Channel Islands Surfboards

Channel Islands Surfboards

Have you heard of Al Merrick? If you're a surfer and you haven't, then you definitely should. Mr. Merrick is responsible for designing some of the most innovative surfboards on the market today. In fact, he's arguably become the most renowned shaper of surfboards, on planet Earth. If you choose one of the quality channel islands surfboards available, then you'll be buying one of the most state-of-the-art boards on the market. In fact, many of the world's top surfers have purchased at least one surfboard that's been shaped by Merrick.

Although Al Merrick was born in New Jersey, his family relocated to Florida, and then one of the surfing Meccas of the world: sunny California. Merrick actually began surfing when he was 10 years old, so his expertise and innovation in shaping surfboards have their roots in his passion for surfing.

Al attended San Dieguito High School (along with legendary surfer Rob Machado). During his high school years, Mr. Merrick was sponsored by Surfboards Hawaii, and actually helped to shape a noserider surfboard. After graduating from San Dieguito, Merrick began attending Palomar College. However, he soon realized that college wasn't his thing.

The surfboard shaper John Price was Merrick's hero, and the former's surfboards provided the inspiration for the latter to begin shaping surfboards full-time. Before he created channel islands surfboards, the industry's shift from longboards to shortboards motivated Al to shape boards.

An important event in Merrick's life happened in 1965. That's when he relocated to Santa Barbara, CA. There, he was present when George Greenough and Bob McTavish tested some revolutionary surfboards for several weeks. This event further inspired Merrick to dedicate his life to shaping surfboards.

It's important to note that Al was still relatively unknown in the world of surfboard shaping. This was quite ironic, since in 1977 Shaun Tomson won the world title of surfing, on surfboards that Al Merrick had shaped. However, that would soon change. The surfer Tom Curren became somewhat of a prodigy of Merrick's. Curren became a professional surfer in 1982. Soon afterwards, Merrick's surfboard company,channel islands surfboards was launched.

The popularity of surfboards from Channel Islands paralleled the fame and success of Curren. Curren became an idol for surfers everywhere, as they wanted to imitate his signature moves. And not only did they want to copy his surfing style, but they also insisted on using the same equipment - surfboards from Channel Islands.

As they say, the rest is history. Other big-time surfers such as Taylor Knox, Kelly Slater, and Lisa Anderson would exclusively ride Merrick-shaped boards. Within time, it seemed like everybody who was anybody in the surfing world was riding a board that Merrick had shaped.

Since then, Merrick's company has been on the cutting edge of surfboards. He began mass-producing them in the 1990s. And today, he uses computers to shape virtually all of his boards. This makes the shaping process more efficient and precise. But the essence of the versatile and quality boards from Channel Islands continues to be the innovation from Merrick himself. With Al's son overseeing the production of the company's surfboards, the future of Channel Islands looks bright for the next generation of surfers.

Be sure to check out boardauctions.com for info on Channel Islands Surfboards or to buy top quality used Al Merrick Surfboards.

Channel Island Surfboards Retro Flex Fit Hat $24 Old school, or new school, it's easy to rock this sick CI hat. It features an embroidered Channel Islands logo, and is classic looking.

Surfboards $10 Surfboards

Channel Island Surfboards Retro Flex Fit Hat - brown, m/l $24 Old school, or new school, it's easy to rock this sick CI hat. It features an embroidered Channel Islands logo, and is classic looking.

Channel Island Surfboards Retro Flex Fit Hat - redwood, one size $24 Old school, or new school, it's easy to rock this sick CI hat. It features an embroidered Channel Islands logo, and is classic looking.

The Channel Islands $49.99 The Channel Islands - Giclee Print

Becker Hornet Shortboard (Clear) $490 The Hornet flies through small waves with speed and maneuverability, making it the optimal shortboard for knee to chest high surf. Compare The Hornet to Channel Islands Flyer model. The Hornet lets you ride small surf without sacrificing shortboard performance or response. The Hornet should be ridden 2 to 3 shorter and 1/4 to 1/2 wider than your regular shortboard. The Hornet features a wider outline than your standard shortboard. The rails are fuller and the bottom contour is flat under the chest with a slight single concave under the front foot to a double concave out the back. (Optimal Conditions) - The Hornet excels in small, weak surf. The Hornet is geared towards performance surfing in smaller, weaker waves, but also works great in good conditions. (Experience Level) - The Hornet is great for intermediate to advanced surfers, but also works well as an entry level shortboard. Dimensions on a 6'4 are 19 1/2 wide and 2 5/8 thick.

Becker BKR Shortboard (Clear) $475 Push your limits. The BKR-08 is the pro level, high performance machine of Becker's shortboard line. The rocker and concave combination lets the board surf fast and tight without sacrificing forgiveness. The BKR-08 is designed for surfers who want to take their performance to the next level. Go faster, turn tighter, the BKR-08 will take you there. Compare to Channel Islands Kelly Slater K-board. (Design Features) - The BKR-08 features slightly more entry rocker and kick in the tail than The Executive. The bottom features a slight single concave that turns into a deep single concave between the fin cluster. (Optimal Conditions) - The BKR-08 excels in waist to head high surf. (Experience Level) - The BKR-08 is designed for advanced to pro level surfers. The BKR-08 dims in a 6'1 are 18 3/8 wide x 2 1/4 thick.

Becker Executive Shortboard (Clear) $475 The Executive is th standard in performance shortboards. The Executive is the most versatile board in Becker's line, an all-around, everyday performance shortboard comparable to Channel Islands Bobby Martinez MBM model. From ripping waist high slop, to full rail turns in overhead surf, The Executive does it all. Get ready to set your new performance standard (Design Features) - The Executive has a medium rocker with bottom contours flat under the chest and a single concave under the front foot turning into a double concave / vee under the tail. This proven, team tested template is user friendly and performance driven. (Optimal Conditions) - The Executive is versatile enough that it excels in surf from waist high to one and a half times overhead. (Experience Level) - The Executive is shaped for intermediate to pro level surfers, but it is forgiving enough to be ridden by any level surfer looking for a performance board. The Executive dims on a 6'2 - 18 5/8 x 2 3/8.

Opening of the Channel Islands Telegraph $39.99 Opening of the Channel Islands Telegraph - Giclee Print

Channel Islands, California - Nautical Flags $19.99 Channel Islands, California - Nautical Flags - Premium Poster

Channel Islands $70.1 The Channel Islands are an archipelago in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey. According to the official website of the British Monarchy, they are British Crown dependencies, but neither is part of the United Kingdom; rather they are considered the remnants of the Duchy of Normandy. They have a total population of about 158,000. Their respective capitals, St. Peter Port and St. Helier, have populations of 16,488 and 28,310. The Bailiwicks have been administered separately from each other since the late 13th century, and although those unacquainted with the islands often assume they form one political unit, common institutions are the exception rather than the rule. The two Bailiwicks have no common laws, no common elections, and no common representative body (although their politicians consult regularly). There is no common newspaper or radio station, but a common television station, ITV Channel Television. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 88 Publication Date: 2010/08/03 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.21 inches

The Channel Islands and Lake Casitas at Sunset $39.99 Rich Reid The Channel Islands and Lake Casitas at Sunset - Photographic Print

Islands and Outcroppings in a Channel in the North Sea $39.99 Jim Richardson Islands and Outcroppings in a Channel in the North Sea - Photographic Print

Aerial View of Part of the Channel Islands $39.99 Phil Schermeister Aerial View of Part of the Channel Islands - Photographic Print

The California Channel Islands (Paperback) $32.12 Every day, thousands of Southern California residents see the California Channel Islands on the horizon, yet few can name all eight. Santa Catalina Island, third largest, is by far the best known. It is the only island with a city, Avalon, where dozens of hotels, shops, and restaurants await visitors year-round. Three of the islands are owned by the US Navy: San Clemente, San Nicolas, and San Miguel. San Clemente and San Nicolas Islands are used for military training, naval weapons development, and missile testing; thus access is restricted. Five islands fall within the boundaries of Channel Islands National Park: San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara Islands. Close to the mainland and yet worlds apart, scenic day trips and primitive camping opportunities are available on all five park islands. With neither stores nor modern conveniences, a trip to Channel Islands National Park is a step back in time.

Nine Surfboards $34.99 Nine Surfboards - Giclee Print

Bing Surfboards $19.99 Bing Surfboards - Tin Sign

Comfort Inn near Channel Islands $63 The Comfort Inn near Channel Islands is located in beautiful Oxnard, California, near Port Hueneme, Ventura and Camarillo

A Bass Swims in the Waters off the Channel Islands $39.99 Heather Perry A Bass Swims in the Waters off the Channel Islands - Photographic Print

Corbiere Lighthouse, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK $124.99 Gavin Hellier Corbiere Lighthouse, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK - Wall Mural

A Ship Channel Marks a Link in the Line Islands $39.99 Randy Olson A Ship Channel Marks a Link in the Line Islands - Photographic Print

Creux Harbour, Sark, Channel Islands, UK $19.99 Geoff Renner Creux Harbour, Sark, Channel Islands, UK - Photographic Print

Sunset over Channel Islands National Park $19.99 Joseph Sohm Sunset over Channel Islands National Park - Photographic Print

St Peter's Port Guernsey Channel Islands $24.99 St Peter's Port Guernsey Channel Islands - Photographic Print