Just because he didn't use light speed reflexes in that one instance doesn't mean that he CAN'T.
Now lets just say that he doesn't have light speed reflexes just for the sake of argument. On his board he can still travel faster than the speed of light (or 99% the speed of light depending on which comics you read). Which means that he can zip around CM and blast him. It would take quite a few blasts, but I believe CM would get K.O. ed sooner or later. Surfer can unleash blasts strong enough to level a large city. That's pretty powerful.
as far as CM having "The Wisdom of Solomon"... well as I have already said... the wisdom of a biblical mortal is not enough to counter the countless years Surfer has of being a herald of galactus. BTW, Surfer is gifted in the intelligence area as well and he has the "cosmic awareness."