Description
THE ELITE is a super high performance board with all the bells & whistles.
The design is based on Gav’s knowledge & experience over the last 10 years working with pro surfers, including Adriano De Souza & Sally Fitzgibbons.
THE ELITE has a continuous rocker, even foil & low boxy rails, which creates a well balanced super high performance board that loves pocket, lip and aerial surfing.
Thanks to the faith of Jadson Andre, THE ELITE made its debut appearance on the CT tour at Bells Beach 2015, and continues to show up in CT events around the world.
Dimensions
5′ 8″ x 18 1/2″ x 2 1/8″ (23.5L)
5′ 9″ x 18 5/8″ x 2 3/16″ (24.6L)
5′ 10″ x 18 3/4″ x 2 1/4″ (25.3L)
5′ 11″ x 18 7/8″ x 2 5/16″ (26.6L)
6′ 0″ x 19″ x 2 3/8″ (27.9L)
6′ 1″ x 19 1/8″ x 2 7/16″ (29.2L)
6′ 2″ x 19 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ (30.6L)
6′ 3″ x 19 3/8″ x 2 9/16″ (32.0L)
6′ 4″ x 19 1/2″ x 2 5/8″ (33.5L)
Tail Shape
Rounded Square, Round or Swallow
Fin Setup
Thruster
EPOXY OPTIONS
See EPOXY page for full details and images.
STANDARD EPOXY
EPS foam with wooden stringer and epoxy glassing.
1-DA EXCLUSIVE EPOXY
Our 1-DA EXCLUSIVE EPOXY technology is the 1st composite stringer tech surfboard to WIN a WSL event! Read about it HERE.
EPS foam with special stringer, epoxy glassing, bottom stringer strip and tail patch. We use a special light composite stringer designed specifically for structures subjected to slamming and shock loads. The stringer’s composite material includes characteristics such as low water absorption, superior damage tolerance and excellent fatigue properties enhancing the surfboard’s flex.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Need some guidance about the right board for you? Take advantage of a FREE Private Consultation with our World-Class Shaper GAVIN UPSON when ordering your new 1-DA Shapes surfboard.
Appointments can be attended:
- in person at our Tweed Heads premises; or
- by Facebook Video Chat; or
- by Telephone.
Rick W –
My 6’0” 1-DA Elite in epoxy technology is the only board I’ve been riding since I got it about 6 months ago. Goes well in all waves from barrels to the beaches and points. I chose your business because it’s fast becoming the board of choice in Taranaki, with some of the top local surfers riding them so had to try one for myself and loved it after feeling it out. The boards I have (I have 3 1-DA’s in the quiver now) are going really well and I like how Gavin is available to discuss options and make adjustments to the boards to suit my surfing. I will definitely be sticking to the 1-DA’s going forward. I like that I know I can just grab that 1 board, head to the beach and it’s going to perform.
Oliver G –
I have surfed for 25yrs or so, during that time I would have had 50 or more boards, including at least 15 or so custom’s. I can truly say without a doubt the entire process at 1-DA is exceptional and 2nd to none. From the unbelievable communication with making the original booking and throughout the process, through to Gav’s genuine love of making boards I cant recommend them high enough. I have had a fair few surfs on my new boards now and they are inline with the entire 1-DA experience – that is exceptional! You have a customer for life with me!
Patrick Renau –
Had an Elite as my last board and I deeply regret moving on from it. The board went so well even in even just average waves and went incredibly in pumping waves, can’t wait to get another.
Isben –
My board is unbelievable. So nice to ride! Can’t wait to make another one!!!
Kaleb Thomson (verified owner) –
This is my second Elite and I couldn’t believe it was better than the last! When the waves are good there’s no other board I’d want under my feet. Lots of speed and drive and the right amount of release when you want it. Performance short boards don’t get any better. Couldn’t recommend 1-DA enough, from the product itself to the staff and communication, everything is A+.
Matt Boyle –
The Elite is a super-fast and responsive board. It allows you to put it in places with ease and speed. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to step up their game.
Craig Sharrock –
With this being my third 1-DA Elite I have owned, this is the best one by far. I have surfed it in all kinds of conditions from the Gold Coast to Canada and I can’t fault the board one bit. It drives hard, holds rail well and has awesome release off the top in just about any conditions. With Gav’s experience and knowledge it was awesome having him help decide what was going to be the best for my surfing style and he didn’t disappoint. Super stoked with the service, support and product. 🤙🤙
Gil Ferreira –
I tested THE ELITE model for the first time in 2016 in Brazil, and I have been using it today as my favorite model. Without a doubt it is the fastest board that gives me stability in curves that makes it easier for aerial manoeuvres.
Chip –
I’ve been riding my 6’3 ELITE a lot. It’s my go-to board at the moment in 2ft to 8ft.
Loving the drive & paddle power with the longer rail line, promoting full rail turns & major moves.
Craig –
Thanks 1-DA Shapes for the new Elite. After getting my Buzzinga model a year ago from Gav for small waves, I couldn’t wait to start my new quiver with 1-DA boards. The Elite is perfect to take my pocket surfing to the next level. Both times Gav has shaped exactly what I was looking for in a board and both times the board has exceeded my expectations. It’s so good to talk to your shaper and get that personal touch, plus support a great local shaper who knows his craft.
I look forward to my next board guys. Thank you so much Gav & Nikki.
Harry –
I recently took my ELITE 5′ 10″ to Bali and couldn’t fault the board in anyway! Super drivey off the bottom but released well off the top which is a hard combo to get in a board.
I am super heavy on my boards and generally snap my boards through my back foot, Gav used heavy duty carbon on my tail and this worked a charm!
Cant wait for my next ELITE!
Cheers!
Fabiano –
I wanted to have a super high performance board in my quiver and I wanted it to be light so I ordered an ELITE model in 1-DA Exclusive Epoxy construction. It took me a few surfs to really get it and then it was on. It’s smooth and fast down the line and I like the way it wants to keep turning when on rail. In the right conditions (good waves, not too big, not too small) my ELITE 5’ 10” is the most exciting board ever, the super light epoxy construction and sharp high performance shape got me addicted to this board. Outstanding on quality peaky beachies like Straddie and Dbah. Thanks Gav for another board that really works!
Jordy –
Hey there Nikki and Gavin,
I took the board (THE ELITE) out with a broken wrist because I am impatient, ha ha. Right from when I hopped on it, it felt so smooth moving through the water.
It wasn’t until yesterday that I really got to test out what the board was capable of.
I can happily say that until yesterday I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A GOOD SURF! THIS BOARD RIPS!
I LOVE THIS BOARD SO MUCH IT TWISTS AND TURNS EVERY WAY I WANT IT TO AND IT FEELS SO SEAMLESS CARVING THROUGH.
ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CREATING SUCH A PIECE OF ART.
I AM BEYOND STOKED!!!!
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Jack –
My 5′ 3″ custom ELITE board goes really well. Super fast and responsive. Been getting some sick waves lately, from up north at Gnaraloo and around Perth. It goes sick. Can’t fault it so far and I’ve ridden it in a variety of waves thus far from 4 foot plus reef breaks down to a 1 foot beach break grovel. I like the low boxy rail and continuous gradual rocker with its kind of “low key” tail rocker giving it a loose but driving feeling off the bottom with responsiveness off the top. I ride the Elite with small future fins model JJF which I think is a great combo. I would be happy to recommend this board to anyone chasing a new board.
Claudio –
I love my ELITE. I’ve been riding it in all sort of conditions and the little board goes bananas.
It paddles well, very responsive and loves a pocket.
Thanks Gavs and Nikki. I can’t wait to get another one with a few tweeks.
Stoked!!!!
Mackenzie Logan –
I love THE ELITE. My brother loves his too. My mates like riding my board. It’s the fastest and most responsive board I’ve ridden. I can beat sections I wouldn’t usually beat and make every turn. I’ll be taking this board to Bali this July. I wouldn’t ride anything else!
1-DA Team Rider J-ROD –
The 1-DA EXCLUSIVE EPOXY has ramped up my performance for sure. Being a big fan of the ELITE model, I found it hard to get off this even when the waves were soft and small. And if I did change models, I would get more speed however I couldn’t surf in the pocket as well. Going EPOXY on my ELITEs has opened up a whole new world. The flex pattern in them gives them a whole new feel and vibrancy that I can’t explain. Basically I can surf my EPOXY ELITE with more speed than ever in full grovel surf and I can surf it in pumping surf and it goes equally as well! My surfing has got faster, more flow and I’m loading up my bottom turns and rail turns more which equals more speed coming out of them into the next turn. I’ve got some of my friends on Gavin’s EPOXY boards too and they are super stoked on the extra performance!
Ray –
My latest ELITE and SHURIKEN are great, works for me!!
Dawson Tamati –
I’ve been working with Gavin on my past few boards, and my latest 1-DA ELITE is my best ever board yet. Gavin customized it perfectly to my ugly but interesting style and abnormally shaped body and oddly large head. I’m stoked with it. Hooked on having good boards now and am slowly building up a dream 1-DA quiver.
Claire Bevilacqua –
My go-to high performance board (THE ELITE), the thing flies. Responsive when I put the foot down, sturdy when I take it off and light when I want to take to the air. This board gives me the confidence that I need to take me to the next chapter of my surfing. Every day gets better. Thanks Gav x
Brent “Hench” Hutchieson –
I love my two boards (THE ELITE and the SEMI GUN). They are so fast and responsive. When I got to my feet, it was like going on a magic carpet ride, gave me confidence to take on any wave that came my way. THE ELITE 6’ 5” went off, loved tube riding and power turns in the pocket. The SEMI GUN 6’ 10” was legendary. Needed to have bigger waves, maybe 10-15 foot. Thanks Gavin, sick boards man. Wahoo.
Davey Van Zyl, South African QS Surfer –
I’m really loving the board (THE ELITE). Feels so good. For me it’s really quick off the top and gives a lot of drive into and out of turns! I prefer riding it on the points but it flies in all kinds of running waves from 2 to 6 feet. Really good for airs! Perfect all-rounder!
Beau Eastman –
I started off with buying a board (THE ELITE) off the 1-DA rack and I have had so many great rides, from making out of fast tubes to whacking sloppy washes. So then I bought another board which was a 5’ 8” fish (DUB T) and at this moment, I can finally enjoy crappy small conditions. Two great boards and from two great people. Thank you Nikki and Gavin.
Damian –
I just got out from surfing THE ELITE at Snapper. The board was absolutely fantastic. Exactly what I was hoping for! It had plenty of speed, was responsive and held its line great. It was really good on top to bottom vertical re-entries. Every now and then, you ride a board for the first time and it feels magic. This is one of those boards.
There was one minor down fall and I stress it was minor. It was a little slow to paddle in general however. There was no problem getting into waves. As soon as it hit the back of the board, it instantly picked up speed and away it went.
In terms of other boards I’ve ridden, I’d say it went similar to the DHD DX1’s I’ve owned, maybe slightly better…
J-Rod –
After riding the Cub for a couple months, I wasn’t sure how THE ELITE would feel. The Cub already felt like ‘an elite’ surfboard! My first surf on my custom ELITE (which arrived on Xmas Day), my friend (a very good surfer himself) was filming and he commented my turns were looking noticeably bigger, and that it looked like I was not surfing the board to its capacity, while on my Cub I had been. This probably sums it up best: It feels like the only limitations when surfing my ELITE is myself! It feels like I’m on a board any of the world’s best would appreciate. No disrespect to The Cub, I still go back to The Cub when the waves are soft/weak/fat as it seems to generate a bit more speed in flat sections. I actually won my national title on The Cub in long soft reform waves.
Carlos –
Gavin, THE ELITE is everything I wanted. Responsive in my turns. It’s a primo all-rounder shape! Well worth talking to a shaper who knows his dimensions. Cheers 1-DA crew. Stoked to be riding your board!
Pottsy –
I got a custom ELITE to take to Latitude Zero in the Telo Islands. I rode it for 2 weeks for solid 6-8hrs a day over there. The board went absolutely insane. It performed in all conditions. It’s my go to board. Stoked! If you’re always looking for that board to take you to the next level, this is that board. Thanks Gav.
Owen Jenkins –
The 5’ 9” ELITE was in its element today Gav. Rounded pin loves the super sucky barrels. Stoked!
Shaka –
Thanks Gav for an awesome surfboard (THE ELITE). It is exactly what I was after and the glassed in fins give a feel of response I was looking for. It has great speed out of turns and fast off the top. Anyone looking for a new board, I highly recommend giving Gav and the team a call. Thanks again mate.
JZ –
Speed to burn on the ELITE model guys. So forgiving through turns but still plenty of drive going in and out of turns. Solid underfoot, catching waves (too easy), likes to fly if you’re down with that. Total all round sick stick. Loving my 1-DA ELITE. Yewwww.
Owen Crockett –
The 1-DA ELITE. Oh, are you kidding me!!! That’s what I’m saying to myself every time I paddle back out. I’m doing turns I haven’t done in years and some I’ve never done. So responsive, so much flow, so clean and the best release off the top. I’ve had a month surfing the Elite and I think this could be the best board I’ve ever had. I couldn’t be happier. Thanks so much Gavin and Nikki for the most personalized service I’ve ever had ordering boards. I’ve been so inspired that I’ve started competing again. Look out groms, I’m back!!!
Mino –
The board (THE ELITE) is so good!! I’ve never ridden anything like it before. I’m so stoked!! Thank you very much for making such a nice board for me!!
Glenn Robinson –
Thanks for the great board (THE ELITE) Gav. I had a chance to get out this morning for the first few turns and didn’t realise how much my old board was holding me back. The 1-DA ELITE goes great. I can’t wait to get in some Snapper juice to really open it up. Thanks again.
Matt Jones –
My new ELITE I got before my latest trip to the Ments worked amazing. I only rode it as a quad set up the whole time and it went amazing. I rode it all day out this right and it was super fast and unreal in smooth conditions. I look forward to giving it a run out on the point when I get the courage to put a wetsuit on again. Thanks again Gav and also Corey Ziems for organising it.
Zane Hicks –
The boards (THE ELITE & J-FORCE) were awesome. I couldn’t be happier.
A.B. –
I rode the MULTI in a bowly head high left in Fiji and it went insane!!! I was blown away by how fast it went and it felt unreal on rail through carves as a quad. Super super stoked!!
My ELITE went insane at south Dbah next to the sand spit. I’m really happy with how the board felt. The surf was fun head high with some punch. The board felt really fast and drivey. The only thing about the Elite that felt different was the stability. It’s much quicker and more responsive than my boards, which maybe something I’ll want to adjust myself to. I’d love to order more boards.
Wade Ziems –
THE ELITE is the best board I have had in years! It is fast, responsive and no hiccups! It was exactly what I was after. Thanks Gav.