Channel Islands "High 5" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep. 2

ADVERTISING

LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard

Shop now »

NOCO Genius GEN5X2, 2-Bank, 10A (5A/Bank) Smart Marine Battery Charger

Shop now »

RHINO USA Boat Trailer Transom Straps (2PK)

Shop now »

LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder

Shop now »

Seaview 180 V3 Full Face Snorkel Mask

Shop now »

Most popular comments
for Channel Islands "High 5" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep. 2

Live comments
Comments on YouTube

polkadot - 5 years ago

Which board would you say is more forgiving between the high 5 and the sampler? Want something really easy to catch waves but can still rip when it needs to.

Surf n Show Reviews - 5 years ago

polkadot Pod Mod... High 5 is more of a cruiser fish type board compared to the PM.

Ricardo Carrion - 6 years ago

Have you tried the average Joe. I am interested to hear your thoughts I live in fort Lauderdale thanks

Surf n Show Reviews - 6 years ago

Ricardo Carrion Sorry I will not be reviewing the Ave Joe.

Ricardo Carrion - 6 years ago

Thank you for your reply a review on it would be great

Surf n Show Reviews - 6 years ago

Ricardo Carrion Yes I had one a few years back. Very easy to surf and you can still do some great turns on it. Super user friendly and fun in small waves.

Jonathan St. Cyr - 6 years ago

Can the high 5 be ridden as a 2 + 1 with the futures AMT set?

Surf n Show Reviews - 6 years ago

Jonathan St. Cyr Not sure... give it a try and let us all know how it goes for you.

Sean Connelly - 6 years ago

hey man love the reviews there top, you rip too!!
which board do you think is easier to surf the pod mod or the high 5?thanks man

Surf n Show Reviews - 6 years ago

Sean Connelly Cheers glad you like our show. The High 5 is more user friendly but the are both pretty easy to surf. I like the Pam better because it will go vertical in the pocket if you want it too.

Austen Pearson - 6 years ago

Kind of torn between this and a Pod Mod. Looking for an easy paddling board that I can ride on the smaller/mushy waves. All my surf background has been on longboards, and I'm looking to transition into a short fun/hybrid shape. Not looking for a board that will kill it on steep faces or be crazy responsive with quick snappy turns. Just want something that can float well, paddle easy and let me ride smaller waves.

I'm about 5'6 140 lbs. What size would you recommend and which board would be better suited for me?

Surf n Show Reviews - 6 years ago

Austen Pearson You should look at the Ave Joe and the Mini. Both of those boards fit for what your looking for.. The High 5 is good too the PM might be a little to much performance for what you want.. size wise I would go roughly 30-32 liters. Keep it floaty and fun. Cheers

dukeflyingcow - 6 years ago

the best review channel on youtube!!

Surf n Show Reviews - 6 years ago

dukeflyingcow Yewww!!!

Frankie Proscia - 7 years ago

Which fins do you think I should go for with this board or the hoglet I'm 90 pounds I was looking at the captain fin groms

Frankie Proscia - 7 years ago

Surf n Show Reviews also these videos are amazing keep doing them!!!

Frankie Proscia - 7 years ago

Surf n Show Reviews okay great thanksgiving you remember me I was taking to you yesterday I'm 5ft 90 pounds long and slow waves I can ride down the line on a 7ft board do you think I should go for the hive 5 size 5'2 or a 5'5 hoglet

Surf n Show Reviews - 7 years ago

Those CF Grom fins look good!!!

Justin Smith - 7 years ago

Your a small dude

Alejandro martinez - 7 years ago

why no average joe yet?

Surf n Show Reviews - 7 years ago

My pleasure!! Let me know what you end up getting and how it goes after you ride it a few times.

Alejandro martinez - 7 years ago

Thanks for the advice bro really appreciate it. Right on. love the channel.

Surf n Show Reviews - 7 years ago

Thanks!!! The Joe and Sampler are completely different and I would never compare the two. The Joe is a cruiser and a true groveler but the Sampler is a high performance small wave board. The Sampler can grovel in small waves and is a pretty good paddler too but it cannot compare to a board like the Joe in paddling because the Joe has the round hybrid nose. If you want the best of both worlds then I recommend the Pod Mod. Watch that review and you will see.... Cheers!

Alejandro martinez - 7 years ago

Wow thanks for the fast reply. I love the channel, keep the good work flowing.

Are the Sampler and AverageJoe really different ? im considering buying one of these two, I surf small/headhigh waves mostly at intermediate level. Which would you recommend if I prefer speed but like catching waves easily. Thanks.

Surf n Show Reviews - 7 years ago

I have too many boards to review now and that is an older model. However the Joe is a really fun little board. It's pretty fast down the line and fun to do big carves, but it does not jam in the pocket as good as the Pod Mod. Super fun Summer board though. I highly recommend it for Intermediate surfers looking for a good Groveler.

10. comment for Channel Islands "High 5" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep. 2

Johnny Ferreira - 7 years ago

Hey Noel, Curious as to why you would use a medium template fin in this board vs. a large? I see you ride larges most of the time, but the am1 is on the smaller side of medium...Would love your insight. Thanks!

Johnny Ferreira - 7 years ago

Thanks

Surf n Show Reviews - 7 years ago

Johnny Ferreira Great question.... I was just starting to figure out that I liked a Large fin in most of my boards. Mike Parsons told me to try a Large fin for more drive and he was so right and I never looked back. Cheers!!!

Internus - 7 years ago

isnt the high five has five fins?

Surf n Show Reviews - 7 years ago

Omri Jaacov Yes they come with a 5 Fin option. One of the boards in this review was a custom.

Mark Tull - 8 years ago

Thanks Noel wat about the Pod Mod i'm 82kg will the 5'8" at 33 litres be alright you think ?

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

I love the PM and I think would be a better call. I think the 5'8 sounds pretty good on the liters. I checked your 82kg to pounds which is 180 so the 33 liters sounds pretty good to me. What are the liters on your standard short board right now? What is your skill level?

Mark Tull - 8 years ago

hi mate thinking about a 5'8" B C as a groveller wattya think

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

I think the BC has a bit too much rocker to be a good Groveler. If you manly surf steep hollow waves then it might be ok. I like the Sampler as a Groveler or the Pod Mod and both of these boards will work good in mushy waves and small hollow surf. Hope this helps.....

Theo K - 8 years ago

Hi Noel, love the show and your surfing style! I'm trying to decide between a Pod Mod and a High 5 and was hoping you could help out. I have a Sampler 5'7"/26.7L and it works great when it's waist/stomach high or bigger. When it's smaller the board is kinda slow and it's a lot of work to get it going. I'm thinking a High 5 or a Pod Mod 5'4"/28.5L would work a lot better as a groveler, what do you think? I'm leaning towards the High 5 because it sounds like it picks up more speed on the mushy stuff.
Thanks!

Aaron Lin - 8 years ago

just wondering is there an option to have a squash tail for the high 5?

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

That is a very good question.... You should go on the CI website and do up a custom board and see if you can design it with a squash. Sounds interesting to me... Cheers

Duncan Stoddart - 8 years ago

Hi Noel. Great reviews thanks alot! I notice youre riding the High 5 at 5'4 and the Pod Mod at 5'2, I would of thought you would ride the H5 smaller or the same dims as the Pod Mod because the h5 is flatter and wider tail. Im just asking because Im going to order both, the H5 for the smallest rideable surf and flat faced waves up to 3ft and the PMod for 2-3 waves with more shape.. Im 6'2 and 215 pounds and experienced Surfer, I was going to order both at 5'8 x 21 x 2 3/4 prob in eps and PM in Flexbar. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated :-) Cheers

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+Duncan Stoddart i like the High 5 better than the Mini.

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+Duncan Stoddart I think all 3 boards would work for me and others in the stock DIMS if they are the same size and roughly the same liters. Custom boards are different but i would probably order all 3 boards in the same DIMS and same volume.

Duncan Stoddart - 8 years ago

Thanks alot for your thoughts Noel.. So the PMod, H5 and Mini should all be ordered in the same dims? Regarding the smallest rideable surf, would you recommend the H5 or the Mini? Cheers Noel

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

Stoked you like the show and this is a very good question..... When I reviewed the High 5 I did not think to try it in 5'2" because I thought it would be way to small for me but I think I would have liked it way more than the 5'4. I reviewed the PM after the High 5 so that's why I did not try the High 5 as a 5'2. I think ordering them both exactly the same DIMS would be great for you or anyone else for that matter. I also like the fact that you are ordering them in EPS and Flexbar. I think EPS are ideal for small wave boards because they are so light and fast. The Flexbar board have great flex and I love my Sampler in the Flexbar construction. I wish I had a 5'2 PM in the Flexbar too.Let me know how they go!!!! Cheers......

Offthe Lip - 8 years ago

I own the High 5. It's a great board. I ride mine all the way up to head high, on the reefs in San Diego. Works super good. For chest high waves, works wonderfully.

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

Yea the High 5 is a super fun board....

Louis Aliberti - 8 years ago

Hi Noel, I am looking to purchase a new board and it is between the pod mod or the high 5 (until I saw the comments on this video I learned about the sampler so possibly even the sampler if you think it would work better for me). I am just getting to the intermediate surfing level learning to now bottom turn, carve and do cutbacks etc. I weigh 140 pounds and I am 5'9. The current board I have now is a 6'2 X 20.5 X 2.62 and is 36.1L . I am looking to get into a smaller board after watching you surf seeing how much more manueverable smaller boards can be for turns. I feel these dimensions I currently have on my board are a bit crazy. Could this possibly be the reason I feel like my progression of learning how to turn is taking a lot longer to become comfortable with and making it harder than it should be?. I surf anywhere from small 2ft mushy waves to 5-6 foot waves (rare only on hurricane days). Please let me know what board you would recommend for me either the pod mod, the High 5 or the sampler and what dimensions you think would fit me best. (I'm 25 and athletic if this helps). Thanks man Love your video reviews!!

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+Louis Aliberti Thanks!

Louis Aliberti - 8 years ago

Thank you.. Keep up the great review videos .. cheers!

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+Louis Aliberti The High 5 is more user friendly. Just go to the CI website and click on the High 5 stock DIMS and you will have your exact DIMS that I recommend. Let me know how it goes...

Louis Aliberti - 8 years ago

I appreciate the fast response and that seems like a great choice. could you further specify the exact DIMS you would suggest such as width thickness volume etc? also what made you choose this over the pod mod anything specific? Thanks Noel!

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

Louis I think a 5'8 High 5 would be a great transition down in volume for you. It will feel way more maneuverable for you. You will be able to turn faster and still have the volume in your paddling because of the hybrid nose. .

Michael Ordonez - 8 years ago

Hi Noel, I enjoy your reviews a lot! I'm a beginner surfer making the transition from a longboard to a shorter board. I wanted to know if you will be doing the Average Joe??? Like the pod mod and high 5 too based mainly in that I'm a beginner and will be surfing small waves (waist high) until I become better. Which one of these three would you recommend? Thanks

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

The Joe will be perfect for your transition. The Joe is really fun to ride.

20. comment for Channel Islands "High 5" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep. 2

João Marcio Ramos - 8 years ago

Thanks so much for your vídeos. I just got a #4 5'9 and a Weirdo Ripper 5'7 and I really love the boards. Now I'm thinking about but a Hi5.
BTW I'm in Brazil.

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+João Marcio Ramos Glad you like the reviews.... The two boards you got are my DIMS too and they go great. I think you will like the Hi5, it's super fun and easy to ride too. Let me know if you get one and how you like it. Cheers!!!!

Bryan Truong - 8 years ago

Really enjoyed this review. I'm also stuck between the high five, the pod mod, and super's fling. I live in Florida, so I usually surf mushy waves, but I do want to be able to ride it on the occasional 1-2 foot overhead days. Would the pod mod or the fling be able to handle the bigger days? It is my understanding that the pod mod and fling are better small wave boards than the high five but the high five handles bigger surf better

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+Bryan Truong Glad you like the reviews. By the way I am 5'9 and 170lbs. On another note I would say the High 5 rides more like a fish and the Pod Mod will do turns tighter in the pocket. So the PM is better in bigger waves because the tail is pulled in a bit compared too the H5. I think the PM is more versatile out of the two but if you are looking for something a bit more fish like then go with the H5. Sorry I don't have any comments about the Super Fling board as I know nothing about it. Cheers!!!

gottaluvtheserenity - 8 years ago

Best surfboard reviews hands down! Thank you. my local surfshop has a 5'10 sampler begging me to take it surfing, I might just pull the trigger. I'm 180cm, 78 or so kilos and skill level intermediate. Do you think it would work for me?

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+gottaluvtheserenity The 5'10 sounds good to me then. The High 5 is a super fun and fast board. It does small waves really well and fly's through the mush. Let me know if you get it and what you think about it after you give it a go.... Cheers!

gottaluvtheserenity - 8 years ago

@Surf Show and Tell Reviews I usually ride a fountain of youth hybrid/egg 6'4 42 litres or a 7s superfish 6'2 35 litres in the small stuff. Please note I'm 44 years old and just looking to change up my surfing.

Thanks heaps

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+gottaluvtheserenity Thanks for the props on the show. I think that might work... What is the liters of volume on your small wave board right now? I think either the 5'8 or the 5'10 sound pretty good. It really depends on what volume you are used to riding.

Paul Baker - 8 years ago

Are you like Kelly Slater's stunt double...lol

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+Paul Baker lol, I get that all the time.....

Eric Sanchez - 8 years ago

Hello Noel, I have a Joe and love it but from what I've read the High 5 improved on the Joe. Do you agree with this statement and if you have to choose a small wave board will it be the Joe, the High Five or the Mini? Thanks!

Eric Sanchez - 8 years ago

Thanks a lot! That's super helpful

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+Eric Sanchez Thanks for reaching out. I did try the Joe for a while and it was a really fun board. I would have to agree that the HF is a bit of an improvement on the Joe but they both ride completely different. I think they are both user friendly and wave catching machines in small waves. I think you can get a bit more out of the HF in the performance side of things and that's why I like the HF better. The Joe liked to cruise a bit more then the HF but they are both a fun surf. If you are looking for a little more performance then check out the HF or the Pod Mod. The PM is more high performance then the HF.

Dean Coutts - 8 years ago

Great review! I'm 5'11 and 81kg's. I'm from Newcastle, Australia who surfs 2-5ft mushy beach breaks that occasional pumps during the winter months. I want a board that is super quick, easy to paddle but also like to do tight turns in the pocket. Would you suggest the High 5 or the sampler? Thank you.

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+dean c You could go with either the 5'9 or 5'10 Sampler. I think the more volume you have in small waves is better for catching waves and generating speed. for your skill level. If your current small wave board is at 28 liters then the 5'9 at 29.2 will be a good transition and I like that it's 2" shorter than you are so it will still feel skate board like. The 5'10 might have more floatation than your used too but if you are struggling at all with small waves on your Webber then maybe consider the 5'10. Only you know you so this has to be your decision. I hope this helps.5’919 1/22 7/16 29.25’1019 3/42 1/2 31.2

Dean Coutts - 8 years ago

6'0 @ 28 litres.. and I'm an intermediate surfer. I currently own the 6'0 greg webber afterburner. Thanks for being so patient.

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+dean c what is the Liters of volume on your small wave board right now? If you don't have a small wave board the tell me the liters of volume on your standard shortboard? What is your skill level too?

Dean Coutts - 8 years ago

Great! I'll go with the sampler :)

What board size would you suggest? I went on the fire wire website and used the board calculator and they recommend 34 - 38 litres. Surely that's incorrect?

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+dean c Thanks for reaching out. This is a good question and the two boards I would recommend would be the Pod Mod or the Sampler. The High 5 is a bit more fishy and has a wider tail than the Pod Mod so the tight turns in the pocket will be more difficult. My favorite small wave board right now is the Sampler and that is my go to board is small mushy waves. I would go Sampler..... I hope this helps!!!

Ryan The Rock - 8 years ago

Hi ,im 6'4 190lbs...transitioning from longboard/minimals to a shortboard...would you recommend the MINI or High5?

Ryan The Rock - 8 years ago

+Surf Show and Tell Reviews thank you

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+Ryan The Rock Ryan this is a hard transition for me to suggest. I am going to go by Liters of volume and your height. I would recommend the 6'2 for one simple reason this small of a board from the transition will feel like a skate board. If you choose to progress in small board surfing you may want to go with less volume. I also think the 6'0 will float you fine I just don't know your skill level in short board surfing. If you are an intermediate surfer with a short board then you could easily go with the 6'0. 6’020 7/82 3/4 37.7 L6’221 1/42 7/8 41.2 L

Ryan The Rock - 8 years ago

+Surf Show and Tell Reviews thank you...can you recommend the correct dims please for my height & weight?

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

I recommend the Average Joe or the High 5. The Average Joe is the most user friendly out of all the CI hybrid boards. You will really like it. Hope this helps.....

Mark Chu - 8 years ago

Just wanted to thank you for your awesome surfboard reviews (best on the internet because you also show yourself surfing the board in question & at times, you compare and contrast with other models and with different sizes), especially of CI boards which are my favorite. Keep up the great work!

Surf n Show Reviews - 8 years ago

+Mark Chu Mark thank you for the great comments on my reviews and CI boards are my favorite too. Cheers!!!

Eric Liss - 9 years ago

Having the footage of you riding the board combined with your explanation of dimensions and outline makes these by far my favorite board reviews on the internet. Please keep it up. Great job.

Surf n Show Reviews - 9 years ago

+Eric Liss Eric,Thank you for the great feedback and this is exactly why I wanted to do these reviews. I really want to help others make good decisions on the boards they are considering. I am glad to hear that you like the reviews and thank you for encouragement. Cheers!!!!

Daniel Pierce - 9 years ago

Enjoying the reviews, Noel! There are plenty of board reviews out there but not many with video footage to illustrate the characteristics being described within each board, I find this really helpful. Nice work, keep 'em coming!

30. comment for Channel Islands "High 5" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep. 2

Mike Smith - 9 years ago

noel great review very impressed by your analysis

Surf n Show Reviews - 9 years ago

Maynard, I think both the High 5 and Pod Mod will be fun in both type of waves (mushy and steep) but they both draw different lines and the High 5 will struggle in the pocket compared to the Pod Mod. I enjoyed surfing them both but I liked the Pod Mod better for my surfing style. The 5'2 Pod Mod is still in my quiver and will be the only small wave groveler until I find something better. I really liked the Pod Mod!!! I hope I answered your question.