MILO

The CJ Nelson Milo Fish is a versatile, fun-first fish designed by CJ Nelson with Darius Gross and built by Thunderbolt Technologies. It pairs the outline of a modern fish with the soul of a classic MR-style twin — built to recreate the joy of surfing for everyone from longboarders dropping down in size to skilled shortboarders looking for a board that just makes the day more fun.

WHO

The Milo Fish was built for surfers who want to maximize fun in the water — not chase a competitive edge. It's a fun all-rounder, designed to feel approachable and rewarding across a wide range of skill levels.

  • The longboarder stepping down to something smaller who still wants easy wave catching and generous float
  • The shortboarder looking for a board that works on days when a standard shortboard just won't paddle, and one that still rewards laying it on rail
  • The transitioning surfer who wants a forgiving but exciting ride while building skill
  • The everyday surfer who just wants to enjoy their time in the water and ride more waves
  • The experienced surfer who wants a versatile board in the quiver that handles knee-high days and stronger conditions equally well

This is the board for surfers who want the joy of borrowing an older brother's magic stick — fun, familiar, and ready for almost anything.

WHEN

The Milo Fish is built to perform across a wide range of conditions, from knee-high days to more challenging surf with real size and power. The flat rocker profile and wide outline give it real paddle power and glide in weaker, softer waves where most boards stall, and the swallow tail with its slight V and hard down-turned edges give it genuine grip and control when the surf has more push behind it. It's built for the everyday — the kind of board you grab when you don't know what the ocean is going to give you and you just want to come in smiling. Hawaii's mix of mellow summer lines and stronger winter swells covers the full range this board is designed for.

WHAT

The Milo Fish blends the outline of a modern fish with the ethos of a classic MR-style twin — wide outline, flat rocker, flat deck, swallow tail. Even though it's reminiscent of an old twin-fin fish, it's not a true keel fish design. Its outline and rocker are more refined and tuned for versatility, which is what allows it to surf across so many conditions. The flat deck extends thickness all the way out to the rails, which is a big part of why the Milo paddles and catches waves so easily. The full performance rails through the chest area are intentionally thicker to maximize that paddle power and wave-catching, but they thin out substantially through the tail where the swallow with its slight V off the tail and hard down-turned edges take over. Those tail edges are what give the Milo its grip and control when you drive off the bottom or open the board up on a rail.

DIMENSIONS

CONSTRUCTION OPTIONS

Thunderbolt Red: A hand-laminated EPS foam core with internal carbon fiber flex components, layered with 6oz and 4oz fiberglass on the deck and 6oz and 2oz on the bottom. Tuned to a medium weight that blends the durability and liveliness of epoxy with the smooth, connected glide of a traditional polyester build.

FIN CONFIGURATION

2+1 Fin. Fins not included

SHIPPING INFORMATION

Surfboard Shipping

We can only ship boards purchased from the shop at this time due to Cargo policy.

Due to handling requirements, surfboards are shipped with specific protocols and fees.

a. Oahu Store Pickup

HAWAII SURFBOARD SHIPPING RATES

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS:

āž¤ Alaska Air Cargo

(All Size Boards)Ā Ā - ETA Usually in two days (Boards can be picked up from the Alaska Air Cargo Airport from 7AM in the morning, a day after the board has been sent out.)

Please ensure we have your correct email address on file. Alaska Air Cargo sends pickup notifications exclusively via email; they do not provide phone alerts

NOTE ON STORAGE CHARGES

  • Stations in the states of Alaska and Hawai'i, operated by Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo: Storage fees will be assessed after five days, excluding weekends and holidays. Minimum charge: $40 per day
  • Stations outside of Alaska and Hawai'i, operated by Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo: Storage fees will be assessed after 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. Minimum charge: $40 per day

JAPAN SURFBOARDS SHIPPING

āž¤ Door to Door

CONTINENTAL USA: SURFBOARD SHIPPING

FedEx Door-to-Door Shipping 🚚

  • Boards up to 6'0": $75 flat rate to any Continental US address
  • Boards 6'1" to 8'0": Contact us for door-to-door quote
  • Delivery: 3-5 business days

Air Cargo Shipping (For boards over 8'0") āœˆļø

2-day delivery to major airports

Important:

  • Airport pickup required within 48 hours
  • Must show government ID for pickup
  • Let us know your travel dates - we'll time the delivery
  • Storage fees apply after 48 hours

West Coast Cities (2-day delivery)

Los Angeles (LAX)

  • Shortboard: $110
  • Mid-Length: $110
  • Longboard: $125

San Diego (SAN)

  • Shortboard: $110
  • Mid-Length: $110
  • Longboard: $125

San Francisco (SFO)

  • Shortboard: $110
  • Mid-Length: $110
  • Longboard: $125

Las Vegas (LAS)

  • Shortboard: $110
  • Mid-Length: $110
  • Longboard: $125

Portland (PDX)

  • Shortboard: $155
  • Mid-Length: $205
  • Longboard: $215

Seattle (SEA)

  • Shortboard: $110
  • Mid-Length: $110
  • Longboard: $125

Salt Lake City (SLC)

  • Shortboard: $155
  • Mid-Length: $205
  • Longboard: $215

Central & Mountain Cities (2-day delivery)

Denver (DEN)

  • Shortboard: $165
  • Mid-Length: $225
  • Longboard: $245

Chicago (ORD)

  • Shortboard: $165
  • Mid-Length: $225
  • Longboard: $245

Minneapolis (MSP)

  • Shortboard: $165
  • Mid-Length: $225
  • Longboard: $245

St. Louis (STL)

  • Shortboard: $165
  • Mid-Length: $225
  • Longboard: $245

Detroit (DTW)

  • Shortboard: $165
  • Mid-Length: $225
  • Longboard: $245

Houston (IAH)

  • Shortboard: $165
  • Mid-Length: $225
  • Longboard: $245

East Coast Cities (2-day delivery)

New York (JFK)

  • Shortboard: $110
  • Mid-Length: $110
  • Longboard: $125

Boston (BOS)

  • Shortboard: $110
  • Mid-Length: $110
  • Longboard: $125

Philadelphia (PHL)

  • Shortboard: $165
  • Mid-Length: $225
  • Longboard: $255

Washington DC (DCA)

  • Shortboard: $170
  • Mid-Length: $220
  • Longboard: $250

Baltimore (BWI)

  • Shortboard: $170
  • Mid-Length: $220
  • Longboard: $250

Atlanta (ATL)

  • Shortboard: $170
  • Mid-Length: $220
  • Longboard: $250

Miami (MIA)

  • Shortboard: $170
  • Mid-Length: $220
  • Longboard: $250

Orlando (MCO)

  • Shortboard: $170
  • Mid-Length: $220
  • Longboard: $250

Tampa (TPA)

  • Shortboard: $170
  • Mid-Length: $220
  • Longboard: $250

South Carolina (CHS) Connecting Flight via SEA

  • Shortboard: $225
  • Mid-Length: $250
  • Longboard: $325

Questions? Contact Us:

šŸ“ž Call/Text: (808) 597-9055

šŸ“§ Email: sales@hawaiiansouthshore.com

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1 product

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the bottom contour like, and how does it affect speed?

The Milo features a single-to-double concave bottom paired with a flat rocker. This design channels water efficiently through the fins, reducing drag and generating lift. The result is a fast, drivey feel on open-faced waves.

How does the rocker affect paddling and takeoff?

The Milo’s flat rocker and generous planing surface help it catch waves early and maintain speed through flatter sections. However, positioning is key—get your weight right and the board glides effortlessly.

What’s up with the thick rails—how do they ride?

The Milo has a flat deck with full rails, especially under the chest area. These rails increase stability and paddle power. Toward the tail, they thin out, allowing for responsive turns and better control off the bottom.

Is the Milo only good for small waves?

Not at all. The Milo performs well in a wide range of conditions—from knee-high to overhead surf. While it handles smaller surf with ease, it really shines in clean, steeper waves where its speed and turning ability come alive.

How heavy is the Milo? What’s the construction like?

The Milo comes in Thunderbolt Red construction by default—this gives it a medium-weight feel that blends durability with responsive flex. It’s heavier than most EPS boards but lighter than traditional PU, echoing classic '70s fish designs.

What fin setup works best for the Milo?

CJ recommends the (NPJ) APEX Twin + Trailer setup. The twin gives drive and flow, while the small trailer fin adds control and pivot—perfect for the Milo’s hybrid design.

What fin setup should I ride on the Milo Fish?

The Milo Fish comes with a 2+1 FCS fin configuration — three fin boxes set up to ride as a twin with a small trailer fin. CJ Nelson rides his own Milo with the Neal Purchase Jr Flying Diamond twin set paired with a small trailer fin, which he describes as giving the board versatile drive and pivoty turns. Many Milo riders run a twin without a trailer when conditions are small and mushy and they want maximum looseness and glide, then add the trailer when the surf picks up size or power for more grip and stability. The 2+1 box setup gives you flexibility to experiment with what works best for your style and the conditions you surf.

Is the Milo Fish a true keel fish or something different?

The Milo looks reminiscent of an old twin-fin fish, but it isn't a true keel fish design — that's an important distinction CJ makes himself. Its outline and rocker are more refined than a traditional keel fish, blending the soul of a classic MR-style twin with modern fish design elements. The result is a more versatile board than a pure keel fish: it still has that loose, drivey, fun-first feel, but it has more control in a wider range of conditions and rewards real surfing off the rail. Think of it less as a one-trick small-wave fish and more as a fun all-rounder built to make every session enjoyable.

What size Milo Fish should I order?

Milo Fish sizing depends on your weight, your skill level, the conditions you surf most, and how you want the board to feel. Taller or heavier surfers and riders stepping down from a longboard usually lean toward the 6'6" or 6'9", while lighter or more experienced riders who want a quicker, more responsive feel often choose the 6'3". The right size depends on the full picture, so contact us directly and we'll help you dial it in:

When you reach out, include your current board dimensions and volume, how you want to ride the Milo (more of a small-wave fun board or more of a one-board quiver for mixed conditions), the type of breaks you surf most (beach break, reef break, point break), how often you surf, and your location — location affects shipping options and helps us give you accurate delivery information.