Duotone Cosmic (4) D/LAB 2027 — Asymmetric Fins, 200g Lighter

The Cosmic (4) D/LAB is the World Cup wave board and the most developed shape Duotone make, which usually means small changes. This year there are five of them, and one is the sort of thing you feel on the first bottom turn.

Made to order in Full Custom D/LAB, quad fin, eight sizes from 53 to 106 litres. The three-fin Cosmic (3) D/LAB is covered in its own post.

Asymmetric side fins

The new fin set uses asymmetric side fins for more drive and more grip. It's a well-established idea in surfboard fins and a sensible one here — the two side fins aren't doing the same job at the same moment through a turn, so shaping them identically was always a compromise. Expect more bite when you load the rail and more drive coming off it.

The shape changes

A touch more nose rocker to help you cross gnarly white water — which on our beach breaks is most of the job of getting out. A refined tail outline that improves turn-ability and grip together, and a refined tuck line in the mid-front section for better acceleration and control.

On top of that the layup has been refined again to save another 100 to 200g depending on length. At 4.8kg for the 53 that's already a very light board, and every gram off a wave board is one less thing throwing your timing off in the air.

Quad or three-fin?

The (4) is the quad: grip and a tight turning radius, which is what you want in smaller, weaker, less organised surf. The Cosmic (3) D/LAB is the thruster — more drive and a longer arc when the wave has some size and shape to it. Most UK sailors are better served by the quad. Note that the 76 litre and up can be ridden either way.