The author, taking the KSLCO Waikiki Queens board out for a test run.
I’ve dreamt of owning a Kai Sallas Longboard Co. surfboard for years. A couple months ago, my dream came true when my fiancé gifted me the KSLCO Waikiki Queens board as an engagement present. Speaking my language, he knew this surfer girl would prefer a new stick to diamond rings and shiny things.
I first discovered KSLCO via some of my favorite pro longboarders on social media and have been intrigued by the boards ever since. As a long time competitor on the WSL Longboard tour, Kai Sallas knows his way around a log, so I was itching to give one of his designs a try.
Although I own a couple of mid-lengths and shorter boards, I spend most of my time on a longboard. I prefer long, rolling waves like San Onofre, Malibu, and Queens and I’m currently working on improving my cross-stepping technique in hopes of mastering nose riding. I’ve been riding a 9’6” NSP Endless longboard for years and although I love it, I’ve been looking for something that is specifically designed for nose riding. After reading over the different boards on offer, I opted for the KSLCO Waikiki Queens model.
The Waikiki Model
According to Sallas: “The Waikiki is a perfectly traditional log with a single fin set up. It’s a must for your quiver, everyone should feel what it’s like to ride one. True to tradition, it has very round 50/50 rails all the way through the nose concave. To me, the Waikiki is the type of board that is made to surf with grace and style, smoothly and slowly. This board really represents everything that Waikiki represents. It reminds me of ukuleles, hula dances, and old footage of Diamond Head in the background from the ’60s. The Waikiki is everything a traditional longboard should be.”
The Waikiki Queens
“The Waikiki Queens is a special version of the Waikiki for girls. We basically took the Waikiki and made a color way design that would be special for the girls. It’s influenced by Kelis Kaleopaa and she’s proud to represent it. We created this because I looked at the longboard lineup and there wasn’t anything for girls and I though this model would be perfect because women excel at that traditional smooth, elegant, and graceful style of surfing.”
In other words, the only thing different between the Waikiki and the Waikiki Queens is the colorway.
Waikiki Queens Dimensions
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
| 8’8″ | 22″ | 2 ⅝” | 56.0 L |
| 9’2″ | 22 ½” | 2 ¾” | 69.6 L |
| 9’6″ | 23″ | 3″ | 77.2 L |
First Impressions
Out of the box, the board is beautiful. It comes in seafoam and pink and although I’m not usually big on material things, it was love at first sight. Although Sallas makes fins, I opted for a 9.5” fin from Island Fin Designs because I was a fan of the fun patterns. After waxing up my board, it was time to hit the water.
Testing out the Waikiki Queens model in Waikiki.
Testing
I live in Honolulu, so naturally I had to take the board out at Queens, its namesake. I also paddled out at a couple of other spots on the South Shore to get a feel for it on different waves. So far, I’ve ridden it at Queens, Canoes, Kewalo Basin, Diamond Head, Tonggs, and my favorite secret spot.
At 9’2” and 69.6 liters, the board was more difficult to paddle than my high volume NSP board (74.4 L), but still got into waves very easily. It handles well on the wave and turns on a dime, something I’m very excited about. I’m still working on the art of nose riding, but it’s easy to tell the board has a lot of potential and will be an incredible platform to practice on.
The Design
I’ve never been one to dive into the details of the shape of my board, but it’s something I’m working on and trying to learn more about. The Waikiki Queens model features a square tail, round 50/50 rails, and a concave nose. The square tails allows the board to turn easily in small to medium surf, the 50/50 rails deliver that smooth glide, and the concave nose provides lift to make nose riding easier.
The Technology
A unique feature of Sallas’s boards is that they utilize Thunderbolt technology. Although the proprietary technology is becoming more widespread, it was new to me and something I’m seriously stoked on.
Thunderbolt technology “utilizes advanced materials and technology to decrease weight while enhancing performance, flex characteristics, board control, and durability.” In other words, Thunderbolt utilizes superior epoxy materials to deliver boards that are light and durable, but that feel and ride like a polyurethane board.
A breakdown of the Thunderbolt technology.
“What interested me most about Thunderbolt is the performance of the boards,” says Sallas. “They put the performance of the boards first and it shows when you ride them. On top of that, they’re way more durable than a regular hand laminated EPS board.”
Final Thoughts
My Waikiki Queens is only the second new board I’ve ever owned (I typically buy used boards). So naturally, I was paranoid about dinging it when I first got it. But after learning more about its construction and Thunderbolt technology overall, I feel confident that it’s one of the most indestructible board in my quiver, which gives me peace of mind when navigating reefs and crowded lineups.
Not only is this board easy on the eyes, but it rides like a dream. It’s responsive, turns well, provides the smooth glide of every longboarder’s dreams, and is a great nose rider. I may not be the best surfer in the lineup, but with the KSLCO Waikiki Queens surfboard under my feet, I know I’ll be able to reach my full potential at some point not too far down the line.
Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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