Pyzel Surfboards Power Tiger PU
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The Pyzel Power Tiger: Built for Surfers Who Surf With Purpose
The Pyzel Power Tiger is the board Jon Pyzel shaped when he wanted a shortboard that could generate its own speed and hold a high line through powerful surf. It is not a groveler and it is not a semi-gun: it sits squarely in the category of performance shortboards designed for surfers who attack the wave rather than wait for it. Island Water Sports carries the Power Tiger in a classic PU (polyurethane) build, which delivers the flex, weight, and traditional feel that performance shortboarders have trusted for decades.
Outline, Rocker, and Bottom Contours
The Power Tiger carries a pulled-in, slightly rounded pintail outline that tightens through the tail block, giving the board exceptional hold when a wave pitches and the rail needs to grip. The nose is moderately pointed, keeping swing weight low so the board responds quickly to foot pressure. Entry rocker is low to flat, which translates directly to paddle speed and early entry on steeper faces. Through the midsection and tail the rocker curves progressively, so the board accelerates on the bottom turn and releases cleanly off the top without washing out.
The bottom runs a single concave under the front foot that transitions to a double concave through the fins and into the tail. This classic flow channels water through the fin cluster and adds lift and speed where it matters most: in the back third of the board. The vee between the fins softens the exit and allows a clean, direct transfer of energy from rail to rail without the stiffness that a hard edge can create.
Who the Power Tiger Is Designed For
The Power Tiger suits intermediate to advanced surfers who have developed a powerful, committed style and want a board that rewards that investment. If your surfing involves driving hard off the bottom, snapping vertically, and generating speed through turns rather than through pumping, the Power Tiger is calibrated for that approach. It performs best in surf from chest-high to a couple of feet overhead, particularly in waves with some push and face. In soft, crumbling conditions it can feel stiff; in punchy beach break or reef surf with good shape it comes alive.
Surfers comparing the Power Tiger to other Pyzel models will notice it falls between the looser, more skatey feel of something like the Ghost and the added drive of the Shadow. It is the model to choose when you want predictability under your feet without sacrificing the ability to throw the tail on demand. The round tail outline gives it a touch more hold than a squash tail in steeper sections, which is a meaningful difference when a wave gets critical.
PU Construction and What It Means for Your Surfing
The PU build is the traditional shortboard standard for good reason. Polyurethane foam shaped and glassed with a polyester resin system produces a board with a natural flex pattern that many surfers describe as lively under the feet. It has a slightly heavier swing weight than epoxy alternatives, which some surfers find helps them stay connected to the wave face through turbulence. It is also the construction most shapers and repair shops are set up to work with, which matters for the life of the board.
Pyzel builds every board with the same quality standards across their licensed shaping operations on multiple continents. The Power Tiger PU you receive has been shaped to the same template and glass schedule as boards coming out of the North Shore.
Fin Setup and Versatility
The Power Tiger is configured as a thruster, meaning it runs three fins in the standard center-plus-two setup. This gives the board the familiar combination of drive, pivot, and hold that shortboarders have relied on for performance surfing since the early 1980s. The thruster setup pairs naturally with the tight tail outline and progressive rocker to deliver a predictable, powerful ride that responds to weight shifts between front and back foot. Check the variant selector on this page for the fin system on the specific unit in stock.
Pyzel Surfboards: Context and Craft
Jon Pyzel has been shaping boards on the North Shore of Oahu for over two decades and serves as the shaper for some of the best competitive surfers in the world. The Power Tiger grew out of that environment where boards are tested in some of the heaviest water on earth and refined based on direct feedback from surfers who make their living on wave quality. That lineage is visible in every design decision on the board: nothing is decorative, everything is functional.
Island Water Sports has carried Pyzel Surfboards because the line aligns with how our customers actually surf. South Florida surf is not always perfect, but when a swell delivers, you want a board that is ready. The Power Tiger is that board. Questions about which size fits your weight, height, and experience level? Call us at 954-427-4929 or stop into the store.
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Specifications
- Brand
- Pyzel Surfboards
- Model
- Power Tiger
- Construction
- PU (Polyurethane)
- Fin Configuration
- Thruster (3-fin)
- Tail Shape
- Round Tail
- Recommended Surfer
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Wave Range
- Chest-high to a couple feet overhead; best in punchy, powerful surf
- Category
- Performance Shortboard
Size & Dimensions
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'6" | 18.5" | 2.13" | 22.9 L |
| 5'7" | 18.63" | 2.19" | 24.0 L |
| 5'8" | 18.75" | 2.25" | 25.2 L |
| 5'9" | 18.88" | 2.31" | 26.4 L |
| 5'10" | 19" | 2.38" | 27.8 L |
| 5'11" | 19.13" | 2.44" | 29.2 L |
| 6'0" | 19.25" | 2.5" | 30.5 L |
| 6'1" | 19.38" | 2.56" | 31.9 L |
| 6'2" | 19.5" | 2.63" | 33.4 L |
| 6'3" | 19.63" | 2.75" | 35.5 L |
| 6'4" | 19.75" | 2.81" | 37.0 L |
Full manufacturer size chart. Sizes available to order are shown in the selector above.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of surfer is the Pyzel Power Tiger designed for?
- The Power Tiger is built for intermediate to advanced surfers with a powerful, committed approach to surfing. It rewards surfers who drive hard off the bottom and snap vertically rather than relying on pumping to generate speed. It is not ideal for beginners or surfers still developing a consistent pop-up.
- How does the Power Tiger compare to the Pyzel Ghost or Shadow?
- The Power Tiger sits between the Ghost and the Shadow in terms of feel. It is more predictable and drivey than the Ghost, which has a looser, more skatey character. Compared to the Shadow, the Power Tiger has a tighter tail outline and slightly more hold in critical sections. Surfers who want a high-performance all-rounder that holds a line in powerful surf often prefer the Power Tiger over the Ghost; surfers who want maximum drive in bigger surf lean toward the Shadow.
- What is the Power Tiger like in South Florida surf conditions?
- The Power Tiger performs best when there is some push and face to the wave. In punchy beach break or reef surf with good shape, it excels. In very small, mushy conditions it can feel stiff underfoot. On days when Florida delivers a legitimate swell with some size and power, the Power Tiger is exactly the kind of board that makes the most of it.
- Why choose PU construction over epoxy for the Power Tiger?
- PU (polyurethane foam with polyester resin) produces a board with a natural flex pattern that many experienced shortboarders prefer for the connected, lively feel it gives through turns. It is slightly heavier than epoxy, which some surfers find helps maintain rail-to-rail momentum. PU is also the most widely repaired construction, so dings are straightforward to fix locally. If you prefer epoxy feel and lighter swing weight, consult with our team about options.
- What fin setup does the Power Tiger use?
- The Power Tiger is a thruster, running three fins in the standard performance shortboard configuration. The thruster setup pairs with the board's tight round tail and progressive rocker to deliver drive, pivot, and hold in a predictable package. Check the variant selector on this page for the specific fin system on the unit in stock.
- How do I choose the right Power Tiger size for my weight and ability?
- Size selection on a performance shortboard depends on your weight, fitness level, wave conditions, and how aggressively you surf. The full manufacturer size chart with every length, width, thickness, and volume is in the size guide on this page. For personalized guidance, call us at 954-427-4929 or visit Island Water Sports in store and our team can help narrow it down.
- Is the Pyzel Power Tiger a good board for surfing reef or beach break?
- Yes. The Power Tiger's low entry rocker gives it excellent paddle-in speed on steep beach break faces, and the round tail with a tight pin outline provides hold when a wave throws or the face gets vertical. It handles beach break and reef break equally well as long as there is enough wave quality to engage the rocker and bottom contours.
- What does the round tail on the Power Tiger do for performance?
- The round tail provides more hold and connection to the wave face compared to a squash or swallow tail. In powerful, steeper surf it lets you set a high line and hold speed through the critical section without the tail sliding out. It also blends naturally with the single-to-double concave bottom, which channels water smoothly through the fin area and out the tail.