Channel Islands Happy Everyday + Futures Fins AM2 Review - The Surfboard Guide

Welcome to the review of the Channel Islands/Al Merrick Happy Everyday which I have been riding as a custom 5’10 x 19 3/4 x 2 9/16 @ 32L
From cisurfboards.com/products/hap...
Created by Britt Merrick from what was initially the Two Happy performance shortboard model, our new Happy Everyday fills a need in every surfer’s quiver: the everyday shortboard.
Coming off the heels of CI’s Pro Team loving the Two Happy, Britt wanted to draft off its performance attributes but modify it to address the everyday conditions most of us come up against. The kind of conditions where you want to rip and aren’t feeling the groveler vibes, and at the same time maybe not quite the epic stuff you would use your high performance shortboard for. To achieve this goal, Britt shortened the rail to create a curvier outline, especially through the tail area. For both the entry and exit rockers he lowered them to increase paddle and planing speeds to cover a broader range of conditions. The single concave under the front foot acts as a gas pedal and generous double concave through the fins provides rail-to-rail ease and plenty of lift in the small stuff.
The CI Pro Team has been loving it, and the design was further validated in the recent Stab in the Dark that featured Taj Burrow in West Oz-not only for the way it looked under his feet but the fact he chose to paddle out on as the wildcard for WSL’s Rottnest Islands event.
The Happy Everyday is a great all-around design that sits right between your high performance shortboard (Two Happy) and a step down/groveler (
Rocket Wide).
In short, a board designed for high performance surfing on the majority of waves the majority of us surf every day, the Happy Everyday.
In the Happy Everyday I have been riding the Futures AM2
From futuresfins.com/products/copy...
The AM2 Honeycomb designed by legendary shaper Al Merrick of Channel Islands Surfboards, is a large size thruster in the Rake template category.
Featuring a balanced flex pattern, this fin's wider base provides increased drive through turns, making it ideal for high performance surfing. The center fin is smaller than the side fins for increased maneuverability.
Template Category | Rake (drawn-out, control, drive)
Construction | Honeycomb
Ride Number | Balanced - 5.8
Size | Large (180+ lbs)
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[@garrettfnelson]

Just bought this board yesterday with AM2 fins as well. Excellent board. Sits nicely, easy to position yourself well to get the most out of your paddling and drop in. I am on week 7 of surfing and just moved from from a 6’ 8” speed egg to a 6’1” happy everyday. I’m 6’ 1” and 180 pounds. Feels great. I was standing up on waves 4-6ft my first day. Absolute blast, felt the speed but tons of control with the board. Highly recommend for the description the guy gave in the video. I would say it’s spot on.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Thanks for sharing! As much as we love getting questions, it really helps when people share their personal experience with a board (good or bad), as we’re all so different and so are the waves we surf ✌️

[@simo7270]

Cheers for the review , board looks fun as !

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Super fun - good addition to the quiver for anyone surfing average beach break waves ✌️

[@cornholio69]

Ordered a custom from Onboard store a few weeks back, can't wait to get on one!!

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Good choice, and great team at Onboard! Hope you’re stoked on it ✌️

[@Surf_Salt]

great review, how does it compare to the fever?

[@vanessadielingen6442]

Tks Craig

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Thank you!

[@jedalloyd]

Hey Craig, Great review! I'm looking to pick up a new CI shortboard. Wanted to see what your favorite model has been over the years. I'd say I've been leaning towards the Fever or OG Flyer, however have been interested in a few of their newer models (Two Happy, Happy Everyday, CI Pro). I live in SoCal so average waves. Preferably looking for something that can cover a decent range, however doesn't have to grovel as I have that covered.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! If you aren’t worrying about it groveling, then the Too Happy is the board for you! I’ve got one, and absolutely love it when the waves are half decent!

[@trevorhocking9840]

Hey Craig long time reviewer of your channel, great job surfing normal waves! Tossing up between Happy Everyday or Keg as an everyday for West Oz.. understand the Keg is more of a performance board but you did mention it covers a broad range? Intermediate surfer, thanks mate!

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! I loved the Keg, and it’s super forgiving wit h it’s volume etc so could be the right choice!

[@goodtimesmaggr]

Thanks Graig for another amazing review!But what about the rail thickness ?What really seperates happy everyday compared to sampler?

[@MrB1019]

Seems to have aggressive nose rocker which is different. Samplers are mean boards

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! I wouldn’t even compare it to the sampler. The Happy Everyday sits closer to the full length performance shortboard, where the Sampler is shorter, and more importantly flatter! So I feel it sits down in the small wave board range with your Neckbeard, Pod, Dumpster Diver etc…

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

@@MrB1019 yes - Samplers are flat, and you’d ride them shorter. My Happy Everyday is 5’10, but I’d ride a 5’8 or 5’9 Sampler ✌️

[@bradhulcombe3669]

Hey Craig. Thanks for epic reviews! Looking at a board to sit above my DHD phoenix for typical NSW coast (mid north coast ) beachies . Am older intermediate and ride the phoenix in 36.5L . Love it . I had an OG Flyer which was maybe bit under volume- I liked it but needed a good wave to go for me with that fairly steep entry rocker . Is this a better paddler ? Would you think something else might be better ? I’d considered a DHD black diamond , HS Holy Hypto. Cheers Brad

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! I haven’t ridden those last two, but the Happy Everyday is super similar to the OG, but maybe some more width through the nose and flatter entry rocker. Probably paddles better, and would suit a lower skilled surfer than the OG.

[@waikikiwilly13]

Great review and ripping! What are your thoughts in a comparison with this board and the rusty keg?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Both very similar boards, though I’d ride the Keg a little longer to get my desired volume (around 6’0). I really really enjoyed my Keg and recommend it to most people looking for a forgiving full length shortboard ✌️

[@Paxlowes]

Great review - Thanks. How’s the Happy Everyday compare to Patterson Synthetic 84?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Never ridden the Patterson so I can’t help you

[@aler8910]

Good review, Craig! What would you choose as a transition to a first shortboard: OG flyer or Happy Everyday?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! They’re both really similar as in the wave range they’re designed to surf, but the Happy Everyday has a wider outline and I think it’d be a little more forgiving ✌️

[@aler8910]

@@TheSurfboardGuide cheers Craig! That’s what I thought as well. Happy for more fuller outline in the nose. I got OG after riding crypto for some time. I guess lower rails makes a lot of difference as it was so quick, I couldn’t get hold of it. How do you compare rails outline on happy vs og?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

@@aler8910 rails are similar with a forgiving mid rail holding volume.

[@brodiebeeton3178]

Hey mate, what’s your thoughts on the happy everyday compared to the JS Bullseye in east coast surf?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Both great boards / but prefer the Happy Everyday!

[@FranciscoSilva-fn8uj]

TKS

[@hugt6238]

Hey I’m hesitate with this board or the fever for Indonesian trip ! What do you think ? And thank you for your amazing job !

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Fever!

[@henriquevert]

How do you compare Happy Everyday and Chilli Churro2?

[@moshikezra2146]

Hey Craig, Thanks for another great review! how was the board when the waves were pumping around 4-6 ft? I need a board for those waves and I am checking the CI OG flyer 6.2 or the Happy everyday on 6.1. the height of the happy is better but not sure if it works great when the conditions are solid 4-6 ft. Thanks, Moshik

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

If you want a board for 4-6ft, probably look at the Two Happy! This is good - and some of the waves in this clip are solid, but it is more of a 2-4ft kind of board...

[@austinherrero4396]

What are the main performance differences between this and the Neckbeard 3?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

This is a longer/more towards a shortboard shape, and is going to feel more like your traditional shortboard. Both great boards, and could both sit in the quiver ✌️

[@calmmarketing]

Thanks for the sick content, Craig! So much info! Can I ask your thoughts on the Happy Everyday vs. the Mashup? I'm currently riding a 7"2 mid-length and looking for a step down at around the 6"2-6"4 range. Cheers!

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! What is the mash up? I don't think I'm across that... The Happy Everyday, or the Churro 2 by Chilli could be good options!

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Also - if you look at some of the more alternate stuff by say Album, Tyler Warren etc where boards might have a beak to keep more foam in the board, these might be a good choice if stepping down from longer/bigger boards...

[@calmmarketing]

@@TheSurfboardGuide Thanks for the suggestions and yes Album boards are a dream. Mashup is the Firewire Mashup.

[@Petepato3]

How would you compare it to the JS Monsta 2020? Thanks!

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Very similar - but Happy Everyday is much more forgiving and offers more performance in smaller and average waves 👍

[@harryb4852]

Quick question after all the boards you’ve tested over the years what is your quiver would love a video on it cheers

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! I’ve thought about it, but I don’t have a lot of them anymore unfortunately… There’s definitely a few that I still think about, and you don’t realise how good they are till they’re gone… 😉

[@harryb4852]

@@TheSurfboardGuide any good example of something to fit just above a groveller for not so great uk waves

[@soulsurfer3102]

hello friend.i just bought this board second hand with fcs2 .can you recommend what fins i should buy? thanks champ

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

They any of the AM templates ✌️

[@shortyyys]

Which 2 board quiver do you think would be a better combo? Happy everyday - Two happy or Black&White - Sampler

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Sampler & Two Happy ✌️

[@ryansmith9283]

Hi Craig what size would you recommend for an intermediate 6ft 75kg ? Cheers

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Focus on the volume - try and go to your regular shortboard volume if you can, and maybe + a litre

[@ryansmith9283]

Thanks mate I’m not to sure what my regular short board volume would be, I’ve lost a little weight and I’m trying to downsize and consolidate the quiver

[@ryansmith9283]

Thanks mate I’m not to sure what my regular short board volume would be, I’ve lost a little weight and I’m trying to downsize and consolidate the quiver

[@imagocancun]

Rocket wide or happy every day?? What’s better as a first short board

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Rocket Wide!

[@krishtayable]

Hello I'm looking at buying this board but I'm torn between PU and spinetek

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Spinetek only if you’re thinking it’s going to be a groveler for small or average conditions mainly.

[@RBNK157]

@@TheSurfboardGuide what would you consider small/average size ?

[@fosdikejames]

Hi mate, would you ride this the same volume as your Two Happy or would you go up or down?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Good question! This is about 0.5L more than my Two Happy!

[@vanessadielingen6442]

Is similar to JS black box 3 ?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Kind of - they sit in a similar realm and wave range

[@francomunoz229]

CI Happy every day? Or Hayden shapes Holy Grail?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

It's been a long time since I rode a Holy Grail - but I really liked it. Thats a tough one!

[@yl7679]

How does happy everyday compared with neck beard 2?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

This is more of a shortboard - so they are kinda different...

[@yl7679]

@@TheSurfboardGuide gotcha thanks! Are there conditions you would prefer NB2 over happy everyday then?

[@carnoprosnowboarder3799]

What’s your pick as a groveler, Neckbeard 2, Lost Rad Ripper, or Happy Everyday?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Probably this or the Neckbeard 2!

[@hardt115]

Pretty much a og flyer?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Similar, but different. You familiar with the OG? But yes, they surf the same wave range, but they do it differently 😉

[@cxlosdc333]

2nd

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

3rd!

[@bonsummers2657]

Dude, do us all a favor and go Carnivore or Keto,…. we want to see you reap with grace.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

You know you could do me a favour too...