Empire Ave

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Empire Ave Empire Ave is a surf lifestyle site that focusses on exploring the products that help people do what we all love to do - surf or hang at the beach 🏝

Follow up to the Futures/Groms post last week, here's a look at the best surf fins for kids: FCS.Four kids, four sets. M...
05/10/2026

Follow up to the Futures/Groms post last week, here's a look at the best surf fins for kids: FCS.

Four kids, four sets. Mason Ho, Matt Biolos, Al Merrick and Mick Fanning templates, in Small, XS and Grom.

Going from dad's Mediums to the right size was the aha moment. Smoother, easier to control, boards that finally respond.

After that? Colour, whose name is on the side, and if they got a good one in the first five minutes.

If you're kid's under 45-55kg, stop being a tight parent.

Full read's on Empire Ave → empireave.com

Business class for your quiver.The Ocean & Earth Apex boardcover, three ASI awards running. 9/10.Protection: multiple fl...
02/10/2026

Business class for your quiver.

The Ocean & Earth Apex boardcover, three ASI awards running. 9/10.

Protection: multiple flights, boards came out pristine. 9/10.
Capacity: a true three-board cover, so no sneaking a fourth in. 8/10.
Airport wheels: buttery. On a road trip, less fun. 9/10.

From $565 AUD. Steep, until you price the boards inside it - think of it as an insurance plan.

Full read's on Empire Ave → empireave.com

Want to build your own surfboard? In Australia, good luck.In San Clemente you just walk into Catalyst at Basham's.Blanks...
01/10/2026

Want to build your own surfboard? In Australia, good luck.

In San Clemente you just walk into Catalyst at Basham's.

Blanks, resin, glass and every tool you'd need, all under one roof. Working shaping bays and CNC machines out the back. Glitter-finish MR twin fins on the walls and more ...Lost boards than you can poke a planer at.

Matt 'Mayhem' Biolos built it in the old Basham's factory to honour Brad Basham, who bank-rolled a bunch of the town's shapers with lines of credit and know-how.

Full read's on Empire Ave → empireave.com

This suit, from O'Neill, punches well above its price tag.O'Neill HyperX 3/2 Stitchless Steamer: 86/100 overall.Warmth: ...
28/09/2026

This suit, from O'Neill, punches well above its price tag.

O'Neill HyperX 3/2 Stitchless Steamer: 86/100 overall.

Warmth: a baker's oven, and it doesn't need heavy thermal fuzz to get there. 9/10.
Flex: thicker liquid tape means a bit less stretch, but seams that last. 8/10.
Price: $599.99 AUD while the big brands push toward $800. 8.5/10.

Full read's on Empire Ave → empireave.com

Best surf fins for kids: Futures.TLDR? >> Stop putting 35kg groms on your old Mediums.Three testers, nine sets. A taller...
27/09/2026

Best surf fins for kids: Futures.

TLDR? >> Stop putting 35kg groms on your old Mediums.

Three testers, nine sets. A taller 13-year-old, a 36kg micro-grom and a 10-year-old with a wide power stance.
Size is 95% of it. Get the template right for their weight and the board finally works for them.

Kid needs more hold? John John or Jack Robbo rake.
Board feeling stiff? Try a tiny centre fin.

Full read's on Empire Ave → empireave.com

Same board. Three builds. One clear winner.Tim and some mates grabbed a JS Industries Xero Fusion, in PU, HyFi 3.0 and C...
26/09/2026

Same board. Three builds. One clear winner.

Tim and some mates grabbed a JS Industries Xero Fusion, in PU, HyFi 3.0 and Carbotune, and took them for a burn. Same 5'10, 30.5L, 16 sessions.

PU: loose, but a bit soft for this model.
Carbotune: springy, poppy, a bit skateboardy.
HyFi 3.0: Goldilocks. Four of our five testers picked it.

Full read's on Empire Ave → empireave.com
Video review's in there too.

Tim's pick of the season's rubber so far, the Billabong Revolution Pro 3/2 chest zip. Which came in at a 87.5/100 overal...
23/09/2026

Tim's pick of the season's rubber so far, the Billabong Revolution Pro 3/2 chest zip. Which came in at a 87.5/100 overall.

Fit: like a horn-warmer on a unicorn. 9.5/10.
Flex: thin liquid tape, zero leaks. 9/10.
Price: $750 AUD. Stings a little. 7.5/10.

Full read is on Empire Ave → empireave.com

Riders: .smith -
Photos:

Keeping the logo games going, here's a look back at the logo evolution from O'Neill. Got these from their 60th anniversa...
21/09/2026

Keeping the logo games going, here's a look back at the logo evolution from O'Neill. Got these from their 60th anniversary book -

Anyone else remember the Animal Wetsuit with Gerr? Was mind-blowing as a grom...

"Kelly came very close to working it out."From an interview we did Greg Webber, a couple of years ago. Had someone ask a...
20/09/2026

"Kelly came very close to working it out."

From an interview we did Greg Webber, a couple of years ago. Had someone ask about it today, made me read it again, still an interesting read (as most things with Greg generally are).

Full read is on Empire Ave → empireave.com

09/09/2026

Lowers starts this week and the forecast at this point is for chest to head high waves to start the waiting period, so anyone with a Brazilian flag next to their name is looking excited, as will anyone else spry on their feet in smaller surf. I'm gunna power up Ethan, look at this 9 !!!

With that in mind, here are your best Fantasy Surfer Picks for Trestles 2026 (in bio)

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Gold Coast, QLD
4225

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