makes the surfboard very fast even on weak waves and adds drive to it. Now in surf shops you can find Crypto with different sets of fins, from stable, but slower thrusters, to quads, which allow you to catch even large and sharp waves on such surfboards and make them as versatile as possible.
The main advantage of the new surfboard design is the ability to surf in the absence of a large swell. The extra volume makes rowing much easier and allows you to catch small waves.
The wide width of the surfboard gave rise to a special classic style of fishing on fish, which now can be safely called “old school”: wide rails did not allow making sharp turns, so surfers used wide arcs and amplitude carving for acceleration on old fish.
Over time, the design advantages became so obvious that the first hybrid surfboards began to appear, narrower, with a pointed nose and a higher rocker, but still the same voluminous and characteristic of a fish tail.
So to the ability to catch more waves, a whole arsenal of shortboarders’ tricks was added.
The legendary Tom Curren, who used such a surfboard during his performances on a professional tour in the early 2000s in Osgaard, put an end to the fish’s reputation as an exclusively fun surfboard.
Now the trend of mixing different designs has gone even further and now you can see the characteristic dovetail on a wide variety of surfboard models.
Thanks to the use of super-dense modern foam, the advantages of the Hypto were also added to the fact that it became an order of magnitude shorter than any high-performance shortboard and allows you to catch a variety of waves, from a very tiny short break to a significant overhead, while performing absolutely all classic and new tricks….
Hypto is the perfect choice for you if:
- you surf mostly on small waves (2-3 feet to small overhead);
- you are just starting to switch to surfing on short Hypto Cryptos;
- if you surf irregularly and want to come to the ocean, immediately catch waves on a short Hypto Crypto ;
- if you like the retro style of surfing.
In 2015, director Joseph Ryan unveiled a new work at the London Surfing Film Festival that tells the story of iconic design.
In addition to spectacular surfing, the film features interviews with Crypto creators and renowned design aficionados such as Rob Machado, Dave Rastovich, Dan Malloy and Mark Richards.
There are about a dozen types of Hypto surfboards, each with its own unique characteristics.
But even if you don’t understand surfboards at all, the Hypto Crypto fishboard is visually recognizable from the first second. After all, he, whatever one may say, really looks like a fish, with a pointed nose and a typical tail. This “fish” also has fins, only not on the sides, but in the tail of the surfboard.
Fishboard (from English fish – fish, board – surfboard ) is essentially a modification of the shortboard aimed at the non-professional audience.
In other words, if your boarding skills are far from ideal, but the pirouettes of surf stars do not allow you to sleep peacefully, it is most logical to start realizing your ambitions with the Hypto.
Distinctive features of Hypto surfboards: short length, pointed or rounded nose and necessarily a forked tail. It is this tail that makes Hypto Crypto fishboards a special category of surfboards.
The history of Hypto Crypto fishboards is small and has only a couple of decades. In the early 1990s, the surfing world is experiencing a real boom in innovation, when designers come up with hundreds and thousands of new forms of surfboards, sometimes breathtaking outlines.
Outlandish polymeric materials and the latest achievements of the chemical industry are used.
Most of the models have sunk into oblivion, unable to withstand the competition, but real glory was destined for fishboards.
Now the Hypto Crypto fishboard has firmly taken the third place in sales, behind only the legendary shortboards and classic longboards. Currently, there are at least 200 variants of Hypto Crypto shapes, i.e. this is the most “designer” type of Crypto boards!
The length of the “fish” is comparable to a standard shortboard or even shorter than that. It usually ranges from 4.8 to 6 feet.
The average width is between 20 and 25 inches, which is why a Hypto Crypto fishboard always looks more massive and wider than a shortboard.
The large surface area has a positive effect on the stability of the surfboard without compromising its maneuverability. The fish is slightly thicker than other surfboards.
The distribution of the maximum width can be different: in the central part or closer to the nose of the surfboard. In the latter case, the Crypto looks more like a prehistoric trilobite rather than a fish.
The rocker is flat, without bends, as smooth as possible. The tail part of Crypto is equipped with a pair or triple of fins, but their number can be up to five.
The main feature of the Hypto is the tail of a special shape.
Currently, there are 3 main types of tail in Hypto:
- The classic forked tail in Crypto(in English swallowtail, ie “swallow’s tail”), wide and with a deep cut, appeared at the dawn of fish creation. Its main function is to reduce the effort required to row, which makes the surfboard fast on low waves and makes it easier to get into the starting position. This tail is ideal for beginners. If on the edges of the Crypto board, adjacent to the tail, there are two characteristic wing-like protrusions, such models are usually described by the word wind (from the English “wing”) and allocated to a special category. The purpose of these protrusions is trick.
- The second type of tail in Hypto – the so-called baby swallowtail – is sharpened for maneuvers in medium and large waves. The design is similar to the classic forked tail, but its size itself is one and a half – two times smaller.
- There is also a battail (bat tail), the configuration of which is not concave, but convex. This makes the surfboard as stable as possible on any wave, and in combination with a well-chosen set of fins allows you to perform a full range of surfing tricks. Battail is the epitome of avant-garde surfboard design today.
The tail cut into the body of the Hypto surfboard itself can be either symbolic (by a third of an inch) or very deep – up to 5-6 inches, and in the case of the battail, it is basically absent (i.e. the surfboard is convex along the entire contour).
The character of the tail cut is more determined by the uniqueness of the design than by the practicality.
The main advantage of the Hypto Crypto fishboard is that it has incorporated all the best qualities of a professional shortboard, but remained easy to operate and thus accessible to inexperienced athletes.
Hypto is the perfect surfboard for practicing tricks, and for the first try to get fired in front of the audience on the spot. Tricks such as a sharp turn or spin on the surfboard are especially easy to do.
The main disadvantage of a Hypto Crypto fishboard is that it is definitely not a beginner’s surfboard. Raking waves, going live-ups, catching small waves are all a challenge for a surfer who is on a Crypto.
Although we emphasize that the Hypto in this regard is still much more convenient than the classic short surfboard. And every professional in the garage will find at least 2-3 “fish” among the shiny shortboards.
Due to its short length, the Crypto is completely unsuitable for control in a prone position, since it simply goes under the water under the weight of the surfer’s body.
To summarize, a Hypto Crypto fishboard is a great intermediate option between long and shortboards.
Since there are no two identical waves, the Hypto Crypto fishboard always remains in demand on the spot.
If you are a professional surfer, then the extra Hypto in the collection will not hurt you. And if only on the way to universal glory, then even more so, because this surfboard, being relatively simple to operate, is sharpened for most of the surfer’s tricks.
Best waves for fish surfboard
Where can you find small waves for Crypto board?
The Indonesian island of Bali is a mecca for surfers from all over the world. They ride here all year round, there are always waves for beginners.
Summer is from December to March. At this time it is humid, it rains every night, big waves are rare, the daytime air temperature is + 30 … 34, the water is warm. Winter is from May to October. Dry, no rain, great waves, daytime air temperature + 27 … 30, cool water, you may need a wetsuit. November and April are transitional months.
The whole island of Bali is imbued with the spirit of surfing, there are over 30 cool spots. Everywhere you look, surf shops, schools, rental stations.
Those wishing to start training are welcome at Kuta Beach. The ocean has a sandy bottom, and there is no risk of injury from rocks.
There are 3 Russian surf schools at the disposal of beginners. One group lesson with an instructor, for example, at Endless Summer, will cost $ 50 (2 hours in the ocean).
The price includes not only instructions from the instructor, but also transfer from the hotel to the spot, rental of surf clothes and a surfboard for the whole day, photo analysis of the lesson, sports insurance.
Kutyat on crazy Kuta all night long. After sunset, you can hang out with surf legends from Australia and other countries, listen to exciting tales about the ocean, club music, reggae, live rock performed by Indonesian bands.
Surfing in Bali can be combined with sightseeing and yoga. You can stay not in a hotel and go to school, but head headlong into a surf camp, where daily surfing is already included in the price of accommodation, and every day you will be taken to different spots.
Also pay attention to Hikkaduwa. It is a small town on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka and also the most popular surfing spot on the island.
The skiing season here is in winter – from November to April, when the daytime air temperature is +30, the water is warm, the waves are very different, for beginners and for surf maniacs.
On New Year’s Eve, the Surf Discovery School from Bali often arranges an offsite camp in Hikkaduwa.
From May to October, surfers move to the east and north-east coast of the island. For example, on Arugam Bay. You won’t be able to stay in a hotel here, because they simply do not exist. Only in a thatched-roof guesthouse.
Because Hikkaduwa is also famous for its rich marine fauna and excellent diving conditions, local spots are dangerous because of the corals.
Beach Break with a sandy bottom is suitable for beginners. Or it is worth going 50 km to the south – to Weligama, where there is also sand, but there is no such party and entertainment. But with the waves everything is O.K.
There are about 12 skiing spots on Hikkaduwa and towards the south. A truly iconic place is Kabalana.
There are plenty of surf schools and equipment rental points in Hikkaduwa.
$ 3 an hour – and the Hypto board is under your arm. $ 20 – a lesson with an instructor, and after that they can also give a Crypto board for an hour, free of charge.
Unfortunately, you will not find Russian-speaking instructors here. Sprechen English at least a little?
Due to the influx of tourists, Hikkaduwa has a well-developed infrastructure – many hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants with free wi-fi. Surfing is easily combined with diving and snorkeling.
In addition to fish and marine life, you can see ships overgrown with corals that sank a century ago.
Next to the Hikkaduwa coral reef, there are large sea turtles. When you feed them, be careful not to bite your finger off.
Also don’t forget about Agadir. If in Hikkaduwa the surfer has nothing to do in summer, then Morocco in the summer months is ideal for beginners.
Although, it is worth noting that the largest waves run on the coast from October to April, especially during the winter months.
Surfers from all over the world go for a ride to the resort of Agadir and its surroundings, a paradise by the Atlantic Ocean, where kilometers of wide beaches and several surf schools.
In the small village of Tamrat, 10 km from Agadir, there is a surf camp and surfing school Surf Town Morocco.
Nearby are the best skiing spots in the country, famous spots for beginners and middles with smooth, even waves – Banana, Devil’s Rock, Cro-Cro, as well as spots for professional athletes with swirling waves – Anchor, Killer Point, etc.
A wide selection of spots allows find the right wave based on your skills.
Surf Town Morocco is a breeze from your hotel. One day of training will cost about 50 €, a week will cost 230 €.
The price of each day includes transfer from school to the beach, rental of an individually selected board and wetsuit, warm-up before workout, 4-5 hours of training with an instructor, lunch on the beach.
You can choose the option with accommodation directly in the camp. In this case, full board with training (without flight) will cost about 400 €.
