AQSS Bronze Whaler 9'4 review: a single fin log for small waves
Updated 2026-09-19
| Length | 9'4" |
|---|---|
| Width | 23 in |
| Thickness | 3 in |
| Volume | 73.8 L |
| Fin config | Single |
| Top speed | 20.3 km/h |
| Wave range | 1-3 ft |
The AQSS Bronze Whaler is a 9'4 stock single fin log, bought as a small-wave paddler. It is the longest board in the current rack, and its job is simply to catch waves other boards cannot.
What it is and why I bought it
I bought the Bronze Whaler stock in January 2024 to fill a gap: a small-wave paddler with real length, a flat rocker and pinched rails, built to glide into weak surf that shorter boards struggle to catch. At 73.8 litres over 9'4, it is by far the highest-volume board currently in the rack.
How it surfed
The Bronze Whaler has done its job as a small-wave paddler, with its best wave logged at a spot called Lu, hitting a top speed of 20.3 km/h (about 12.6 mph) over a 122 metre ride. A wax head fin has been the setup used on it. The wave range sits at 1 to 3 ft, ideal at 2 ft, confirming it as a dedicated small-surf board rather than an all-rounder.
Who it suits and who it does not
A flat-rockered, high-volume single fin log like this suits someone who wants to surf on the days other boards get left at home, when the waves are barely rideable on anything shorter. It is not built for anyone chasing turns or speed in proper surf; a log rewards trim and glide over rail-to-rail movement.
What happened to it
It is still in the rack. It cost $1,000 and carries an asking price of $600, but for now it stays as the dedicated flat-day board.
Questions people ask
What fin does the Bronze Whaler use?
A wax head fin is the setup logged against it.
What wave size is the Bronze Whaler built for?
The logged range is 1 to 3 ft with 2 ft as the ideal, making it a dedicated small-wave board rather than something for everyday surf with any real size.
Is a 9'4 log hard to store or travel with?
It is the longest board in the current rack, so it takes up more space than anything else in the quiver, which is the trade-off for being able to paddle into waves nothing shorter will catch.
For the full spec sheet, see the current quiver. For other single fins in the log, see the Keyo Cheetah and the Wayne Lynch Involvement. For how volume relates to which board to paddle, see surfboard volume explained.