Earlier this year, John John Florence came to me looking for a board that would bridge the gap between his Red Tiger and Ghost — something suited for waves that sit right in between those two in both size and power.
John had already played a huge role in developing the Red Tiger, our go-to board for high-performance surfing in smaller, weaker conditions — and we’ve all seen what he can do on that model. The short version of the story is this: the new Power Tiger takes the DNA of the Red Tiger and refines it for bigger, more powerful, higher-quality waves.
The Red Tiger remains John’s choice for head-high and under, slower surf. But when the waves start building and the energy kicks up, the Power Tiger takes over — exactly as its name suggests.
The most noticeable change is in the outline. We pulled in both the nose and tail, adding more overall curve. That extra curve transforms how the board feels and performs. The narrower tail offers better hold and control at speed, especially when driving hard through turns, while the added tail curve keeps it loose and agile in the pocket.
The pulled-in nose helps the board fit cleanly into the curve of hollow or “cupped-out” waves without catching, and the continuous outline curve makes it easier to snap into the lip at speed — keeping the board incredibly responsive.
We also made a subtle but important tweak to the rails. Thinner rails allow the board to engage better in powerful, faster waves, letting you sink the edge confidently without pushback. They also help when knifing into barrels or holding steady through heavy carves.
Lastly, I fine-tuned the bottom rocker, adding about ⅛" of extra curve through the last 18" of the tail. This small adjustment adds looseness, makes it easier to roll the board onto rail at high speed, and enhances hold through turns.
Our recommendation: ride the Power Tiger when your Red Tiger starts feeling undergunned for the conditions. Stick with the same length as your Red Tiger but go slightly lower in volume — or size up an inch with a touch less width. The stock dimensions for the Power Tiger run about ¼" narrower and 1/16" thinner than Red Tigers of the same length.
