DHD Sweet Spot 3.0 Travel and step-up shortboard — full deck view

Photo: DHD Sweet Spot 3.0 product page

DHD
DHD · Travel and step-up shortboard

DHD Sweet Spot 3.0 Review

Average priceA$1,095Range A$1,095–A$1,095 across 1 retailersSee sources

DHD builds the Sweet Spot 3.0 as a step-up you can ride close to your normal shortboard length. The brand lists it for 3 to 10 foot surf and rates it intermediate to expert, with paddle power and hold as the two priorities.

View on DHD
Quick specs
Type
Travel and step-up shortboard
Shaper
Darren Handley, DHD Surfboards
Ability
Intermediate to expert
Ideal wave size
3 to 10 ft
Fin setup
FCS II thruster
Stock volume range
29.5 L to 35 L across published stock sizes

DHD's own description sets the brief clearly: surf the Sweet Spot 3.0 close to the length of your normal shortboard, but get the paddle power, strength and hold that lasts on a surf trip or a pumping day at home. That is the difference between this and a traditional long, narrow step-up.

The published stock ladder supports that. Sizes run from 6'1" at 29.5 L through to 6'3" at 33.5 L, which is close to everyday shortboard volume for most riders. If you want the small-wave end of the quiver instead, the Surfex shortboard index covers groveler and hybrid options.

Pros & cons
  • Paddles far better than most step-ups thanks to lower nose rocker and foam through the chest
  • Rides close to everyday shortboard length, so the transition is small
  • Healthy tail rocker keeps it sitting in the pocket in steeper waves
  • One board covers a home reef swell and a full Indo trip
  • Made to order with a stated 3 to 4 week build time
  • DHD positions it intermediate and above, so it is not a first shortboard
  • Pricing is published in AUD only on the brand store

How it surfs

Rider feedback collected by Blink Surf from BoardCave owners is consistent on two points. The board paddles well for a step-up because the nose rocker is lower than usual, and the tail rocker still lets it sit in the pocket at waves like Snapper, Greenmount and Kirra when they are barrelling.

The same feedback flags who it suits. Owners describe buying it for Indo trips and for overhead days at home, not for weak beachbreak. If your local surf sits knee to chest high most of the year, a wider everyday shape will get more use.

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.

SizeVolumeRider weightBest for
6'1" x 19 x 2 3/829.5 LUnder 72 kgIntermediate+
6'1" x 19 1/2 x 2 7/1631 L72–78 kgIntermediate+
6'2" x 19 1/2 x 2 7/1631.5 L75–82 kgIntermediate+
6'2" x 20 x 2 1/233 L80–88 kgIntermediate+
6'3" x 19 5/8 x 2 9/1633.5 L82–90 kgIntermediate+

How it compares

BoardBest atWave rangeAggregate score
…Lost Sabo TajTravel step-up for punchier waves2 to 8 ft8.7
Channel Islands M23Performance hybrid with wide rangeKnee to double-overhead8.8
Pyzel GhostBenchmark step-up for bigger surfHead-high and up9.2

Recommended fin setups

  • FCS II thrusterDHD lists the stock sizes in FCS II boxes.
  • Larger template for step-up dutyRiders using it in overhead surf commonly move up a fin size for hold.

Verdict

The Sweet Spot 3.0 is the step-up for surfers who dislike step-ups. Volume close to an everyday board, wave range published at 3 to 10 ft, and years of owner feedback that keeps landing on the same two words: paddles well.

Estimated score: 8.9 / 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
8.9/ 10
8.9
2 sources, none scored
SourceScoreSummary
DHD official product pageNo numeric score"Surf the Sweet Spot 3.0 close to the length of your normal shortboard but have all the paddle power, strength and hold that will last on any surf trip or pumping waves at home as a step-up."
Blink Surf — DHD Sweet Spot 3.0 reviewNo numeric score"The board paddles super well and has a lower nose rocker than most step up style boards and a healthy amount of tail rocker which allows it to sit really nicely in the pocket."

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$1,095
A$1,095–A$1,095 · 1 retailers
RetailerPricevs. average
DHD Surf (official)A$1,095Visit

Frequently asked questions

What waves is the DHD Sweet Spot 3.0 built for?+

DHD lists an ideal wave size of 3 to 10 ft, which covers solid home swells and overhead reef waves on a surf trip.

What skill level does DHD recommend?+

The product page rates it intermediate to expert.

What volumes does the Sweet Spot 3.0 come in?+

Published stock sizes run from 6'1" at 29.5 L up to 6'3" at 33.5 L, all in FCS II boxes.

How much does the Sweet Spot 3.0 cost?+

DHD's own store lists it at $1,095 AUD, built to order with a stated 3 to 4 week lead time.

Can it replace my everyday shortboard?+

It is designed to be ridden close to your normal shortboard length, but the extra foam and hold suit better waves. Most riders keep it as a second board for trips and bigger days.

Does the Sweet Spot 3.0 paddle well?+

Owner feedback published by Blink Surf repeatedly mentions strong paddling, attributed to lower nose rocker and width carried through the chest area.