🌊 About Onboard Indonesia
At Flow Surf Lombok, we’re proud to work with Onboard Industries, one of the leading names in surfboard manufacturing and distribution across Australia and Indonesia. We mention Onboard in this blog first because this is who we source our Channel Islands surfboards from. A family-owned company founded in 1989 by Mel Hayhoe and Drew Down, Onboard started in Sydney, Australia, with a clear vision — to build surfboards of the highest quality and support the core surf community that rides them.
Over the years, Onboard has grown into a trusted surf-hardware manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer, with retail stores in Mona Vale, Byron Bay, and three locations across Bali — Seminyak, Canggu, and Padang. Each store reflects the local surf scene it serves, blending community, craftsmanship, and authenticity. Their team is made up of passionate surfers who live the lifestyle every day.
Onboard manufactures boards for some of the most respected names in the surf world, including Channel Islands, Simon Anderson, Tokoro, Christenson, Town & Country, Insight, and Haydn Lewis. They’re also the regional distributors for Catch Surf, Buell Wetsuits, and Salt & Stone Skincare, helping bring these global brands to surfers throughout Indonesia.
Through our partnership with Onboard Indonesia, we’re able to offer Lombok’s surf community direct access to premium performance surfboards — including Channel Islands Surfboards, shaped to perfection and ready for Indo waves. It’s a collaboration that connects craftsmanship, heritage, and the joy of surfing — from Australia to the shores of Lombok.
The Story of Channel Islands Surfboards
Founded in 1969 by Al Merrick in Santa Barbara, California, Channel Islands Surfboards has become one of the most iconic and influential names in surfing. What began as a small shaping bay behind the Merrick family home evolved into a global symbol of craftsmanship, innovation, and performance.
From the very beginning, Al Merrick’s philosophy was simple: design boards that help surfers reach their full potential. That mindset shaped generations of surf progression, with riders like Tom Curren, Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, and Bobby Martinez all making their mark on CI boards. Every design carried the same DNA — clean lines, precise curves, and a balance between speed, flow, and control.
Over five decades later, the brand remains surfer-driven and forward-thinking. Now led by Al’s son Britt Merrick, Channel Islands continues to refine shapes through constant feedback from their team riders and everyday surfers alike. Boards like the Happy Everyday, Two Happy, and NeckBeard 3 have become modern classics — trusted worldwide for their versatility and responsiveness.
With distribution through Onboard Indonesia, Channel Islands boards are now available across Indonesia — including right here at Flow Surf Lombok. That means surfers in Lombok can ride the same shapes trusted by world champions, fine-tuned for local waves like Areguling, Mawi, and Gerupuk. It’s performance surfing at its purest, now closer than ever to home.
Channel Islands Design Philosophy – Performance Meets Purpose
What makes Channel Islands Surfboards truly timeless is their deep understanding of how surfers move, think, and connect with the wave. From day one, Al Merrick focused on creating designs that weren’t just fast or flashy — but functional, tuned, and responsive to each surfer’s unique style.
Every board starts with precision shaping. Channel Islands combines hand-shaped tradition with cutting-edge technology to deliver boards that perform at the highest level while still retaining that handmade soul. Whether it’s the high-performance shortboard outlines or the hybrid designs like the CI Fish and Rocket Wide, every curve and contour serves a purpose — speed, control, and flow.
The team feedback loop is at the heart of their process. Boards are tested and refined daily by elite riders like Mikey February, Lakey Peterson, and Connor Coffin, with every tweak informed by real-world wave testing — from California point breaks to Indonesian reef passes. This constant evolution keeps Channel Islands at the forefront of surfboard innovation.
In Lombok’s powerful, fast-breaking surf, these designs come alive. The balance between hold and release makes CI boards perfect for Indo’s clean walls and hollow reefs. At Flow Surf Lombok, we see the difference every time — boards that hold their line in critical sections yet still feel effortless underfoot. It’s this harmony of performance and purpose that keeps Channel Islands a global favorite, and a perfect fit for our local waves.
Channel Islands in Indonesia – Built for Our Waves
Surfing in Indonesia demands a different kind of board — something fast, responsive, and built to handle power. Through Onboard Indonesia, Channel Islands Surfboards are now available across the archipelago, offering the same performance shapes trusted by world champions, locally manufactured and ready for Indo conditions.
From the heavy barrels of Mawi to the long, glassy rights at Areguling, Indonesian waves are known for their speed and intensity. Channel Islands boards thrive in that environment. Their refined outlines, precise rocker profiles, and clean rail transitions deliver unmatched control and acceleration — helping surfers stay locked in on steep faces and deep in the pocket.
The collaboration with Onboard Industries means these boards are now easier to access and maintain, without the long wait or high import costs that once made premium boards hard to find in Indonesia. Onboard’s shaping and distribution network ensures that every board that reaches Flow Surf Lombok is crafted to the same standard of excellence you’d find anywhere in the world.
Whether you’re just getting your first barrel at Seger or chasing a fast wall at Gerupuk Inside, Channel Islands has a model that fits perfectly into Lombok’s range of waves. They’re boards made to perform — not just in theory, but in the very conditions we surf every day.
Innovation and Sustainability – Modern Surf with a Conscience
While Channel Islands Surfboards has always been driven by performance, they’ve also become leaders in sustainable surfboard design — constantly looking for ways to reduce environmental impact without sacrificing feel or strength. In a sport so deeply connected to nature, that balance matters.
Their CI Eco-Tech construction is one example of this evolution. By using recycled EPS foam, plant-based resins, and renewable materials, Channel Islands is minimizing waste and creating boards that are lighter, stronger, and more environmentally friendly. The brand is also part of 1% for the Planet, donating a portion of sales to environmental causes that protect the ocean we all depend on.
Every step — from material sourcing to packaging — is guided by the same philosophy that’s shaped the brand since 1969: quality, craftsmanship, and respect for the sea. The move toward sustainability isn’t just about following a trend; it’s about ensuring that future generations of surfers can experience clean, thriving waves.
Here at Flow Surf Lombok, we share that mindset. Our home breaks rely on healthy reefs, clean water, and balanced ecosystems. That’s why we’re proud to carry brands like Channel Islands that combine world-class design with conscious innovation. Because the best board isn’t just the one that performs — it’s the one that helps protect the ocean you ride.
Why We Stock Channel Islands at Flow Surf Lombok
At Flow Surf Lombok, every brand we carry has a story — and every board on our racks has a purpose. Channel Islands Surfboards perfectly represents what we value most: craftsmanship, performance, and a genuine connection to the surf. These aren’t mass-produced boards; they’re designs born from decades of shaping knowledge, refined by surfers who live in the water, and tested in waves just like ours.
When we chose to partner with Onboard Indonesia, it wasn’t just about bringing a big name to Lombok. It was about aligning with a distributor that shares our respect for quality and our dedication to the surfing lifestyle. Onboard’s experience and commitment to building high-performance boards at world-class standards ensure that every Channel Islands board you find here at Flow Surf is something special — built to perform and built to last.
Whether you’re an experienced surfer chasing barrels at Areguling, linking long walls at Gerupuk Inside, or just finding your rhythm at Tanjung A'an, Channel Islands has a board that fits your style. From the explosive performance of the Happy Everyday to the easy-flowing CI Fish, these boards are made to make every wave count.
We’ve seen firsthand how Channel Islands boards perform in Indo — the speed through sections, the hold in steep drops, the flow through turns. They’ve earned their reputation not just through history, but through consistency in performance across all conditions.
Stocking Channel Islands Surfboards at Flow Surf Lombok is about more than just offering a product — it’s about connecting surfers in Indonesia to the same level of craftsmanship and design that has shaped the sport for over fifty years.
If you’ve been searching for the perfect surf shop near me in Lombok, or want to feel the difference a true performance board can make, drop by our shop in Kuta, Lombok, or reach out to our team. We’ll help you find the right board, talk setups, and get you dialed for the next swell.
Because at the end of the day, surfing isn’t about gear or status — it’s about feel, flow, and freedom. And that’s what Channel Islands has always been about.
