Channel Islands CI Mid vs Firewire Seaside and Beyond Review - Which one is better?

[@58shortboard]

I had both. Seaside & beyond 6’8” n machado quads. CI Mid 6’6” 2+1, with the smaller side bites. I loved my seaside, certainly a little bigger range, not on the upper end, but lower, smaller surf. In fairness, it has a few more liters. The seaside is looser off the bottom, but stiffer off the top. While the CI Mid, is the opposite. Not much stiffer in the bottom turn, but it is more sticky. I’m coming from a high performance shortboard background, although, I ride everything. What I did not like, was the LFT tech. The swing weight felt heavy like you were always fighting against it, on top turns n reos. And I don’t use the CI 6.5” single fin. Too draggy on square out bottom turns. I switched it for a 6” pivot shaped single fin and with the smaller side bites, it goes so well. Thigh to double overhead surf, a one board traveler. The CI mid does have a knifey rail, and is lighter at 6’6”. My objective was a quicker board off the top during lippers and reos. And for me, it worked perfectly, as hoped for. So, I sold my seaside & beyond. Everyone is different with different approaches, but I’m super stoked on my CI mid!

[@jeffn1384]

Can you post a link the the fin you ended up with?

[@deancronn5745]

Love your reviews! Keep it up! I've just picked up 6'8 SSAB. It's sick!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Yew!! Enjoy 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@craig8638]

Why is that guy trying to paddle battle you? You clearly have the right of way and there’s only two of you out. People need to relax. Good review.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you, Craig. Yeah, he was a bit desperate that day🙈

[@markdearlove8634]

Nice review. Interesting. I can see the Seaside has more drive but in my opinion your surfing looked better on the CI mid. I sense this would become even more apparent in head high and over waves. Both look better than my Lost Crowd Killer in those small waves.🤙

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks for watching and your feedback. I feel like the CI Mid will definitely have a better hold in bigger waves and you can confidently draw longer lines. I can't wait to drive a few hours north to surf CI Mid at a good point break. Cheers!

[@andio310]

I’m addicted to the seaside and beyond as well. It has good drive, turns well, and I always catch a few ones on it. I will bring another board in my car for variety but I usually will start out my session on the Seaside and Beyond

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hahaha.. thats great to hear! Thanks for watching 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@zandakaskieva2349]

Thank you🙏Really helpful. Great review👍

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Glad you like it!

[@hughmckendrick3018]

Great format, cheers.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you🤙🏼

[@danielbarbieri8199]

I hope you will review 7'6 egg takayama one day 😊

[@akinsl45]

Nice job! Again! I’d have to say with the extra length and volume with the timbertek versions there’s not need for extra work to get in waves or generate speed! So much fun!!!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks, mate. I’m tempted to get a TT version in size 6’10🤤🤤🤤

[@akinsl45]

@@SkipperSurfReview do it. If you can find one!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@akinsl45 the search has already began🙈

[@peacepuffz]

I tryed out a Timbertek 6'10 demo in some strong off shore winds. The board defo struggled paddling into waves with the wind pushing up the wave.

[@rafamellinsosurfe402]

excellent stuff! thanks for sharing. ps: and now Firewire added the Mid6 to this battle. : ) hope you'll review that sometime soon. cheers!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks for watching. Yes, I was gonna order one to play with but they only have 7’6” and 7’10” available for US. The 7’0” will become available only in June. The 7’6” is wider than the 7’10” from what I found online. I may get the 7’10” to start working on my cross stepping game for this summer 😁

[@karljakobsson2687]

Holy shit that looks cold. Great review thanks

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Indeed. Thanks for watching!

[@nikonicholson1]

I have a 5ft6 seaside and im looking at a seaside and beyond. Dont know weather to get 6ft8 or 7.0. I will be riding in peaky 8/9 second waves. Which would you suggest. Im 70kg

[@joesefr.7756]

I've got a seaside and beyond 6'10 in timbertek, it feels like a cheat code for me as an early intermediate. Question, do you think you could remove the trailer fins and try it as a twin fin, and if that might work what conditions would that work better in?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

It will work as a twin but can be way too skatey when there is more size. I only surfed as twin when it was 1 ft mushy slop. It’s fun. May be if you play with bigger keels it will do better in bigger surf. the fin boxes are way too high for a twin fin.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Nice job bro. I still haven't found my ci mid. There was one at my local shop but my hesitation bit me in the butt. 😥

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks man! I think the demand on the West Coast is heavier than out here. I was at the surf shop in NJ two weeks ago and they had 3 CI Mid’s 68,70 and 72. It’s called Brave New World Surf&Snow. If you want it so bad, you could contact them to get it😁 just a thought. We are in a full dry spell now. No waves for the next two weeks😅 Cheers🤙🏼

[@MarkFeng]

I've also been looking everywhere, no luck with local stores. Finally found a 7'0 in a shop in FL last week and had it shipped to CA lol.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@MarkFeng funny that the board started here in CA, went to FL and now back to CA. I just saw one on the stock list for HSS, a 6'6. But that was last Tuesday, likely already gone. :( I would have bought it but I had major car issues so I couldn't make any rash moves.

[@MarkFeng]

@@ThomyeSurfs Sorry to hear Thomye! I got my 7'0 from surfstationstore.com and they also had a 6'6 last week (likely gone too). I would recommend these guys they shipped the board well. To make you feel any better I've been trying to get my hands on a 6'8 seaside & beyond for many many months now, still no luck XD.

[@wolf-yw9wk]

good review. i think its still pretty difficult toss up just mainly even starting from the fin placement of these boards. but it sounds like you like a more tightened up set up vs something a little looser as well. i have a seaside and beyond and its probably one of my least used boards mainly because i don't like the "track locked in" feel of quads and i tend to go to my single fin or long fish for a looser feeling surf. but totally get why one would also gravitate towards that, i also think its what the waves are doing where one is located. if it was a nice reeling point break i would guess the ci mid would outshine the seaside from a cruise-y style aspect. would be interesting to see what you think surfing different types of waves with each board. maybe you unlock a different attribute of each.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you, Wolf. Spot on. I can't wait to take CI Mid to a point break that's where it belongs to LOL. On average I get 30-50 yards ride at my local beach break where I can fit 2x more turns on the beyond than on CI Mid though. Once in 3 months there would a good day that I could get longer rides when it's breaking from jetty to jetty properly. The beyond does work pretty cool as a twin with a fun looser feel but it gets really off track when it's over 3 foot. Cheers!

[@SasoCasablanca63]

Nice reviews. Honestly none of these waves in the video are more than 1-2 feet very small so its important to keep in mind how a surfboard would feel in different sizes and perhaps true 3-4 feet, which can be very strong if you are in Costa Rica for example, where 3-4 feet is double what you have here. Not insulting, just stating it for proper analysis as wave wise and power needs to be considered for true comparison...

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Good point! I wish we had consistent waves with good size.

[@987654321ck]

great demo tyvm

[@maynardlim9438]

Great comparison!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks you! Cheers!

[@aloha808_lmh5]

Really enjoyed it!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Yay, thank you!

[@idhem1974]

Nice comparaison!!! I was hesitated between those two and i was on the seaside and beyond but now they launch the CI M23, what do you think about this one? Do you hear about the M23 and do you think that this board fill the gap between the SaB and the CI Mid? Cheers from Belgium

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you for watching! M23 looks pretty good. I would say it's more on performance side vs Beyond that would suit beginners better. I may get one next year to see how it goes. It reminds my Dan Jones Twin Pin. It may fill the gap if you want something in between for good waves. SSB will work between on smaller days due to it's outline. I would be interested to see if M23 would be good as TWIN. Stay tuned!

[@ibwardo9497]

Skipper, when you get your FireWire Sunday would you please do a comparison review between it and the CI Mid. They have very similar outlines and fin set ups. I’m curious which one would be a better all around board. Thanks!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

IB Wardo, I've just finished editing and going to upload my review tomorrow. Firewire Sunday does go well as a single fin however it's missing a good glide which CI Mid has plenty of. Firewire Sunday is super responsive and allows you to go rail to rail to generate more speed and do sharper turns vs CI Mid which barely allows to force it. If you are looking for more turns, floaters in small surf, then Sunday would be a great choice. If you want to mostly cruise down the line , then I'd go with the CI Mid to get better experience with the single fin. Hope this helps!

[@ibwardo9497]

This was super helpful thank you. What size Sunday did you get? Did you like it as a twin?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@ibwardo9497 yes, I do. I went with the 7’0” in mid length range 😁 It’s very responsive but packed with volume. I use MR Twin set and it works pretty good, it became more lively vs keels.

[@takeshijune]

You’re not moving around enough on the ci mid, trying to surf it from one spot on the board won’t work. It needs to be surfed, especially in smaller surf, like a high performance longboard.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Ryan! Thank you. I'm trying to shift my feet more often now and I wish we had better small waves with more power to turn it easier.

[@shannonyoung5382]

At 2:05 on the CI mid-length, did you switch foot on that left??? Also @ 5:20. The rest of the lefts you rode, you had your back to the wave.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Shannon! Yes, I ride switch front and backside sometimes for fun!

[@ichevalierchevalier6783]

Great detail. Keep it up.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

That's the plan!

[@rctrix9063]

I usually use 2 thruster side fins and a small trailer fin that I 3d print. 👍

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Great tip!

[@jeffn1384]

Can you tell us about how that goes compared to the stock setup?

[@garygolembiewski1085]

Yes!!! 🙌🏼

[@deedominus1002]

Thanks for the insight. I just wonder what level of surfer fits the seaside?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks for watching. To take a full advantage with better experience, it fits the intermediate and above level surfers. Hope this helps!

[@deedominus1002]

@@SkipperSurfReview agreed! Awesome share!

[@rolandodelacruz4144]

How do the CI mid, big baron and moonstone compare?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Rolando! It depends.. they are all different. CI Mid is more like a traditional mid length eggy vibe, cruisy but lights up when the waves get over chest high. The big baron is the most responsive one out of all and it’s super fun twin fin mid length. You can really draw nice lines on open face waves. Less rooms for mistake as it’s very foiled down in overall shape. The moonstone is kinda in between but going rail to rail very quickly. It doesn’t like steep waves though unless you really knife it properly. Check out ci mid twin😜

[@rolandodelacruz4144]

How do you think a ci mid twin 7’1 would go? I wanted something between 6,8 and 6’11 but just found a potential deal to consider

[@SkipperSurfReview]

It will likely be very easy to catch and ride small waves. It won't be as agile as my 6'7" due to more volume and overall length + rail line. You would need way bigger wave to start turning it properly. Hope this helps!

[@teamcamaleon]

Why did you change fron 6,8 to 7,0?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Santiago, I've grabbed 7'0" SSB for the review to compare both models in the same size. I would still prefer to have SSB in size 6'8" like any other high performance mid-length. Last Summer I got a chance to surf 6'8" CI Mid and I can really tell that I would prefer to have CI Mid in 7'0" instead of 6'8" to keep more glide and speed to have fun. Cheers!

[@Lunas_On_The_Loose]

are you using a follow cam to record? or is someone recording you?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey! I'm using Soloshot Optic 25 & Optic 65. I used to ask my mom and gf in the past to record me but this is a game changer now LOL. I did full review on Soloshot 3 camera. Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmismaCkqLF5Z7M

[@cashew1]

How long have you been surfing?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Fred. I’ve been surfing for almost 8 years. Cheers!

[@kdenbeaches808]

What about a Harley Ingleby mid 6?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Rudy C! I'd love to try it but it's not available in US until June. From what I've heard it's the board for good conditions 3+ ft.. may not really be practical in the North East. We get those days rarely here. I will try to snuggle when it hits surf shops :)

[@gabrielfrager4928]

that guy snaked you ?or PARTY WAVE! i ride short and longboards but mid sounds so fun

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Gabriel! That was a party wave with my friend. #GOPRO chase cam LOL.

[@kyletalbott247]

To be honest, I think you flow better on the CI Mid.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you Kyle. I just got CI Mid Twin! Will review within the next two weeks🤘🏼

[@timnz009]

I agree, the ci mid was a lot better in small waves in your video, might be worth trying a 6" center fin too..

[@richardbond6535]

CI mid ? Whack a extra large performer in back and 2 x reactor sides - large or medium- it flys - forget 2 plus one 😊

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Rich! That sounds really cool. I may have to order a set! Thank you.

[@peacepuffz]

@@SkipperSurfReview Have you tired it as a keel twin?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@peacepuffz No, I haven't. To be honest, I didn't want to get FCS Keels to put specifically into CI Mid. LOL. All of my boards are mostly FCS2 and a few in Futures. I also think that CI Mid wasn't really meant to be surfed as a twin, it's still heavily glassed and won't have much hold without center fin on a good day.

[@peacepuffz]

@@SkipperSurfReview Just wondered, I put a old set of retro style keels into my 6'6 smooth opp & really liked it.

[@mrmr314]

Too much thin tail (from 1/3 down) on the SS&B; not enough rocker on the CI Mid. The Ingleby Mid 6 has HEAPS of rocker. Don't know how they write it up as mid-rocker cos it's pretty extreme. It's also ridiculously expensive. Guys/girls, 10 per cent inflation does not equate to 30 per cent board price inflation = price gouging.

[@Nick-bl6hm]

Привет из Украины! Люблю обзоры на досках и кадры сёрфинга.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Привет! Спасибо 🙏🏼

[@Msteer931]

1st view! Nice video

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thanks for watching 🙌🏼