Surf Champ

Surf Champ, designed by Ed Krynski and manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Company in 1976, is a four-player electromechanical pinball machine that arrived in the final years before Gottlieb's shift to solid-state technology. Its lighthearted surf-and-swim theme captures the sporty, sun-soaked spirit popular in mid-1970s pinball design.

Key gameplay features include two flippers, two pop bumpers, and two slingshots, providing plenty of opportunities for dynamic play. Five star rollovers, a 5-bank drop target, a spinning target, and a kick-out hole add variety to the gameplay experience. Surf Champ's maximum displayed point score is 99,990 points per player, and its replay wheel maxes out at 15 free games.

With more than 10,000 units confirmed produced, Surf Champ was a commercially successful title for Gottlieb, and its two-player counterpart, Surfer, was released the same year. Designed by Ed Krynski with artwork by Gordon Morison, Surf Champ offers a glimpse into Gottlieb's late-EM-era design during the mid-1970s.