Al Merrick

Al Merrick - Channel Islands

With regards to surfboard shapers, Al Merrick is the most well known name to surfers and non-surfers alike. Founder of one the world's best known and largest surfboard label, Channel Islands Surfboards, Al Merrick quickly became a household name for pro's and average joe's around the world. His world famous designs and theories for high performance shortboards, like his signature hip to help pull in the tail, have become status quo for many of the leading shapers in Australia and around the world.

It is no surprise that Channel Islands Surfboards have attracted long time devotees such as Kelly Slater, Tom Curren, Shawn Thompson, Lisa Anderson, Rob Machado, Taylor Knox, Shane Beschen, Tim Curran, Yadin Nichol, Dane Reynolds and many many more. Many of today's surfboards can give credit to Merrick's designs and principals, which helped shape modern surfing to where it is today.