Channel Islands "Fever" Srfboard Review by Noel Salas EP. 23
Reviews 7 years ago 53,372 views
Click to buy: SURF STATION - https://www.surfstationstore.com/collections/channel-islands-surfboards/products/channel-islands-fever-surfboard No obligation, but these links & ads help support the site and keeps the reviews coming! If you decide to buy somewhere else or would like to support the show, please donate at https://www.paypal.me/surfnshow This video is about Channel Islands "Fever" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas EP. 23 The Fever is a new signature High Performance Shortboard by pro surfer Pat Gudauskas and shaper Mike Andrews. Noel Salas gets two custom boards one in his Groveler DIMS and the other in his High Performance DIMS. The 5'7" has incredible speed in 2-3 foot surf. On paper the Fever would seem to have to much overall rocker to be a good Groveler but to Noel's surprise it is his new favorite CI board to date in 2-3 and 4-6 foot surf. Fin selection is always important for small waves and the Blackstix F8 3.0 by Futures Fins was his fin of choice. The 5'9" High Performance Short Board goes mental too says Salas. This board has the FCSII fin system and the signature Mick Fanning fins were his fin of choice. This is what Channel Islands Surfboards has to stay about the Fever. The Fever has its roots in Al Merrick’s trusted and proven high performance short board designs. The goal in designing this board with Mike Andrews and Patrick Gudauskas was to create a more accessible tour level performance board that anyone who jumped onto it would “instantly feel the speed and zest for creativity.” Borrowing Pat’s favorite elements of the Proton, Rookie and MBM, and combining them with a subtle single concave and lower rocker resulted in a board with a huge sweet spot. With a slightly more parallel outline and forgiving rocker the Fever has proven to be an all-around design that excels in a wide range of conditions and wave types. The Fever also has responded really well to the FlexBar Technology- “ I think because it’s such a fast board, the Flexbar technology gives it extra pop and flair and is a nice compliment to the relatively simple outline”. The Fever in the words of Patrick Gudauskas: Overview: The Fever was born from a desire for an all-around performance board based on elements I love, Speed, Drive, and Flair. My Goal in designing this board with Mike Andrews and Channel Islands was to create a surfboard that I could surf in almost any conditions and have a hell of a good time on it. I wanted a more accessible Tour Performance board that anyone who jumped onto it would instantly feel the speed and zest for creativity. Conditions: I like to surf my Fever in anything from 2-3 foot softer California style beach break and point break waves, to 6ft+ World Tour style waves, like Snapper, J Bay, Bells, Lowers, Haleiwa, and Backdoor. I prefer to ride it just above my groveler/small wave board, and all the way until I need a step-up or round tail surfboard.
What would you recommend between the fever and Air 17x for everyday waves 2-4foot?
hows the rails on the fever?
Danny
Do you think these dims will work for 3-7 foot?
6'1 x 20 x 2 11/16 @ 34.4 litres? Waves will be mixed Beachies point break.. I ride stock 5'11 sampler as small wave board..
I don't like boards too long as I'm about 510 and have a pretty narrow stance..
Another option is a standard og flyer 6'1
Cheers
10. comment for Channel Islands "Fever" Srfboard Review by Noel Salas EP. 23
I Love your reviews. Thank you!
I'd like to know your thougts.
I have a rookie 15 and Love it when it's pumping. Also have JS nitro for smaller days.
Now I'm looking for something betwen bove...for weak and mush days. Fever goes well on these conditions? Or OG flyes go better?
Thank you for your time.
You rip
Cheers
Your hardwork are improving our surf! Stoked!
Cheers from Brazil
The Fever is mental... I liked the 5’7” a bunch. I think you will love the Fever too. Cheers
I am undecided between a new Fred or a new Fever...
Help is appreciated...
I haven’t surfed in 10 years. Used to ride green waves. I am 29 years old. Average fitness. 179cm tall. Weight 185-190 lbs. I grew up skateboarding, so I think am middle or front footed.
I want a board for that 1 to 5 feet tall wave range, beach breaks and point breaks. Something that paddles really easy and allows to be moved, to increase that wave count to have fun and improve.
After watching several of your videos, am thinking my dims for a custom board could be around 5’11” x 20” x 2 1/2” and 32 liters.
And I’m checking these boards, the Sampler, the Fever, and the Black & White. What worries me the most is something that paddles easy. I don’t want to be exhausted after a set. And want to be able to catch lots of waves and have fun. For the rockers and concaves. What’s my right direction?
Thanks,
JorgeAndres
20. comment for Channel Islands "Fever" Srfboard Review by Noel Salas EP. 23
As always thanks for the AWESOME effort you put into your show and each board you present, it is soooooo dam helpful we all cant thank you enough!! Last time we chatted you gave me advise on the Rocket9 which I ended up purchasing and have enjoyed as a thruster and as a twin setup with a smaller trailer. It went super well on my forehand but for some reason I could never get it to click on the back hand to easily pivot off the bottom turn and off the lip, it just gets stuck in the wave as opposed to my other current boards which are the #4, Podmod and Girabbit. My guess is that long drawn in tail is the issue with reducing the board’s ability to pivot and release quickly?
I am good 6’3” in height and weigh 205 Lbs. When I purchased the Rocket9, Podmod and Girabbit I was weighing 218 Lbs so I got the Rocket9 in stock standard dimensions of 6’1”, 20 1/2 wide, 2 3/4 thick with 36.5 litres volume as a board to target waves from shoulder high to just above head (being 6’3” tall a just above head high wave for me would be a 7ft nearly 8ft wave ‘face height' and shoulder high waves being 4 to 5ft wave face height). I am now looking at the Fever as a replacement for the Rocket9 in waves that are shoulder to just above head high in size range with the hope that the Fever will pivot and releases a lot better then what the Rocket9 has on my backhand and from what you shown and say on your review clip the Fever could be just perfect!
I have my Girabbit (6’4” by 19 3/4 wide, 2 5/8th thick and 34.4 litres volume) as my board for when waves get up and over ‘head high and a half.’ My Podmod is 6’O” by 21 1/8th wide, 2 2/3rd thick and 39 litres volume and I use this board for waves from waist high to up to head high and have really enjoyed this board, it goes super-fast when applying the bigger side twin fins with a small trailer! I may now look to get a new replacement Podmod that is 5’10” in length with less volume to suit my weight.
My ability after surfing for 20 odd years I would say would be somewhere half way between intermediate and advanced, and love vertical top to bottom pocket / off the lip surfing along with open face carves (be it tail slides or controlled power arch’s and wrap rounds back off the white water) and like to try and seamlessly link from ‘one turn to the next turn’ be it whatever wave type I’m dealing with. From your great surfing on your review clip looks like the Fever would cover this type of surfing no problem in the waves size I am targeting the Fever for.
I would like to get the Fever in ‘groveler’ dimensions so as to allow it to fit in to wave size range I am after as it will be ridden in both standard to good beach break waves, top to bottom down the line point break or river bar waves and would take it to ride in moderate reef break waves with my Girabbit as my step-up option. As such I am looking at the board to be 6’2” in length but I wish to get your feedback on how wide and thick I should push the board before it would comprise its performance design parameters that it’s given length, width and thickness had been intended for based on the standard stock dimensions chart. Given my height I do enjoy having a board with a ‘reasonable width’ for stability when both jumping to my feet and surfing, however I note in your feedback that you advise not to push the board width out to much for the Fever model. Given I am now 205 Lbs I could go for a little less volume but I still like the idea of how volume allows for better easy of paddling, my Rocket9 volume seemed to be a good level for me.
So good sir could you please advise on what you think a ‘realistic’ groveler dimension for a 6’2” Fever that is at its max advisable width and thickness without compromising its performance design parameters.
Thanks a bunch Noel and look forward to your feedback! ‘Wingman7nz’ and I owe you a good locals surf trip or two should you veer come to New Zealand!
Cheers, Frank.
The Ando speed generating fins have a bunch of flex so if you weigh more than 160lbs you might get too much flex out of them and get inconsistency in your turns.
Have you tried the Ando blackstix? Or should I get those f8s?
1.80
45years old.what is my costum in the fever please ?you are helping alot.thanks
Wr.36liter.
30. comment for Channel Islands "Fever" Srfboard Review by Noel Salas EP. 23
Bless !
BTW Thank you for the objective and well thought videos. I have been learning quiet a bit since I found your channel this past week and it really helps to make educated decisions.
6'0 - 19'5/8 - 2' 9/16 =31.7L instead of the recommended stock of 6'2, 19' 1/2, 2 9/16 =32.4L.
What are your thoughts?
Thank you :)
P. S we love your channel over here in israel!
I'm 5'9" around 155lbs and I got the PU Fever in the stock 5'9" x 2 1/4 x 18 3/8...at 25 liters. I rode the large CI Tech 1 fins. I came from a Tomo SKX in the epoxy flex bar tech and I don't miss it. To be fair though, I bought the SKX used and it had too much volume for me. Sold it and caught a bad Fever.
I live in North County San Diego, so I have a ton of great reefs and beach breaks that I rode the Fever in. I rode waves from 2-7 ft and the board was amazing in all conditions. In the beach breaks I rode it on super clean days and even a couple of crummy days and it went equally well in all conditions. I was quite surprised at how good it went in the big crummy beach break days, but a lot of that has to do with the large RTM tech 1 fins too. I caught the reefs in cardiff around 3-5 foot and super clean. That reef is kind of a slower runner with some nice steep sections here and there. The Fever gave me some of the best sessions in my life there due to the speed I was able to generate on this board. I was smiling ear to ear. Speed is your number one need on a board and the Fever delivers.
The first thing I noticed is how fast the board goes under foot! Wow, it just flies down the line and blasts out of turns with a lot of pop. And this is in the PU construction. I have been able to take my tail slides and carves to the next level because this board gives you the speed and recovery that is just over the top. It feels equally great both frontside and backside. Taking it vertical is like cutting through soft butter with a ninja's blade. Your snaps happen with so much speed and pop you will be amazed. And, coming out of the turns the thing does not lose speed at all. That is what surprised me so much about riding in a PU construction. The simplicity of the shape delivers in spades.
I think I said enough, just get yourself a Fever and see and feel it for yourself. If you have some skills in your arsenal, this board WILL take your surfing to the next level. I think I'm going to add another one to my quiver in another tech.
Thanks to Noel I have caught the Fever. We are blessed to have a resource like surf n' show on the web to help us all and even more blessed to watch the boards that catch our eye under Noel's feet. Live, surf, and surf again.
Peace!
If you ride a lot of quads then you should try a Quad set up in the Fever for that extra speed. Cheers
I am 143 lbs surf dfr 24 volume and love it on bigger days. Should i go also 24 volume with stock size? Also heard so many good things about the bunny chow. Really hard to decide. Help me master salas. Bless
I was wondering if you could suggest some dimensions for a custom groverler/everyday go-to board for 2-4ft socal waves. I'm 5'9 @155lb, I can do basic cutback/snaps but I'm not throwing buckets of water or turning heads by any means (so begin/intermediate?). I'm mostly fearful of going too low in volume and missing out on waves whether it's due to crowds or getting into wave too late.
Thanks again
ps couldn't agree more on the rtm fin review!
I was able to try out the stock 5'11 fever at 27.9L and really did love the snappy feel and loose but in control tail even though the demo day was sub-par wave conditions.
The Filipe Toledo fins are sick too. I only did one board review with them so far but I will be doing more soon.
50. comment for Channel Islands "Fever" Srfboard Review by Noel Salas EP. 23
Feedback is appreciated.
Debating between a B&W and Fever as a step up to a sampler. I tend to surf a little more front footed and would say I lack some power in my top turns. I love the sampler, but want something with a bit more hold in head high+. Also, whats your rec as far as a round tail or squash? Im 6' 175. do you think stock 5'11 or stock 6' would be best? Im stuck between dims. I usually ride around 28-29L. Did you happen to try either of these w the Dane fin? I really like the L Dane template...Thanks
I'll go and stick a couple under my arm tomorrow and get back to you but thanks again for this remarkable resource you provide.
The Fever feels good in both steep waves and point breaks but if the beach breaks get 6+ and super hollow then you might need a Rook 15, Proton, Taco Grinder, etc.... I think the Fever is a mental daily driver. You will be stoked on the Fever. A bunch of my friends love their Fever's too.
Thanks to your review I got myself a CI Fever and I love it! It’s the best shortboard ive ever ridden! Im 6’0” and 170lbs and ride the stock 5’11 which comes near my ideal volume 28L.
Planning on ordering the Fever in Groveller dimensions like you have in your review and was hoping you could share with us on how we should order the Fever for those smaller waves. I noticed that your custom 5’7” is significantly wider from the stock 5’7” dimensions which makes me uncertain of the dimensions I should go for. So what would you recommended for a person around my weight and height? Thanks Noel, keep up the amazing reviews!
I'll share my thoughts on how it goes when I get the chance.
Thanks for your advice Noel.
5'9 x 19 1/4 x 2 1/2 Volume 29.1, or 2 7/16 thick and Volume 28.4.
In my opinion you don't want to go too wide on the Fever to Grovel on. I would ride this Groveler in 2-5 surf which is 90% of the time in SO Cal. You will still get high Performance surfing with a little more width and float. With this Groveler being 2" shorter it will better in the trough of a smaller wave compared to your 5'11. Maybe consider going Flexbar or EPS too.
I think for waves in the 1-3 range I would ride a Flexbar Pod Mod.
Have you tried the Girabbit model? If so I was wondering how that board compares to the rest of the CI models you've reviewed. Thanks!
Would I have to go custom dims with the fever? The CI website recommends 6'1" x 19 1/4" x 2 1/2" 30.8L.
I feel like I want a smaller length board to match my stance across the board better but with maybe around 32l volume.
What would you recommend mate?
I would also recommend the Weirdo Ripper maybe the stock 5'9 Vol 31.8 or the 5'10 Vol 32.7. This board has great float and will surf high performance. I really like the WR. Maybe check one out and see what you think.
I feel like I have down the line speed but dont seem to really get on rail and draw the lines i would like if that makes sense. Feels more skatey than raily. If I try to get on rail on a cutback I seem to shift my weight to far to the side and can loose my balance, but mostly the turn is drawn out.
I want to give a more traditional shape a go i think.
I've been riding different shapes of late (tomo nano 6'0 20 1/4″ 2 3/4″ 39.3l with quad setup Futures k2 keel fibreglass for front, Mayhem Controller Quad Rear and knubster on bigger waves). Maybe the size isnt right for me?? I tried this board in a 5′ 10″ 19 3/4″ 2 5/8″ 35.7l thruster and it felt really great. Rail to Rail was there. I've tried other boards at 32l and whilst little harder to paddle, performance went up. I've tried down to 26l but felt like i was swimming and didnt really get waves :)
I'm not sure If you have tried the nano, doesn't matter...but I would really like to hear what you may recommend sizing in the fever as I have always wanted to try the CI Boards.
Do you think a 5'10 x 19 1/2" x 2 5/8" 31.4l work for me? Just playing with the custom figures. Cheers Noel.
The Sampler is lightning and super fun in 1-4 surf but any bigger then that it gets a bit squirrelly. That's me two cents. Cheers!
I think if your going to use the Fever more for your trip then stepping down in liters might be a good thing after you shed that wetsuit. It's really up to you and how hard do you want to work on paddling into waves when you get back from your trip. You will love the way the board responds with less volume but you will work harder in paddling.
The Sampler is really fast down the line but does not have the traction in the pocket compared to the Fever. So you have to decide what's more important to you. The Fever has good speed down the line and feels insane rail to rail.
The Fred Stubble is an average Groveler for me. No real wow factor just average speed, and maneuverability. I hope this helps. Cheers
The Fever goes mental for me in 2-6 foot surf and because it has a bit more rocker then the Zeus it can handle bigger, steeper waves. For me the Fever has more speed and flow in and out of turns compared to the Zeus and it's more versatile in wave range. I liked my Zeus but the Fever suits my surfing better. Cheers!!!
I was just wondering how you would compare the Fever to the Zeus. I have had strong recommendations for the Zeus although it's not typically a board you hear a lot about but the Fever has been making a lot of noise. What do you think of the two side by side and which would be more suitable for which sort of waves and surfing? Cheers!
I was intending to use my Zeus as more of a good wave board for when it gets slightly steeper, hollower and bigger. It would be my next step up from my Lost V3 Rocket and Tomo Vader. Would you say this was wise or would you recommend a Fever instead for when the waves get more punchy? I would consider a Rook15 for this but am worried that the rocker may be too much of a change from my other boards, hence going with Zeus or Fever... Cheers!
The other point of difference between the Zeus and Fever is rocker. The Fever has continuous rocker and more entry and exit rocker than the Zeus. To be honest with you I didn't feel the extra rocker in the Fever and it felt more like a staged rocker under my feet. The Fever is going to be more versatile compared to the Zeus. I would ride my Fever in 2-6 foot surf. That's a pretty good range, so I would say the Fever is a better daily driver compared to the Zeus.
Would you say the Fever is more suited to rear footed surfers rather than front footed then with regards to teh wide point? What would you say are the pros and cons of the two boards when compared? Which would be best for what sort of waves? Sorry for all the questions, I just ordered a custom Zeus and am considering changing it to a Fever so am in a mild panic. Cheers!
My question is that on CI’s website, it lists that the Fever is for a weak/mushy wave board to a medium/steep wave board, but not for strong/barrels. However, Pat G says he rides it at 6-8ft backdoor and Haleiwa (aside from weaker waves). Also, when I do a rail view of the shortboards on the CI website, I notice that the Fever has an overall rocker (2 1/2” on tail and 4 7/8” on nose) that is more than some of the other HPSB for strong/barrel waves. I surf the powerful breaks of Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Do you think that the Fever could handle from waist up to head 1/2 at Ocean Beach from steep to strong/barrel conditions? I’m basically looking for a quiver killer. Thank you :)
You can get this song on ITunes or go to www.timmycurran.com
The Fever has flare like I have never felt before in a short board.
I do not charge for reviews and none of the companies that I get gear from sponsor me or my reviews would not be unbiased. I hope this answers your question....
I was wondering if you could talk to some of your taller riders like over 6.0. Tall skinny guys. Getting there take on boards for this group.
Being tall changes the sweet spot balance point. I am wondering if they preffer a certain board. Say for the range the fever is for.
Im 6.3 176 pounds.
Again super videos.
Cheers
Chris
If you order a custom Fever the sweet spot should be relevant to the DIMS you order. I know Britt Merrick is 6'6 and pretty thin and he does his HPSB at roughly his height on the B&W and he rips on them. I hope this helps.
Looking for more of any everyday board. Mostly surf Blacks and La jolla Reefs and Sunset Cliffs.. thanks
I am 6'4" 210 ( should be 200Lb :) )
I was almost convinced on the sampler, but then I´ve got second thoughts after the fever review.. Your help would be much appreciated, here´s the deal:
Im mostly looking for a summer board, but if it could handle the rest of the year when up to 4ft and not hollow (when hollow I have other alternatives) would be perfect. My current board has 5 inches tip nose rocker (1.5 at 12´) and 2.1 tail rocker (0.9 at 12’), staged rocker.
Do you have idea of the rocker dims of your sampler/fever?
I would like a complementary board for the quiver instead of a replacing one.
Thanks in advanced for the help!
You will love the Fever!!! Cheers
I'm looking to invest in a new board & hoping you can help me decide between the black & white & the fever. I'm pretty happy with my groveller so looking for a good all round performance shortboard. Would you consider the fever to be a slight step down from the black & white? Would I be trading any responsiveness for the bigger sweet spot & the speed? Which of the two boards do you think would perform better in hollow waves? If you could only choose one HPSB to go with your sampler would you go with the black & white or the fever? Also I'm thinking about investing in the flex bar, do you think that technology is better suited to either one of these boards?
My home breaks are mostly beachies but looking for a go to board when the waves are decent & also to travel with.
I know that there's no magic board that's perfect for all conditions but if I'm going to fork out for the flex bar I want to try to get it right. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Keep up the good work mate!
I think the Fever is more High Performance than the B&W. I also love the Flexbar tech but I have not tried it in a HPSB and on waves over 6'.
I noticed very little to no chatter on the Flexbar construction. I think it has something to do with the high density bar in the board and the layer of high density foam in the middle of the board too that reduces the vibration.
Maybe I will order one soon so I can give you better feedback.
Everything ok? On the other day we were changing ideas on the sampler review comments area. I need to buy a groveler and a shortboard, and was planning to buy the sampler to use as my step-down. But now there is this new board, the Fever. Again, your experience with CI boards could be very helpful to my decision. Can you please help me on these 2 questions?
1) What do you think could be a better solution for an intermediate to advance surfer, surfing mostly pointbreaks (portuguese power), and who wants to buy (both high-performance) a groveler and a shortboard: (1) Sampler (groveler dims) and Fever (shortboard dims), (2) two Fevers (groveler and shortboard dims) or (3) other?
2) Following the number (3) of the first question, do you think the Fever holds point break waves with more power as a shortboard (chest to head .5)? The CI website tell us that the board is more suited to weak/medium waves, and I'm still not convinced with the Rook15 (more hollow waves), neither the Black and white.
As always, many thanks!
As always thanks a lot for your comments!! And trying to say a true fact in a funny way, the CI Company should make you a statue so much is the good info you provide on your videos/reviews/comments.