The Happy Everyday is Channel Islands’ answer to the eternal surfer dilemma: what to ride when it’s not pumping, not tiny—just somewhere in between. Designed by Britt Merrick and based on the Two Happy high-performance shortboard, this model fills the everyday sweet spot with a board that still rips when the conditions aren’t quite world-class.
To make it shine in average conditions, Britt shortened the rail line and added more curve to the outline, especially in the tail, giving the board a livelier, more responsive feel. Both the entry and exit rocker were lowered, boosting paddle power and planing speed across soft sections, while still retaining enough curve to stay sharp on rail. Underfoot, it features a single concave under the front foot for speed, blending into a double concave through the fins, which brings easy rail-to-rail transitions and extra lift when the waves get sluggish.
The Happy Everyday isn’t just a design concept—it’s been battle-tested and pro-endorsed. Taj Burrow picked it as his wildcard board during Stab in the Dark and chose to paddle it out at the WSL’s Rottnest Island event, a true nod to its real-world credibility.
Sitting neatly between a groveler like the Rocket Wide and a high-performance shortboard like the Two Happy, this board is meant to be your go-to for the majority of days when the waves aren’t epic, but you still want to go out and perform.
Pros:
True Daily Driver: Ideal for waist- to overhead surf—the kind of waves most of us ride regularly.
Balanced Performance: Fast, drivey, and responsive, without needing perfect waves to shine.
Paddle-Friendly: Lower rocker increases planing speed and wave-catching ability.
Proven Design: Backed by CI’s elite team and Taj Burrow’s Stab in the Dark pick.
Cons:
Not a Groveler: While it handles small surf, it's not as user-friendly as a fish or Rocket Wide when it's really weak.
Not a Step-Up Either: May feel undergunned in heavy or hollow waves where a longer rail line or pin tail is needed.
Final Verdict:
The Happy Everyday is the ultimate quiver filler for surfers who want to surf well in average, everyday waves without switching to a groveler. It blends the speed and responsiveness of a performance shortboard with the paddle power and versatility needed for less-than-ideal days. If you’re looking for one board to take out most of the time—and you’re still chasing progression and performance—the Happy Everyday is your board.
