Did Channel Islands Find the Summer Speed Hack?

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Sep 4, 2024 4:43 PM ET

The phrase, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," is widely attributed to author Margaret Wolfe Hungerford, who first used it in her 1878 novel "Molly Bawn.” That oft-referenced expression encapsulates how beauty standards are subjective and open to multiple interpretations.

There's an interpretation whispered in some surf shots that the Channel Islands G-Skate model won’t win the beauty pageant anytime soon. Even Britt Merrick called the initial outline “pretty bad.” It’s a distinct package; a super wide nose with a refined swallowtail in the rear. Designed with input by Dane, Pat and Tanner Gudauskas, the G-Skate was made with skateboarding transitions and flow in mind.

Just judging from the outline alone, the G-Skate screams speed on soft, mushy waves, which is exactly what we’ve seen on this wave-started summer in California. The Gudauskas brothers and CI just published a highlight reel showing why the board works great as a summertime quiver killer. Lakey Peterson also fully demonstrates the board’s speed on her first wave at the 1:40 mark. The quartet of CI team riders proceed to torch Lower Trestles with a barrage of hacks and fin throws.

If you can get past the distinct aesthetic, the G-Skate looks like it has real potential. And if you’re humming along on a four-footer, do you really care if the board looks good?

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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