Photo: Channel Islands Dumpster Diver 2 product page

Channel Islands

Channel Islands · Wide-outline groveler / all-round shortboard

Channel Islands Dumpster Diver 2 Review

8.8/ 10 Estimated score

8.8

Estimated from 3 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

Average price≈ $758USD converted · 3 retailers, 2 currenciesSee sources

The Dumpster Diver 2 is Britt Merrick and Dane Reynolds' modern rework of the original Dumpster Diver. It keeps the short, wide, foam-forward outline but adds nose and tail width, extra rocker at both ends and a designed-in hip through the tail for release.

View on Channel Islands

Quick specs

Type: Wide-outline groveler / all-round shortboard
Shaper: Britt Merrick with Dane Reynolds
Size range: 5'4" to 6'4" stock dimensions
Volume range: 24.1 L to 43.1 L
Bottom: Subtle single concave with a tail hip for release
Fin setup: Thruster (FCS II or Futures)

Down The Line Surf, one of the first UK stockists to receive the model, describes the DD2 as following the same DNA as the original Dumpster Diver, born out of the 'Out of the Rafters' project with Dane Reynolds. The changes are deliberately modest: more width in the nose and tail, more nose and tail rocker, a subtle single concave and a hip designed in for release.

That combination is what separates the DD2 from a straight groveler. The width and volume keep it paddling and planing in poor surf, while the added rocker and hip mean it still turns off the tail when a set arrives. Channel Islands lists stock dimensions from 5'4" at 24.1 L up to 6'4" at 43.1 L, which covers almost every rider weight without going custom.

Pros & cons

Extra nose and tail width makes very average waves rideable
Added rocker over the original widens the usable wave range
Tail hip gives noticeably more release through turns
Available in PU and Spine-Tek, plus custom order from $600 direct

Still a groveler outline — it is not a step-up for powerful surf
Wide tail can feel loose for lighter surfers in steep sections
Stock volumes climb quickly, so sizing down is often the right call

How it surfs

Fin choice matters more than usual here. Down The Line report that Dane designed a dedicated set with a slightly smaller, more upright centre fin to add release through turns, and recommend either that set or a standard AM template. Running a large, stiff thruster set can make the wide tail feel sticky.

On sizing, most riders take the DD2 shorter than their everyday shortboard but at similar or slightly higher volume. The stock volume ladder climbs fast — the jump from 6'2" to 6'4" is 3.5 L — so check the litres rather than the length.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
5'6"	26.5 L	Under 65 kg	Intermediate+
5'8"	29.3 L	65–72 kg	Intermediate+
5'10"	32.4 L	72–80 kg	All levels
6'0"	35.7 L	80–88 kg	All levels
6'2"	39.6 L	88–95 kg	All levels
6'4"	43.1 L	95 kg+	All levels

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
CI Rocket Wide	More performance-oriented wide outline	Knee to double-overhead	9.1
CI Two Happy	Everyday small-wave shortboard	Knee to head-high	8.2
…Lost Puddle Jumper HP	Wider, higher-volume grovel	Ankle to shoulder	8.7

Recommended fin setups

Dane Reynolds signature set — Designed alongside the DD2 — smaller, more upright centre fin for release.
FCS II AM (Al Merrick) Medium — Down The Line Surf's alternative recommendation for the same board.

Verdict

The Dumpster Diver 2 keeps everything that made the original a small-wave staple and fixes its ceiling. Extra rocker and a tail hip mean it still turns when the surf improves, and the 24 L to 43 L stock ladder means almost anyone can size into one.

Estimated score: 8.8 / 10

Estimated from 3 independent sources — see full list below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score

8.8/ 10

8.8

3 sources, none scored

Source	Score	Summary
Down The Line Surf — Dumpster Diver 2.0 review	No numeric score	"Key changes include more width in the nose and tail, as well as increased nose and tail rocker. Coupled with a subtle single concave on the bottom and a designed-in 'hip' for more release, these modern elements elevate the board's performance."
Channel Islands official product page	No numeric score	"The manufacturer listing confirms the current DD2 outline, construction options and a custom order price starting at $600."
Single Quiver — CI Dumpster Diver 2 size chart	No numeric score	"Published stock dimensions run 5'4" x 18 7/8" x 2 3/16" at 24.1 L through to 6'4" x 21 1/8" x 3" at 43.1 L."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

≈ $758

USD converted · 3 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
Channel Islands (custom, from)	$600	-$158	Visit
REAL Watersports (Spine-Tek 5'11")	$950	+$192	Visit
Onboard Store AU	A$1,099	-$32.66	Visit

Frequently asked questions

What is the Channel Islands Dumpster Diver 2 good for?+

It is a wide, foam-forward groveler for weak to average surf. Down The Line note the added rocker and tail hip also let it be surfed in better waves than the original Dumpster Diver.

How is the DD2 different from the original Dumpster Diver?+

More width in the nose and tail, more nose and tail rocker, a subtle single concave and a designed-in hip through the tail for release.

What size Dumpster Diver 2 should I ride?+

Most riders go shorter than their everyday shortboard at similar or slightly higher volume. Stock dimensions run 24.1 L at 5'4" to 43.1 L at 6'4", so choose by litres rather than length.

What fins work best on the Dumpster Diver 2?+

Dane Reynolds designed a signature set with a smaller, more upright centre fin. Down The Line also recommend a standard AM template thruster set.

How much does a Dumpster Diver 2 cost?+

Channel Islands lists custom orders from $600 USD. REAL Watersports lists a 5'11" Spine-Tek at $950 USD and Onboard Store lists AU$1,099.

Is the DD2 good for beginners?+

It paddles easily for its length, but the narrow-ish nose and performance rails suit surfers who can already trim and turn. True beginners are better on a soft-top or mini-mal.