Channel Islands G-Skate + Futures AMT Twin Fin Review - The Surfboard Guide

Welcome to our full review of the Channel Islands G-Skate which I have been riding as a custom 5'8 x 19 3/4 x 2 5/8 - 33.2L
The G Skate is built to inspire you with the signature Gudauskas brother energy - Pure stoke.
This fast, skatey and responsive swallow-tailed hybrid design was born of a collaboration between Britt Merrick and the three Gudauskas brothers-Dane, Pat & Tanner.
Their goal was to create something fresh feeling that turned well in good surf but skated with ease through the not-so-good stuff. There was one major stipulation during its development: the G Skate had to still perform at the highest of levels possible. They achieved this by shortening their typical shortboard rail line by 5” and adding curves and contours in key places that would keep them on top of the water and not hinder their turns in any way. Adding a 2 + 1 (twin plus trailer) fin set-up tied the whole concept together.
The G Skate has a lot of get up and go speed thanks to its light single to double concave, low entry rocker, wide point forward-and its contemporary shortboard rails provide all the precision and control you could ever want.
This stoke-infused collaboration also yielded an all-new Merrick / Gudauskas 2 + 1 fin set for the G Skate, and they also found that the AMT (2 + 1) fin set up also works very well. The purpose of this twin plus trailer fin set-up was to offer the beautiful “free feel” of a twinnie yet have the refined control of a thruster-which is critical in creating a board that accommodates the broad spectrum of approaches between all three G Bros. For those that prefer traditional thruster set-ups, their favorite thruster set will work well in this design-giving surfers twice the options and value.
The G-Skate serves as a strong utility piece in any quiver where fun and performance are the goal. Ride this board 3” to 6” shorter and the same thickness as your CI Pro.
In the G-Skate I checked out a few fins by Futures Fins, but landed on the AMT twin + Stabiliser from Futures Fins.
From futuresfins.co...
The Al Merrick Twin +1 (AMT) generates maximum speed, drive and hold through big carves to perform around pointbreaks or lined up beach breaks. The AMT's honeycomb construction gives this fin a medium flex pattern, while the large area provides ample hold in overhead surf. The set is equipped with the option to ride with a small trailer fin for increased drive and stability, creating more of a thruster feel.
Template Category | Pivot (tight-turns/loose)
Construction | Honeycomb
Size | Medium Twin +1
Thanks for watching, and thanks to Channel Islands and Onboard Store for the chance to check out the G-Skate.
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Thanks!

[@TH-nc1gj]

To be honest I haven’t seen anyone make this board look amazing. I was recently out at weak 2-5ft Lowers and watched Dane G surf one, although he was pulling the moves, he seemed to be struggling for speed., he’s a big guy.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! I’m guessing you’re saying I didn’t make it look good… 😮

[@TH-nc1gj]

@@TheSurfboardGuide made it look very good, just not the usual amazing so that Barnies like me could feel like they could rip on it😅

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

@@TH-nc1gjhaha! Thanks, stoked you liked it 🎉

[@thestow35]

Thanks for your review, Craig. Always heaps of great analysis - and footage, too

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hope it helps 💪

[@JOSELUIS-ci2hs]

G skate is epic! I am 70kg and riding a customized 6'0 32.4L. At first took me some sessions to feel good under my feet. Now I loved it is super skatey and fun to ride. I am using 2+1 rob machado fins and they are good! Doesnt goes well with truster (carver fcs) as it looses tons of speed. Stoked to have more sessions with it

[@jellybowl7332]

absolute unit

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

OK...

[@58shortboard]

Another epic review! And the tip of customization to the rider is solid advice! I have smaller boards, but I wanted a little more rail line. I’m 5’8” and 159 lbs., fit but old. Lol! Mine is 5’7” x 20” x 2 1/2” n it goes mental! Solid, thick, a few feet overhead to waist high grovel, one of my favorite boards, ever. I rode it with G-bros fins, AMT’s, Mick Fanning’s medium thrusters and endorfin with shark trailer. Everything worked, and not much difference between G’s n AMT’s. Actually, loving AMT fronts with Rasta trailer as my go-to. As you implied, everyone is different. Regardless, super fun! Love your vids, Craig

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Sounds good, and loving your fin journey to find the right setup! Thanks for the feedback too - stoked you enjoy them!

[@terenceingram7786]

Some great surfing in the review. CI board builder says your dimensions are 33.2L for the board.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Thanks mate - enjoy!

[@SeaBean-zo1gl]

This board doesnt go in small crappy waves. Im 70kgs and bought the 5'8 specifically for small surf. Bad decision. It needs minimum 3ft wave with a bit of push to liven up. Goes ok. Nothing special. Tried as a thruster and 2+1. For me, goes better as a 2 +1.

[@boulyj-b1245]

Exactly, for me it s not a groveler,she needs waves

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Thanks for sharing! I think the stock dims are long/thin, and customising the board shorter/wider would help it’s small wave performance ✌️

[@TK-ee8bg]

5’8 is way to big for a groveler and doesnt fit a small pocket

[@eyalpolishook6486]

didnt try it yet but al the responses leading to what i thought:tail too nerrow for small waves..

[@DiscosVideos]

From watching you on the wave I bet the 5’10” would have gone way better for you.

[@ThePokersurfer]

I still think the overall template isn't seamless thus the reason for the inconsistencies ....... Another CI marketing campaign. Looks like an elongated Pod 2.0 as they always evolve the same shapes with minimal tweaks to market their boards well.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! I’d say it’s quite different to the Pod, but I see the similarities especially through the front end ✌️

[@bunsolo]

have you watched the CI vid on the design process of this board with the Gudauskas bros and britt merrick? It’s interesting, and I don’t think they just made a hybrid of old models to have a new board to sell. 🙏🏽

[@cornholio69]

I got a custom one, ride it with Sharp Eye FCS fins. I been riding my M23 a lot lately so riding this was a bit weird at first. So far I think I prefer the Rocket wide, but I'll keep riding this as it's fun to ride. Might change the fins to the AM twin + stabiliser and see how it goes.. Nice review! 8^)

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Be good to hear where you land with it!

[@calmmarketing]

Hey mate, I was watching the review to decide between the Gskate and the M23 and saw you have experience with both. What sizes did you ride these boards in? What made you feel the Gskatete surfed weird after the M23?

[@cornholio69]

I got the M23 in 7'2" and GSKATE 6'0", that's why it feels so different lol. I got the M23 for like really small waves, but it goes gr8 when the waves are a bit bigger, but when the waves have a bit more power I ride the GSKATE.. I reckon an M23 in 6'6" would be perfect for all types of waves, for me anyway @@calmmarketing

[@calmmarketing]

Got it! Thanks for the reply. I got a mid-strength 7’2 ;) I’ll give the M23 in 6’6 a try

[@andreveiga9598]

Absolutely love your vids mate! Where would you land on this, Rocket Wide or Ultra Joe for 1-5ft range as a one board quiver, where most days are 1-3ft? I'm that low intermediate, tried a mates UJ and loved it, but CI has so many options

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Probably this - but don’t be afraid to add foam through thickness/wideness… ✌️

[@aussiesnowboarder1530]

Hey Craig, how does the G Skate compare to the Chilli BV2? Great review as always! Cheers

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

The BV2 has more of a shortboard feel, especially with less bulk through the front of the board. Funnily enough saying that, the G-Skate seemed to like bigger/better more shortboard-esque waves, where the BV2 seemed to grovel better for me in average/small/weak conditions.

[@ZeeeMann]

Thanks for the insightful review! 🔥 got a q for you mate, heading to indo for a few months gonna pick up a stock spinetek version at 5’6 or 5’4, do you think that 2” would make a massive difference on performance and paddle? I’m like low-mid intermediate, surf a rnf timbertek 5’6 @28l and a seaside 5’6 @32l and I’m 5’8+, cheers! 🎉

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! How tall are you and what do you weigh? I think this boards ideally a few inches shorter than you, but I really recommend going custom shorter/wider if you’re searching for volume and aren’t overly tall…

[@tmcstumble]

Great review. How do you compare the G-Skate to the Bobby Quad. Looking to get a new board to grovel but also handle larger waves if needed. Both seem to fit that profile. Thanks!

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! Both good options, and both would be good! If you want either to surf small waves well, don’t be afraid to add a little more volume ✌️

[@geoffreymccann2841]

One of the Gudaukas brothers apparently prefers it as a thruster.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Interesting, thought they’d be pushing the twin fin they do

[@pierrembadenhorstt]

i ride thruster it’s waaaaay better

[@TK-ee8bg]

@@pierrembadenhorsttin 1/2ft aswell?

[@markmonge7947]

Im 230lb intermediate to advances once on the wave which is the issue usually. Dont want to go fun board. Suggestions?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Suggestions on what board to go? This is a pretty performance little thing in a fun looking outline, could be what you're after...

[@bunsolo]

I have a 5’8” stock g skate and it’s 31.4 liters 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Yeah this is 33.2L 🎉

[@steezasfuck]

Still wondering where is the Christenson’s OP bruv …

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

You might be waiting a lil while longer… 😢

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

It’s getting closer…