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The Happy is Channel Islands' flagship performance shortboard, crafted for surfers chasing elite-level responsiveness, control, and speed—especially in critical sections and powerful surf. Designed by Britt Merrick with input from some of CI’s top team riders (Zeke Lau, Lakey Peterson, Mikey February, and Connor O’Leary), the Happy embodies a blend of pro-level refinement and real-world versatility.
At its core, the Happy features a low entry rocker and strategically distributed forward volume, making it surprisingly paddle-friendly for a high-performance shape. This helps surfers get in early, set lines in the barrel, and generate speed without constantly pumping. Underfoot, a single concave under the front foot morphs into a double between the finsand finishes flat off the tail, delivering a crisp balance of drive, rail-to-rail quickness, and control off the back foot.
What separates the Happy from other performance shortboards is its refined rail work and slimmed-out tail, which help you dig into turns with confidence and control without sacrificing forgiveness. This is a board that holds through power turns, but doesn’t punish the rider for minor mistakes—ideal for pushing your limits without getting shut down.
Pros:
Tour-Level Performance: Designed and tested by CI’s top team for critical surf and technical maneuvers.
Paddles Well for a Shortboard: Low entry rocker and forward foam help with wave count and early entry.
Balanced Feel: Fast yet forgiving, responsive yet composed—perfect for modern, aggressive surfing.
Excellent Tube Rider: Rocker and rail flow help in hollow, down-the-line waves.
Cons:
Best in Good Waves: Doesn’t shine in mushy, weak surf—needs some power to unlock its full potential.
Not for Beginners: This is a high-performance blade made for confident surfers with solid fundamentals.
Final Verdict:
The Happy is a finely tuned performance shortboard for surfers who want to surf hard and go deep—whether it’s threading barrels, throwing big turns, or hunting points on a good day. With team-proven roots and thoughtful design that merges speed, hold, and agility, it’s a board that thrives when the waves are on and you're ready to go full throttle. If you're a capable surfer looking to elevate your performance in quality conditions, the Happy might be your happiest choice yet.
