Thoughts on a minimal

[Jeffdrisc]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on how a minimal compares to a longboard. I currently surf a 9'1 single fin in knee to chest high waves at a beach break with waves that aren't mushy, but aren't steep and hollow either. I am an intermediate surfer. I like the way my longboard paddles and love how I can take my time before I pop up, looking down the line & planning how I am going to approach the wave, but I am not much of a noserider and rather than trim, I prefer to pump down the line with drawn out carves. I am looking for one board I can surf in knee to shoulder high surf, not a quiver. With this said, I wonder if a minimal would be a better fit for my surfing style. Thanks! Jeff

[waikikikichan]

So you've been infected with the "Goldilocks Syndrome".
Wave Type - not to mushy , not too steep
Wave Size - not knee high , not head high but chest high
Level - not a Beginner , not a Advance/regular surfer but a Intermediate

So since you are in the middle of most categories, how about:
Fin set up - not Single , not Thruster but 2+1
Board size - not 9'0" Longboard , not 7'0" Funboard/Hybrid but a 8'0" Mini-Mal

You didn't say how Wide and how Thick you current 9'1" is. I would try to keep near or even a tiny bit more on width and thickness if you go down on Length, so you can still get in early.

Also I would put on a Traction Pad since you like to ride the tail and carve.

[dtc]

If you go shorter, say under 8ft (depending on your weight - it might be shorter), then you wont get the long board glide on the wave face. You dont have to pump for speed but it definitely feels different

As someone with 7ft4 mini mal, I'm perhaps guilty of the Goldilocks syndrome? but I surf it all the time and havent pulled out my 9ft1 for several years (I have a shorter board as well). I just prefer it; its still pretty wide (22 inches) and thick with a rounded mal nose. That said, most of the waves I surf will generally be at least waist to head high faces; I suppose it works on knee high but its not very good (too long to 'pump' and too short/low volume to just glide).

Basically you will never know until you try. and there is no reason not to have a quiver - a board for the slightly larger waves and one for the smaller waves.

I do agree with wkk that staying roughly the same width and thickness is worth it, and maybe see if you can get one with a slightly wider/thicker tail if you are surfing the small waves most of the time. The bigger tail will help push the board along.

[Jeffdrisc]

Thanks for the replys. My 9'1 is 22.5" wide and 2.75" thick. I think stepping down a foot or so in length, but keeping the same length & thickness might be the way to go.

[KitesurferAU]

what does stop you riding your longboard more aggressively? I can see a lot of skillful surfers can do big snaps and carves on longboards.

Personally I had bad experience with minimal as it was my first board and been a 7.6 was quite narrow (20.5) for a beginner. Most of the waves I had to give priority to longboarders as they could sit far outback than me.

I would suggest trying High Performance longboard with 2+1 fins or even thruster setup. Or go for a short board