Channel Islands Rocket Wide Surfboard Review: a classic groveler?

[@keithwalker537]

I specifically got this board 2.5 years ago for typical summer, small conditions in Spinetek (livelier in smaller surf) in 5'6" stock dims, 2+1 fins. I've tried with AM2 tri setup but would use in larger conditions potentially. 85% of the time is my go to board for generally surf in SoCal. I would consider this a "magic board" fast, flowy, pivots well with the upright front fins. You can feel the recoil from the Spinetek material. I've ridden it in well overhead surf. It seemed to hold in well although it was an open face overhead day. I would elect to take a performance (Sharpeye HT2 rounded pin) board when it gets overhead just to insure I wouldn't slide out. The only issue in Spinetek aesthetically yellows faster than a PU. Next purchase will be in the Spinetek squash tail.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Keith! We agree, the RW is a great (if not the) go-to in small conditions. Awesome to hear you had better luck in surf above shin high 😂 we haven’t figured that part out quite yet 🧐 interesting to hear your spine-tek yellowed faster than a PU!! Ours have kept white for multiple years! Maybe something in that SoCal water…? Rad to hear you’re enjoying it 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@Petepato3]

I love my RW for up to headhigh. I'm looking for a board that covers chest high to overhead with a bit of push AND feels like the RW. Do you think the Rocket 9 would do?

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Hey James!! Stoked you also like your RW!! This is a good question that can change after considering type of wave, level of surfing, etc. But where’s the fun in answering when we have all the info!? Our take - have a look at the Happy Everyday. We’re actively testing now and without giving TOO much away, can confirm you’ll be out-foxing Medina in no time 💯 We have limited experience on the Rocket 9 (it was a tough nut to crack). The Happy Everyday has been plug-and-play in waves over waist high. Here’s what CI has to say: 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. Hope that helps! 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@Petepato3]

@@greenroomsurfreviews Thanks! Type of wave: beach breaks with moderate power (southwest of France, not including Hossegor) up to overhead. Intermediate level (4 years of surfing weekly). I was also considering the Happy Everyday but was concerned with the width of the tail sliding (similarly to the RW) when waves get slightly overhead coupled with longer period groundswell. The Rocket 9 has a more pulled in tail and I thought this may solved the issue. Plus, I suppose the transition between the RW and the R9 may be easier as one is derived from the other.

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

James - do you happen to do guest appearances on slightly below-average Surfboard Review channels? Just asking for a friend. The short answer, we don’t think you will go wrong with either. Some larger fins in the HE for those pumping days could address the sliding tail issue. The Rocket 9 will be a few inches shorter but our local allows us to use the HE more. If you want to keep it in a family, the Happy lineup encompasses the entire range 🤷🏻‍♂️ Honestly, we think it’s comes down to a personal preference. Maybe take a look at which CI Team surfers excel on the R9 vs HE and who your style is most similar to. Right now we’re riding that HE high which is our pick of the two. Regardless, you’re going to have fun! Hit us back with a review on which you end up going with 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@Petepato3]

@@greenroomsurfreviews Ok, I'll check out your review of the HE and will make sure to update you if I choose one of the two. Nope to your question !

[@foxgd88]

@@Petepato3don’t listen to the HE propaganda. Order r9 a inch or more long and thinner to solve the “short length” problem. Two happy goes better in that range than HE

[@NCsurfer607]

Thinking about getting the spine tech RW squash im 5’8” 150lbs . Been seen for 20 years thinking about the stock 5’5” Does the spine tech float better than the PU ? Trying to get the best size board

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Hey Brett!! Difficult to make board recs on the internet, which means we will totally give an opinion! We are fan bois of the OG RW and the squash looks spicy, we like the pick. From our testing we found the spine-tek does give a little boost…as if you added another .25 to your total volume. Hopefully that helps…or doesn’t? Let us know what you end up with!! 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@carloslukather6658]

I'm 5.9. 180 pounds. What size do you recommend?

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

hey Carlos! Gooooooood question Tooooouuuuugh to answer - it depends on your experience level. Shredding like early-aught Dane? Look at the stock 5’7. If you’re newer to the sport, then the 5’11 might be a better fit. If I had your dims and was an experienced surfer, I’d order a custom to get the right mix of volume and height. Maybe something like 5’7 x 19.3 x preferred volume. You can use the CI team on the website chat to really dial it in, they’re great. Then you’ll need to think about PU vs. Spine-Tek, which fins, and then the a second job to make it all happen! The RW is an awesome board, and provided its sized right, you’ll be shredding more waves than the salty locals will care to count - actually I take that back, they always count. Let us know if you have more questions (or more data to consider for the dims rec) 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@carloslukather6658]

@@greenroomsurfreviews hey, i use around 30 to 31,50 volume. have you tryed the neck bear 3 ?

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

We reviewed the NB2 and even brought it to Waco. (And from what we can tell, the NB3 is a NB2 with a rounded tail). It’s a fun board but is best in good waves. Looks like you’d fall between the 5’9 and 5’10 - dealer’s choice based on conditions (or lack there of!) Our take would be a new RW since it can be used 360 days a year + a used NB2/3 and you’d be set!

[@aldolaborin7470]

Nice video guys

[@bighausthetundra506]

Do you think a beginner could handle this board?

[@greenroomsurfreviews]

Hey Big Haus, great question. The RW is very user friendly but if you’re just starting out - probably not the option we’d recommend (we LOVE the foamies from Costco) 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼