On CBC’s website, the blurb box next to this pimpin’ piece of wood makes the grand claim that it is “guaranteed to replace taxis”… and it does not disappoint.

So first the nitty gritty, the basics: the Stijl is a 7-ply maple board with a 34 inch length and a 24 inch wheelbase. I threw some Randal 180s and 70mm Sec9 Dual Duros on mine and let loose on the streets to see what this board had to offer. 

To me, one of the more appealing aspects of this deck is the clean, bold, and colorful graphic gracing both its top and bottom: the saturated colors sing to me and are…well, stylish. The aesthetic fixings on this particular board were inspired by the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, a pioneer of the “De Stijl” art movement (hence the name of the board). What’s more, I want to point out that I feel confident hauling the Stijl with me pretty much anywhere I go, whether I am taking it to a job interview, work, or just cruising down to the beach. The Stijl has the adaptability to transition from the down ‘n dirty world of bombing hills to the button-down environs of the day-to-day grind.

The most interesting and sexy feature of the Stijl is its convex bend, which pushes up under your feet when you get boogying on this blade. While at first, the convex feels novel and unusual, riding on it is a quick and easy adjustment to make; it cradles your feet and says, “Go ahead, lean on me, let’s groove.” Put it this way: the Stijl is the kind of board that makes you want to take your shoes off and go zooming around your neighborhood barefoot.

The actual ride of the board is exactly as promised: surfy. The convex surface gives your feet a lot more to push against than you would think, which lends a very leany, fluid feel to the riding experience. At the same time, the arches of your feet push into that bump and make you want to get low, get relaxed, and get going. 

All in all, the Stijl is well worth the investment: it is a capable, comfortable, and quality piece of wood, and you would do well to go buy one, shed your shoes, and start surfing the streets!