OP1 Quick Facts
Christenson OP1 quick facts
| Brand / shaper | Christenson Surfboards, shaped by Chris Christenson in San Diego County, California; made in America |
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| Board type | High-performance groveler from Chris’s Ocean Pro (OP) performance series |
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| Best waves | Waist- to head-high surf, including softer waves where it paddles well and planes |
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| Skill level | All skill levels |
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| Tail | Rounded squash |
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| Design | Wide plan shape with fuller rails and lower rockers so it paddles well and planes in softer surf; single-to-double concave bottom with vee through the back of the tail for quick direction changes and a tighter turning radius while keeping its drive through the turn |
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| Fins | Thruster (FCS II or Futures boxes). Best template: the Christenson x FCS II Tri-Quad set or the Christenson x Futures 5-Fin, ridden as a thruster. |
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| Stock sizes | 5’3 to 6’0 (23.30 L to 34.51 L) |
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| Sizing | Chris recommends 2" to 4" shorter than your height |
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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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OP1 Q&A
What size OP1 should I get?
Chris Christenson’s recommendation for the OP1 is a length 2" to 4" shorter than your height. For example, a 6’0 surfer looks at the 5’8 (19 1/2" x 2 1/2", 29.26 L) to the 5’10 (19 3/4" x 2 5/8", 32.08 L). Stock sizes run from 5’3 (18 5/8" x 2 1/4", 23.30 L) to 6’0 (20" x 2 3/4", 34.51 L). Our shop staff can help you pick a size.
What fins does the OP1 use?
The OP1 is a thruster, stocked with FCS II or Futures boxes. Chris’s own sets fit it: the Christenson x FCS II Tri-Quad (Medium, Large) or the Christenson x Futures 5-Fin, a pivot-style template for quick, in-the-pocket surfing with tight turns, ridden as a thruster. FCS sizes the Christenson Tri-Quad set as Medium and Large; the Futures Christenson 5-Fin Medium suits riders of about 125 to 175 lbs.
What is the OP1?
The high-performance groveler in Chris Christenson’s OP series, built for waist- to head-high surf. The plan shape is wide with fuller rails and lower rockers to let the board paddle well and plane in softer surf. The bottom contour is a single to double concave with vee through the back of the tail, which allows quick direction changes and a tighter turn radius while maintaining its drive through the turn.
What waves is the OP1 for?
Waist- to head-high surf. The wide outline, fuller rails and low rocker keep it paddling and planing when the waves are soft, while the concave-to-vee bottom keeps it turning tight and driving when there is some push.
Who is the OP1 for?
All skill levels. It is the most forgiving board in the OP performance series, a groveler that still surfs like a high-performance shortboard when the waves allow.
What construction does the OP1 come in?
We stock the OP1 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.
