Pyzel Red Tiger Review

9.2/ 10 Estimated score

9.2

Estimated from 2 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

The Pyzel Red Tiger is John John Florence's small-wave performance board. A flat rocker creates immediate speed, while deep double concave and vee through the tail preserve rail-to-rail response in weak surf.

View Red Tiger stock

Quick specs

Type: Small-wave high-performance shortboard
Wave range: 1 to 6 ft
Fin setup: Thruster, quad or five-fin
Bottom: Single to double concave, deep vee through tail
Tail: Wide squash
Rocker: Pyzel's flattest HPSB rocker

Pyzel developed the Red Tiger after John John Florence asked for a competition-ready version of the White Tiger that would work when tour surf was slow or weak. The wide point sits one inch behind centre, keeping the board oriented toward back-foot performance.

The official guidance is to ride it about one inch shorter than a normal high-performance shortboard and slightly wider, with similar volume or an extra half to one litre for weaker waves.

Pros & cons

Flat rocker carries speed through weak sections
Deep vee supports tighter turning than the rocker suggests
Three fin-box configurations are available
Standard and XL dimension ranges cover more rider weights

Wide tail can feel lively in powerful surf
Designed for average waves rather than dedicated step-up use
Advanced performance outline is not aimed at first-time surfers

How it surfs

The defining design choice is the contrast between flat rocker and a heavily contoured tail. The rocker supplies speed, while the double concave and deep vee are intended to stop that speed from making the board track straight.

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
5'6	23.9 L	Check Pyzel volume guidance	Advanced
5'8	26.3 L	Check Pyzel volume guidance	Intermediate+
5'10	28.7 L	Check Pyzel volume guidance	Intermediate+
6'0	31.3 L	Check Pyzel volume guidance	Intermediate+
6'2	34.2 L	Check Pyzel volume guidance	Intermediate

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
Pyzel Ghost	Powerful-wave performance	Head-high+	9.2
Pyzel Precious	Forgiving groveler	Knee to head-high	8.8

Verdict

The verified design brief is specific: fast and responsive in weak waves. Its flat rocker and heavily contoured tail make the Red Tiger a focused small-wave performance option rather than a general-purpose beginner board.

Estimated score: 9.2 / 10

Estimated from 2 independent sources — none publish numeric scores. See sources 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
Surfline Brett Barley review	No numeric score	"A product-specific assessment of the Red Tiger in the average-wave conditions it was built to handle."
Surf Station Surf 'n Show review	No numeric score	"A dedicated Red Tiger review covering speed, turning and sizing."

Frequently asked questions

What waves is the Pyzel Red Tiger for?+

Pyzel lists a 1 to 6 ft wave range and positions the board for slower, weaker surf where easy speed matters.

How should I size a Pyzel Red Tiger?+

Pyzel recommends about one inch shorter and slightly wider than your normal high-performance shortboard, at similar volume or 0.5 to 1 litre more for weak waves.

Is the Red Tiger a groveler?+

It overlaps with grovelers in weak surf, but its rails, tail contours and intended turning style keep it closer to a small-wave performance shortboard.

Can the Red Tiger be ridden as a quad?+

Yes. Pyzel lists thruster, quad and five-fin configurations.

Red Tiger or Ghost?+

Choose the Red Tiger for weak to average 1 to 6 ft surf. The Ghost is the better existing Pyzel option for more powerful and consequential waves.