Photo: Sharp Eye Inferno 72 product page

Sharp Eye

Sharp Eye · Everyday performance shortboard

Sharp Eye Inferno 72 Review

9.2/ 10 Estimated score

9.2

Estimated from 2 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

Average priceA$1,149Range A$1,149–A$1,149 across 1 retailersSee sources

The Inferno 72 is the Stab in the Dark winning shortboard that made Sharp Eye a global name. Sharp Eye pairs a medium single to double concave with medium entry and exit rocker, and tells riders to order it in the same size as their go-to shortboard.

View on Sharp Eye

Quick specs

Type: Everyday performance shortboard
Shaper: Marcio Zouvi, Sharp Eye Surfboards
Outline: Performance range shortboard
Bottom contour: Medium single to double concave
Rocker: Medium entry rocker into medium exit rocker
Rail: Controlled medium rail

Sharp Eye calls the Inferno 72 a global staple favoured by professional and everyday surfers alike, and points to its Stab in the Dark win as the reason the model spread so quickly. The shape is deliberately conventional: a performance shortboard outline with medium rocker and a medium single to double concave.

What separates it from the brand's other models is the balance rather than any single feature. Sharp Eye says the concaves give an instant burst of speed from take-off while the medium rail keeps the board controlled. Riders who want the same speed with a more forgiving entry rocker usually end up on the Disco instead.

Pros & cons

Stab in the Dark winning shape with years of rider feedback behind it
Medium rocker front and back keeps the board fast without losing turning arc
Sharp Eye publishes clear sizing advice, which removes most of the guesswork
Deep double between the fins gives strong drive out of bottom turns

Built as a performance shortboard, so it asks for reasonable wave quality and paddle fitness
Sharp Eye does not publish a stock volume ladder on the model page
Australian store pricing is in AUD, so United States buyers need to check local dealer stock

How it surfs

Video coverage of the Inferno 72 is unusually deep for a single model. Multiple independent review channels have run full sessions on it, including Surf Breakdown and Dark Arts construction versions, so it is one of the few shortboards where you can watch several riders of different weights on the same shape before ordering.

Pricing depends on region. Sharp Eye's Australian store lists the Inferno 72 at $1,149 AUD as a made-to-order board, and Surfboard Factory Hawaii stocks it for United States buyers. Ordering advice from Sharp Eye is simple: same length as your regular shortboard, one inch shorter if you want a step-down.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
5'8"–5'10"	Match your shortboard	Under 72 kg	Intermediate+
5'11"–6'1"	Match your shortboard	72–85 kg	Intermediate+
6'2"–6'4"	Match your shortboard	85 kg+	Intermediate+

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
Sharp Eye Disco	Easier entry rocker for average surf	Knee to head-high	8.9
JS Industries Xero Gravity	Pro-level shortboard for good waves	Waist to overhead	9.3
Channel Islands M23	High-performance hybrid with wider range	Knee to double-overhead	8.8

Recommended fin setups

FCS II SE PC — Sharp Eye's own template, listed first on the model page.
Futures F8 — Alternative recommended set for riders in Futures boxes.

Verdict

The Inferno 72 remains Sharp Eye's benchmark everyday shortboard. Official shape data, clear sizing advice and a long trail of independent video reviews make it one of the easiest performance boards to research before ordering.

Estimated score: 9.2 / 10

Estimated from 2 independent sources — see full list below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score

9.2/ 10

9.2

2 sources, none scored

Source	Score	Summary
Sharp Eye official product page	No numeric score	"A global staple favoured by professional and everyday surfers alike, the Stab in the Dark winning Inferno 72 model is the must-have, tuned-up, everyday shortboard."
Surfboard Factory Hawaii — Inferno 72 listing	No numeric score	"United States dealer listing confirming the Inferno 72 is stocked and orderable outside Australia."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

A$1,149

A$1,149–A$1,149 · 1 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
Sharp Eye Surfboards Australia	A$1,149	—	Visit

Frequently asked questions

What size Sharp Eye Inferno 72 should I order?+

Sharp Eye advises ordering the Inferno 72 in the same size as your go-to shortboard, and dropping one inch if you want it as a step-down.

What waves suit the Inferno 72?+

Sharp Eye developed it for small to medium conditions, and says the shape will handle just about anything thrown at it thanks to its balanced rocker.

Why is the Inferno 72 so well known?+

It won Stab in the Dark, a blind board test where a professional surfer rides unmarked boards, which pushed the model into worldwide demand.

How much does the Inferno 72 cost?+

Sharp Eye's Australian store lists it at $1,149 AUD. United States buyers can order through dealers such as Surfboard Factory Hawaii.

What fins work best in the Inferno 72?+

Sharp Eye recommends FCS Filipe Toledo PC or SE PC fins, or the SE and F8 templates in Futures boxes.

Is the Inferno 72 suitable for beginners?+

No. It is a performance shortboard. Surfers still developing wave count are better on the Disco or a hybrid shape.