Stab Magazine | Who Is Britt Merrick's Favorite (Non-CI) Surfboard Shaper?

Early Access For Stab Premium Members Live Now — Episode 1 of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

128 Views

Who Is Britt Merrick’s Favorite (Non-CI) Surfboard Shaper?

And nine more questions for the man who inherited America’s largest surfboard company.

cinema // Jun 21, 2019
Words by Stab
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Britt Merrick took over his parents’ company, Channel Islands Surfboards, years ago, but you can hardly call this an act of nepotism. 

After all, Britt had been in the Santa Barbara-based shop since his conception—in fact there’s a decent chance he was conceived somewhere in the factory—sweeping floors, scrubbing toilets, and most importantly watching his father shape from the time he could stand on two feet. 

Now in his forties, Britt has become the figurehead of the Channel Islands brand, which sponsored Kelly Slater during his  11-World-Title run and to this day has some of the world’s best surfers on its roster.

As a result, the folks at Shapers asked Britt to be the first guest on their “10 in the Bay” interview series, which you can see below.

Questions include:

  • What board are you riding at the moment?
  • Do you still handshape?
  • Who is the worst to deal with: sanders, laminators, CNC cutters, or surfers?
  • What current shapers do you get inspiration from?
  • Etc!

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

How To Build A Wavepool in Your Hometown

How Warren Smith convinced Panama City, Florida that they needed perfect waves.

Jun 12, 2025

Italo And Filipe Lost, But Surfing Won Today

No shortage of excellence on Day Two at Lowers.

Jun 11, 2025

Opinion: Griffin vs Filipe Was A Masterclass In Surfing & Judging

And the exact reason Lowers is on tour.

Jun 11, 2025

How Politics Canceled A WSL Pro Junior Event In The Basque Country

The Israel-Palestine conflict hits surfing.

Jun 11, 2025

Wait, Is Lowers A Left?

Day One of the Lexus June Gloom Pro is wrapped, and Kelly's free for drinks.

Jun 11, 2025

Stab Interview: The Secret Lives Of Keith Malloy

On surf films, big waves, sibling bonds, and stunt-doubling for Matthew McConaughey.

Jun 9, 2025

Why Kelly Slater’s Favorite Wave Isn’t Producing More Pro Surfers

A critical analysis of the Soup Bowl surf community.

Jun 8, 2025

CT Watch: Jacob Willcox And Francisca Veselko Rattle The Cage

Where you begin is where you return: The Newcastle SURFEST.

Jun 8, 2025

Stab High And The Unfortunate Inevitability Of The C-Word 

Does surfing have a culture after all? 

Jun 8, 2025

Jordy Smith Is World #1, Kelly Slater Is A Wildcard, And… Ethan Ewing Is Trying Californian Surfboards?

Your 2025 Lower Trestles CT preview.

Jun 7, 2025

Tom Lowe Suffers Second Near-Fatal Injury at Teahupo’o In 14 Months

Sage Burke and Kala Grace tell the story straight.

Jun 6, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 1

Our first loser goes home in this "king of the hill" showdown.

Jun 6, 2025

The Return of Surf100: Raw, Unfiltered, Serialized

Seven challenges across California before the OG 100 minute final.

Jun 5, 2025

Snow Bros, A Former WSL CEO, And The Multimillion Dollar Fight To Govern Surfing In America 

"This decision could have massive, cascading, and irreversible consequences," says the CEO of USA Surfing. 

Jun 4, 2025

Everything You Need To Know About The Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

8 surfers. 8 challenges. $100,000.

Jun 4, 2025

Coming Soon: Stab in the Dark X

Dear Diary, May was a good month.

Jun 3, 2025

If The Challenger Series Is The Answer, What Is The Question?

Surfing’s middle child returns: the 2025 CS preview.

Jun 2, 2025

The WSL Just Gave The Kids A Steak Knife

The Challenger Series gets a run at Pipeline, and a double-take at Newcastle.

Jun 2, 2025
Advertisement