When it comes to chasing perfect waves—whether it's a remote reef pass, a well-known bombie, or an unexpected slab on a strike mission—the Happy Traveler is built to be the one-board travel quiver. Designed as a step-up sibling to CI’s high-performance Happy, this board has been refined by the team to handle bigger, more powerful, or more critical surfwithout compromising flow or paddle ability.
The Traveler borrows the rocker curve of the original Happy but tunes the rest of the design for speed control, hold, and commitment. The concave is reduced between the fins, helping you stay connected to the wave face in faster, hollower surf. A straighter tail outline and leading fin placement closer to the rail give it the control and grip you need to hold a high line or draw clean bottom turns under pressure.
While the Traveler is tuned for solid waves, it’s far from one-dimensional. A fuller front third and forward thickness distribution increase paddle power and early wave entry—ideal for getting in over the ledge or pushing into longer, lined-up walls. That same foam up front also adds drive and stability in barrels, making it a reliable tube hunter in the right conditions.
And when the surf fades? No problem. The Happy’s rocker ensures the board still performs well when the waves back off, giving it true versatility across a range of conditions.
Comes standard with a round pin for added hold and flow and can be surfed as a thruster or quad, depending on your preference and the surf at hand.
Pros:
Step-Up Versatility: Built for better surf, but forgiving and functional when conditions drop.
Excellent Hold & Control: Tuned concave and fin placement help lock you into the wave face.
Solid Paddle Power: Fuller front outline and added foam up front improve wave count and early entry.
Thruster or Quad: Fin options add adaptability across surf zones.
Cons:
Best in Good Surf: Not your go-to groveler—this board wants energy in the water.
Performance Focused: While user-friendly, this is still a board geared toward confident, committed surfing.
Final Verdict:
The Happy Traveler lives up to its name as the ideal companion for strike missions and surf adventures, combining step-up confidence with surprising range. Whether you're threading barrels, flying down long faces, or hunting that one perfect session on a dream trip, it’s a board that brings performance, paddle power, and control into one package. If you're looking for a do-it-all, travel-ready board for solid surf, the Happy Traveler delivers—letting you think less, feel more, and surf your best when it matters most.
