The Outlier X Surfboard: A CJ Nelson x Ryan Engle Masterpiece

What Is the Outlier X?

The Outlier X is the performance-driven evolution of CJ Nelson's original Outlier, not just a shorter version of it. Hawaiian South Shore's own live product FAQ puts the difference plainly:

If the softer-rail, cruising feel of the original sounds more like what you're after, our review of the original Outlier covers that board on its own terms.

CJ designed it to answer a specific problem. A rider coming off a bigger mid-length or a performance longboard often wants a smaller board on an average day, but doesn't want to feel out of their depth the moment they step down. The Outlier X is his answer: a true down-rail, modern shortboard rail on an outline that still carries the easy speed of his bigger boards.

The board comes in two Thunderbolt constructions, Thunderbolt Red and Thunderbolt Black, built to flex differently depending on the feel you want. The construction section below covers exactly how.

Who Is the Outlier X For?

Two riders who don't usually shop for the same board end up on this one. The first is someone coming off a bigger mid-length or a performance longboard who wants a smaller board for average days, without feeling intimidated the moment they drop down in size. The second is a real high-performance shortboarder who wants a board with more volume and glide than a standard shortboard, but no ceiling on how hard they can push it.

CJ builds it to serve both without picking a side. The two Thunderbolt constructions give it a wider flex range than a single build could, and which one you pick comes down to the feel you want, not which rider "category" you fall into. CJ himself gravitates to the 6'6" for his own average-day surfing. He does not want to define the board as one thing or the other. How you fin it and set it up decides which rider you are.

This is a board to grow into. A rider stepping down from something bigger isn't buying a board they'll outgrow in a season. The same outline that eases the transition down in size still has the range to reward better surfing later.

What Sizes Does the Outlier X Come In?

Three sizes, two Thunderbolt constructions, confirmed manufacturer specs.

Every size uses a 2+1 fin box. The board can be set up as a 2+1 or ridden as a single or twin, which the fin-setup section below covers in detail. Availability shifts, so check the current lineup or send us your details and we'll confirm what's on hand.

What Size Should I Get?

There is no single formula by height or weight. The right length depends on how you'll ride it and what you're coming off of. A few real reference points instead of a guess:

CJ rides the 6'6" himself most often, on his own average-day surfing. Namidan, an independent reviewer who tested all three sizes over time, found the 6'3" best for pushing performance hard, the 6'9" the most forgiving and easiest to catch waves on, and the 6'6" the balanced middle ground between the two.

We don't recommend a size by weight alone. Too many variables come into it, from your current board to how often you get out. Send us your height, weight, current board, and the waves you ride most, and we'll help you land on the right length.

How Is the Outlier X Built?

Both constructions share the same EPS foam core and internal flex-beam layout. The difference is where the carbon actually sits, and that's what changes how each one flexes. On Thunderbolt Red, the outer lamination is XEON, Thunderbolt's own proprietary fiberglass (6oz + 4oz on the deck, 6oz + 2oz on the bottom), while the internal flex beams are carbon fiber. That's a lively, balanced feel that stays smooth and forgiving on the outside. On Thunderbolt Black, that's flipped. The outer lamination is carbon fiber (6oz carbon + 2oz XEON fiberglass, deck and bottom) over fiberglass internal beams. It's the stiffest, fastest-rebounding build in the Thunderbolt range, built for powerful, well-over-head-high surf and often recommended for heavier or more aggressive surfers.

Sourced from Hawaiian South Shore's own construction breakdowns: Thunderbolt Red construction and Thunderbolt Black vs. Red vs. Silver.

Single Fin or 2+1?

The Outlier X's 2+1 box gives you three real options: ride it as a single (center fin only), a twin (side fins only), or a full 2+1. CJ designed the board around a specific setup and explains his own thinking on it directly.

CJ also points out that the carbon-rail (Black) build changes how the fin setup feels. Carbon adds spring and speeds up the rebound, so the same setup will feel snappier on Black than on Red.

The board isn't locked into CJ's own setup, either. Namidan has reviewed it as a single, a twin, a thruster, and a twin with a trailer fin added, and it holds up across all of them.

We fit fins by how you actually surf, not a one-size formula. Tell us your setup and we'll help you dial it in.

Shop fins at Hawaiian South Shore

What Waves Does It Handle Best?

The Outlier X covers a wide range, from knee-high to a few feet overhead.

Namidan's long-term ownership backs this up. He describes the wide outline and generous volume as good for paddle power while still keeping speed in flatter sections, with a pulled-in pin tail that holds in for control when the surf picks up, calling it one of the most well-rounded mid-lengths he's ridden (full review below).

How Do I Fix a Ding on a Thunderbolt Board?

Use epoxy-only repair materials. Standard polyester resin will not bond with a Thunderbolt board's epoxy shell, and using it can cause further damage instead of fixing the problem.

For small scratches, an epoxy-specific ding repair kit will do the job. For anything deeper, bring it to a shop familiar with sandwich and epoxy construction. You're also welcome to bring it by Hawaiian South Shore. Send us a photo of the damage and we can usually tell you what it needs before you make the trip.

What Do Real Riders Say?

Namidan, an independent reviewer, owned the Outlier X for several months and called it "one of the most well-rounded mid-lengths I've tried to this date." He said he never once wished he was on another board while riding it. That kind of endorsement carries more weight coming from someone who lived with the board past the first few sessions, not just a first impression.

Watch that independent long-term review →

Watch CJ's Own Walkthrough

CJ Nelson walks through the Outlier X in his own words: the sizes, the fin setup, the carbon-rail versus non-carbon feel, and what makes the rail different from the original Outlier. Most of the sizing and fin-setup detail above pulls directly from this video.

Watch the full Outlier X walkthrough →

Frequently Asked Questions