Acid Phish Quick Facts
Christenson Acid Phish quick facts
| Brand / shaper | Christenson Surfboards, shaped by Chris Christenson in San Diego County, California; made in America |
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| Board type | Performance fish, a more performance-oriented take on the classic Christenson Fish; “This board is NOT retro” – Chris Christenson |
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| Best waves | Everyday medium-sized surf, and it is also enjoyed by many in larger surf |
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| Skill level | All skill levels; recommended for surfers who want to surf more vertically in the pocket |
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| Tail | Swallow, on a rounder outline than the traditional fish for better backside surfing |
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| Design | Rounder outline than a traditional fish, a slimmer nose to cut down swing weight, and volume closer to a shortboard’s so it fits in the pocket and works better backside |
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| Fins | Twin fin (FCS II or Futures boxes). Best template: a modern upright twin like the Christenson x FCS II Twin or the Christenson x Futures Twin; run the Christenson Keel for a more traditional down-the-line feel. |
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| Stock sizes | 5’2 to 6’0 (24.70 L to 36.99 L) |
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| Sizing | Closer to shortboard volume than the classic Fish: your regular shortboard volume or a touch more; about 5" to 6" shorter than a standard performance shortboard at the same volume |
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| Constructions we stock | PU (poly); every Christenson we have carried is a polyurethane board, made in America by Christenson Surfboards |
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Acid Phish Q&A
What size Acid Phish should I get?
Chris says the Acid Phish can be ridden closer to shortboard volume than the classic Fish, so pick your regular shortboard volume or a touch more and go shorter. Comparing stock dims, it runs about 5" to 6" shorter than a standard performance shortboard of the same volume. For example, if you ride a 5’11 shortboard at about 28.5 L, look at the 5’6 (20 1/4" x 2 3/8", 28.36 L) or the 5’7 (20 3/8" x 2 7/16", 29.74 L). Stock sizes run from 5’2 (19 3/4" x 2 1/4", 24.70 L) to 6’0 (21" x 2 3/4", 36.99 L). Our shop staff can help you pick a size.
What fins does the Acid Phish use?
It is a twin fin, and we stock it with FCS II or Futures boxes. Because the Acid Phish is built to be surfed vertically in the pocket rather than as a retro board, a modern upright twin suits it best: the Christenson x FCS II Twin, or the Christenson x Futures Twin, a pivot-style template with an oversized base for drive and speed down the line while keeping release off the top. If you want more of a traditional down-the-line fish feel, the FCS II Christenson Keel or Futures Christenson Keel works too.
How is the Acid Phish different from the Christenson Fish?
The Acid Phish is the performance version of the classic Fish. It has a rounder outline for better backside surfing, a slimmer nose that cuts down swing weight, and it can be ridden closer to shortboard volume, so it fits in the pocket and surfs more vertically. Chris sums it up: this board is NOT retro.
What waves is the Acid Phish for?
Everyday medium-sized surf, where it excels in the pocket, and it is also enjoyed by many in larger surf thanks to the rounder outline and swallow tail that hold through turns.
Who is the Acid Phish for?
All skill levels can ride it, but it is aimed at surfers who want a fish that surfs more vertically in the pocket and works better backside than a traditional keel fish.
What construction does the Acid Phish come in?
We stock the Acid Phish in PU (poly). Every Christenson board we have carried has been a traditional polyurethane/polyester build, made in America at Christenson’s factory. Each in-stock board on this page lists its construction and fin set-up.
