Surf Tips and News
Lahinch sits right on the edge of some of the most consistent surf in Europe. The waves here are real, the conditions change fast, and your board takes a beating. That’s exactly why Torq surfboards have built a loyal following along the west coast of Ireland. They’re built to last, they perform across a wide range of conditions, and they offer genuine value whether you’re still progressing or already comfortable in the water.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Torq range available at Ben’s Surf Clinic in Lahinch, from construction and materials to which model suits your surfing right now.
Key Takeaways
- Torq boards use epoxy construction that makes them noticeably tougher than traditional PU boards.
- The Mod Fun range is one of the most versatile shapes available for surfers in the intermediate to beginner-intermediate bracket.
- Torq boards handle Ireland’s unpredictable surf conditions well, making them a practical choice for year-round use.
- Models range from shorter fun shapes to full longboards, so there’s a Torq for most stages of surfing.
- Prices are competitive given the build quality, with models like the 7’6″ Fun starting at €570.
Why Torq Surfboards Work So Well on Ireland’s West Coast
Ireland’s west coast doesn’t offer the same predictable, mellow surf you find in warmer climates. Conditions shift regularly, swell size varies considerably, and the water is cold enough that you’re already dealing with the restrictions of a thick wetsuit. Your board needs to do a lot of work across a lot of different days.
Torq boards are built with exactly this kind of demanding, variable surfing in mind. Their epoxy construction gives them a level of durability that standard fibreglass boards simply don’t match. A board that handles trips to rocky points, regular use, and storage in Irish weather without developing pressure dings every other session is a practical asset, not a luxury.
Local surfers in Lahinch have gravitated toward Torq for this reason. You don’t need to baby them between sessions, and they hold up well over time, which matters when you’re surfing as often as the west coast allows.
How Torq Builds Their Boards: Epoxy Technology Explained
Torq uses what they call TET, or Torq Epoxy Technology, across their range. This involves a machine-controlled production process that delivers consistent results from board to board. Where a hand-shaped PU board can vary in weight, thickness, and flex pattern depending on who shaped it and when, Torq’s process keeps those variables tight.
Epoxy resin is lighter and stronger than the polyester resin used in traditional construction. It’s also more resistant to water absorption, which means a ding that doesn’t get repaired immediately is less likely to cause serious internal damage. For surfers who aren’t fixing dings the same week they happen, that’s a real advantage.
The result is a board with a lively feel underfoot, good pop when you need it, and a shell that doesn’t soften or delaminate quickly under regular use. The TET Longboard range takes this further with carbon reinforcement on select models, which adds stiffness without adding weight.
The Torq Mod Fun: The Most Useful Board in the Range
If you only look at one board in the Torq line-up, make it the Mod Fun. It’s the shape that covers the widest ground in terms of conditions and ability levels, and it’s the one most surfers at Ben’s Surf Clinic reach for when they’re moving beyond the softboard stage.
The Mod Fun outline is forgiving without being sluggish. It has enough volume to make paddling manageable, a rounded nose that helps you catch waves earlier, and enough curve through the tail to give you something to work with once you’re on your feet. It’s a board that rewards effort rather than punishing small mistakes.
At Lahinch and nearby breaks, where the wave face can be soft and rolling one day and punchy the next, the Mod Fun adapts well. It’s not a high-performance shortboard, but it’s not meant to be. It sits in a more practical bracket that suits most surfers most of the time.
Torq Mod Fun Sizes: 7’2″ vs 7’6″
The Mod Fun comes in multiple sizes, and the choice between them depends on your weight, fitness, and how much time you spend in the water. The two most common sizes stocked at Ben’s Surf Clinic are the 7’2″ and the 7’6″.
The Torq 7’2″ Fun suits lighter surfers or those who paddle well and want something that sits slightly lower in the water with a touch more manoeuvrability. It still carries good volume relative to its length, so it paddles better than a shortboard of similar size.
The Torq 7’6″ Fun White with Pinline is the more popular option for most people coming through the clinic. The extra length and volume make paddling more consistent and catching waves less frustrating, especially for surfers who are building their fitness or surfing less frequently than they’d like. Priced at €570, it represents solid value for a board of this build quality.
As a general rule: if you’re unsure which size to choose, go longer. The extra float helps more than the slight reduction in manoeuvrability hurts, especially in Irish beach break conditions.
The Torq TET Longboard 8’6″: Glide for Smaller Days
Not every day at Lahinch delivers head-high surf. Small, slow days are part of the deal on the west coast, and having a board that works when the waves are knee-to-waist high makes those sessions worth paddling out for rather than skipping.
The Torq TET Longboard 8’6″ White Carbon is built for those conditions. The length and volume generate paddle power that lets you catch waves well before they steepen, and the epoxy construction keeps the board light enough to walk and nose ride without feeling like you’re on a piece of furniture.
The carbon reinforcement on this model isn’t decorative. It adds longitudinal stiffness that gives the board a livelier feel when you’re trimming across the face. Longboards can feel flat and unresponsive when they’re too flexible, and the carbon strip addresses that directly.
For surfers who want a board that genuinely handles small surf at spots like Lahinch or Spanish Point, the TET Longboard is worth serious consideration. It also works well for beginners who have outgrown softboards but aren’t ready for shorter, more demanding shapes.
Who Should Be Surfing a Torq Board?
Torq boards sit in a specific part of the market. They’re not beginner softboards, and they’re not high-performance shortboards shaped for experienced surfers. They occupy the productive middle ground between those two categories, and that’s where the majority of surfers actually are.
If you’ve completed a surf course and want your first proper hard board, a Torq Mod Fun is a natural next step. It’s more responsive than a foam board, it paddles with confidence, and it gives you room to develop your surfing over a couple of seasons without outgrowing it too quickly.
If you’re an intermediate surfer who wants a reliable second board for travel or rough conditions, the durability of the epoxy construction makes Torq a sensible choice. You can throw it in the car, strap it to a roof rack, and not spend the whole drive worrying about it.
Surfers who take surf lessons at Ben’s Surf Clinic frequently ask about transitioning to their own equipment after a few sessions. Torq boards come up in that conversation regularly because they bridge the gap well and hold their value over time.
Buying a Torq Board at Ben’s Surf Clinic Lahinch
Ben’s Surf Clinic stocks a selection of Torq boards suited to the conditions and surfers they work with every day. The range on the Torq board category page is updated regularly, and the team can advise you on sizing based on your current ability and the kind of waves you’re surfing most often.
Buying a board locally means you can get hands-on advice rather than making guesses based on a sizing chart. The staff at Ben’s have surfed the local breaks for years and understand how boards perform in those specific conditions, which is more useful than general manufacturer guidance.
If you want to see what’s currently in stock, the full boards category on the site gives you an up-to-date picture of what’s available. You can also visit the shop directly to browse the wider range of surf equipment stocked at the clinic.
Caring for Your Torq Board
Torq’s epoxy construction is tough, but it’s not indestructible. A few basic habits will keep your board performing well for years.
- Repair dings promptly. Epoxy boards absorb water through cracks more slowly than PU boards, but they still absorb it. A small repair now prevents a more serious one later.
- Store it out of direct sunlight. Prolonged UV exposure degrades the resin over time. Keep your board in a bag or inside when you’re not using it.
- Use the right wax. Apply a base coat first, then a topcoat suited to Irish water temperatures. Cold water wax gives you grip without building up too quickly.
- Check your fins regularly. Fin screws work loose over time. A loose fin affects how the board tracks and turns, so check them before each session.
- Rinse after use. Salt water left on the board and fins causes corrosion on the fin boxes and screws. A quick rinse with fresh water adds up over time.
What to Expect When You First Ride a Torq Board
Surfers coming from foam boards often notice the same things when they first get on a Torq. The board feels livelier and more responsive underfoot, it paddles faster for its size, and it sits slightly lower in the water than a softboard of equivalent length because it’s thinner.
That lower position in the water takes a session or two to adjust to. Getting to your feet quickly matters more on a harder board because there’s less margin for a slow pop-up. The good news is that the Mod Fun’s forgiving outline means the board isn’t trying to throw you off while you’re finding your feet.
Most surfers find that within two or three sessions on a Torq, the adjustment period is behind them and they’re surfing better than they were on their old foam board. The improved feedback from the board helps you learn where your weight is and how to use it, which accelerates progression noticeably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Torq boards good for beginners?
Torq boards work best for surfers who have already completed a beginner course and can get to their feet consistently. They’re a natural next step after a foam learner board, not a replacement for one. If you’re brand new to surfing, start with lessons first.
How long do Torq boards last?
With reasonable care, a Torq epoxy board will last significantly longer than a comparable PU board surfed at the same frequency. The epoxy construction handles impacts better and resists water ingress more effectively. Surfers regularly get five or more years of solid use from a well-maintained Torq.
What size Torq board do I need?
The right size depends on your weight, fitness, and ability. As a starting point, most intermediate surfers between 70–85kg do well on a 7’6″ Mod Fun. Lighter surfers or those with better paddle fitness can move to the 7’2″. If you’re unsure, the team at Ben’s Surf Clinic can advise you based on your specific situation.
Can I use a Torq board in bigger surf?
The Mod Fun range is designed for small to medium waves. In larger, more powerful surf, a more experienced surfer on a shorter board will have a performance advantage. That said, the Mod Fun handles overhead conditions more comfortably than many boards its size because of the epoxy construction’s stiffness and float.
Where can I buy a Torq board in Lahinch?
Ben’s Surf Clinic stocks Torq boards in Lahinch. You can browse the current range through the Torq product listings on the site or visit in person for advice on which board suits you best.
Final Thoughts
Torq surfboards make a strong case for themselves on Ireland’s west coast. The build quality holds up to regular, demanding use. The shapes are practical for the conditions most local surfers actually surf most of the time. And the range is broad enough to cover the journey from beginner-intermediate to confident all-rounder.
Whether you’re looking at the versatile Mod Fun in 7’2″ or 7’6″, or considering the TET Longboard for those slower, smaller days, there’s a Torq board that will serve you well at Lahinch and beyond. Stop into Ben’s Surf Clinic, get your hands on the boards, and make a decision based on something more useful than a guess.
