Not All Step-Ups Are Created Equal

The rate at which new surfboard models drop can induce a mild existential crisis.

More often than not, it feels like brands are trying to create desires rather than needs, but Britt Merrick might have a point, at least if you’re an above-average ripper staring down heavier water and wondering if your standard shortboard can handle the extra kJ.

“If you’re gonna get into serious waves, and wanna rip, you want a CI Pro Step Up,” he says. The premise is simple: same sensitivity as your shorty, more hold.

Surfboard design is a restless pursuit. Even perfectly good boards get tweaked the minute they drop. Britt’s approach with the CI Pro Step Up follows that logic by taking something proven and pushing it a little further. Like the Happy series (Happy, Happy Everyday, Happy Traveler, etc.) before it, this is about extending familiar board feel across a variety of conditions.

The CI Pro Step Up borrows the rocker and bottom contours of the CI 2.Pro — Italo’s Stab in the Dark winner — but recalibrates them for waves with more punch and consequence.

Designed for speed control rather than speed harnessing, this is a board for high performance surfing first, and getting properly barreled second. In essence, you’re looking at an all-around step up that covers most bases, as long as there’s some push and/or throwing lips.

Britt wanted to “allow surfers to have a familiar feeling under their feet as they move through a range of waves.” Not a radical departure. Just a reliable extension of your favorite everyday board.