The CJ Nelson Outlier X, Parallax Plus & Chameleon — What's Actually Different Between Them
Three CJ Nelson boards landed at Hawaiian South Shore this week — the Outlier X, the Parallax Plus, and the Chameleon. Here's what each one actually does, what sizes are in stock, and which ones you can test-ride before you buy.
A customer picked up the Outlier X in 6'6 last week, turned it over twice, and asked the question everyone asks about this board: how many sizes does it come in? Three. But the 6'3, the 6'6, and the 6'9 aren't just the same board in different lengths — the volume and rail shape shift enough between them that picking the wrong one actually changes how the board rides. Go too small and you're fighting to paddle into anything. Go too big and you lose the quick, responsive feel that makes the board worth buying in the first place. That's true of all three CJ Nelson boards we got in this week. So instead of just listing them, here's what's actually different.
The Outlier X
CJ Nelson built the Outlier X with Ryan Engle to solve one problem: most boards that paddle easy don't turn well, and most boards that turn well don't paddle easy. The rolled entry lets it trim without you having to pump for speed, but the rails and rocker still hold an edge when you want to turn. That's the whole idea — a board that catches waves like something bigger, then surfs like something smaller once you're up.
It handles a wide range too. Same board works in knee-high junk and holds together in double overhead. That's not normal for one outline.
Size Available:
6'3 X 21 1/4 X 2 5/8 — V39.02
6'6 X 21 1/2 X 2 3/4 — V42.82
6'9 X 21 3/4 X 2 7/8 — V47
Best for: surfers who want one board that covers small days and real swell
The Parallax Plus
The Parallax Plus traces back to the hull design Nat Young rode at Malibu in 1968. CJ Nelson and Ryan Engle updated it with more rocker than the original Parallax, so it handles steeper faces without the nose catching — the one issue hull boards usually have. The hull bottom glides into waves early and carries speed through the flat sections, while a wider tail with down rails shortens the rail line enough to actually turn it, not just trim in a straight line.
Run it as a single fin for classic flow, or add side bites when the surf picks up and you want more drive.
Size Available:
7'10 X 22 3/4 X 2 3/4 — V55.22
8'3 X 23 X 2 7/8 — V61.51
8'10 X 23 X 3 — V68.71
9'6 X 23 1/2 X 3 3/16 — V79.29
Best for: surfers who want old-school glide with real turning ability
The Chameleon
CJ Nelson calls the Chameleon "quite possibly the most user-friendly longboard in the world today," and the design backs that up. It's not a log, and it's not a performance shortboard shrunk into a longboard body — it's built to do both. The wide nose generates enough lift to noseride cleanly, while performance rails and a blended concave let it hold an edge and turn instead of just pivoting around.
It adapts from a mellow trim day to punchy, hollow waves without needing a different board.
Size Available:
9'1 X 23 X 3 — V66
9'5 X 23 1/2 X 3 1/8 — V73.09
10' X 23 3/4 X 3 3/16 — V79.46
Best for: surfers who want to noseride and still turn the board hard
Test One Before You Buy
Reading specs only gets you so far. All three boards have demo units in-store this week, so you can actually feel the difference instead of guessing from a spec sheet.
- Outlier X — 6'3 and 6'6 Volan available to demo
- Parallax Plus — 8'3, 9'1, 9'6, and 9'9 available to demo
- Chameleon — 9'1 and 9'5 available to demo
Come by the shop and ask for one by name.
See Thunderbolt Rental Availability →
Restocked Fins & Gear
The HSS Small Box Thruster Center Fin is back in stock — it's one of our best sellers for a reason. One of our customers, Jacob, put together a full review of it if you want to see it in action before you buy.
We also restocked four Futures fin sets this week.
Futures Fins — Restocked
Board Bags — Restocked
Fish Day Use Board Cover — Black Silver, a day-to-day cover for wider fun boards. Sizes 5'6, 5'10, and 6'0.
Longboard Double Bag — Black Silver, a lightweight travel cover that carries two boards at once. Fits 8'0 and 9'6.
Florence Marine X — Restocked
Cordura Utility Short — their most functional short yet, with a 360 drawcord and 4-way stretch Cordura. Storm and Black, sizes 28″–36″.
F1 Pro Hawaii in Turkish Camo — sizes 28″–42″.
Tee Deconstructed — 100% cotton, standard fit, Off White. Sizes S–XL.
Hat Airtex Boonie — breathable boonie in Mountain Camo. SM/MD and LG/XL.
Moskova also added three new boxer colorways this week — a Bugarski collab print, Palm Pink, and Leopard Camo. All of it's in stock now on the site, no waiting required.
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Sign Up for the NewsletterVisit Hawaiian South Shore
All three CJ Nelson boards, the restocked fins, and the new apparel are in the shop now. If you're not sure which board fits how you actually surf, ask us — that's what the demo units are for. Bring your usual board dimensions and we'll help you match a size instead of guessing off a spec sheet alone.
320 Ward Ave #111, Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 597-9055
Open 7 Days
Mon–Fri: 10:30 AM–6:30 PM | Sat: 10:30 AM–7:00 PM | Sun: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM