REVIEW: Skindog Double Scoop Longboard By Thunderbolt Surfboards

Looking for a new longboard to add to your quiver?

Well, here’s my full  review of the Skindog Double Scoop by Thunderbolt Surfboards — a board I’ve been itching to get under my feet for quite a while.

 

 

OG vs Dynamic — Which One Is Right for You?

First things first, the Double Scoop comes in two distinct models with a singular size option for each

• The OG Double Scoop — 9’8
• The Dynamic Double Scoop — 9’4

And they’re not just different lengths — they’re different personalities.

OG Double Scoop — The Classic Nose Rider

• More foam throughout
• Fuller rails
• Brings that stable, traditional feel
• Designed for stylish board-walking, long nose rides, and cruisey sessions
• Best for smaller, mushier, or slower waves

This is the board you pick when you want that classic longboard feel — glide, stability, and a ton of time on the nose.

Dynamic Double Scoop — The Performance Option

• Thinner, more refined rails
• Narrower tail
• A little more rocker sensitivity
• More responsive and manoeuvrable
• Handles bigger, punchier surf better

As the name suggests, the Dynamic is the more performance-oriented longboard. It’s still a dedicated single-fin longboard with real nose-riding DNA, but with more bite and control out the tail.

Which One Did I Choose?

I went with the Dynamic 9’4.

Why?

Because I like my longboards to still have some playfulness in bigger conditions. I want to be able to pivot, push a bit harder through turns, and take it out on larger point-break days. The OG just felt like more board than I personally needed — the 9’8 length and foam distribution are amazing for nose riders, but I prefer something I can throw around a little more.

But if you’re riding smaller waves, you’re a heavier surfer, or you prefer a more traditional, cruisey, nose-rider vibe…then the OG is probably the better fit.

 

 

 

Double Scoop — The Tail Design Explained

This deserves its own section, because the Double Scoop isn’t named after ice cream — it’s named after a genuinely unique design feature.

The deck of the tail — not the bottom, the deck — has two scooped-out channels carved into it, something unique to this board

It was inspired by an F1 spoiler. The aim is to channel water, and essentially create tail hold when you’re on the nose.

It’s not just a marketing gimmick wither, it works. REALLY well!

In photos it looks subtle, but when you run your hand over the deck, it’s surprisingly pronounced. In person, the double scoop is actually really pronounced — not just a light contour.

 

 

What does it do?

• Gives the board noticeably more hold on the nose
• Helps the tail stay locked in
• Creates a more stable platform for long, confident nose rides
• Works together with the pulled-in rails of the Dynamic model to give both stability and manoeuvrability

Compared to the Cherry Picker (which already had a spoiler-style influence), the Double Scoop amplifies the effect significantly.

This is easily one of the most functional nose-riding design elements I’ve ever felt on a longboard.

Who This Board Is For — Skill Level Breakdown

Your choice — OG vs Dynamic — makes a big difference.

Dynamic Double Scoop suits:

• Intermediates+
• Advanced longboarders
• Surfers who want manoeuvrability
• Those who surf punchier, bigger waves
• People who want performance plus nose-riding

OG Double Scoop suits:

• Beginners to low-intermediates getting into longboarding
• Surfers wanting maximum stability
• Riders who prefer glide over performance
• Those surfing softer, slower waves

The OG is forgiving and stable. The Dynamic rewards technique but is still approachable.

Regardless of level, both are surprisingly versatile — you just decide how much performance vs tradition you want.

Wave Range — What Conditions Does It Handle?

This is where the Double Scoop impressed me more than expected.

The OG shines in:

• Slow waves
• Mushy beach breaks
• Longboard-friendly peelers
• Anything from ankle-high to chest-high

The Dynamic shines in:

• Waist-high to overhead
• Punchier point breaks
• Faster sections
• Days when you want a single fin that still has bite

Personally, I’ve surfed the Dynamic Double Scoop in everything from knee-high lines to unexpected overhead swell. One particular session at a local point break really surprised me — the swell picked up while I was out there, and instead of feeling sketchy (as some single fin longboards do when things get steep), the Dynamic handled it incredibly well.

It’s still a single fin 9’4 longboard — so you have to know how to navigate steeper takeoffs — but once you’re in, it tracks beautifully.

 

 

Fin Setup — What Should You Use?

Ben recommends the Flying Diamonds of California 11″ Sub Model – which he personally designed.
If you’re in the UK, you can easily get one through Skindog Surfboards.

Unfortunately in Australia, they’re hard to come by — so I asked Ben for alternatives.

He suggested the FCS 10.5” Flow fin.

Why it works:

• Long base = stability for nose riding
• Raked profile = smoother turning arc
• Thin tip = release and manoeuvrability
• Pairs perfectly with the tail and rail design

I’ve been running that fin in mine and it feels spot on.
 

 

Construction — Thunderbolt Silver vs PU

Both the OG and Dynamic come in Thunderbolt Silver, which:

• has a PU-like flex feel
• is durable
• suits traditional + performance longboards well

If you’re in the UK, you can order a PU version directly from Skindog’s factory in Newquay, including custom colours and options.

There are a few colourways to choose from if you opt for the Thunderbolt and I’m loving my blue one!

How the Double Scoop Surfs — Real-World Experience

Time for the honest part.

There was a learning curve coming from my Peacemaker.

Paddle Power

The Peacemaker and Cherry Picker both paddle easier straight out of the gate. The Dynamic Double Scoop has a slightly more sensitive sweet spot and requires more precise positioning when paddling

All cards on the table, I nosed dived this board more in my first few sessions than any other longboard! 

BUT once I figured it out, it glides across the water beautifully.

On the Nose

This is where the board shines.

It’s one of the most stable nose-riding platforms I’ve ever stepped onto.
The double scoop does EXACTLY what Ben designed it to do — locks the tail in firmly and predictably.

I’ve lent this board to a few friends and every one of them said the same thing:
“This thing feels insanely stable on the nose.”

You get that locked-in confidence that lets you push further, walk more, and commit harder without feeling sketchy.

Turning / Back-Foot Feel

With the fin under your back foot and that scooped deck shape, you get excellent feedback on where you are on the board. It releases easily and pivots surprisingly well for a 9’4 with a single fin.

Bigger Waves

The Dynamic surprised me the most here.
It handles late drops and punchy sections way better than expected.
If your longboarding includes point breaks or reef waves, it’s a winner.

It also carries a lot of speed from the get go too, which really caught me off guard, but is super welcome!

 

 

 

How It Compares to the Peacemaker

This is the big question for a lot of people, because both boards sit in the performance longboard category.

Peacemaker strengths:

• More versatile overall
• Handles big conditions exceptionally well
• Faster paddler
• Can be ridden thruster, 2+1, or single fin
• More manoeuvrable through turns

Double Scoop strengths:

• Better nose rider — noticeably
• More traditional single-fin performance
• Easier to lock into trim
• Feels more specialised for stylish surfing

If I had to summarise:

• If you want all-round performance → Peacemaker wins

• If you want the best nose rider with performance bite → Double Scoop wins

I ride both regularly and love both for different days, so it’s a tough one to pick if you’re only putting one in the quiver.

Personally I think the fin setup you want to ride will be the deciding factor with this as the Peacemaker has a few more options to play with if that’s what you want.

 

 

Final Thoughts

The Skindog Double Scoop is a seriously impressive longboard. – unique, stylish, functional, and extremely fun to surf.

If your focus is:

• improving your footwork
• pushing your nose riding
• stylish traditional longboarding with a performance edge
• …then the Double Scoop is absolutely worth adding to your quiver.
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Have you ridden the Skindog Double Scoop?

What’s your feedback on it?