Surman Dark Void 7'2 review: a travel twin fin that locks in and accelerates
Updated 2026-09-19
| Length | 7'2" |
|---|---|
| Width | 21 1/4 in |
| Thickness | 3 1/8 in |
| Volume | 52 L |
| Fin config | Twin |
| Top speed | 41.4 km/h |
| Wave range | 2 to 7 ft |
The Surman Dark Void is a 7'2 custom twin fin mid-length, ordered specifically as a travel board. It is one of the fastest boards in the current rack and a genuine do-it-all for a wide range of conditions.
What it is and why I bought it
I ordered this Dark Void in March 2023, a PU board 21 1/4 inches wide and 3 1/8 thick, coming in at 52 litres, built with a slightly rolled entry into a flat midsection and a vee channel bottom. It was ordered with a specific trip to the Maldives in mind, wanting a board that would paddle particularly well and hold up across a wide spread of conditions.
How it surfed
Regular use has confirmed the brief. Its best wave came at Granite, at a top speed of 41.4 km/h (about 25.7 mph) over 330 metres, among the fastest results logged on any board in the current rack. The channels, which start about halfway down the board, are the standout feature: engaging one through a turn and then straightening up makes the board leap forward and lock in, accelerating noticeably. It has been ridden everywhere from Noosa's Granite to the Maldives, and it paddles into anything from 1 ft up to 7 or 8 ft, grovelling as easily as it holds a line in bigger surf.
A wide range of fins have been tried in it. A Jim Banks Hooker fin gives good turning and glide. Larger fins handle the board well but turn less sharply. A Chris Christenson Half Keel has been the standout all-rounder, light and set slightly further forward for a board that turns well while still carrying plenty of drive, and an NVS Ono, a thinner keel set slightly further back, has impressed most once the waves get bigger.
Who it suits and who it does not
A rolled-entry, channel-bottomed twin fin like this suits someone who wants one travel board that covers everything from small, soft days through solid, hollow surf. It is not a board that needs a specific wave type to come alive, which is precisely why it works well for anyone who cannot predict the conditions they will land in on a trip. The logged wave range is 2 to 7 ft, ideal at 4 ft.
What happened to it
It is still in the rack. It cost $1,700 to build, with a matching replacement cost, and carries an asking price of $1,000, though with one of the fastest results in the rack, it remains a fixture.
Questions people ask
What fins work best on the Surman Dark Void?
A Chris Christenson Half Keel has been the standout all-rounder, and an NVS Ono keel has impressed most once the waves get bigger. A Jim Banks Hooker also works well for turning and glide.
How fast has the Dark Void gone?
Its best logged session hit 41.4 km/h over a 330 metre wave at Granite, one of the fastest results recorded on any board in the current rack.
Is the Dark Void a good travel board?
Yes. It was ordered specifically for a Maldives trip and has since been ridden at home breaks and abroad, covering a wide 2 to 7 ft range without needing a specific wave type to perform.
For the full spec sheet, see the current quiver. For the smaller Dark Void in the log, see the Mitch Surman Dark Void 6'6. For how keel fins compare to other twin fin setups, see keels or upright twin fins.