Taken from the Album plasmic surfboard, which has influences from a fish with a wide point forward outline, and bonzer style bottoms (speed and grip). The plasmid is a stretched out version of the plasmic, while still keeping a lot of the DNA of its smaller brother.
Sizing & Construction
The Album Plasmic Surfboard that I reviewed is:
7’8″ x 22″ x 2 3/4″ and roughly about a mid 50 liters of volume I’d estimate. This board is also built in varial foam (which is unfortunately not produced anymore) and wrapped in a dark blue carbon. I was surprised when I picked up this board, it was actually lighter than my 6’3″ CJ Nelson Milo Fish.
How it Felt to Ride: Album Plasmic Surfboard
NOTE: I review surfboards on certain categories on a 10 point scale, which you’ll notice after certain words.
- I actually thought the album plasmic surfboard would paddle super longboard-esqe, but definitely need to be very conscious about making sure your arms hit the the center of the board as you did, you can feel a huge difference . Once you hit those first few strokes paddles great though (Paddle 8.5). One of my favorite things for this board of this size was the glide, and I found this board you could enter in the waves super easily, getting in before they break (Wave Entry Glide 9.5). Since the plasmid is a high volume fast cruiser kind of board, To maximize the drive out of this board, the wave does need a little oomph, but when it did you could lean really slightly and you could feel the springiness of the board really project you back up (Drive 8.75). I had a really tough time turning this board and think this was the biggest downside of this board. I think its a mix of wide point forward and long thick rail line, flat outline, and the huge deep channels which break up speed as you’re trying to turn, but to maximize maneuver, the wave really needs some push then (Maneuver 7.0). While you’re in trim down the line, on the album plasmic surfboard, the channels do create ton of lift and speed and this is one of the areas where the board shined (Speed & Trim 9). Light pressures with the varial foam and carbon layup. Not as strong as a firewire or thunderbolt (Durability 8), but stronger than your traditional PU and polyester resin
If you go traditional PU and standard glassing, it would get deeper pressures and ding a lot easier.
Overall Scores
- Paddling 8.5
- Wave Entry 9.5
- Speed & Trim 9
- Drive 8.75
- Maneuverability 7.0
- Duck diving – No-Go
- Durability 8
- OVERALL FUN FACTOR 8.5
Whose it For?
The 7’8″ Album Plasmic Surfboard is something I’d recommend to someone who wants that glides that is similar to that of a longboard, and wants to catch as many waves as you can catch on a longboard, without having to bring out something as big and heavy.
If you are also someone who wants to get great technique in getting your foot all the way back on your board, this is also an ideal board to practice on. It’s not a board that you can turn easily midway or 3/4 of the way back on the board, and will you give you immediate bogging feedback if you don’t have your foot all the way back! 🤣
Wave Range
I would say the album plasmic surfboard, felt fun in 2 feet down the line waves, just gliding in super early and cruising in trim, but really felt alive and fun in about 3 – 5ft surf, and really liked fatter slopier waves, which had more space to turn, considering how long and flat the board was.
Recommended Fins/Accessories:
I’ve tried this board with my favorite Al Merrick Keel Fins, but with Album Plasmic Surfboard’s deep channels, and the huge raked keel fins, they don’t match up well together and bogged the most with this board and fin combination, than any other mid length that I’ve tried up until this point. This board did really well with a more upright fin, so decided on the Akila Aipa pivot fin, and definitely felt like it helped the board’s maneuverability, the biggest downside that I’ve found with this board.
I used the front fins of Rob Machado’s Quad Set, but this board would also pair well with a smaller, more upright keel fin, to still keep it loose while giving it the some extra drive, something picture below like the Aquabona Keel Fins, which are more upright.
My go to tangle-free Leash (FCS Helix) & FCS Sharkbanz pod for protection & peace of mind from any sharks while out in the water.
Conclusion/Summary
The Album Plasmic Surfboard (Plasmid surfboard), offers a unique paddling experience, requiring precise arm placement for optimal performance (Paddle 8.5). It excels in wave entry and glide, allowing surfers to catch waves effortlessly before they break (Wave Entry Glide 9.5). With high volume and fast cruising capabilities, it provides excellent drive on waves with enough push, projecting surfers forward with a slight lean (Drive 8.75). However, maneuverability is challenging due to its wide point forward, long thick rail line, and deep channels (Maneuver 7.0). The board shines in speed and trim, generating significant lift and speed while in the line (Speed & Trim 9). It has decent durability, stronger than traditional PU boards but not as robust as Firewire or Thunderbolt (Durability 8). The Plasmid struggles with duck diving but performs well in a range of wave conditions, particularly in 2 feet and higher, where it excels in sloppier or high-tide surf. Overall, it offers a fun, fast, and smooth riding experience, making it suitable for surfers looking to enhance their skills, despite its turning difficulty (Overall Fun Factor 8.5).
Video Review
You can also check out my video review on the 7’8″ Album Plasmic Surfboard here.
Other Alternatives
The board that I feel rides most similarly to the Album Plasmic Surfboard is the Seaside and Beyond Surfboard. The Seaside and Beyond Surfboard feels a little more loose, free and fast, but the Album feels like it has more control and smoothness, especially in the 3-4 ft range and up.