Channel Islands
The most influential shortboard label of the modern era — Al Merrick's Santa Barbara shapes ridden to world titles by Kelly Slater, Tom Curren and Lakey Peterson.
About Channel Islands
Channel Islands Surfboards (CI) was founded by Al Merrick in Santa Barbara in 1969 and is widely regarded as the most influential shortboard label of the modern era. Al Merrick shaped for Tom Curren throughout his three world titles in the 1980s, then went on to shape for Kelly Slater during the majority of his eleven world titles — no other label has come close to that level of competitive dominance.
The brand's current lineup is anchored by Britt Merrick's Happy Everyday, Two Happy, Fever and Neck Beard 3 — everyday high-performance shortboards and grovelers that have consistently topped 'best surfboard' round-ups from Stab Magazine, Surfer, and Boardcave since 2020. CI's model design language is distinctly Californian: refined rockers, forgiving foil under the chest and a pulled-in tail that rewards technique rather than raw power.
Channel Islands is owned by Burton Snowboards' parent company today but still operates out of the original Santa Barbara factory. Stock CIs are widely available at Cleanline Surf, Boardcave, Surfride and Real Watersports, and every high-volume model is offered in the brand's Spine-Tek EPS/epoxy construction as well as traditional PU.
Popular Channel Islands models
Sources we reference
Surfex is an aggregator — we do not test boards ourselves. These are the retailer, editorial and manufacturer pages we cross-check when writing about Channel Islands. Numeric aggregate ratings are only shown once we've scraped a real customer-review widget on one of our product review pages.
Where to buy Channel Islands
| Retailer | Notes | Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands (direct) | Full stock and custom orders from Santa Barbara | Visit |
| Boardcave (US / global) | Ships worldwide, verified customer reviews | Visit |
| Cleanline Surf (Oregon) | Independent surf shop, deep CI inventory | Visit |
| Surfride (Southern California) | Local demos and try-before-you-buy events | Visit |
| Real Watersports (North Carolina) | East coast CI hub, free US shipping on boards | Visit |
FAQ
Is Channel Islands a good brand for intermediate surfers?
Yes. The Happy Everyday, Two Happy, and Neck Beard 3 are all designed with slightly higher volume and forgiveness than a pro-line shape, making them among the most recommended intermediate-to-advanced boards on the market.
What is the difference between Spine-Tek and PU Channel Islands boards?
Spine-Tek is CI's proprietary EPS/epoxy construction with a carbon 'spine' running down the stringer for added drive and lifespan. Traditional PU boards flex differently and are preferred by pros for their damped, familiar feel. Spine-Tek is lighter, livelier, and typically 5–10% more expensive.
Who shapes for Channel Islands now?
Britt Merrick, Al's son, is the lead shaper and has been for over a decade. Al Merrick still consults on the brand's flagship models. Devon Howard designs CI's longboard and mid-length line.
Are Channel Islands boards made in the USA?
The majority of Channel Islands boards are still shaped and glassed at the Santa Barbara factory. Some higher-volume PU models are also produced in a partner factory to keep stock available at retailers.
How does Channel Islands compare to Firewire or JS Industries?
Channel Islands is the traditionalist choice — PU-first construction, Californian rocker language, and the deepest pro pedigree of any label. Firewire is the EPS/epoxy leader with a stronger small-wave lineup. JS Industries is the Australian equivalent to CI, with a slightly more high-performance-oriented shape library.
How much do Channel Islands surfboards cost?
New CI stock boards typically range from $850 (PU shortboards) to $1,200 (Spine-Tek and longboards) in the US. Customs add roughly $150–$300 depending on options.