CHANNEL ISLANDS

RIDE THIS BOARD IF…

You want a performance shortboard built to give surfers the freedom to easily go wherever their mind takes them.

UNDER THE HOOD…

SPINE-TEK by Shapers provides the next level of performance. The technology creates boards that are livelier and more responsive. Like a spring, they load up on energy, provide pop, accelerate out of turns whilst holding speed down the line, and the ‘SPINE’ keeps its flex pattern unlike timber which loses it over time.

SHELDON’S CONCLUSION…

The CI ‘Happy’ in Spine-Tek construction (developed by Shapers Manufacturers Co.) was a thoroughly impressive board. Ordinarily, my use of an epoxy board is limited to tiny surf. As soon as the waves have some push the idea of riding an EPS goes out the window. Yet, riding the CI Spine Tek completely shifted my paradigm. The board’s shape closely resembled that of my standard shortboard. Yet, when I took it out for my first surf at punchy D’bah I was skeptical. Doubts aside, my first wave blew me away. The board had all the hold and drive you’d anticipate in a PU but then the pop and spring of an epoxy. It’s projection off the bottom was exceptional, allowing me to approach sections from any angle at high pace. This was attributable to the flex characteristics of the Spine Tek which created a spring-loading sensation through bottom turns. The board was also solid on rail and easily pushed into an arc, which was rare for an EPS board. The CI ‘Happy’ in Spine Tek construction was a consummate performance model and belonged to an elite class of top tier EPS boards..