What
  • Boat trip
  • Instructor
  • Surf camp
  • Yoga retreat
  • Yoga studio
Where
contacts Join Now
author Image

Meet The Big Happy, Channel Islands’ Answer For Aging Rippers

  • Home
  • News
  • Meet The Big Happy, Channel Islands’ Answer For Aging Rippers

Peter Mel’s Mavericks’ accolades need no embellishment. He’s been one of the best out there for decades. But Peter honed his day-to-day chops on the plethora of reefs around Santa Cruz County. When Pillar Point isn’t beckoning, the 54-year-old still turns heads when he sets his rail or looks under the hood of a cold, kelp-strewn runner.

But even the Condor isn’t immune to age and the reality check it can bring to one’s surfing. That’s why he was intrigued by the Big Happy, Britt Merrick’s latest creation from Channel Islands Surfboards. CI’s Happy line has been filling shop racks for years, and the latest iteration is designed for older and/or bigger surfers (like Britt) who still want to turn on a dime but need a bit more foam in the right places.

“It’s for the person who wants to feel the shortboard thing, but either because of body size, age or ability, they’re not quite where once were or where they want to be,” Britt said. “So this is the crutch that brings them back into the performance board realm.”

Frame: Channel Islands Surfboards

The stock sizes starts large at 6’4” and 36.9 liters and only goes up from there. They’re nearly three inches thick, yet they don’t look chunky. How is that possible? Like a magician’s vanishing act, Britt used his sleight of hand to cleverly hide the volume. Even under Peter’s scrutiny, it doesn’t look “piggy” (Britt’s term) or have excess foam.

“For guys like myself, I want to pretend like I rip and my board looks and feels sexy,” Britt said. “So I hid the volume. The rail is super tapered but full in shape. All the volume is hidden in the middle of the board.”

Thanks to low entry rocker and tapered rails, Peter Mel can keep doing these big and happy turns.  

Frame: Channel Islands Surfboards

It’s got the hallmarks of user-friendly trails. A flat deck combined with low entry rocker are catered toward ease of paddling, but it also has a banana curve out the back when it’s go time.

“I’m riding mine at 3 inches thick and it’s been huge,” Britt chuckled. “I’m catching more waves than I ever have. Much to the chagrin of my friends.”

That’s the disclaimer if you buy this board. Your friends might be irked, but at least you’ll be Big Happy. 

***

Don’t miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Instagram, and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We’re always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels.

Whether you’re a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos.