Pemulis Water & Power
Gato Heroi 9'7 Smooth Operator1 / 2
Gato Heroi

Smooth Operator

9'0"–10'0" lengthSingle finHand-shaped · Gato Heroi
Sold Out
$1,625
new customer discount · applied automatically at checkout
Performance noseriding; pocket turnsIntermediate–Advanced
Get first dibs if it returns or a close match lands

The Board

Performance noserider. Thin, bladey, committed.

The Smooth Operator is a refined performance longboard with continual rocker and a rolled bottom. The bladey profile and thin foiled rails allow for committed surfing in the pocket—this isn’t a log that just trims, it turns. Set-back wide point enhances noseriding security while the tail scoop gives the tail release. Pair with a 10”–10½” classic or pivot fin.

How It Rides

The thin rails and rolled bottom create a board that responds to subtle weight shifts. Walking to the nose is stable—the set-back wide point and continuous rocker lock you in. But where the Smooth Operator really separates itself is the transition from nose to tail: the pinched rails and bladey foil let you drop back and drive turns off the tail without the board feeling heavy or resistant. For surfers who want to noseride and still rip.

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.

Board Details

Shape

Tail Shape
Pin tail
Rail Type
50/50; thin; foiled
Bottom Contour
Rolled throughout; slight belly
Rocker Profile
Low; continuous

Setup

Fin Setup
Single fin
Design Era
Modern Classic
Year Introduced
Approx. 2017

About the Shaper

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.
Shaped by Robin Kegel. Produced in Australia, Europe, and Japan.

Fin Pairing

Pair It With the Right Fins

A Fin; C Fin; D Fin; OP Fin; Log Fin; Greenough 4A