The "Secret Weapon" of the Okanagan Surf School

Stop struggling with the start. There is a reason Dave Pimson and the Okanagan Surf School make the 2026 Phase Five Diamond Turbo their #1 teaching tool on Okanagan Lake. While most shops suggest a bulky surf-style board for beginners, Dave’s local philosophy is different: the right skim-style hybrid is actually the fastest way to get you up, carving, and landing your first 360.

The "Dave Pimson" Technique: Why This Board Wins on the Lake

Dave has spent thousands of hours on the North Okanagan wakes, and he trusts the Diamond Turbo for two specific reasons:

• The "Flip Up" Advantage: Traditional surf boards can be clunky and hard for a new rider to "flip" against their feet in the water. Dave prefers the Diamond Turbo’s thinner skim-style profile because it makes the initial "flip up" effortless, letting you focus on balance instead of fighting the board’s buoyancy.

• Training Wheels for the Wake: To give beginners the "locked-in" feel of a surf board, Dave utilizes the 3-fin configuration. He feels the side fins are a game-changer for stability during your first pull. As you progress, Dave moves riders down to a single 1" fin, transforming the board into a loose, playful 360-machine.

High-Performance Specs for Every Rider

Once you’ve mastered the start, the Diamond Turbo’s technical build takes over to keep you progressing all summer long on Okanagan Lake.

• Hybrid Diamond Tail: The widened tail provides massive "push," making it easy to stay in the wave's pocket even if the boat is loaded light or the water gets afternoon chop.

• CI-V Carbon Innegra Construction: This board is built to withstand the heavy daily use of a surf school while remaining incredibly light and snappy for big airs.

• Turbo Rocker Profile: A specialized nose rocker helps prevent "pearling" (nose-diving), giving you the confidence to charge the wake without fear.

From your very first lesson with Okanagan Surf School to your first successful surface spin, the Phase Five Diamond Turbo is the most versatile, proven, and "Vernon-approved" board in our shop.