Channel Islands Surfboards was founded in 1969 by Al and Terry Merrick, setting the stage for a legacy of innovation and excellence in surfing. Britt Merrick, their son, grew up immersed in the world of surfboard shaping, spending his early years exploring the factory in Santa Barbara and learning the craft from his father. By 1990, Britt began shaping alongside Al and has since become the lead shaper and designer for CI. Under his guidance, Channel Islands continues to uphold its family tradition of developing high-performance boards, collaborating with surfing legends like Tom Curren and Dane Reynolds. The brand remains at the forefront of the sport, continually evolving to meet the highest standards of surfing excellence.