Channel Islands surfboards was launched in 1969 by Al Merrick he was responsible for building this company from its humble beginnings in Santa Barbara and in forty years has become a global institution in the world of surfing and surfboards. Many of the worlds leading surfers will choose a Channel Islands board over any other make in fact at this moment Channel Islands boards are holding more than 20 world titles and the next generation of world class surfers are already picking out Channel Islands board in preference to other makes. Channel Islands have a mission to make the best boards which can only be done by the feedback given by the best surfers in the world in fact due to this channel islands continue to come up with new designs and experiment with new shapes which include using all the latest new and next generation materials in their board production which should continue to keep Channel Islands surfboards at the top of its game.
Firewire Dominator 5’6 RF Surfboard
Two of Channel Islands most popular models are “The Flyer and The Dumpster Diver” these two surfboard models have become successful due to the success of the surfers who choose to ride them in competitions and obtain good results. These two boards are easier than most at surfing in small to medium wave conditions which is nearly always the types of waves which most people surf in. Another reason why Channel Islands surfboards are very popular is the customer services are top of the range and they think listening to the customer is very important as keeping the customer happy will result in repeated sales and when times get tough and money is tight you will always go back to where you know there is good service and an excellent product.
Although much of the success of the company is due to is founder a shaper Al Merrick in 2006 Channel Islands surfboards was taken over by the Burton Corporation and this change helped the company focus on producing the best high quality, rider surfboards for their price. The company produces one of the most varied ranges and models of surfboard of any company. You can choose from Longboards, shortboards, guns, the more traditional models, hybrids and specialty board, you can even get a wide range of signature models and even custom made boards specially designed for your particular style and needs. They not only cater for the pro surfer but also most of their boards are also suitable for both intermediate and beginners.
The Channel Islands MBM is on of their most popular shortboard for the advanced surfer; it was developed by Bobby Martinez and has a full rail with plenty of volume in the nose and tail which makes this board very user friendly. It is great for both vertical surfing and loves to be in the pocket. This board is relatively flat under the front foot which leads to a double concave/vee combination at the back. The Firewire Dominator is one of the most versatile surfboards in the firewire range at the moment. The dominator has a full outline complete with a thick foil from the nose to the tail, with a 5,4,3 fin configuration. The firewire has had the wide point mover further back from the nose to reduce the profile which means it maintains its speed but has none of the top turn drawbacks which the retro nose outlines suffer. The Rapifire technology is made from a bamboo deck and direct drive carbon stringers which create a very positive feel under your feet. The Dominator is a great board for all skill levels and paddles like a champ without tracking like the heavier PU boards of a similar size.
Firewire Spitfire 6’6 RF Surfboard
The Firewire Spitfire has all the benefits of the dominator but gives even more performance. The Spitfire combines both a diamond tail with a step down tail rail which gives the Spitfires tail a feeling of a much thinner board, however it does not loose the dominators speed and floatation. It has the same 5,4,3 fin options complete with a low entry rocker for easier paddling. If you then add the Rapfire technology with its bamboo deck and direct drive carbon stringers this board is going to be your favorite every time you surf. The Channel Islands Motorboat surfboard bridges the gap between Rob Machado’s biscuit and gravy. It has a low entry rocker with a single to double concave with vee which gives this board the ability to motor really fast and is also great fun in flat faced waves. The motorboat blends both performance and volume into an ideal small to medium wave surfboard which should be ridden about 4 inches shorter than your current shortboard. The motorboat is built with Greenfoam which is made from the shaping waste of other boards UV cure resins and also recycled fins to reduce the impact on the environment.
