Channel Islands G-Skate Surfboard Review: Groveler reimagined or did CI jump the shark?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Thanks guys for taking the time to do such a comprehensive review. Love the different perspectives and honest feedback. Hoping to get on that board soon. Yew!!

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yeah ThomyeSurfs!! Appreciate the feedback!! Let us know when you get one under your feet, we’re curious what your take will be! 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@JOSELUIS-ci2hs]

I have a 6'0 32.4 and is soooo fun. I have an orange one and here on Peru everyone loves how it looks as it captures in a positive way others surfers attention. It's a really cool board. Fast as hell

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Brother #1 here - I love it too! It’s my go-to for anything under shoulder high 🤩 initially I wasn’t a fan of the design, but whatever helps me have more fun in the water 😂👴🏻

[@drenyama5090]

Dadfroth! I surf North Huntington Beach, but visited/surfed at Morro Bay last week. 2’ pretty fun conditions. A few local guys were super cool to me - nice vibes that day! Thanks for the reviews! 👍🏼

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yewwww drenyama5090! Happy the local crew represented 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 hopefully we catch you next time you’re up here!

[@jakesboardreviews]

Legends boys 👍

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yewwwww thanks Jakey! 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@NCsurfer607]

Nice review guys ! Just wondering if y’all ever reviewed the Dominator 2.0 or ever plan too?

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yewwww thanks @ncsurfer607. The Dominator is on the list but we have one or two in front! You score any of that hurricane swell? 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@NCsurfer607]

Oh yeah scored on the hurricane swell ready for some more

[@charleshawk6668]

Think it would be a good begginer surfboard in a 5’10? Im 5’7 155 pounds.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

hey charleshawk6668!! we’ve found what benefits beginners most, is time in the water and repetition. Even though the G-Skate was designed for the average+ surfer, if it gets you in the ocean more, then the short answer is yes! That being said, we think you can get more value and skill progression (faster) with other board choices out there. A Costco Foamie or MF Softboard will increase your wave count and you will get use out of them year after year (PU boards yellow and break down faster). If only we had taken our own advice, maybe we’d be average+ surf dads instead of just average surf dads 😭👴🏻 Let us know if you have more questions! 🙌🏼

[@charlesnetzler2262]

Is it comparable to the Lost RNF 96?

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yeah good question, Charles! We aren’t experts by any means, but that doesn’t mean we won’t share our opinions 😂 We see the G-Skate as a modern take on the performance fish. A Pod Mod 2.0 if you’re a CI fan. The Lost RNF 96 has a deep history that goes waaaaay back. Not to say the G-Skate doesn’t also have that legacy, but the RNF 96 has direct lineage to the original RNFs in Wardo’s and Cory’s quivers. The write up on Lost’s website is pretty insightful if you have time to read through. A direct comparison shows some different lines, tail sizes, and overall outlines…we’d recommend putting each under your arm to get a feel. If you’re still torn, then whichever you can find a better deal on! Our guess - you can probably find some used RNFs since they have been around longer…just be aware of the older fish designs the RNFs might have (longer, thinner etc.). All the being said, we’re just three average surf dads that try to maximize our stoke in the water. We think both boards should provide a snappy, fast, and fun session in sub-par surf. And for sizing, we recommend sticking close to your volume (maybe a .5-.75liters more) and trust the shaper dims! Let us know which you end up with and how it “turns” out!

[@ZeeeMann]

Thanks for the review guys, that was insightful! Got a question, heading to indo for a few months gonna pick up the spinetek version when I’m there. I’ve never felt a Gskate under arm so can’t tell- but do you think I should stick to my standard litres? I ride a RNF in timbertek at 5’6 @28l and a seaside 5’6 @32l, I surf the uk so it’s no indo haha was thinking in either the 5’4 or 5’6. Would that extra 2” help haha ?

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

ZeeeMann, all good questions! Hard to guess without your weight, height, skill level, and break but we will swing for the fences regardless. We are BIG fans of CI's Spine-Tek. The boards are lively, quick, and last longer. In our experience, 27.2L in Spine-Tek is more buoyant than 27.2L in PU (by about .5L or so). The 5'6 is definitely a step up in dims from the 5'4 and could be a great thing depending on conditions, thick wetsuit, dadbod status, etc. However, it can also hinder performance since Indo doesn't require a wettie and usually has minimal groveling. Another thing, there is a lot of board at the nose and that impacts paddling (like a bodyboard). Too much board might exacerbate the phenomenon? And finally, are you taking this back to the UK with you? If so, that might impact the decision since UK waters are slightly colder than Indo and will require the wettie 🥶 Tough decision to make and pretty sure we made things more difficult 🤣 Let us know what you end up with and how the trip goes -- reach out if you have more questions so that we can try to avoid answering them!

[@ZeeeMann]

You’re amazing guys! Haha I’m 5’8/9, about 150lbs, pretty normal fit dad bod 😆, would say low-mid intermediate. I would be having this is my one and only board throughout the trip so that odd big steeper day might happen 😅 I’ve seen the ci team surf in bigger condition but they’re pros haha have you surfed it in steeper breaks? Does the nose catch badly? Oh and thanks for reassuring me on spinetek! Have not had a chance to try one, always on helium and I find it somewhat corky-ish at times or it may just be my skill level 😅. Cheers guys! Appreciate it a lot 🔥

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Good stats ZeeMann!! We’re close to your size and love the 5’4 dims (and we’re in wetsuits year around). We haven’t had it in anything substantial, but hear great things in waves of consequence. When you surf back in the UK, the 5’6 will definitely help on the small/mushy days. But it might be too much board in Indo. Too bad you can’t get both! 🤔

[@ZeeeMann]

Guys I appreciate this a lot, not many would reply with such detail. Yes I’ve got a lot of thinking to do haha 😆 I have never ridden anything smaller than a 5’6, hence the hesitation haha but waves are much cleaner/powerful in indo. Might give that a go, just thinking if it would be a lil better to have a slightly longer rail line for the bigger days (head to head+). Cheers again guys! Love the detailed review, 🎉 will get back to you guys after a few months riding it haha.

[@Surf_Salt]

Nice! How is it for grovelling Vs the PodMod

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Hey @cficecubevids, funny you ask. Brother #2's favorite groveler is the Pod Mod, however, he didn't really vibe with the G-Skate. Brother #1, who also carries extreme prejudice toward non-conventional shapes, found the G-Skate to be the best groveler out there. That doesn't directly answer your question but it's been our experience so far!

[@hermosalife]

Its an amazing Groveler and all arounder I am only 5'10"165 and Im ridng 5'6" 29.1 liter. So maybe its a little extra foam but it absolutely flys

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Brother #1 had a similar experience! Curious what you were riding before you picked up a G-Skate??

[@hermosalife]

@@greenroomsurfreviews I was riding a 5'6 Flatearth and was one of my favorite boards till I rode GSkate. Now I dont even ride it cause Gskates paddle power is so much better and it really takes of more so then then the Flatearth.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

🤯 our camp was divided like montagues and capulets. Neither of us connected with the other 😂 - very interesting to see you loved both!! 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@DiscosVideos]

Are you in Moro?

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

👀 😂

[@eyalpolishook6486]

great panel🤟 maybe get one..dont you find that the tail is too nerrow for the rest of the board? doesnt it avoiding the board to have good flow and glide in weaker section etc.?🙏

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Yeah good question! Brother #2 found that the tail didn’t quite fit his surfing. It was a little wild and unpredictable. Brother #1 connected with it right away. We think it has to do with the tail setup and the style of surfing each person has! Hopefully that helps 🤙🏼 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@eyalpolishook6486]

@@greenroomsurfreviews guss i have to pay to have an opinion 🤣🤣🤙🤙

[@martinfreiwald3094]

27.2L is a little too small for 6,1 tall 236lbs. Person. In my opinion. I would not buy it.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Martin, we totally agree!! 27.2 was a great fit for brothers 1&2 (157lbs). Brother #3 might need to level up to the 5’8 or 5’10, or pick up another 26.2 so he can waterski?