Pyzel Astro.

What the Astro Pop actually does

This is the fish idea rebuilt for surfers who still want to turn. The outline keeps plenty of area but pulls in at both ends, and a small wing through the last four inches of the tail puts real curve in the template, which is what stops a board this wide feeling stiff. Underneath, a deep double concave runs through to vee off the tail, so the board sits high on the water in slow, gutless surf and still tips onto rail cleanly once you have speed up. A mild beak nose carries thickness forward for paddle power without turning it into a boat. Wing swallow tail, five fin boxes as standard. It sits in Pyzel's Funformance category alongside the rest of the Pyzel range.

The days you will ride it

Waist to head-high, soft, slow and short-period: the standard UK summer beach break. The Astro Pop turns those sessions into something worth paddling out for, and unlike a lot of small wave boards it does not fall apart when a clean swell shows up. When conditions get properly powerful you want more curve underfoot, and that is where the Ghost takes over.

How to size an Astro Pop

• Go short. Jon Pyzel rides a 5'5", and most people can drop well below their usual shortboard length.
• Three quarters of an inch to an inch wider than your standard dims.
• Enough thickness to give you a bit more volume than your everyday board.
• If dropping that much length feels like a leap, our board advisor or a quick phone call will settle it.

Astro Pop, White Tiger or Gremlin?

The White Tiger is stubbier with a wide squash tail and a flatter deck, so it is the straighter, faster option in a straight line. The Gremlin carries more rocker and surfs tighter and more vertically. The Astro Pop sits between them with the most fish DNA of the three, thanks to that wing swallow. If you want to go further down the retro route, the twin fin and fish collection is the next step, and the Red Tiger is the high-performance take on the same weak-wave problem. Everything else is in the shortboard collection.

Fin set-up

Pyzel recommends running the Astro Pop as a quad for speed, and it ships with five boxes so you can switch. A thruster set tightens it up when the surf has some shape, and twin plus trailer gives you the loosest, skatiest version. Browse surfboard fins, then add a tail pad, leash and board bag.

Made in the UK

Ocean Magic is the UK licensed manufacturer for Pyzel, so these boards are shaped and glassed in our Newquay factory rather than shipped halfway round the world. If your size is not in stock, we can build a custom Astro Pop to your own dimensions in four to six weeks, and it is worth checking the sale first.

Is the Astro Pop good for intermediates?

Yes, and it is one of the friendlier boards in the range. The width and volume make wave-catching easy, while the pulled-in tail and wing mean you can still learn to turn off the rail properly.

How short should I go on an Astro Pop?

Shorter than feels natural. Most riders go several inches under their normal shortboard, adding width and volume to make up the difference. Ask us if you want a recommendation for your height and weight.

Quad or thruster?

Quad for maximum speed in weak surf, which is the set-up Pyzel suggests. Thruster when you want more control and a tighter turn.

Do you ship Pyzel boards across the UK?

Yes, dispatched within 48 hours, 30-day returns, Klarna available.