Channel Islands and Grain Surfboards

Channel Islands Surfboards produces some of the most well-known surfboards in history. Led by legendary board shaper Al Merrick, and with a team of riders that include Slater and Machado, they are the envy of the surfing world.  Though it's hard to picture when you visit their current state-of-the-art factory, many remember the humble beginnings of CI that echoed in the rickety halls of their former HQ where some of the world's best shapes were jammed under every rafter.

But we remember. "Humble" isn't the word for our own hardscrabble start - old drafty barns, borrowed tools, and cadged supplies - we're practically still living it. Yet both companies are dedicated to building boards of the highest quality, and subjecting them to constant R&D and improvement. There the similarities stop, though. We could never hope to approach the sophistication of Al Merrick's shaping abilities, the global scale of Channel Island's appeal or the recognition that they have earned over the years.

Wood Biscuit

Grain Surfboards and Channel Islands Surfboards are pleased to announce a new partnership. Using our tried and true wood construction method, we'll be rendering some of the Channel Islands surfboard line using sustainable-yield cedar, low VOC epoxy, even bamboo cloth instead of glass for those who want it.  We're starting with Rob Machado's board, the Biscuit, a stubby wave-catcher for knee to head-high surf.  Our first size will be the 6'2" with more to follow. Soon, these boards will be available as kits as well.

Working with CI to deliver wood versions of their boards is really exciting for us and inspires us to think about the unusual nature of this project.  We're tempted to make some comparisons with the arrangements some well-respected shapers have entered into with epoxy pop-out factories. Where pop-outs are machine made, our boards couldn't be more hand-crafted. Where pop-outs can feel corky, ours are solid with great glide and speed. And with more and more boards made overseas (where environmental laws are often lax) being able to get a board made in Maine by folks who make their impact on the planet a daily conversation is becoming a revolutionary choice.

Surfboard Re-Evolution

Lately, we've noticed that wood boards are becoming more common. Every day there seem to be more wood builders, and boards like the alaia are regularly seen in surf shops everywhere. So we can be forgiven for feeling like we are part of a movement of sorts that's inspired by glide and by equipment that's unique and connected to nature just as surfers feel a connection to the wave.  Perhaps not enough to be a revolution, it's more like a return to the roots of surf culture when the board had special meaning beyond just what it would allow you to do. Our new relationship with Channel Islands will let us build the best new shapes using a mix of traditional and modern materials and a proven wood-board construction method. We'll be picking up where the evolution of wood surfboards left off  - all over again. A re-evolution.

West Coast Trip

We were pleased to attend the Sacred Craft show in California again this year. It's our favorite show because it's all about boards, board-builders and surfers. Period. While we didn't have our own booth this time, we were honored to have a new wood Biscuit displayed front-and-center in the Channel Islands booth. We'd like to thank all the surfers who tried the boards across the way at C-Street and who chatted with the Channel Islands guys about it. Another unexpected pleasure was an offer by our friends Jon, Rosa and Matt in the Wegener booth... they hosted one of our new Grain pipeline boards built in Hawaii with Dave Rastovich. Thanks as well to the Campbell brothers and to J.P. & Peter from Moonlight Glassing who spent a lot of time with us, giving us the benefit of their considerable knowledge and experience. Be sure to check them out if you're ever out in their neck of the woods.

We're hoping to announce at least one East-coast trip to be scheduled later in the summer. Keep an eye out for announcements on the blog, Twitter and Facebook. We should have a couple of new biscuits with us!

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