Noel Salas recently put the CI Solution through a full Surf n Show review, riding this small wave model across several wave settings at Waco Surf before checking in with Cam Richards for his take on the design.

At 5’9” and 170 pounds, Noel rode a stock 5’5” x 19 1/4 x 2 3/8 at 26.6 liters. He started on Waco’s updated Wave One, which has a flatter face and less push than the previous version. With less energy coming from the wave, Noel had to manufacture more of his turns, but found that the harder he pushed the Solution onto rail, the more speed and drive he got back.

That response gets at some of the thinking behind Britt Merrick’s design. The Solution pairs a fuller outline and rounded tail with a staged rocker: a little more entry, a relatively straight section through the middle, and a low-to-medium exit. The combination adds planing area and glide through weaker sections without taking away the ability to push the board when the wave stands up.

Noel saw more of that side of the Solution on Waco’s Waves 2, 3, and 4. With steeper, punchier sections, he was able to stay tighter to the pocket and surf the board more like a traditional performance shortboard.

For another perspective, Noel spoke with Cam Richards, who rode a custom 5’5” x 19 3/8 x 2 1/2 at 28.1 liters. Cam is 5’9” and 165 pounds and tested his Solution in smaller Hawaiian surf. Even on softer, flatter faces, he was able to carry enough speed to connect bigger turns and take the board above the lip when a section presented itself.

Designed as a step-down shortboard for the lower end of the quiver, the Solution is meant to make more out of less without feeling like a dedicated groveler. Noel and Cam’s sessions offer a good look at that balance across different waves and approaches.

Watch the full Surf n Show review above for Noel and Cam’s complete take on the CI Solution.

Find more info on the Solution here