: Matt "Mayhem" Biolos of Lost Surfboards won top honors from Fanning and Reynolds, while Smith gave his board a second-place finish. Impact and Narrative
The 2019 documentary is a pinnacle moment in surf cinema, functioning as the ultimate "double-blind taste test" for high-performance surfboards. In this ambitious edition, Stab Magazine brought together three of the most influential "test pilots" from previous years— Mick Fanning , Dane Reynolds , and Jordy Smith —to identify the world's best shaper without any brand bias . The Experiment: Apples to Apples Stab in the Dark: All Stars YIFY
Beyond just hardware testing, the film captures the raw, subjective nature of surfing. While the goal is a scientific "double-blind" result, the film highlights that board choice is deeply personal. For instance, Mick Fanning utilized data from his Rip Curl SearchGPS watch to track speeds, though he ultimately prioritized "feel" over metrics. : Matt "Mayhem" Biolos of Lost Surfboards won
The core premise of the series is to remove the psychological influence of brand logos. Shapers are invited to craft clear, unmarked surfboards for an unknown surfer based only on height and weight. For the All Stars edition, the playing field was leveled further by having the three legends ride the same boards in their respective dimensions in South Africa. The Experiment: Apples to Apples Beyond just hardware