#127 - Channel Islands POD MOD Surfboard Review - After 23 Years!? Torq X-Lite Epoxy (Shaped by Al Merrick)

The Channel Islands x Al Merrick 'Pod Mod' is a classic performance fish surfboard that helped revolutionize the shorter, wider surfboard shape towards what exists today. The original 'Pod' first came out in 2000 (23 years ago!) and has since been seen in all lineups. The Pod was later frankensteined into the Pod Mod in the Summer 2015 by the team at Al Merrick, and the epic fish shape with swallow tail turned up the performance a notch. Now the board was shorter, wider, and thicker. I've had a Pod or Pod Mod in my quiver for as long as I can remember, with numerous lengths of the board (5'6, 5'10, 6'2). The Torq Surfboards X-Lite version was also brought to market in recent years. In this surfboard review, I showcase a recent session with the 6'2 Torq version of the Pod Mod. Dimensions Length: 6'2" Width: 21 3/8" Thickness: 2 3/4" Volume: 40.5 We see how this beefier version rides - comparing the epoxy material to the PU. We also explain the pros and cons of the shape itself, and why it's become a fan favorite. I'm riding the Channel Islands Torq Pod Mod X-Lite as a twin, with Deflow Arin Fins and a rear Naked Vilking Surf (NVS) stabilizer. The Pod Mod has been with me everywhere, from Australia, to Indonesia, to Panama (shoutout Red Frog Bungalows) Thanks Surfline for the footage, plus Kevo & Rota for providing their shred skills during second half of the video. Thanks for watching this Hero's Journey Episode 127 About the Channel Islands Pod Mod: In 2000 the original Pod rapidly became a global favorite, allowing surfers to drop six inches off their shortboards and revolutionize punting. The Pod Mod design is a heavily modified Pod, designed to be ridden even shorter and wider than the original, catering to the surfer that wants a little more volume forward to catch waves but doesn’t want to sacrifice performance. The tail has been widened for small wave glide, and the original single to double concave has been replaced with a flat entry to concave vee for quick rail to rail transitions. Experienced surfers ride this board 3”- 6” shorter than you are tall. About Torq X-Lite Surfboards: X-Lite is a Torq Epoxy technology developed specifically for performance boards. This is lighter, stronger and more Eco than a traditional PU/Polyester board, now with a 50% thinner Shield Skin for weight reduction. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro to the Review of the Channel Islands Pod Mod Surfboard Shaped by Al Merrick - 6'2 Torq X-Lite Epoxy Model - Plus My History Riding This Performance Fish Surfboard 1:25 - Surf Footage Begins! Shred Session via the Surfline Cams on the Torq Pod Mod X-Lite Surfboard 2:20 - How Does the Channel Islands Pod Mod Ride in Good Surf? 3:00 - What is this Torq Material? 3:25 - Ideal Fin Setup(s) and Talking About the Swallow Tail 4:20 - Why I Don't Surf with a Traction Pad on my Surfboards 4:50 - Showcasing Surfing the Pod Mod and How It Rides Frontside and Backside 5:57 - Introducing the Special Surf Guests - Kevo & Rota 6:20 - History of the Channel Islands Pod Mod Shape 7:10 - Special Guests Shred Fest 8:02 - The Density of Epoxy and the Torq Material 8:19 - More Surfing from Rota & Kevo 8:43 - Torq (Epoxy) vs PU (Polyurethane) in Surfboards 9:35 - Firewire Seaside & Beyond vs Channel Islands Pod Mod 9:51 - The Twin Fin Takeover in the Surfing World 10:04 - Cons of the Channel Islands Pod Mod Surfboard 10:34 - Surfing the Pod Mod in Bocas Del Toro, Panama (Shoutout Red Frog Bungalows!) 11:00 - Going from Riding Shorter Surfboards to Bigger Surfboards 11:25 - Torq X-Lite Surfboard Performance and How Indestructible It Is 11:50 - Outro - Thanks for Watching Another Hero's Journey Episode 127 - Please Like, Share, and Subscribe #podmod #surfboardreview #surfing #channelislands #pod #mod #surfreview #channelislandspodmod #channelislandspod #torq #surf #torqpodmod #surfline #surfers