Channel Islands is one of the most recognisable surfboard brands in the world. They sponsor many of the world’s best surfers, and you’ll also regularly spot their familiar logo at your local break as well as many others around the globe. Founding father Al Merrick calls it his passion “to provide the most dedicated surfers with the most advanced, performance designs”, and the high performance boards that this passion has manifested in are renowned the world over.
History
Channel Islands was first developed way back in 1969, a momentous year in which we also saw the emergence of many other major surfing brands, humans walking on the moon, and apparently a pretty memorable summer, at least according to Bryan Adams. The brand was created by Al and Terry Merrick, who were at the time owners of a surfboard factory, in Santa Barbara, California. Initially a small operation, Channel Islands has over the years grown into a globally recognised brand while remaining in the hands of the Merrick family; Britt Merrick, the son of Al and Terry, is currently the company’s lead shaper and designer, as well as its CEO, and is now in charge of continuing to push for the innovation which has so shaped (pardon the pun) the company over the past 53 years.
Who surfs Channel Islands boards?
A hell of a lot of people, myself included, but I suppose you’re probably more interested in hearing about the famous people surfing them. Random amateurs around the globe aside, there is a massive list of big names who are either currently sponsored by the company, or have been in the past. Kelly Slater, of course, is the biggest of them. He was sponsored by the brand for two decades while winning world championships like he was shelling peas, and only left the partnership when he began a brand of his own.
But while his departure was a significant loss for the brand, they have plenty of other big names which more than compensate for Slater’s absence. Included among those names are the likes of Dane Reynolds, Lakey Peterson, Bobby Martinez, Parker Coffin, Tom Curren, a trio of Gudauskas brothers, Sebastian Zietz, Nat Young, Peter Mel and plenty more. It’s an extensive list including a diverse array of surfers, and the quality among it is indicative of the high esteem with which the brand is held in the world of surfing.
Different boards
Channel Islands have a huge number of different boards that they produce, from shortboards through to grovelers/step downs and guns/step ups, as well as a host of different hybrid boards. At Southern Man we stock a range of the most popular among these, including:
- Channel Islands Two Happy: The Two Happy is, as you may have guessed, an adaptation of the original Channel Islands Happy design, providing a little more of a user-friendly ride while maintaining the elements which made that original such a hit. This board is fast and super manoeuvrable, but its full rails and relatively wide tail make it suitable for a wider range of both surfers, and conditions.
- Channel Islands Fish Beard: Channel Islands designed this one by redesigning their Neck Beard 2, creating a board they refer to as “business in the front and all party in the back”. So what the hell does that mean? Essentially, the design of the front of the board means that if you get forward on it you’ll get a huge amount of speed and drive, while stepping back will allow you to turn on a dime. This is a great board for high performance surfing, but can be equally suitable if you’re not quite at that level or want a little bit more of a cruisy session.
- Channel Islands Rocket Wide: If you’re looking for a quality board that will help you to get the most out of a session in relatively average waves, the Rocket Wide is among the best options that you’ll find. This board and variations of it have long been one of the most popular at Channel Islands, and the latest incarnation is perfect for riders of all levels on smaller to medium sized waves.
- Channel Islands Ci Og Flyer: The Flyer is the most popular board that Channel Islands have ever made. Described as an “everyday board for everyday conditions”, it’s this simple approach which makes the Flyer such a suitable choice for such a wide range of surfers. Whether you’re still honing your craft or have spent your life in the water, and whether you’re surfing two-foot or six-foot waves, the Flyer’s ability to create speed and flow in average conditions has made it a staple of the Channel Islands quiver for over two decades.
With experience creating high quality boards dating back to 1969, it’s little wonder that Channel Islands are such a well-recognised name in the surfing industry. From humble beginnings in Santa Barbara, their logo was etched on the nose of Kelly Slater’s board as he rode himself into the record books as comfortably the most successful surfer, and one of the most successful sports people, of all time. That era may now be over, but they continue to be a driver of innovation, and remain one of the most popular surfboard brands on the planet.
