The Braai Brood

One of our favourite additions to the Mami Wata collection this year has been the Braai Brood. The more time we’ve spent with this board – from filming the legendary team at ShaperX carefully crafting it from start to finish (see the reel on our Instagram), to riding it in a variety of conditions – the more fond of it we’ve become. 

The clamour among the surfers in our team to take it for a spin is testament to that (they really won’t shut up about it!). There are so many reasons why this is the case, aside from how good it looks, with that chequered underside and clean deck. 

Firstly, the Braai Brood is so different from all the other boards in an average quiver. Its condensed size (much like its namesake sandwich), five-fin setup, and low, gentle rocker pique people’s interest. The briefly parallel rails in the middle of the board and the tapered nose are reminiscent of old-school F1 cars and, when the conditions are right, the Braai Brood also goes like one.

Secondly, the board is surprisingly versatile. While it was designed with Muizenberg’s steady-rolling lines and softer waves in mind, the Braai Brood has flourished in an array of other conditions.

With plenty of volume packed into the board, it paddles in with relative ease on smaller days. Maximising your wave count in mushy conditions isn’t a problem.

Thirdly, the fin setup radically changes the kind of surf you have. On a quad setup, the board generates speed for faster-peeling waves, with enough hold to chase down the line. 

Switch to a thruster setup, and you’ve got yourself a looser feel, perfect for Muizenberg on a slightly onshore day with decent swell. A balance of control and mobility is key to making the most of messy sections and plentiful bowls at high tide. 

On a twin, you’ll find yourself atop a skateboard, cutting fast, carving lines on the face, making the most of slower, more playful waves. 

With the winter ahead, we can’t wait to try the Braai Brood out at different spots and in different conditions.