DOUBLE HELIX Team Workout ::

Getting the guys together is tough, but today all the stars came together and the turn out was great. From Channel Islands head designer and shaper Al Merrick to Tom Curren, Kelly Slater and Dane Reynolds, Timmy Curran, Brad Gerlach, Joe Curren and a suprise visit from one of the original Fab 5 CI team riders, Dana Mckorkel. The beach was alive with talent. Today was a day we had been planning for a long time, waves and weather permitting we were going to get this group of guys to ride everything we had. The double helix has been thoroughly tested by our b team but now it was time to get a few of the world champs and WCT level surfers on the boards and get their feed back.

The day started great, pulling up to a local beach break about a mile from the factory, we noticed the dolphins were already on it! Riding waves and jumping down the face, it was time for us to join them. The first down the rocks to the beach were the three CI engineers we had assigned to the project. Bob, Noel and Rick all have had major input into the double helix tech .With pens and notebooks neatly tucked into their waistbands ,you could see them literally frothing at the mouth to see Dane and Kelly and the crew try some of the new tech they had been putting so many long hours on. Timmy Curran was probably the first guy in the water, and fresh off an injury he was ready to surf, maybe it was him being so light on his feet or maybe I just had forgot how good he actually was, but he stole the show! He instantly fell in love with the 5-10 flyer model in the double helix tech, and found it to be much springier than a normal shortboard, and quicker out of turns. Basically Timmy lit the thing up and I even watched him do an air reverse over Kelly’s head. His session was going insane until Pat and Frank Curren, (toms kids) decided they were going to snake him on the rest of his waves.. Teaming up on him, they brought his air session to a close.. Dane and Gerlach both had some great waves on the proton version of the double helix and were more than stoked to give the engineers the vital feedback they needed to continue and improve the proton model.

Not only was this a good day of testing for the helix but it was also fun to see Kelly and Dane and Tom ride some of the biscuit and Fishcuit boards that we are trying with some alternative “greener foams and resins”. They turned the session to a playful day at the skate park and tore it up.. Anyways we finished off the day back at the factory with, Kelly strumming the guitar, a quick lunch, and a round table to gather up all the feed back and make some sense of it!. It was truly a great day and an informative and positive one for all those involved in the project until the next round table see ya!!

The Double Helix

Coming late summer 2008, Channel Islands is offering Double Helix technology. This is the first release from our Skunkworks research and development program. Double Helix will be initially offered in three particular models: The Flyer and the Proton.

Not to be confused with graphite rail boards you’ve seen on the market, the Double Helix offers a unique three dimensional helliptical rail wrap. During the designing and testing process we found that completely enclosing the rail in a secret blend of micro-synthetic fibers added strength and gave the board a fast and springy feel. Stringerless construction, epoxy layup and a special blend of polyurethane foam, these boards are a true extension of your feet.

If you already love The Flyer or have never tried one, you will freak on how fast this board gets you to where you want to go. Check out an authorized dealer near you starting August of 2008.

The Double Helix technology is available late this summer in the following models :

5'10" - FLYER (18 1/2" x 2")
6'1" - PROTON (18 5/8" x 2 5/16")
6'4" - FLYER (19 7/8" x 2 1/4")

Msrp $650