Carver x Channel Islands Fishbeard Surfskate Complete | CX — 29.25"
Carver x Channel Islands Fishbeard in CX Raw. 29.25" x 9.75" 7-ply maple, 15.5" wheelbase, performance nose / classic fish tail, 6.5" CX front truck / 6.5" C2 rear truck, 69mm 78a Roundhouse Concave Smoke wheels, built-in bearings. Pure business up front — all party in the back.
The Fishbeard is a Carver x Channel Islands original that wears its design brief clearly: a performance nose built for front-foot drive and locked-in carving, paired with a classic fish tail that raises slightly to give your back foot a natural pocket for generating speed and snapping cutbacks. The two shapes shouldn't work together — and yet they do, precisely because Al Merrick spent decades understanding how the tail and nose of a surfboard interact. The result is a board that rewards both technical front-foot engagement and rear-foot-driven pivoting in equal measure. The 80s-era CI logo layup on the bottom keeps the aesthetic exactly where it belongs — timeless, heritage-driven, and completely unbothered by trends.
At 29.25" x 9.75" with a 15.5" wheelbase, the Fishbeard is compact and quick — a tight wheelbase that generates speed fast and changes direction with minimal input, with a 9.75" width that keeps your feet comfortable and planted without making the board feel sluggish. The flat concave lets you place your feet wherever the turn demands rather than locking them into a fixed position — useful on a board designed to be ridden both from the front foot and the back foot depending on what the line requires. The 6.5" CX front truck delivers the snappy, single-axis, thruster-style turns that make Carver's rail-to-rail engagement direct and immediate. The 69mm 78a Roundhouse Concave wheels are Carver's premium grip spec — the concave lip profile compresses and bites mid-carve, expanding the contact area and holding traction through committed turns.
Channel Islands Surfboards was founded by Al and Terry Merrick in Santa Barbara, California in 1969 and has shaped boards for more world surf champions than any other shaper in history — Kelly Slater, Tom Curren, Mick Fanning, and generations of CT and QS surfers have won on CI boards. The Fishbeard name comes from Al Merrick's own beard — a board that's been part of the Channel Islands line for decades and crossed over into the Carver collaboration because the shape translates so naturally to a surfskate platform. Carver invented the surfskate in 1996 and remains the technical benchmark for the category. Two Californian institutions, one board.
Why Ride the Carver x Channel Islands Fishbeard CX?
-
Performance Nose / Classic Fish Tail — Two Shapes, One Board
A performance nose built for front-foot drive and locked-in carving, paired with a raised fish tail that creates a natural back-foot pocket for speed generation and snapping cutbacks; a design that rewards both ends of the board equally. -
Flat Concave — Place Your Feet Where You Need Them
A flat concave that doesn't lock your feet into a fixed position; gives you the freedom to shift front-foot and back-foot pressure based on what the turn demands — essential on a board designed to be ridden from both ends. -
6.5" CX Patented Front Truck
Carver's hybrid reverse kingpin with a precision pivot pin; snappy, single-axis turns with thruster-style immediacy — direct, no-lag rail-to-rail engagement that works with the fish tail's back-foot pivot to create genuine surf-style snap. -
Compact 15.5" Wheelbase — Fast and Responsive
One of the tightest wheelbases in the Carver x Channel Islands range; generates speed quickly and changes direction with minimal input — the geometry matched to a board that rewards technical, reactive riding over composed long-arc carving. -
9.75" Width — Comfortable Without Bulk
Wide enough for a confident, planted stance without making the board feel heavy or slow to initiate; the width that suits riders who want foot space without sacrificing the quick, snappy feel of a shorter compact surfskate. -
69mm 78a Roundhouse Concave Smoke Wheels
Carver's premium grip wheel spec; the concave lip profile compresses and bites into the surface mid-carve, expanding the contact area and holding traction through committed turns where standard cruiser wheels wash out. -
CI 80s Era Logo Layup
Recreated from Channel Islands' iconic 1980s logo; timeless, heritage-driven, and visually understated in a way that ages well — a graphic that looks as right on the wall as it does under your feet. -
7-Ply Maple Construction
Stiff, light, and responsive; the foundation that lets the CX truck work cleanly through both front-foot and rear-foot driven turns without flex absorbing the precision this technical board is built to deliver. -
Lifetime Warranty
Every Carver product carries a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects — built to last, backed unconditionally.
Specs
- Deck Length: 29.25"
- Deck Width: 9.75"
- Wheelbase: 15.5"
- Nose: 3.5"
- Tail: 6.125"
- Deck Shape: Performance nose / classic fish tail
- Deck Concave: Flat
- Front Truck: 6.5" Carver CX (patented single-axis pivot) — Raw
- Rear Truck: 6.5" Carver C2 (reverse kingpin)
- Wheels: Carver Roundhouse Concave 69mm / 78a Smoke
- Bearings: Built-in
- Griptape: Deck pad print grip
- Hardware: Stainless steel
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Skill Level: Beginner to All Levels
- Rider Style: Surf Training / Carving / Pump / Urban
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a surfskate and a cruiser skateboard?
A: A surfskate is built specifically to replicate the feel and movement of surfing on pavement — the patented front truck system allows for deep, front-foot-driven carves and the ability to generate speed through pumping, just like on a surfboard. A cruiser is designed for comfortable everyday riding — commuting, carving at a more relaxed pace, and navigating urban terrain. A surfskate demands more active engagement and rewards surf-specific technique; a cruiser is more forgiving and accessible from day one. If you surf and want something to train on or stay sharp between sessions, a surfskate is the right call. If you just want a smooth, fun board to get around on, a cruiser will serve you better. Not sure which direction to go? Call us on 03 9421 2293 and we'll help you figure it out.
Q: What size surfskate should I choose?
A: Shorter surfskates deliver tighter, sharper turns — better for technical carving, quick direction changes, and replicating the feel of a shorter board in the surf. Longer surfskates offer more flow and a drawn-out, rail-to-rail feel that suits bigger, more sweeping turns and riders who want a smoother, more relaxed carving experience. As a general guide, if you ride a shorter board in the surf or want maximum responsiveness, go shorter. If you ride a mid-length or longboard or want more glide and flow underfoot, go longer. Give us a call on 03 9421 2293 and we'll match you to the right setup based on how you surf and what you're trying to get out of it.
Why Buy from Twelve Board Store?
✔️ Free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $90
✔️ Gear advice from riders — call 03 9421 2293
✔️ Authorised Carver stockist with full manufacturer warranty
✔️ Flexible payment options including Afterpay & Zip
✔️ In-store at 435A Bridge Rd Richmond
