Channel Islands Surfboards Bobby Quad + AM Techflex Future Fins Review - The Surfboard Guide

Welcome to our full review of the Bobby Quad by Channel Islands Surfboards, and a collaboration between Bobby Martinez and Britt Merrick.
I have been riding the Bobby Quad as a Custom 5'6 x 19 7/8 x 2 5/8 = 32L
From cisurfboards.c...
Bobby Martinez challenged us to build him as short of a board as possible with the goal of maximizing his fun in Santa Barbara’s tiny summer surf. He also added that it had to be a quad, and it still had to live up to his high-performance standards. Bobby’s shortboards are 5’8” but for this customized four-finner he was thinking we ought to take it down to 5’2”. By shortening the rail line and distributing the volume into the width throughout the plan shape he’d be able to skate over the flats and carry enough speed to still fit in his signature gauges.
The Bobby Quad has a low entry rocker that goes into a flat planing surface under the gas pedal portion of the board that provides the speed to get into waves and over those flat sections. The exit rocker and bottom contours are designed to be all business - with performance oriented flip and generous double concave for added lift to help Bobby boogie down the line in gutless waves. Its tail rocker profile, combined with some width in the tail and modified swallow, provide speed and hold during quick directional changes.
The model is designed to be ridden 3” to 6” shorter and ¼” to 1/2” wider than your shortboard. For reference, Bobby’s dimensions are 5’2 x 19 x 2 5/16. From other team riders we’ve since learned that the Bobby Quad is versatile enough to be scaled up for those wanting to increase their wave count. The rail stays nicely foiled (not chunky) at fuller dimensions, so to maintain the integrity of the design we recommend adding thickness over width to hit your volume. As for fins, we recommend you run your favorite quad templates.
In the Bobby Quad I rode a blend of the AM1 Techflex in the front, and the AM2 quad rears in the back.
From futuresfins.co...
The AM2 Techflex 5-Fin, designed by Al Merrick of Channel Island Surfboards, is a large sized set in the Rake template category. As one of the most popular thruster fins in the Futures range the template features a wider base and refined tip, for the perfect mix of drive and release. The quad rears follow the same profile, offering a perfect option for a heavy foot or extra wide tail board. The 5-fin set is designed to be ridden as either a Thruster or Quad set-up, packaged together for more versatility through your quiver.
Template Category | Rake (drawn-out/drive)
Construction | Techflex
Ride Number | Speed Control - 3.4 (tri) / 3.1 (quad)
Size | Large (180+ lbs)
Thanks so much for watching and be sure to connect with us on Instagram @thesurfboardguide to be across what we are doing and boards we are checking out!

[@julianzookRD]

Looks like an epic daily driver for you! I love the idea of the dedicated quad with this hip, all of the speed from the quad and looseness of the hip are a dreamy combo.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Yeah - if you're surfing average/ok waves in the 2-6ft range, then it good be the Daily Driver! Easy to surf, and lots of fun!

[@ThePokersurfer]

Board lights up under your feet and waves are gnarly good. AND you have a new makeover ....... kinda like a Julian Wilson look!

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Haha! A shave and a haircut, kinda like a makeover! Yeah, board is fun and super easy to surf!

[@mocean365]

Great review! I love my BQ and absolutely love it for 3-8 foot here in the PNW. Def not a full on groveler but a great small-average size board. I reached out to one of the Guadaskas bro's to ask about fins and he turned me. on the the Stretch quads and they are pretty magic. Also liked the Haydens and some NVS fins but overall i just leave the Stretch's in now. You nailed it on your volume comments too..i usually ride 32-33 liters and got this right under 34L and it paddles like a dream and doesn't bog rail etc like some fishes or grovelers. Im 6-1 180 lbs and got the 5-8. I want a "stepup" version of this in a 5-10 next might have a local shaper tackle it. Such a great board!

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

The Hayden quads are good, and regularly overlooked! Good to hear your fin feedback! I'm ordering another BQ, 5'5 @ 33.5L and see how it goes over summer!

[@mocean365]

@@TheSurfboardGuide right on and yes on the Hayden fins! Hope you enjoy your next one too as a custom! Yew!

[@Slickjim91]

Love a good quad. Had a seaside for a few years, awesome board! Would love another one

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

This is a little bit more fun than the Seaside - next level when it comes to capability and performance.

[@jedalloyd]

Another awesome review Craig! Bobby quad vs lane splitter. Which do you prefer?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

They are different boards and both have a spot in your quiver. I love the Lane Splitter though - but I’d happily have both of these in my quiver ✌️

[@paulojoselemesdacunha9208]

Hello In size 6.2 for beginner/intermediary do you recommend it? Thank you very much

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Yeah, pending your size, I think it’d be nice and stable ✌️

[@paulolemes2880]

@@TheSurfboardGuide thank you 😊

[@paulojoselemesdacunha9208]

@@TheSurfboardGuide I have 5′ 11" and 165lb. :-)

[@paulojoselemesdacunha9208]

@@TheSurfboardGuide stay in doubt too Ultra Joe :-)

[@javier5766]

My friend I know you rip, but you should add a few liters more.. it will make your surfing more fluid.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Thanks for the feedback ✌️

[@javier5766]

@@TheSurfboardGuide much love, I love your videos!

[@mattlevy914]

Would u reccomend this board or another, if I’m looking for a fun skatey board, between 5’2 and 5’4?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Maybe this - but don’t be afraid to go custom and make it shorter/wider/thicker ✌️

[@Ronny439]

Got the new DHD utopia on the list to review mate?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

No, unfortunately the folks at FCS don't really get into the review stuff. I might reach out to them though and try again...

[@ThePokersurfer]

Can you do a Revo demo soon?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

What’s a Revo?

[@ThePokersurfer]

@@TheSurfboardGuide Firewire/Tomo collaboration aka Evo/Cymatic 2.0.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

@@ThePokersurfer sounds interesting - will have to look into it!

[@andreabordoni2665]

Do the ci gskate too 🤙🏽

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Just ordered one ✌️

[@avs9800]

What was the big guys board dimensions?

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

You not into watching the clip? It answers your questions…

[@joelcorral2475]

Bro thanks for review.. how much you weigh? For reals you looking like 220+ 32L working good for you...

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! I'm 5'10.5 and 93kgs - not sure in pounds...

[@cwr8618]

Did you intentionally leave your weight out? You offered stock and custom dimensions and your height.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

I'm 5'10.5 x 92kgs

[@cwr8618]

@@TheSurfboardGuide thanks bro - just trying to gauge sizing / skill level. I'm 6'3" / 220lbs intermediate / advanced.

[@louiepillari7796]

@@cwr8618 did you end up getting one? If so what size? I'm about 6'5 210 - 220 with 5 mm suit on and would say intermediate. Curious on sizing.

[@cwr8618]

@@louiepillari7796 no. At least not yet. It's still on my list and I typically wait for a lot of reviews before jumping into a new model, just to be sure. They way prices are these days, forget about it. I recently bought my 3rd Rocket Wide, this one in squash and Varial. Also just picked up a Too Fish. Recently had an LSD Twinny and Mashup but after a couple sessions, I didn't connect with either and took to the consignment shop. But if/when I try out the BQ, I'm thinking at 36L. Seems like 36-38 would work in your situation? The toughest thing for me, being tall like you, is the short rail line on some of these smaller boards. I found the Seaside and now the Too Fish to be really fun but I do catch the nose and rail a lot because they're so short and I"m tall I think 5'10" is the shortest I fell 'comfortable' on, with 6'0" being a kind of sweet spot between stability and fitting in the pocket

[@louiepillari7796]

@@cwr8618 same problem with my seaside. I had a 5’11 and volume felt too much but I kept bogging nose/rail when trying to get down the line. I think CI does a better job hiding foam and keeping rail a little more refined. I’m thinking the 6’0 might work for me best. But there’s a 5’10 in my area on FB marketplace so I might take the gamble and see. Will let you know how it goes if I do

[@79pejeperro]

Hi Craig. Have a look at Pang's HRT.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Will do ✌️