Gato Heroi Surfboards: A guide for Midlengths and shortboards
Gato Heroi surfboards are special. You tell immediately once you see and feel them for yourself.
Robin Kegel is a renowned surfboard shaper and he Shapes under the brand Gato Heroi Surfboards, celebrated for his innovative designs that pay homage to the surf culture of the 1960s and 1970s. RK's creations blend vintage aesthetics with modern performance, resulting in surfboards that are both functional and visually striking.
In addition to his famous Longboards, RK has a diverse range of mid-length and shortboard designs that blend classic influences with modern performance.
Below is a guide to the Gato Heroi midlength and short boards, as well as our shop's current stock of both. Please contact us for information regarding custom surfboards.
Acid Series
Transition boards, inspired by the late 60s / early 70s and surfers / travelers. These models are sleek and radical.

Surfar
Versatile midlength that is great for travel. Works in a large variety of conditions.
Surfar
Features a teardrop outline with a forward wide point, enhancing versatility across various wave conditions. The board's design includes a low, flat rocker and a rolled vee throughout the bottom, transitioning into a more paneled vee towards the tail. The rails are foiled to a 70/30 distribution, providing a forgiving feel suitable for different skill levels.
The Surfar paddles easily, allowing for early wave entry and swift speed down the line. Its designed to facilitate smooth, sweeping turns from the tail and is adept at handling various wave conditions, including choppy waters. Performs well in good surf/ large waves all the way down to 3 feet.
Perhaps the most defining characteristic is its versatility, balancing trim speed when ridden from the front and responsive maneuverability when turning from the tail. The Surfar is incredibly versatile and performs well across a range of conditions. It is the perfect travel board.
Playboy
The Gato Heroi Playboy is a longboard surfboard inspired by the designs surfed by Australians in 1966 and 1967, notably reminiscent of the boards seen in the "Hot Generation" era. It features a wide-point set back, pinched rails, and a pronounced vee through the tail, making it highly versatile—responsive off the tail and maneuverable from the nose. This design allows surfers to execute dynamic turns and enjoy sensitive control while noseriding.
Playboy
The Gato Heroi Playboy is a longboard surfboard inspired by the designs surfed by Australians in 1966 and 1967, notably reminiscent of the boards seen in the "Hot Generation" era. It features a wide-point set back, pinched rails, and a pronounced vee through the tail, making it highly versatile—responsive off the tail and maneuverable from the nose. This design allows surfers to execute dynamic turns and enjoy sensitive control while noseriding.
Californian
The Californian is the perfect summer longboard, an incredible noserider that still turns really nicely off the tail. The parallel outline and fuller mid section ending in slightly kicked tail combine to make for dynamic noseriding. The scooped nose reduces swing weight through turns as well as providing flex when you’re up the front of the board. The Californian is wide and stable, yet somehow still holds in nicely on steeper sections. A Classic California log essence has been refined for trimming from centre, control on the nose and quick pivot turns. We have all been surfing it non-stop and highly recommend!!
Californian
The Californian is the perfect summer longboard, an incredible noserider that still turns really nicely off the tail. The parallel outline and fuller mid section ending in slightly kicked tail combine to make for dynamic noseriding. The scooped nose reduces swing weight through turns as well as providing flex when you’re up the front of the board. The Californian is wide and stable, yet somehow still holds in nicely on steeper sections. A Classic California log essence has been refined for trimming from centre, control on the nose and quick pivot turns. We have all been surfing it non-stop and highly recommend!!
Dagger
The Dagger was first developed by Robin as Al Knost’s model and fine-tuned for punchy Blackies beach breaks. After many years development in all conditions the model has been greatly refined. A healthy nose rocker provides stability up front, transitioning into a low and fast tail rocker - trim speed balanced with all the control of a pulled in square tail. The dagger now has a more refined rail foil and is even faster and more sensitive than ever. Holds in tight for great noseriding in the pocket, while handling sharp turns and full blooded cutbacks with ease.
Dagger
The Dagger was first developed by Robin as Al Knost’s model and fine-tuned for punchy Blackies beach breaks. After many years development in all conditions the model has been greatly refined. A healthy nose rocker provides stability up front, transitioning into a low and fast tail rocker - trim speed balanced with all the control of a pulled in square tail. The dagger now has a more refined rail foil and is even faster and more sensitive than ever. Holds in tight for great noseriding in the pocket, while handling sharp turns and full blooded cutbacks with ease.