Description
Story
Model Origins
The Rocket Fish takes the classic twin fin fish and gives it a modern, high-performance twist. Still built to keep that retro down-the-line glide and natural speed, Blake Peters of Panda Surfboards refined the design for surfers who want the soul of a fish but the response of a shortboard.
With a sleeker outline, a touch more rocker, and a single concave flowing into a vee’d-out tail, the Rocket Fish adds drive, bite, and control where the traditional fish would slide. It’s tuned to handle unpredictable beach breaks and hold steady when the waves pack more punch — yet it still flies through smaller surf with ease.
The result is a hybrid fish with attitude: classic retro flow blended seamlessly with shortboard precision. Fast, loose, and versatile, the Rocket Fish is as happy trimming stylish lines as it is carving rail-to-rail when the waves turn on.
Retro glide, modern bite — the Rocket Fish lights up anything from small runners to punchy beachies
Board Type
The Rocket Fish from Panda Surfboards is a high-performance fish shortboard, created as a modern evolution of the classic twin fin fish. With a narrower outline, moderate rocker, and single concave to vee bottom, it offers greater versatility in unpredictable beach breaks and bigger waves, while keeping the speed and flow characteristic of a traditional fish.
Dimensions and Volume
Available from 5’5” to 6’1”, with volumes ranging from 27.4L to 39.3L, it suits surfers seeking a balance between easy paddling, speed, and maneuverability. The moderate width and well-distributed volume support stability on takeoff while maintaining quick response in transitions.
Material and Construction
Built in PU or EPS, the Rocket Fish combines lightness and durability, with optional carbon reinforcements for added strength. The bottom features a single concave to vee tail, delivering drive, continuous acceleration, and smooth release. The narrower outline and slightly increased rocker reinforce the board’s modern, responsive character.
Ideal Wave Conditions
Designed for waves between 0.5 m and 1.8 m, the Rocket Fish shines in fast beach breaks and mellow point breaks, while also adapting to stronger conditions that challenge traditional fish boards. It keeps its flow in smaller surf but delivers extra hold and drive on solid days, such as at Carcavelos, Supertubos, São Julião, Arrifana, or Coxos.
Skill Level
Developed for intermediate to advanced surfers, the Rocket Fish is ideal for riders used to shortboards who want to experience the speed and flow of a modern fish without losing responsiveness in critical turns and sections. Not recommended for absolute beginners.
Fin Setup
Compatible with both FCS II and Futures systems. The primary setup is twin, for maximum speed and flow, but it can also be surfed as a quad for added traction and drive in stronger waves. This versatility makes it easy to adapt to different conditions and styles.
Surf Style
The Rocket Fish delivers a fast, fluid, and progressive approach, with agile transitions and direct response. Perfect for creative lines, long carves, and controlled release in critical turns, it blends the retro feel of a fish with modern shortboard performance.
Modern Versatility
Narrower outline and moderate rocker, adaptable from small surf to solid waves
Drive with Flow
Single concave to vee tail for continuous speed and controlled projection
Progressive Twin or Quad
Fin setup that blends strong lateral hold with quick response
Retro-Updated Performance
Classic fish DNA with the maneuverability of a technical shortboard
Fast, loose, and versatile — the Rocket Fish lights up waves from waist to head-high with retro glide and modern bite. Single-to-vee bottom and wide swallow tail keep it quick and controlled, making it a go-to for intermediates and up chasing speed, flow, and style.
Wave Type
- From 0.5 to 1.8 m.
- Keeps its drive on solid days.
- Fast beach breaks, mellow point breaks.
Performance
- Retro surf with modern response.
- Holds speed and controlled projection.
- Twin or quad options for extra hold and versatility.
910.00 € Add to cart
Shape
- Narrower fish outline for added precision.
- Single concave to vee tail for fluid drive.
- Wide swallow tail combining speed and control.
Performance Specs
of the Rocket Fish Surfboard
Narrower outline for sharper control, single-to-vee flow for drive, and a wide swallow tail for speed and hold — the Rocket Fish mixes retro fish glide with modern shortboard bite.
Wide Nose:
Easier paddling and quick wave entry.
Balanced Volume:
Stable floatation without losing agility.
Swallow Tail:
Continuous speed and extra traction with smooth release in critical turns.
The Rocket Fish features a moderately wide nose, designed to make paddling easier and ensure stability when catching waves. Its well-balanced volume distribution improves flotation without compromising agility in turns.
Single Concave Center to Vee Tail:
Channels water efficiently, generating lift and sustained speed.
Tail Rocker:
Balance of drive and quick release in transitions.
The bottom blends a single central concave, which accelerates water flow, with a smooth transition into vee through the tail. This combination delivers continuous drive and projection in faster sections, maintaining natural flow and reliable control even in solid conditions.
Medium Rails:
Balance between stability and smooth response.
Medium rails strike the perfect balance between stability and responsiveness. They engage easily, allowing for long, fluid carves with controlled release in critical turns — reinforcing the Rocket Fish’s hybrid performance character.
Summary
Faqs
What is the Rocket Fish and how does it differ from a traditional fish?
The Rocket Fish is a high-performance take on the classic twin-fin fish. It features a narrower outline, more rocker, and a single concave that flows into a moderate vee through the tail. These tweaks allow it to handle punchier beach breaks and bigger, more unpredictable waves, while still keeping the trademark speed and glide of a fish.
What are the main performance benefits of Rocket Fish?
- ✓ Easy paddling
- ✓ Continuous speed
- ✓ Traction and control
- ✓ Fin setup versatility
- ✓ Modern response
What kind of conditions is the Rocket Fish designed for?
The Rocket Fish shines in small to medium surf (knee- to head-high), especially in beach breaks. Thanks to its refined design, it also performs well when conditions get more demanding and less predictable.
What surfer level is the Rocket Fish best suited for?
This board is aimed at intermediate to advanced surfers who are comfortable on shortboards but want to explore the twin-fin feel without losing the agility or precision to attack sections. It delivers modern performance blended with the classic speed and flow of a fish.
What sizes and volumes are available for the Rocket Fish?
Standard dimensions run from 5’5” to 6’1”, with widths around 19⅝” to 20¾” and thicknesses from 2¼” up to roughly 2¾”. Volume ranges from about 27.4 L (in the shorter sizes) up to around 39.3 L.
All speed, all drive, all flow — the Rocket Fish amps up every session with retro fun and modern bite.
Try This Board
Fill in the form with your preferred dates and a few details about your surfing.
We’ll confirm the board’s availability, the demo period and all rental conditions before your reservation is finalized.
Minimum demo period: 2 days.
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