First thoughts on the Skindog Cherry Picker
Skindog Surfboards Cherry Picker in Thunderbolt Technologies Japan
I was able to get my hands on the new Thunderbolt Technology Skindog Cherry Picker. Massive shoutout to Grant from Unsunghero Surfboards, St Davids . In fact, all of my surfboards have come from Unsunghero Surf shop. Not only is there a huge selection of boards to choose from, but Grant actually knows what he’s talking about when it comes to surfboards.
When I told grant I wanted a nose rider, something more traditional than what was my former longboard of choice, the Meyerhoffer. See below.
The hour glass shaped 9’1” Mayerhoffer 2 This thing does nose ride incredibly well. It also surfs a bit like a shortboard when you’re at the back, and feels like a nose rider when you’re at the front. And it’s flatish rocker, means it glides into any wave!
Grant’s first suggestion was something that wasn’t really even released yet, the Skindog Cherry Picker made from the Ultra Light Thunderbolt Technologies from Japan.
After just a couple of waves, I already knew I’d get along very well with this board. At first, it was strange paddling into waves. It seemed like the whole board was trying to push itself off the back of the wave, which initially was very annoying. Once I was used to the difference in the rocker, I started to feel very comfortable and re-learned how to paddle. I kept finding myself heading straight to the nose at any opportunity, sometimes feeling up to a foot of lift which was something I hadn’t experienced before.
On the wave behind. Photo by Zeal Photography
The Skindog Cherry Picker at Whitesands Beach, Pembrokeshire.
On the nose of the Cherry Picker, photo by Pat
The cherry picker is shaped like a traditional nose-rider log, but with a unique tail design. The lifted tail, gives it that touch of extra hold, keeping the nose above the water whilse sending you to the front to compensate.
“The Cherry Picker is constructed using Thunderbolt Silver a 100% hand layup Fibreglass Lamination which delivers a classic weight and flexing surfboard. Thunderbolt Silver uses a Fused Cell EPS Foam Blank which incorporates a Carbon Fibre Multi-Component Flex Control System which replaces a traditional wooden stringer which along with the lamination delivers a familiar flex which will remain for the extended lifespan of these durable boards. Thunderbolt Silver uses a 6 + 6oz deck lamination with 6 + 4oz on the bottom. The Fused Cell EPS Foam Blank is wrapped in a Core Shield PVC Shell which affords flexible protection to the EPS core.” - Boardshop
The stringerless, eps foam blank with carbon fiber means the Cherry Picker is extremely light. That along with it’s back end shaped for performance means you can swing it around quite easily, giving you that dynamic range of movement from noseriding straight into sharp turns. Perfect for the sloppy waves we’re used to here in the UK.
Overall, I think the Cherry Picker is an absolutely fantastic board, especially when combined with Thunderbolt Technologies from Japan. By this point, you’ve probably already researched the price. (Which is probably the only downside, from what I can gather so far)
Update:
6/01/22
I have since put a new fin on the Cherry Picker. A smaller but wider fin. (Picture coming soon)
The board seems to glide into waves a fair bit faster and still holds well during nose rides. More details to follow.
If you’ve got any questions at all about the Cherry Picker, feel free to send us a message using the form below.
To buy a Cherry Picker, they still have one in Unsunghero Surf - https://unsungherosurf.co.uk/collections/surfboards/products/x-skindog-cherry-picker-96-thunderbolt