Mark Phipps One Bad Egg surfboard 7ft 0 FCS II - Navy/Black Rail

Had the board for 3 weeks now and for once I managed to coincide buying a new stick with a great run of swell. The board arrived at lunchtime and was in the sea by 5pm! Since then I've surfed it almost every day, sometimes twice a day, so I've had a chance to give it a fair go in a variety of conditions.

For context, I'm 49, 6ft, 73kg, have surfed for the best part of 35 years and am lucky enough to have a decent beach break 3 mins walk from my front door. I've only ever surfed shortboards, so buying a 6'8" egg was a bit of a leap of faith. Prior to buying this I was mostly surfing a 5'8" 33L Puddle Jumper RP (which I absolutely love).

First impressions were that it is a lot sleeker than I was expecting. Under the arm it feels more like a step up board than some kind of shrunken longboard and the rails don't feel at all boxy. The finish is immaculate and the glassing is reassuringly solid.

As soon as I got into the water the speed of paddling became apparent and I was very pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to duck dive. First session it was head high and offshore and after a few waves of feeling it out I started to really enjoy the board. Coming from years of surfing shortboards I had to alter my approach a bit to relax and not thrash about so much. You just put the board into the right part of the wave and let it do its thing. That's not to say that you can't still smash a lip or do a nice tight cutty when the time is right.

The ability to catch waves is incredible, you're not quite out there with the 9ft brigade, but you can get in way earlier than the shortboarders. My wave count went through the roof! Being able to get in earlier and the ability to really fly through sections has meant that I've been having much longer rides as well. No real issues surfing either front or backhand, but I look forward to learning how to get the most out of what is quite a different board than anything I've previously owned.

Initially I set it up with a 6.5" FCS Kai Sallas centre fin and medium Performers in the sides. I had a few surfs using these, but it felt like there was too much fin, so I got a set of Carver Quad Rear/Side Bytes and this loosened things up nicely. I have the centre fin as far back as possible.

Overall, I'm stoked with my purchase. The board is happy to just cruise along, trimming down the line like a longboard with a few cheater 5's thrown in, or to be surfed in a more aggressive, involved manner. It is very versatile and would suit a wide variety of surfers & conditions. As far as wave size goes it's equally at home in knee high peelers as decent head high conditions, and it feels like it would be happy charging in much bigger. I'm not quite ready to get rid of my shorter boards, but this board makes a pretty good case for a one board quiver and would be an excellent travel companion.

If you’re like me and the frothing grom in your head no longer bares any resemblance to your physical form, would appreciate a paddling boost without sacrificing too much manoeuvrability, or just fancy something a bit different, the One Bad Egg should definitely be on your shortlist.

Had no need to put customer service to the test, but the board arrived well packaged and communication was friendly, ample and clear. Wouldn't hesitate to buy from Boardshop in the future. Cheers!

Just to say that the One Bad Egg is the best and most versatile board I've ever owned. I'm using it for two weeks on a daily basis in Southwest France and it is seriously impressive! If anything it's a forgiving semi gun in double overhead Guethary, but it also goes in as early as a 9ft In the Pink on 3ft Hendaye crumbles. Haven't even tried it as a single fin yet!!!!!

This literally killed my quiver......

Just a friendly, helpful and speedy service from the team the moment I got in touch about this board. And the board itself is a great purchase. It paddles well, and on the first couple of smaller sessions I had, it caught waves easily and glided over flat spots, but still turned well off the tail in steeper sections. Then I lucked into a solid day at a local reef and the board still felt really good in overhead waves. Getting in early and feeling solid (but not too stiff) in bottom turns and carves in the face of the wave. A real quiver killer. Everyone needs to get some egg in their life!

This is as good as every other reviewer says, and does exactly what MP claims. Tried it today in shoulder high beach break and it lets you in early like a longboard but flies like a smaller board and you can also pull turns as if you’re riding a board a good 8-10” shorter. Highly recommend. It also paddles fast too.

Board arrived in perfect order ! Even after a long track north ferry crossing also, have used Boardshop numerous times now, and they never dissapoint, number 1 for surfing gear !! Board feels good next swell will see how it goes?

A recent purchase so there’s more discovering to be done but this is something I’m REALLY looking forward to doing. The board goes seriously fast when you give it a nudge and can be ridden very aggressively but can also cruise along like a dream.
One very happy customer here. The lads at Boardshop were really helpful and friendly too.

Hi Ian,
Just got in on the obe yesterday after being sick since I picked it up and I am totally made up with it!!! Definitely the right choice I was getting pretty much everything I was paddling for in far from perfect conditions, she flies!! and no compromise on the performance even at 7'10" absolutely love it!!

I also just wanted to say again what a pleasure it was dealing with you and your company, I run my own business so deal with lots of different company's in business and as a general punter and you are right up there, you even put me to shame on your fast email response times!

I'll put up a review when I get chance, but feel free to use any of the above if you wish.

Merry Christmas to you all and a happy new year!

Cheers

I just received my 6ft 6' one bad egg and i have to say it looks better in real life than it does in the pictures. Is really a great looking board. Obviously haven't had a chance to surf it yet, but really looking forward to getting out on it. Is my first board in over 25 years, so super excited.

Also, have to say the service from the boardshop has been great. All questions answered promptly, polite, and helplful.

Thanks!

Thanks for the email and the overall service it was very impressive all round ....
Caught a few on the board on Tuesday arvo in 2ft 6 second onshore mush in the bay ... and whilst the surf was awful thought the board (even tho not really a fair condition to form opinion) was super responsive and flew down the line... the first wave i caught was a joy on it and managed to bang it off the lip with ease... it's like surfing a performance short board if you don't mind the length!!!! (Which I dont)
Can't wait to try in decent waves but sods law it's gone to mush here in cornwall haha !!!
Thanks again to you and the team there... very pleased with the obe and excellent customer service
Ps - It's easier to duck dive than two of my shortboards at 29 litres... go figure!!

(86kg intermediate, surfing 2-4 times per week typically).

I ordered the Mark Phipps OBE at 7’6. I was amazed at how well it paddled and moved on a wave. I surfed it with a single 7” fin.

After a few surfs I wanted the same board smaller - so I utilised the 30 day ride out guarantee. I also ordered FCS performer fins. I received the same board in 7’0 and again was amazed at the paddle speed.

The only difference is the 7’0 is much more fun on the wave. For that extra response on the wave there’s no sacrifice in paddle speed for me between the 7’6 and 7’0.

The customer service was spot on. Fast responses to emails. Emails all relevant and full of first hand knowledge.

I’ll be back !