According to the website, the Channel Islands Flyer is the most popular board in the Channel Islands range. Designed as an all rounder that makes you feel like Kelly Slater, the Flyer is shaped by the prescise hands of Al Merrick. The Flyer offers medium to expert surfers the power and control to rip in less than perfect swell.
Board Design
Offering somewhat voluptuous dimensions with a smooth and sleek template, the Flyer is an awesome board for ripping up those the local beach breaks and showing off to the girls back on the sand. Let’s face it, your average local wave is not an 8 foot pipeline monster, so having a little extra width and a bit more body allows you to pull clean, sharp turns while maintaining speed even when it’s 2 foot and onshore. The full rails keep it afloat for easier paddling while the dovetail keeps it stable when swells get a little larger. The current model has a little “hip” on the rails just in front of the front fins. This improves rail to rail transitions.
They (Channel Islands and Al) suggest that it be ridden about 2” to 3” shorter than your normal thruster due to its extended width. However if you’re of a bigger build then I would stick to regular sizes.
We tested the Flyer with a set of FCS H2 fins which were a fantastic match. The flared angle of the H2’s kept the board planted even when right up on its edge. Then again, H2’s tend to do this with any board you put them on. I’m not really sure how I ever managed to survive without those H2's.
In Summary
More shapers are starting to produce these wider “fish-like” shapes for attacking beach breaks.Just like the Webber Afterburner that we also reviewed (and I have since purchased), the Flyer is a good contender. Personaly though, i would still purchase the Webber as i simply love the deep double concave that for me, gives it the edge. As these boards are so similar though, i guess it would simply come down to personal preference. Get out there and try one for yourself.
For a video of Al Merrick talking about the Flyer II please click here
Check out our Store Pages for New and Used Channel Islands Boards.
