Chris Christenson has become the lord of the mid-length in recent years. His various models now grace line ups around the world, with crew from long-haired hipsters to portly middle-aged shredders snapping up the designs. I’ve always been mid-length curious, but struggled with the options I tried. They all felt too boaty, sitting around a foot longer than my normal 5’10’’, 30ish liter shortboard. So, instead of writing things off, I decided to order two models about halfway between that gap to see what happened. Kind of like a mid-mid-length approach if you will. Naturally, I chose Christenson’s. The first of those was a 6’6’’ Christenson Long Phish 2.0. The second was a 6’4’’ Christenson Osprey. This Christenson Long Phish 2.0 review is the first installment of two posts, where I uncover what I found.
First, here’s what they say about the Christenson Long Phish 2.0:
“This is a great model for the longer rail enthusiasts that like high lines, top speeds with style, and ease at trim.” – Chris Christenson
The exact dims of the board I tested are: 6’6’’ x 20 ¾’’ x 2 ⅝’’
SHAPE
The Christenson Long Phish has a wide nose, wide swallow and long, smooth rails connecting the two. That’s the basic outline of this board and if you’re a surfboard supergeek it’s a beautiful thing to behold. On the bottom there’s a deep reverse vee running into a double concave, giving it heaps of down-the-line speed while allowing acceleration through turns. It’s basically what I’d picture if someone asked me to dream up the quintessential mid length surfboard.
Given this is a 2.0 model, you’re probably wondering what’s different from the OG version. Well, there’s more curve in the outline for improved backhand performance (more on this later). There’s also added nose rocker to stop you lobster diving during critical take offs, and a foiled step deck in the last 1/3 of the nose, removing weight and making it easier to feed into your rail through cut downs. Some nice and tidy improvements all round.
WAVE TYPE
The Christenson Long Phish will go in lefts or rights, from 2ft to double overhead. It’s wildly versatile. Granted, you’re unlikely to use it in steep and deep slabs, or super peaky beach breaks, but anything with a decent wall on it and the thing is butter. I tested it in a whole stack of conditions and it always seemed to deliver. Its sweet spot is head high, long, walling forehand waves where the order of the day is arcing turns. I did not get barrelled on it, nor would I pull it out of my quiver on seriously hollow days, unless I had taken some mushrooms and was feeling extra freaky.
Overall Best Conditions:
Head high, long, walling forehand waves where the order of the day is arcing turns
PERFORMANCE
For blazing down the line, trimming like a demon, and throwing long stylish turns, the Christenson Long Phish is something you’d sell your soul for. It goes rail to rail amazingly, picking up speed the whole way, and lets you pendulum down the line hucking spray for days. You’re never going to go vertical on the thing and bust fins, but that’s for young people with all of the cartilage in their knees anyway. Think classic, twin fin lines and your imagination will match reality.
I rarely find a twin fin that goes well backhand, but this is definitely a major exception. Case in point is this clip of Beau Cram going ham in the desert. While I’m not as skilled as ‘son of Dick’, I definitely felt comfortable going as hard surfing the wrong way, as well as the right way. Considering Chris Christenson is a stink footer, it makes sense that he’d craft something that is epic with your back to the wall. Top points.
WHAT FINS TO USE?
Stumped on the best fins to use in your board? You’re not alone. Of all surfers we surveyed, 100% said they were often confused about fin choice when it came to new surfboard models they’d never tried before*. When you’re talking about twin fins like the Long Phish 2.0, it becomes even harder. Do you use an upright, or a keel, signature model, or standard design? To dispel the confusion, I tried 4 different types of fins in this board – the Christenson FCS Signature Twin, the Brit Merrick Keel, the MF Twin, and the FCS Power Twin.
For me, the Brit Merrick Keel was the best. It offered more drive while still allowing fun, arcing turns. You could push as hard as you liked, especially on your backhand, and the fins pushed pleasantly back.
If I wanted something a little looser, I’d then go the Christenson Signature Twin, but only forehand in overhead waves or smaller.
*survey was of one person, me.
VERDICT
An insanely fun board to ride. The Long Phish 2.0 is not high performance, but it’s something to pull out when you need inspiration after being burnt out from the same old short-board shuffle. The volume under the chest makes it paddle like a cruise liner, while the twin set up keeps it loose enough to throw down super sanga to your heart’s desire.
The versatility of this board is a major bonus too. It genuinely goes in an impressive range of wave heights, although isn’t the best option if you’re chasing Nathan Florence on the Slab Tour.
Don’t expect something super loose or zappy. The shape forces you to take a step back, smooth out your lines and reconnect with the fundamentals of surfing. Something that will re-energise the stoke from a time when you got excited about a well-done bottom turn, roller-coaster combo.
The Wins:
- Goes in a wild range of wave heights
- Paddles amazingly
- Perfect for trimming and tearing
The Challenges:
- Not ideal for short, slabby reefs or beachies
- Won’t let you throw it to 12 o’clock easily
The Christenson Long Phish 2.0 is widely available globally, anywhere that stocks Christenson surfboards are going to have one of these to run your hands over. Need to know the closest? Hit up their retailer page for more info.
Alternatively, you can get order direct from a few spots, including direct from Onboard. Stores, in Australia, to check include:
Dessa
Aloha Manly
Board Store
Strapper
Price wise you’re looking at around $1200 AUD, which ain’t too bad considering this is a board that’s got a wildly strong glass job (mine has been ridden non-stop for two weeks and it’s held up really well) and will no doubt last you a long time. If you are getting one, make sure you spare enough cash to grab a set of the Britt Merrick Keels as well – they make a big difference to the performance of the board, and they look amazing.
6’4 x 20 5/8 x 2 9/16
6’6 x 20 3/4 x 2 5/8
6’8 x 20 7/8 x 2 11/16
6’10 x 21 x 2 3/4
7’0 x 21 1/8 x 2 13/16
7’2 x 21 1/4 x 2 7/8
7’4 x 21 3/8 x 2 7/8
7’6 x 21 1/2 x 3
