Stealth Bodyboards epitomise the great times you can have bodyboarding. Whether it’s having fun at your friendly beachie or out in the wilderness braving pitching death, Stealth gear is there for you.
Designed by a bunch of crazy characters, one theme is consistent, their dedication to bodyboarding. If you haven’t already, try Stealth and put a dose of hard core bodyboarding into your life.
For 2021
Stealth products have seen refinement. Adding to great existing functionality, new looks and styles lift your bodyboarding experience. The Stealth S1 fin has been enhanced with the Supreme model. The Supreme brings multi colour highlights to the S1 that make your fins really pop. No features have been removed and the Supreme still includes 100% Malaysian rubber, the high propulsion curved asymmetrical blade, and classic circle drainage system.
The classic S1 fin makeover with the Supreme model features colour combinations that add pop
The high end bodyboard range continues to impress. The newly released Zero Slot Hull Channel model fulfills a wish list of wanted features. The name Hull Channel comes from the massive single concave running through the board. As Stealth say, “This bottom contour is based on the theory of a “planing hull” which as the name suggests, gets you planing earlier and easier, giving exceptional down the line speed off the weakest of sections.” The concave is shaped into the foam core using the high fidelity AKU system. The board incorporates Kinetic PP foam, S10 stringer and Slick Mesh for absolute refinement of the flex characteristics. To give added control the Vax Trax rails are added to the 55/45 rail design, and high quality Surlyn is used for the slick.
Stealth’s high end range continues to deliver elite performance. The latest model the Zero Slot Hull Channel has a single concave implemented into the core with the high fidelity AKU system
If you travel and miss being able to bodyboard Stealth continues to deliver the most comprehensive range of go anywhere boards. The Plugga is the smallest board, in fact it’s a hand plane for bodysurfing. What sets it apart is that it’s a full mini bodyboard with foam core, IXPLE upper surface, and mesh infused HD slick. Next up in size is the Midget. Easily able to be carried with your backpack this is a mini board. The Chico at 30″ is still small enough to travel and surfing anywhere and also a great bodyboard for Groms.
Above, do you travel? Stealth has the most comprehensive range of mini-boards so you can bodyboard everywhere you go. Below, know a bodyboarder who’s go everything? Bet they haven’t got these – the Stealth Tank Bag and styling poncho
Stealth Approach
Having fun at your friendly beachie, above. Facing pitching death in the wilderness, below. Stealth is there for you. Check the size of the bodyboarder in the left image below
Most of the Stealth range follows a straight forward progression. So from their entry level to advanced models you get improving materials and designs proven to give you great surfing. At that higher end Stealth give you the option to delve into the world of their Pro riders and experience their personal designs.
An eclectic Stealth team give you boards with unique fantastic performance characteristics. From mates having an arvo lemonade to the deep sea diver welding with his left hand, all part of the Stealth family
With names like The Bearded Lady and El Gringo, each board is the dream-child of a Team rider. So each gives you unique ride characteristics to progress your bodyboarding into a whole new world.
Stealth Bodyboards Principles
Despite it, or because of it, Stealth’s marketing craziness belies the hard core bodyboarding experience you get
As crazy as some of their marketing may seem, Stealth products are founded on proven materials and principles. So with board templates, through to rail, tail and rocker designs you get what’s proven, what’s given success to their Team.
Stealth gives attention to principles that work and proven designs so you get a great foundation to your bodyboarding
Stealth Bodyboards Innovative Foam Cores
Internally, foam cores, stringers and mesh are innovatively combined. So you get the latest tech to push the boundaries of your surfing.
Utilising the best of what’s available and innovating is part of Stealth’s feature set. PE, NRG, PP, Kinetic and hybrid foam core options all give you different performance options
An example of this approach is Stealth’s Tension Tech Cores. Here various proven foams such as PE, PP and NRG, each known for its unique flex characteristics, are combined. They’re sandwiched between a top layer of mesh and XLPP, a denser foam. This blend brings out each foam’s best features. So whether it’s flex for carving, stiffness for drive, or a balance for all round bodyboarding, you get the best performance.
Stealth Bodyboards Stringer & Mesh Combinations
Stringers and mesh in combinations that work. The last image shows the ISS, interchangeable stringer system so you can change flex as needed
Similarly in the use of stringers and mesh, Stealth has a clear strategy on how to give you the best performance. Whether it’s a single stringer to triple stringer, top and bottom mesh, Stealth use proven combinations so your performance is maximised.
Stealth innovation includes the V-Trax rail system. In a complete reversal the rail design angles in instead of out. So you get added speed along with control, especially good for powerful conditions
Once the foam is chosen for a model the core goes through a CNC process. This means the shape undergoes a computer controlled cut. So every board is true to its design intent and can have advanced features previously unavailable such as AKU Shaper system features incorporated.
Stealth Bodyboards Models
Entry level models include the Chico up to the C4 that includes Quad channels and mesh infused slick. 7 models under $100, a total of 10 models under $150, so Beginners get a great selection
Stealth has a wealth of models from entry level EPS boards to elite Pro signature boards. At the entry level Stealth offer 7 models under the hundred dollar mark, and a total of ten under one hundred and fifty dollars. This includes their C4 model with advanced features like Quad channels and a mesh infused HD slick.
These entry models use EPS foam. So you get a durable strong solution to take all the bumps a Beginner faces. Going up the range models are designed and use the latest tech and materials to achieve objectives wanted by progressing bodyboarders. Let’s look at a couple of models in detail to get an idea on where you can go with Stealth.
Stealth Bodyboards – The S-Flex
The Stealth S Flex based on a proven 1997 Pipe winning design, modernised with the latest Tension Tech core and mesh and stringer setup
It’s common with Stealth to see a board description include ‘we based this model on a Stealth…’ indicating its come from a proven design. In this case the S-Flex is based off the Stealth board Steve ‘Bullet’ Mackenzie used to win the Pipe Comp of 1997. Steve’s comment on the beach after winning the infamous final was ‘Felt like a pinball in a pinball machine!’
As the timeline tells, it’s an old school design, one that really carves. So the logic behind it is that older riders and even young guns want a board with plenty of flex. Always a good thing in the cooler waters but more riders are finding the PP and NRG boards too stiff taking too much time to wear in.
So the S-Flex is super flexi having a KPE core giving great carving straight off. It’s super fun in small to larger waves that are hollow and sucky. The PE core gives the board good flex, but it’s been optimised with Stealth’s Tension Tech treatment. The template has also been modernised with a slight narrowing adding manoeuvrability.
Stealth Bodyboards – The El-Gringo
The Stealth El Gringo features AKU Shaper CNC channels. These are graduated channels cut by computer. So you get great speed, via longer channel length and an associated reduction of turbulence
Stealth developed this model around their newer Team Rider George Humphries. Taking time Stealth worked through various existing concepts till deciding on this platform.
This particular El Gringo comes with ISS, the Interchangeable Stringer System. This allows the board to be tuned so you can match the board stringer and flex to the surf conditions or what you’re trying to achieve in your surfing. For George it allows him to perform best across the power of WA slabs to small fun South Coast beachies.
A versatile board the El Gringo will handle whatever you want
Another innovative feature is the use of AKU Shaper CNC channels. These channels are cut into the board with computer shaping machine technology. So the El Gringo channels are closer to the rail. They’re both longer and more graduated along that rail line. This helps the rail hold while the longer shallower channel is more effective at creating speed from the water flow also reducing turbulence that slows you down.
The result a versatile super fast board that holds.
Stealth Bodyboards Accessories
Stealth Fins are in their own right great products. Coming in a range from S1-S4 they cater for a wide range of personal foot shape and kick styles and have great design features. The construction is of natural Malaysian rubber, proven to provide great comfort and fit. It also floats. So if you lose a fin, something that often happens when you get dumped, the fin will come to the surface aiding retrieval.
The Stealth S1 Fin is a proven performer
The fins range from the shape popularised by Churchill to straight and asymmetrical designs inspired by nature.
Stealth Bodyboards With Style
Stealth gives you a whole lot more in your bodyboarding. You get great entry boards to those oozing with the character of their Pro riders. Blending the latest tech with unique features Stealth give you 100% dedicated bodyboarding performance.
