Channel Islands "Happy" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas EP.91
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
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In this episode I put two custom “Happy” boards through the paces in a variety of wave types and conditions.
Both boards are custom with the exact same dimensions. One board is EPS (Squash Tail) in CI’s award winning construction they call Spinetek. The other board in Polyurethane foam with Polyester resin. (Swallow Tail)
We spent all summer testing both of these boards in 3-8’ surf and we even took the Spinetek EPS board to BSR Surf Resort to see how it goes in the pool.
Both boards went good but the PU Swallow tail out performed the EPS Squash tail in 4-8’ surf. The PU offered more hold and predictability on rail when the waves had more size with texture from wind.
Overall the Happy is a solid HPSB and I recommend it for the upper end intermediate to pro surfer looking to maximize performance pocket surfing in 4-8’ surf.
Board DIMS:
5’7” x 18 7/8 x 2 5/16 Liters 25.5
My Height: 5’9”
My Weight: 160 lb or 72.57 KG
Board Weight with Tail Traction:
EPS Spinetek: 4.90 lb
PU/Poly: 5.30 lb
Suggested Fins:
Al Merrick Fins - Фільми й анімація
I want the Happy so badly! Fell in love with it the first time i saw it on the rack. Great review on it! Was leaning towards the Spine Tek but sounds like the PU is where I'll lean towards. So glad you did a thorough review on this board and the differences with the fins and Spine Tek
Always get spine tek
Hi from an Aussie fan, love your work noel.
Would be cool to get your take on tail shapes maybe a little mini ep.
Great review as always! The two best names I've heard for a long time as guests 🤙🤣
pu foam is an amazing material. Underrated. Yet mostly used. Also not to forget, Machining stringerless eps the blank may be relaxing after cutting the deck and you might get +- a few mm in the rocker. Plus the obvious flex differences between the 2 constructions goes and its a tricky mix and voila boards feel very different. I was always of the opinion that EPS boards get very good when tamed by the glassing schedule.
Noel that first frontside hack was so sick!!
Hi Noel .I think that performance board like the "happy" cant be chopped 4\5 inch in the rang between size: 5'5-5'10.... if its 5'10 or 5'9 the difference are small but still excited ,soo to chopped a HAPPY to much, make a huge change, cause you live the board with the same volume but much smaller, too much smaller...now if its a summer board or a fish that's fine ,but for the Happy its not. ,cause its not really a "happy" no more, the volume compressed to much in small board and its become more like a summer board and not a board for "GOOD SURF" - barreling days . yes the shape is the same but not the a good Equal volume as it should be all over the board. I hope that i have explained my self ok,i did my best (-:.
I love your show Noel, but kinda miss your old style standing next to your surfboard stand. It just looked more professional. we could barely see the shape and the outline of the board in the frame. Thank you.
Ardy Aryan could not agree more.
agreed!!
He's clearly too tired from all that ripping. Give that man a break!
Amazing review like always. But I miss a little bit the old format standing behind the board talking about: rocker and bottoms, etc.
Nice work anyway!
🙌🏼
IkoPB Got it... I just don’t want to repeat what the Manufacturer has on their website already.
Met Julian down in Oaxaca just recently. Dude was damn well glued to his board, don't think I saw a bobble. Humble guy too, should get him on some more guest reviews.
andrew macnaughton Absolutely...
Great review. thanks for breaking down all attributes of the board. thanks Noel, you helped me and changed my look on surfbaord so deep, i understand more about shapes and it's eally what surfers need. Great job, really great job man ! you are the best you are the champion.
Blade Runner Yewwww! Stoked our show is helping you and thank you for the kind words. Aarron and I really appreciate it.
I've got a happy in varial foam, but I customised the tail to a rounded pin, it really goes, love the HP refined rails; make it easy to grab and hack into the wave, love it. Noel will you be doing the CI pro anytime soon? That looks like a grea all round HP one-board quiver?
Not sure at this time. That board needs a hood steep wave. Where I surf most of the time the CI pro will not be in its element.
Really interesting review! I thought that a larger fin will have more control in bigger surf than a smaller one. However your review Noel suggested the opposite (if i understand it well). You give us great knowledge from your surfing experience
KOSTAS GOULAS Cheers!!’ In most cases a Large fin will offer more hold due to more fin depth. However... in some boards a Large fin seems to create a little too much lift at the peak of a turn and disengage the fin cause me to slide out a little. It could also be due to my weight being 160 lbs and if I was 190 that fin would sit down a bit more and work great.
@@surfnshowreviews7777 thanks for sharing your knowledge. I ve learned so much from you
I grabbed a 5’11 Happy and using it with the large Kolohe Andino fins. Definitely feels a little unsettled, maybe getting too much lift from the fins? Might try it with some medium reactors. Cheers for the review
Blake Polverino Sounds good... maybe try a Medium fin with some rake too.
Great review noel, 3" shorter than stock is allot, but board looked perfect length for you,maybe ci should offer xl dims for their hpsb models, like some other manufacturers do.
keep up the great work
J Boy Surf Good idea for CI... cheers
J Boy - they do plus size and step up versions according to their website.
You all looked so "Happy"😂😂 cool report thank you.
Fantastic in detail user experience review! How would you compare CI Happy and Pyzel Shadow? What would you chose? Main differences and similarities?
Hope to hear from you! Thanks
Shadow has more foam under the chest and front foot... making it a better paddler. The Shadow seems a tad more user friendly because of it. Both boards have a good amount of exit rocker for HP surfing in the pocket. I believe the Shadow has a better wave range... best in 3-8’ surf.
Hey Noel, been watching for ages now and I’d love to ask what you define an intermediate/advanced/ pro rider. Of course pro is going to be more obvious but I feel the others can be more subjective. For me I’m a bit harsh to my level of surfing, so I imagine others are too. A clear distinction as a checklist would probably help others, like myself, instead of relying on our own confidence to say what level we are. I’m not sure I’ve articulated that in the best manner as I’m hungry 🤣
Great comments… maybe I will do a episode or two on this topic
Appreciate the details and “technical” aspects given the price incurred for the differences especially with custom choices
Noel, always putting out great reviews! Question, is the HAPPY an evolution of a past CI board?
Maybe... I still like the Fever better.
Hi, would you recommend the happy in good reef conditions? Would you choose Happy over other board models if you were traveling to Indo or Hawaii?
Cody Iddings Happy will go good on reef breaks. I would take one to HI and Bali. Check out the Fever too for the spots you want to surf.
Hey Noel, big fan of the show. Hoping you could help shed some light on my next board purchase. I'm a solid intermediate/upper intermediate surfer. Surf confidently on rail, do a variety of carves and snaps, but mostly avoid airs. Currently have a Sampler that I really enjoy but I'm starting to feel like it's holding me back a bit in chest+ surf when the beach breaks I mostly surf start getting more walled up and vertical. Looking for a board that will suit me in chest-a bit overhead when the waves have some punch and are more vertical/hollow. Been comparing the happy, fever, monsta 8, etc. Worried something like the rook15 will be too advanced for me. What board (or boards) do you think would be good?
Alex Y Fever or Phantom
I’m used to Santa Cruz and LA county but now living on Atlantic coast of Florida so have to adjust to Sebastian, New Smyrna and Reef Road etc.
Aloha, Always great reviews, I've been watching your videos to help with making a decision on my next Winter Hawaii board. My P/U lightweight construction options are Sharpeye's HT 2, Pyzel Shadow, JS Monsta Box 2020, or the Happy. Looking forward to your insight🤙🏼
I like the Shadow out of the options best.
Look like og flayer.
Great show.thx
Thank you Noel for another in depth review. I was thinking of getting a Happy for larger surf since Britt talks about it being a good step up, but I need the paddle power being a little older at 57. Which paddles best for you B&W Fever or Happy and which is most user friendly? Great work man.
rippert Black and White paddles better and easier to surf.
Thanks Noel!
Hopefully picking up a 2nd hand happy this weekend. Great reviews thanks. I have to laugh at the size a literage the guests are using in here 😆 20 litres!!! Seriously 🤪
Hi Noel, I'm a hug fan and love watching you surf and your reviews. If you were an intermediate surfer, and could just have on CI board for typical costa rican pacific surf, probably anywhere from 2-8' beachbreak, would you pick the fever, OG flyer, or happy. Such a tough decision. You seemed real high on the fever. I'm probably between that and the OG flyer. I've always had an OG flyer and love them, just not sure how different the fever is. Seems like it would maybe handle pumping surf a little better.
Joshua Elder I like the Fever best for CI’s HPSB. The OG is more user friendly
@@surfnshowreviews7777 Thanks Noel! If you're ever in Nosara hit me up and we'll have you over for dinner!
Volume can be a tricky thang. I'm 49 yes old, 200 lbs and Around 5'11. My ideal volume is around 35 liters. However, I found the 7'2 C.I. Water Hog which is around 45 liters and it surfs better than any board I've ever rode. Because all the volume is in the nose the board still has a small squash tail and from 3/4s of the board it a short board. I can't believe how responsive it is. 🤙😷🇺🇲
That turn at 5:27 is sick
Stokeeeeed you did this one! Knowing you're down near South OC/North SD area mainly, but do you have recommendations for some of the heavier breaks down near La Jolla and what not that you've tried out?
Best board show on youtube though, and there are plenty of other awesome channels!
D I would ride a Fever, or Ghost down in those heavier waves
Hey Noel is the happy or fever going to be more user friendly for an intermediate surfer? Thanks!
Chris Fan I like the Fever better... it seemed to carry more overall speed.
Hi Noel, great video again!!
Surfing the fever in 5’11 would you recommend the same size (and volume) for the happy? Can the happy perform nicely in 3/4 ft when you are an intermediate surfer or is the fever more adapted? I like my fever from 2/3 to 6/7 foot and wanted maybe to give a go to the happy instead of buying another fever (which is a perfect board to me).
Going to Costa rica where the waves are quite punchy. I think I am intermediate +
Thanks so much for your help!
A lerpi if you order a Happy get the same liters as your Fever.
I like the Fever better... just saying.
Hey! Would you say Fever is more user friendly then the Happy? Due to diffrent in rails (low-med)? And bigger sweetspot? I looked on your website, where your rating is higher on the Fever. Thanks and stay safe!
kallegbg81 Fever
@@surfnshowreviews7777 Thanks Noel! Think Fever suits me better then the my Happy. Hope you guys can still surf back home. Here in Bali some beaches are closing down. Stay safe / Karl
Would a stronger glass job help bridge the weight difference between eps and poly? If the poly is typically 4/4+4 and you do an eps in 6/6+6 (non S) it would be closer to standard poly weight.
True... adding weight with a heavier glass job will make for a stronger glass job.
I'm thinking about getting a 5'9 happy with futures fin boxes for my homebreak which is a steeper more hollow beach break. I'm only 5'0 100 pounds. Do you still recommend the am2 honeycombs or is there another fin that is better for me??
You could also go with the Kolohe Andino fins
Amazing review. But please talk about the swallow tail.
cassio santos The Swallow Tail has more hold in textured surf.
Nice one Noel. Be great to compare the Happy to the the Driver 2.0 some time.
I wondered the same
What you rocking with, fever, happy, or OG flyer. Great review!
Fever is my favorite CI HPSB
@@surfnshowreviews7777 Thanks!
See how high you are up on the water at 9:45, is that what you dont want? You want to sink more into the water floor when the waves are that big?
Zenfire Trading Correct... the Large fins were creating too much speed and lift... I am sure the Medium Mick Fanning fins would go insane in this board.
Loving the reviews as always. Just quick question, which board do you prefer, the Happy or the Fever? Also, did you get the same chatter on the Spine Tech Fever as you did with the Happy?
Nath H I prefer the Fever... I did not have the Fever in Spinetek... I only had it in PU
@@surfnshowreviews7777 Thanks for the reply, I have just bought the fever in Spine Tech and taking it to Indo, hope I havnt made the wrong call when it gets sizey!
Nath H Let us know how it goes for you.
@@nathh8900 how did it go in spinetek on bigger days? would you have preferred pu?
@@MrB1019 Living in Bali n was trying on spinetek... bigger days definitely pu goes well . spinetek feeling like bounce and too light ...
Lightin it UP on that thing.
Loved this review wish you went in depth about the bottom of the board a little more loved when you’d break down the whole shape in some of your older reviews really good job with this though! Also was there a big difference between the swallow and the squash tails at all?
cyberxdeth Swallow tail offered a bit more hold in textured surf. Surfboard attributes are covered extremely well by Britt Merrick on the Happy already..., didn’t want to repeat that on this review. If the manufacturer covers that already I don’t want to repeat what they say....
Surf n Show Reviews ahh got it thanks did not know that! amazing work as always!!
Do fins lose their characteristics over time? Should I be replacing my am1’s after years of use?
John Great Question.... how do they feel when your surfing? Are they still in good shape? I have a set of AM2 RTM that I have been using for 4 years. They still feel good to me but they have no chips in them either.
i’m 5’9 140, what do u think is a good size for me, for the happy? I was thinking about 5’8. Please let me know what you think. Thank you
lookatcurryman44 The 5’8” would be good if your a expert or pro level surfer at 22.5-24L range. Advanced surfer range is 24-26L, Intermediate surfer = 26.5-28.5L
Noel,
The traction problem you describe having with the am2s in the epoxy, i am having right now with the JS monsta box hyfi, running mf large fins.
I know in your review you mentioned you tried the mfs also but liked the KA's the best.
So my question is, before i buy the KA's is there another fin you recommend for me to try?
My MonstaBox hyfi is 5'10 28L
Im 5'9" 180lbs -ish right now
Mahalo for any tips 🤙🏾
My raked fins are the best!!! Check them out here….
surfnshow.com/products/surf-n-show-thruster-rakes
If you want FCSII click in fins then go Kolohe L
Would the Happy be comparable to the Phantom?
What board is more use friendly, the Fever o the happy? Witch one have the more front foot sweet spot? You speak about the og flyer, about it's long sweet spot I mean, And thats super important for me, an average surfer, I have the phantom and works magic becaise of that big sweet spot. You give us very nice info for choosing boards, crazy nice.
Xabier xabi On paper the Happy is more user friendly cause it has less rocker. I personally think the B&W is more user friendly than both. If you must get a HPSB then check out the B&W.
I use my phantom round tail kustom 6’1 19 3/8 2 1/2 31,33 litres, I am 6,2 184 lbs. I use it as my hpsb because we don’t have very curvy waves and is common the flat sections where I live. Do you think I need another board to perform, or does the phantom work as a hpsb with those dism?
Xabier xabi Phantom is good enough for your wave types. Cheers
@@surfnshowreviews7777 Agreed. B&W feels easier to me too.
a bit more flow and easier to turn, especially in pointbreaks and not so hollow waves.
I wonder why even bother getting the happy in spine tek if this board has all the attributes of performance short board….
Just use this board in PU on good days and use something like the RW or as Noel said the OG Flyer on lesser days.
Absolutely
Hi noel, would be great if you could get feedback from heavier surfers on some of these boards. I am 95kg and I never know how well your feedback applies to heavier surfers.
Johnny Pp I hear you... maybe check out reviews from Craig at the Surfboard Guide. He is a bigger guy and he did his review on the Happy too.
I try to get other surfers involved but it’s not that easy. Organizing it all can be difficult.
@@surfnshowreviews7777 thanks noel. Love your reviews. Would be perfect if you could add 35 kgs of muscle to your frame... lol
@@surfnshowreviews7777 you are the man for giving craig some love.. chchur
For what kind of waves does it works better? Could be for all kind of waves, From 3 to 8 foot?
Nicolás Iglesias Alvarez The Happy is best in steep or hollow waves. You can shred it in most types of waves. It’s a HPSB so it’s not super user friendly.... for a board that’s easier to surf with more foam in 3-6’+ surf by CI I suggest the Weirdo Riper.
I'm between the Happy PU and a Pyzel Ghost.. Can you give me your opinion on which you preffered? thank you! Love your reviews!!
Alex Suarez What size waves are you thinking for this board and where are you surfing?
@@surfnshowreviews7777 East coast of Florida when it gets good and lots of trips to Central America(Hallow Beach breaks) . Often visit one perticular beach in Nica called Aposentillo that gets like small Puerto
Alex Suarez I would go Happy PU. The Ghost is more of a step up for 6-10’ surf
I wonder why you choose to test the Happy with a swallow tail, since the normal tail is a squash.
cassio santos I love Swallow Tails... and ordering it custom to compare it with a stock Squash tail keeps the review interesting. I get a lot of questions like this.... what do you think of the Happy with a Swallow Tail, or Round Tail. Doing reviews like this help us all see and know a bit of the differences between the two tails not to mention the differences between SpineTek and PU/Poly
@@surfnshowreviews7777 Thanks Noel. I like swallow tails too.
OG Fliyer x Happy ?? they are very similar ??? tell us about the main diference between !!!
Ricardo Canuto OG is more of a Daily Driver due to less rocker and it also carries more foam forward so it paddles better. The Happy is a true HPSB with a lot of tail rocker and needs a wave with some push to go good. The OG is easier to surf too.
Surf n Show Reviews ✌🏻✌🏻Thanks
Noel, I’m same size as you, just 135lbs. Intermediate to advanced ability...I had a New Flyer 5’7x18 7/8x2 1/4 and surfed it at trestles and it feels like it kinda is a little difficult to turn up into the lip at times. I was wondering if you think the happy would solve this problem, or would it be better to order a new Flyer in a 5’6 or order a 5’7 and have them pinch the rails or something like that. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks brother!
Your liter range at different skill levels for 135lb.
Pro/Expert = 21.5-23.5L
Advanced = 23.5L-25.5L
Intermediate = 26-28L
If you want quick pivot for 1-5’ surf I say NB2. If you want a HPSB then go Fever. For a wave like Trestles I like the NB2 with raked fins or Rocket Wide with a Pivot or Neutral fin template. Check out my fins.. www.shopsurfnshow.com/collections/fins
Thanks brother I really appreciate it, and all you do for the surfing community. You’re Aces man!
Hey Noel! Which board do you prefer for Indo or Hawaii - the Happy or the FRK? Thanks!
Happy out of those two. I don’t like EPS as much in heavy hollow waves. I prefer PU/Poly in 4-10’ surf.
@@surfnshowreviews7777 Epic thanks!!
Any chance of reviewing some Chilli models ? like hot knife, a2 ?
Simon Chadwick I ordered the Hot knife a couple months ago.... hopefully soon
@@surfnshowreviews7777 Sweet keen to see how it compares
what feel more lose the squash or the swollw tail?
כפיר ברדה Tough question... it really depends on the board, things to consider is the rocker on a board. I won’t say one it always looser than the other from my experience. I will say that in the Happy Review I rode one Squah Tail and one Swallow tail and the Shias was looser and the Swallow tail offered more hold.
Hi Noel...
Does this board in plus dimensions become more friendly, and can it also be used in average waves?
Hi Noel, Does the Happy have a continuous rocker?
Noel, have you ridden the Rad Ripper?
CW Rodriguez Absolutely.... review dropping in roughly 3 weeks.
Dude, I’ll pay for your abbreviated early review in likes haha. Was think about ordering one this week...
Also, never heard back on the MR Twin review?
CW Rodriguez Both reviews are dropping this year... both boards are excellent and super fun.
No wonder that second guy says it felt loose! 20L of volume!!
You were ripping the thing
The board is bouncing all over the place, I would be hesitant to take it out on bigger days because of that bounce
Can you tell us what volume was the squash tail
The board dims are in the comment field below.
Noel. where do you get your wetsuits?
Pono Life Xcel wetsuits made me a couple customs. I always look for suits with color to help my brother find me for video. I also think black suits are boring too... I like color on my boards too
Surf n Show Reviews thanks Noel. I figured that much. They look awesome
Pono Life Thank u
How does the Happy compare to the New Flyer ?
Chadhc The Happy paddles better and offers more down the line speed. The NF needs a hollow wave for best results. NF is just ok for me...
Surf n Show Reviews hmmm... I really liked the NF , did not like the Fred Stubble or OG Flyer
@@chadhc818 i liked all 3 of those boards.. different styled waves tho.. the nf goes hard on steeper waves aye, good rail to rail but no loss of traction. mean board
Hi Noel. Love your reviews. The best and most detailed. However,,,,
Reviewing a CUSTOM board is not really reviewing the board. Almost not applicable to stock dims, and not helpful for a review because your not reviewing the board that I am going to buy.
Maybe just review the boards... not your custom orders
Ryan Snyder 95% of the HPSB’s by all board makers are to long in stock Dims for me. Sorry my reviews with custom dims don’t work for you. Most of our community scale their custom HPSB’s using my dims to help them scale down on HPSB’s customs. I do my best to stay stock in every review if possible. Maybe skip watching my reviews on HPSB’s... I’m not going to ride a 5’10” in 2-3’ surf and say the board sucks or it’s too long to fit in small wave transitions.
5'2 115 lbs perfect
The happy was bouncing around alot in the spine tek
Miguel Marquina Yessir
Kelly slater ´si clones are everywhere....
all these guys are jokey sized people. 21 litres! come on give us some versatile reports from different body types
Pretty average looking board, felt it up in the shop and just didn’t float my boat.
Who wants to fuck around with fins for different conditions?
Yew! First!