Smooth Operator

9'0"–10'0" lengthSingle finHand-shaped · Gato Heroi

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$1,625

new customer discount · applied automatically at checkout

Performance noseriding; pocket turnsIntermediate–Advanced

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.