Al Merrick Surfboards: What’s In a Name?

‘Al Merrick surfboards’ is what we say when talking about Channel Island or CI boards. Yes, Al is the founder and owner, guiding it from a small, local operation to the force that we know today. But plenty of companies start this way, so what makes Al Merrick and the CI brand so different that we insist on paying tribute to its roots?

The reason is simple: Al Merrick is the passion behind the label, shaping not only a range of tight designs, but the surfing world entirely. So what’s his story?

The Making of Merrick 

In 1951, a seven year-old Merrick moves from New Jersey to San Diego County, and by fourteen, he’s riding the local waves. Some years later he moves to Santa Barbara and witnesses the arrival of the short surfboard to the Cali scene. This new smaller design inspires Merrick to begin shaping his own, and by 1969, he is making boards under the Channel Islands name. 

Channel Islands Surfboards

Like most good brands, Channel Islands begins small with Al distributing his boards through local surf shops. It isn’t until 1977 that the big names really recognise the potential of Merrick’s designs. We’re talking- amongst others- world champion, Shaun Tomson; aerial pioneer, Davey Smith; and most significantly, the teenage wonder, Tom Curren. Also of Santa Barbara, Curren wins three world titles on CI boards, allowing Merrick to ride on this success. 

But the reputation is based on more than just a name.  The attention to detail in Al Merrick surfboards, most notably with the perfected tri-fin board (originally developed by Australian, Simon Anderson), means that Channel Islands boards are virtually universal by the mid-eighties. 

Another reason is the forward-thinking approach of Merrick and his team. Retaining the all-important hand-finished element to the process, in the mid-nineties they are among the first to use computers in their shaping. This provides the scope to grow the company into the global operation we know today. 

Britt Merrick: Looking to the Future

Another factor behind the resonance of the Merrick brand is its familial nature. As Al has taken a back seat, his son Britt has assumed a leading role in both shaping and as a figure head of the company.

This has had an incredible effect on the surfing world. For instance, the surfer/ shaper relationship between Dane Reynolds and Britt Merrick has yielded the new releases of the CI Sampler and CI Peregrine surfboards; both great additions to the Channel Islands quiver.

Channel Islands High Performance Surfboards

Al Merrick surfboards are known for the high performance range, which stands out with it's perfect combination of capability. Moreover, the boards are meticulously developed with feedback from their amazing pro team. Take, for example the CI Fred Rubble from Conner Coffin. 

Thanks to incredible design, skill and innovation, Al Merrick has carved his way through the last 45 years of surf history, and his brand lives on. Boardshop.co.uk is proud to be an official supplier of Channel Islands surfboards, stocking the latest models.