Gato Heroi, founded by Robin Kegel in the early 2000s, produces some of the most respected alternative surfboards in the world. Based in California with outposts in Australia, Europe, and Japan, the brand combines 1960s aesthetics with modern performance. Each board is hand-shaped with unique resin tints and volan glassing—functional surf tools that double as art.
This guide covers every current Gato Heroi model with specs, fin pairings, and who each board is actually for.
Quick Reference
| Model | Length | Best For | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth Operator | 9'0"–10'0" | Performance noseriding, pocket turns | Intermediate–Advanced |
| Operator | 9'0"–10'0" | All-around logging, forgiving flow | All levels |
| Playboy | 9'0"–10'0" | High-speed rail surfing, dynamic turns | Advanced |
| Dagger | 9'0"–10'0" | Beach breaks, sharp pivots | Intermediate–Advanced |
| Space Pig | 7'8"–9'0" | Versatile midlength, smooth transitions | All levels |
| Acid | 7'0"–9'0" | Rail surfing, hull-like speed | Intermediate–Advanced |
| Surfar | 8'0"–9'0" | Stable midlength, travel quiver | All levels |
| Roach | 6'4"–6'10" | Speed, small wave performance | Intermediate–Advanced |
| Killer | 9'0"–9'8" | Drop-knee turns, steep waves | Advanced |
| Fleur | 9'6"–9'8" | Classic pig style, collectors | Intermediate–Advanced |
Skip to: How to Choose Your Board →
1. Classic Edition (CE)
Homage to postwar California log tradition. Full-resin tints, volan glassing, classic trim with surprising agility. For drop-knee turns, stylish noserides, and timeless silhouettes.
Smooth Operator
9'0"–10'0" · Single fin · Fin: 9½"–10½" raked or D-fin
Performance longboard with continual rocker, rolled bottom, and set-back wide point for noseriding security. Thin "bladey" profile rewards committed surfing with tight arcing turns. The Chop Op variant adds a square tail for snappier pivots.
Who it's for: Advanced loggers who want responsive, stylish surfing. Not a beginner board.
Operator
9'0"–10'0" · Single fin · Fin: 9½"–10" pivot or D-fin
More forgiving than the Smooth Operator. Bellied rolled bottom, foiled rails, traditional pintail. Glides through flat sections with ease.
Who it's for: Anyone seeking classic flow. Great first Gato Heroi for intermediate surfers.
2. Universal Edition (UV)
Tribute to the 1966–67 "Hot Generation" era. Pronounced vee tails, pinched rails, wide points set back. Built for progressive longboarding with drive, control, and flair.
Playboy
9'0"–10'0" · Single fin · Fin: 9¼"–10" Greenough 4A or upright pivot
High-speed Hot Generation tribute. Wide point set back, pinched rails, strong tail vee. Rocket-like turns off the tail.
Who it's for: Assertive, dynamic loggers who want speed. Requires commitment.
Dagger / Death Dagger
9'0"–10'0" · Single fin · Fin: 8¾"–9½" narrow base flex
Originally developed for Al Knost. Healthy nose rocker, squared pulled-in tail for snap and control. The Death Dagger adds parallel rails for steeper surf.
Who it's for: Beach break specialists who want pivot and pocket control.
3. Progressive Pig (PG)
Contemporary take on the 1950s–60s "pig" template. Wide points toward the tail, pronounced hips, foiled rails. Big turns, drawn-out carves, and nose time.
Space Pig
7'8"–9'0" · Single fin · Fin: 8¾"–9½" upright or flex
Wayne Lynch–inspired with pinched rails and gently veed bottom. Super smooth transitions. The Space Pig PG variant has a more centralized wide point for quicker release.
Who it's for: Surfers wanting something between a log and a hull. Accessible for intermediates.
4. Acid Series (AD)
Late-'60s transition era shapes. Rolled to spiral vee bottoms, moderate to pinched rails. Hull-like speed, rail engagement, "on ball bearings" feel.
Acid
7'0"–9'0" · Single fin or 2+1 · Fin: 9"–10" hull flex
Morocco-tested midlength with rolled bottom and fine rails. Excels at rail surfing and long drawn-out turns at high speed.
Who it's for: Rail surfers who want hull-like speed without full hull commitment.
Acid 2020
7'0"–8'0" · Single fin · Fin: 8½"–9¼" upright or pivot
Fuller outline, softer rails, more user-friendly. The most forgiving Acid.
Who it's for: Intermediates wanting Acid speed with easier entry.
Surfar
8'0"–9'0" · Single fin · Fin: 8½"–9½" raked or flex
Forward-wide-point teardrop "blade." Forgiving rails, subtle rocker, stable and sweet. Great travel board.
Who it's for: All levels. One of the most versatile boards in the lineup.
5. Short Models
Shortboard and fish-inspired shapes with Gato Heroi DNA. Single-fin and twin-keel designs for powerful, performance-minded surfing.
Roach
6'4"–6'10" · Single fin · Fin: 7½"–8½" upright or flex
MP Kirra stubbie–inspired. Flat rocker, wide tail, speed for days. Sharp pivot turns.
Who it's for: Single-fin shortboarders who want planing speed in small to medium surf.
Space Roach
6'0"–6'8" · Single fin · Fin: 7½"–8" upright or flex
Double concave through the tail for hold and forgiveness. Best "transition to single-fin" model.
Who it's for: Shortboarders moving to single fins for the first time.
Anti Fish / Gato Twin / Creme Fish
5'7"–6'4" · Twin keels
MR-legacy twins. Fast, lively, vertical surfing. Glass-ons preferred for maximum push.
Who it's for: Twin-fin devotees who want speed and loose arcs.
6. Creme Series
Traditional designs with generous outlines, scooped noses, 50/50 rails. Luxurious volan cloth and resin tints. "Forever boards" for graceful noseriding.
Californian / Playdate / Fat Cat
9'2"–9'8" · Single fin · Fin: 9½"–10½" D-fin or pivot
Classic noseriding machines. Parallel rails, scoop nose. The Fat Cat is rounder and more forgiving; the Playdate is the most approachable.
Who it's for: Anyone wanting a beautiful, forgiving log. Great for beginners through advanced.
Play Pig / Fleur
9'2"–9'8" · Single fin · Fin: 9½"–10¼" D-fin
True pigs with wide-point-back outlines. The Fleur adds extra volume with lively foil. Collectible pieces.
Who it's for: Pig enthusiasts and collectors. Intermediate–advanced.
7. Specialty & Limited Models
Killer
9'0"–9'8" · Single fin · Fin: 9¼"–10" upright
Sharp rails, parallel outline, square tail. Speed and trim for deep drop-knee turns in steeper conditions.
Who it's for: Advanced surfers wanting old-school speed in punchy waves.
Double Dagger
9'7"–10'0" · Single fin · Fin: 9½"–10¼" flex
Death Dagger outline with a pintail for extra hold in critical drops.
Who it's for: Advanced surfers in quality waves.
How to Choose Your Gato Heroi
What do you want to do?
Noseriding priority → Smooth Operator, Californian, or Playdate
Speed and rail surfing → Playboy, Acid, or Killer
Versatile midlength → Surfar, Space Pig, or Acid 2020
Short single-fin → Roach or Space Roach
Classic pig style → Play Pig or Fleur
Twin-fin → Anti Fish, Gato Twin, or Creme Fish
What's your skill level?
Beginner–Intermediate → Operator, Playdate, Fat Cat, Surfar
Intermediate–Advanced → Space Pig, Acid 2020, Dagger
Advanced → Smooth Operator, Playboy, Acid, Killer
Fin Pairings
Every Gato Heroi board is designed to work as a system with specific fins. For complete fin specs, flex patterns, rake angles, and board pairings, see our Gato Heroi Fin Buyer's Guide.
Related
Burn Before Shaping — The Robin Kegel story. How he burnt his templates on Doheny Beach and why none of it matters.
Gato Heroi Fin Buyer's Guide — Complete breakdown of C, D, T, L, P, H, RK, Killer, OP, and A fins.
All Gato Heroi Products — Surfboards, fins, wetsuits, bags, and apparel.