Gato Heroi 9'6 Californian
The noserider. Scoop nose, parallel rails, all-levels fun.
The Californian is Creme Series’ parallel-railed, scoop-nose summer log—a noseriding machine on soft or punchy walls. Stable and wide but capable of quick pivot turns off the tail. Best matched with a classic D-fin in the 10”–10½” range. One of the most accessible longboards in the Gato lineup.
How It Rides
Classic noseriding feel. The parallel rails and flat rocker give it stability and glide, while the scoop nose creates the concave pocket that locks your toes in. The square tail and tail kick provide enough release to pivot and turn when you need to. This is the Gato board for surfers who want to walk to the nose and stay there—it’s not trying to be a performance longboard, it’s trying to be the best noserider it can be.
The Shaper
Shaped by Robin Kegel. Originally based in California, now in France, Kegel travels between Gato Heroi outposts in Australia, Italy, and Japan. His shapes draw from 1960s–70s surf culture, refined through decades of hands-on testing.
Specs
| Length | 9’6” |
| Model | Californian |
| Series | Creme Series |
| Shaper | Robin Kegel (Gato Heroi) |
| Rails | 50/50, parallel |
| Bottom | Scoop nose to roll |
| Tail | Square |
| Rocker | Flat with tail kick |
| Fin Setup | Single fin box |
| Skill Level | All levels |
| Origin | Produced in Australia, Europe, and Japan |
All surfboards ship from our shop at 4051 Judah St in the Outer Sunset. Contact us for a shipping quote.
All surfboards are final sale.
Specifications
| Model Name | Californian |
| Series | Creme Series |
| Length Range | 9'4"–9'10" |
| Fin Setup | Single fin |
| Skill Level | All levels |
| Best For | Classic noseriding |
| Model Description | 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. |
| Rail Type | 50/50; parallel |
| Bottom Contour | Scoop nose to roll |
| Tail Shape | Square tail |
| Rocker Profile | Flat; tail kick |
| Design Era | Classic |
| Year Introduced | 2008 |
| Recommended Fins | A Fin; D Fin; C Fin; Pivot Fin; Hatchet Fin |
| Brand Buying Guide | Gato Heroi Surfboard Guide: https://pemuliswaterandpower.com/blogs/blog/all-about-gato-heroi-surfboards-an-informational-guide Gato Heroi Fin Guide: https://pemuliswaterandpower.com/blogs/blog/gato-heroi-fin-buyer-s-guide-2024-full-profiles-board-pairings-how-to-choose-the-right-fin Robin Kegel Profile: https://pemuliswaterandpower.com/blogs/blog/burn-before-shaping |
| Designer Bio | Robin Kegel founded Gato Heroi in the early 2000s with a deep appreciation for 1960s–70s surf culture. Originally based in California, now in France, he travels to Gato Heroi outposts in Australia, Italy, and Japan. Known for innovative "calico abstract" glasswork and volan glassing. Early collaborators included Alex Knost, Cody Simkins, and CJ Nelson. His shaping philosophy emphasizes boards and fins as an integrated system, not separate components. |
| Origin | Shaped by Robin Kegel. Produced in Australia, Europe, and Japan. |
| Availability | Pemulis is one of the only shops in the world with access to Gato Heroi surfboards and we always have Gato stock on hand, including the full slate of Gato Heroi fins in multiple colors and currently the largest Gato Heroi surfboard collection for sale in the United States. We have the Gato surf short in all available colors and the Gato Heroi "Flight" product line, which is made from upcycled sail material, including tote bags, surfboard bags, and hats (Creme Cap and Bucket Hat). We also carry the Catfish sandals and selected stock of Gato Heroi wetsuits, which are made in Japan. We can sometimes be of assistance if you are looking for a particular Gato product that is not appearing in stock at any shop. Please email us at info@pemulis.cool with any questions. |
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