The first time I played this game in an arcade, I thought it was just so-so. Probably because the flippers were weak, I couldn't hit all the drop targets and I didn't really understand the game rules. But I was looking for a Gottlieb EM to buy and just couldn't stop looking at photos of Surf Champ, so when one came available at a decent price, I jumped for it.
And after fixing it up and playing it over and over, it has won me over. Yes, you can't hit all the drop targets with the right flipper - that's part of the challenge! You have to bank it off the bumpers, or backhand it with the left flipper. Same with the spinner: hit it with the right flipper and it's coming back at you - SDTM. But hit it with the left and it's up into the bumpers and probably through one of the rollovers, which is what you want.
I also love the fact that it's two games in one: completely different rules set and strategy depending on whether it's set for three or five balls. At five balls, bonus is key, and hitting the left rollover with the right flipper is the shot you have to master. Don't shoot for the star rollovers until you only have one left, then go for it and double bonus.
If it's set for three balls, then the pop bumpers count 1,000 (instead of 100) and you want to pound them as often as possible. Yes, you still need bonus, and the five star rollovers to set up the double bonus rollover, but you can't get to replay without the pops. And the points can add up fast.
My first thought was "what the hell is going on with this game?" And once I figured it out, I realized it was designed by a genius!