"Allow nature to
take the lead."
Gato Heroi, founded by Robin Kegel in the early 2000s, represents one of the most innovative and respected names in alternative surfboard design. The brand name means "Cat Hero" in Portuguese — reflecting Kegel's sense of humor and philosophy.
His shaping philosophy emphasizes speed, flow, and natural wave riding. Boards designed to let the wave dictate — not your ego. They unlock new possibilities over years of riding, though they require patience and listening to understand their unique characteristics.
Each board features unique resin tints, polished finishes, and meticulous attention to detail that makes them both functional surf tools and pieces of art. 25 models across 7 series, shaped worldwide.
Classic Edition
The Classic Edition embodies Gato Heroi’s homage to postwar California log tradition, modernized through shaper Robin Kegel’s artistic, performance-minded lens. These longboards are hand-shaped for glide and classic trim but engineered with enough subtle bottom contours, rail transitions, and rocker adjustments to offer surprising agility and noseride stability. Construction always emphasizes full-resin tints and volan glassing, resulting in distinct "surf art" pieces with functional prowess. Boards in this series balance forgiving, all-level usability with a lively feel under advanced loggers’ feet. Perfect for those who appreciate classic drop-knee turns, stylish noserides, and timeless silhouettes—updated for today’s critical, dynamic log surfing.
Smooth Operator
A performance classic hand-shaped longboard, the Smooth Operator features continual rocker and a rolled bottom, with pinched rails and a set-back wide point enhancing noseriding security. The tail scoop/flip increases pocket maneuverability, while its thinner “bladey” profile rewards advanced riders who want responsive, stylish surfing and tight arcing turns in the pocket. Best for powerful single-fin setups and works exceptionally well with 10″–10½″ deep flex fins for maximum hold.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers wanting responsive, stylish logging.
Chop Op
The Chop Op variant adds a square tail for additional nose stability and even snappier tail turns. Same bladey profile and continual rocker as the Smooth Operator, but the increased tail area provides more pivot and lift on the nose.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers seeking more pivot from a Smooth Operator outline.
Operator
A supremely versatile all-around log, the Operator is slightly thicker—more forgiving than the Smooth Operator. It has a bellied rolled bottom, foiled rails, and traditional pintail. Known for forgiving drop-knee turns, it glides through fat sections with ease, making it great for anyone seeking maximum classic flow and hotdogging. Pair with a wide, raked single fin or traditional D-fin of 9½″–10″ for ideal performance and drive.
For: All levels seeking a forgiving, classic longboard. Great first Gato Heroi.
Universal Edition
A tribute to the explosive mid-to-late 1960s "Hot Generation" era in Australia and California, the Universal Edition pushes the boundaries between performance log and retro aesthetic. Boards in this lineup feature pronounced vee tails, pinched rails, and wide points set back for instant acceleration and dynamic surfing. Built for progressive longboarding, these models thrive in beach breaks and points, offering a mix of drive, control, and stylish flair. Universally, these boards reward committed surfing and deliver high-performance arcs, deep cutbacks, and advanced noseriding for skilled loggers.
Playboy
The Playboy is a high-speed, Hot Generation tribute stick with the wide point set back and pinched rails that offer considerable sensitivity. Strong tail vee enables smooth transition from nose work to rocket-like turns off the tail. Best suited to assertive, dynamic loggers, it shines with raked flex fins (like a Greenough 4A) or upright pivots in 9¼″–10″ for drive and tip control.
For: Advanced surfers wanting high-speed dynamic logging. Requires commitment.
Dagger
Originally developed for Al Knost, the Dagger has healthy nose rocker and a squared, pulled-in tail for snap and control in the pocket. Sensitive and fast, the Dagger can pivot sharply and hold hard through noserides in beach breaks. Run a narrow base flex fin for looseness, or a Greenough-style for extra drive.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers who need pocket snap and noseride control in beach breaks.
Death Dagger
A parallel-railed, dagger-nosed, and narrow-tailed log, the Death Dagger excels in steeper surf, combining tight noseride control with the ability to carve powerfully off the tail. Run a slim upright flex fin, or anything lively in the 9–10″ range, to accentuate edge transitions and quickness.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers wanting steeper-wave control with tight noserides.
Double Dagger
This model takes the Death Dagger outline, swaps the tail for a pin, and provides even more hold—especially in critical drops. Recommended with an upright, flexy fin (9½″–10¼″) to maintain sensitivity while achieving powerful drive in good surf.
For: Advanced surfers built for quality waves—not your everyday log.
Szaber
Glider-style outline with wide point center and pulled-in pointed nose. The Szaber is an extremely fast trim machine built for high-speed down-the-line surfing. Flat rocker and foiled rails maximize glide.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers wanting maximum speed and trim.
Progressive Pig
A contemporary take on the traditional "pig" template that ruled Southern California in the ‘50s and ‘60s, the Progressive Pig series injects high-performance DNA into an inherently cruisy outline. These boards have wide points moved deep toward the tail, pronounced hips, and foiled rails, allowing for big turns, drawn-out carves, and nose time despite their midlength to longboard dimensions. The PG boards are accessible for novices yet nuanced enough for expert single-fin aficionados seeking something between a log and a hull.
Space Pig
A modern Wayne Lynch inspiration, the Space Pig features pinched rails and a gently veed bottom for super smooth transitions. Use an 8¾″–9½″ upright or mild flex fin for pocket surfing and max versatility. Advanced riders sometimes experiment with Greenough-style flex templates here, too.
For: All levels. One of the most accessible boards in the lineup.
Space Pig PG
With a more centralized wide point, panel vee through the tail, and more performance surfer in mind, best run with an 8½″–9½″ upright fin for quick-release rail work.
For: All levels wanting a performance-oriented Space Pig variant.
Acid Series
The Acid Series channels the late-’60s, early-’70s transition era, with sharp nods to Australian hulls, Transition Era eggs, and Wayne Lynch’s "evolution" shapes. Boards feature rolled to spiral vee bottoms, moderate to pinched rails, and fuller nose/tail volumes, letting them plane and trim in a broad range of surf. Riders describe them as "hull-ish" or "on ball bearings," enabling pronounced carves, fast trims, and a feeling of skating the wave’s midface. A favorite among experimenters, travel quiver builders, and devotees of the stylish, loose riding of the late 1960s.
Acid
A Morocco-tested midlength, the Acid has a rolled bottom, fine rails, and excels at rail surfing and long drawn-out turns at high speed. Original versions favor a hull-style, flexy single fin (9″–10″), but it also works well as a 2+1 with smaller sidebites for extra hold in steeper conditions.
For: Intermediate–advanced rail surfers wanting hull-like speed.
Acid Drop
The Acid Drop offers a slightly fuller outline, spiral vee out the tail, and a forgiving rounded pin for radical, pocket-oriented rail turns. Best run with an upright flex (8½″–9½″) or as a 2+1 for more versatility and increased control.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers wanting radical pocket turns.
Acid 2020
With a fuller outline, softer rails, and user-friendly design, the Acid 2020 works best with a lively upright single, or a pivot template if you want earlier turns and higher hold. The most forgiving Acid model.
For: Intermediate surfers wanting Acid speed with easier access.
Surfar
A forward-wide-point, teardrop-shaped “blade,” the Surfar balances drawn outlines, forgiving rails, and subtle rocker for a sweet, stable midlength or long shortboard. Pair with an 8½″–9½″ raked single or glass flex—sometimes run as a single+stabilizer for heavier waves.
For: All levels. One of the easiest Gato boards to ride well—ideal for travel.
Short Models
Gato Heroi’s shortboard and fish-inspired models blend radical design choices—foiled rails, inventive bottom contours, unique nose and tail shapes—with classic single-fin and twin-fin template DNA. These boards are made for powerful, performance-minded surfers who appreciate the drive and release of quality single-fin and twin-keel designs. The result is a refreshing alternative to generic contemporary shortboards, with all the feel and color of Gato Heroi’s artist-driven ethos.
Falcon
The step-up mini-gun, made for bigger surf and travel. Use an upright 7⅞″–8½″ single or a narrow Brewer-style fin, and switch to a 2+1 in true consequence surf.
For: Advanced surfers needing a step-up for bigger, hollower waves.
Roach
Influenced by MP’s Kirra stubbies, the Roach offers flat rocker, wide tail, and speed for days. It excels with a 7½″–8½″ upright or flex fin, accentuating planing speed and sharp pivot turns.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers wanting speed in gutless waves.
Space Roach
The best “transition to singlefin” model, with double concave through the tail for hold and forgiveness. Pair with a flexy upright (7½″–8″) for easy pivot and smooth, gliding turns.
For: Intermediate surfers wanting their first single-fin shortboard.
Anti Fish
A fast and lively twin, drawing from MR’s legacy, the Anti Fish loves speed and vertical surfing. Use a performance upright or classic keel set, glass-ons preferred, for maximum down-the-line push with loose arcs.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers wanting MR-legacy twin speed.
Creme Fish
A forgiving, fun fish with single concave—use classic glass-on keels or upright twins for optimal control in variable surf, making it super adaptable, especially in short punchy beach breaks.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers wanting a Steve Lis–inspired all-rounder.
Creme Series
A sub-label for classic, traditional designs, the Creme series draws inspiration from famed California points, log icons, and D-fin pigs. These boards have generous outlines, scooped noses, pronounced 50/50 rails, and are glassed with luxurious volan cloth and resin tints, intended for a forgiving but stylish ride. Perfect for those who want a beautiful "forever board" that can nose ride, trim, and turn gracefully—even for beginners. Some models add performance foils to old icons, representing some of the most collectible pieces in the Gato stables.
Californian
Creme’s parallel-railed, scoop-nose summer log is a noseriding machine on soft or punchy walls. Best matched with a classic D-fin in the 10″–10½″ range.
For: All levels wanting a beautiful, classic log.
Playdate
A more approachable, all-purpose longboard, intended for ease and fun with a little extra planing surface. Go for a forgiving pivot or raked single in the 9½″–10″ size.
For: Beginner–intermediate surfers wanting easy entry into Gato Heroi logging.
Fat Cat
Balanced, forgiving and round, offering smooth paddle and noseriding. Pair with a versatile broad single for classic California style.
For: Beginner–intermediate surfers. Most forgiving noserider in the lineup.
Play Pig
A true pig with wide-point-back outline and pulled-in nose, best enjoyed with a D-fin for stately pivots and lock-down stability on the tip.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers wanting classic pig style. Volan cloth, resin tints. Collectible.
Fleur
A modern pin-pig, blending extra volume with lively foil—run with a modest D-fin for a blend of control and speed over the classic base.
For: Intermediate–advanced surfers. One of the most collectible pieces in the Gato stables.
Specialty
Shapes either retired, made for particular surf conditions, or as limited runs for collaborators. Routinely crafted with parallel outlines, unique bottom contours, and custom paint/finish, these boards are intended for experienced surfers wanting uncommon performance or collectible value.
Killer
The Killer’s sharp rails, parallel outline, and square tail produce speed and trim, favoring deep drop-knee turns and old-school lines. Use with a 9¼″–10″ upright single fin, allowing for classic speed-shape surfing in steeper or punchy conditions.
For: Advanced surfers wanting a dedicated speed shape for steep waves.
How to Choose Your Gato Heroi
What do you want to do?
Noseriding priority → Smooth Operator · Shop 9’7 →, Californian · Shop 9’6 → · 9’9 →, Playdate, Fat Cat
Speed and rail surfing → Playboy · Shop 9’9 →, Acid, Killer, Szaber
Versatile midlength → Surfar · Shop 8’6 → · 8’7 →, Space Pig · Shop 8’0 →, Acid 2020 · Shop 7’6 →
Short single-fin → Roach · Shop 6’10 →, Space Roach, Falcon
Classic pig style → Play Pig, Fleur
Twin-fin → Anti Fish, Creme Fish
What's your skill level?
Beginner–Intermediate → Operator, Playdate, Fat Cat, Surfar · Shop 8’6 → · 8’7 →
Intermediate–Advanced → Space Pig · Shop 8’0 →, Acid 2020 · Shop 7’6 →, Dagger, Acid Drop
Advanced → Smooth Operator · Shop 9’7 →, Playboy · Shop 9’9 →, Acid, Killer, Double Dagger · Shop 9’8 →
Gato Heroi Fins
Robin Kegel designs each fin template to unlock a specific feel from its matching board. Read the full Fin Guide →
Complete Your Setup
Gato Heroi Fins — 13 signature fin templates. Fiberglass and volan constructions.
Gato Heroi Wetsuits — Yamamoto rubber. Made to feel like nothing at all.
All Gato Heroi — Surfboards, fins, wetsuits, surf shorts, and accessories.
Come see them in person.
Every board is one-of-one. 4051 Judah St, Outer Sunset, San Francisco.