Created by the CI team as a lively sibling to the Average Joe, the High 5 blends easy wave-catching fun with a healthy dose of modern performance. Designed to be quicker, more responsive, and better suited for tighter arcs, it delivers the best of both worlds: forgiving volume and outline paired with real maneuverability.
The High 5 builds on the Joe’s user-friendly DNA with a shorter, sleeker outline and more refined bottom contours. It features a single concave entry for lift and paddle speed, transitioning into a deep double concave through the fins, finishing with a deep vee out the tail—a combo that gives this board drive, speed, and surprising agility off the back foot. Whether you're trimming across fat sections or snapping turns in the pocket, the High 5 responds.
CI includes five fin boxes stock, so you can tune it to your preferences. Ride it as a thruster for more control or go quadto loosen it up and maximize speed on smaller days. CI staff typically recommend riding it 3” to 5” shorter than your height for maximum fun and responsiveness.
Pros:
Fun + Performance Blend: Combines high volume with real turning ability.
Versatile Fin Options: Comes stock with 5-fin setup—quad for speed, thruster for control.
Great for Average Days: Paddles well and handles waist- to head-high surf with confidence.
Snappier than the Average Joe: Designed for tighter arcs and more progression without losing the glide.
Cons:
Not for Hollow, Critical Waves: The fuller outline and deep vee favor flow over technical precision.
Intermediate and Up: While friendly, the more responsive nature may be a little lively for absolute beginners.
Final Verdict:
The High 5 is a smart evolution of the Average Joe—a more nimble and dynamic small-wave board that still keeps fun front and center. It’s ideal for surfers who want to increase wave count and flow, but still carve, pump, and connect sections. If you’re after a board that performs when the waves are less than epic without making you work too hard, the High 5 is a guaranteed good time.
