What is a mini mal?

[siqnic]

I've been surfing for over five years now and I don't clame to know everything thear is to know about surfing. This is why I must ask " what the heck is a Mini Mal"? I've never heard this term used ever and I've been alot of places. Can someone shine some light on the subject for me. PLEEEEEAAAAAAAASE

[drowningbitbybit]

Ask Sinista for a completely unbiased opinion


But for now...

A mini-mal is just that - a short malibu board. A dinky longboard basically. Say, 7'6 - 8' with a rounded nose and tail.

Learner friendly, but also work in most conditions so good for experienced surfers too

[DayWalker*]

It's a good length board for medium to small sized waves.
Great for just having fun out there or learning to surf

[surf patrol]

It's a funboard

[sinistapenguin]

Here is my unbiased opinion: (thanks drowning!)

A mini-mal is the closest thing to an 'all-rounder' as you can get.

You can do a lot of the shortboard tricks on a good one, but you can also carve it up nice and slow like a longboard.

The reason for drowning's little comment is that I have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about people thinking that they are only for beginner's. A good mini-mal is a proper board, not just for weekenders & surf schools.

That said, I was in Newquay the other week and could have spent a fortune on boards - I saw some awesome shortboards and my dream fish. I need some money so that I can expand my quiver!!

Check out the 'Surfboards' page on the main site - it has a description of different types of board.

[siqnic]

Greate! Thanks for the info! There is only one thing though. How can it be considerd a long board if it falls into a "fun board - 7 to 8 ft" range? Your definition makes sense though. I have a 7'6" and I can ride the nose on it! I can also carve a wooden stick with it. Once again thanks for clearing that up for me!

[sinistapenguin]

I don't think a mini-mal is considered a longboard.

Historically, the longboard is the 'Malibu' board and the mini-mal is exactly what it says a mini version of the Malibu board.

S

[goodysurf]

haha i have a mini mal and i flippin love it. mines only 7''3. i personally dont consider it a long board, and ride it like a short board. its not just for beginners though its a d ecent board i really like it. super vercitile. and its great for winter surfing in N.S;)

[RJD]

Just bought an 8' minimal, this after 5-6weeks of borrowing a 9'2" mal.

Didnt expect as much of a difference as there is, quite a bit harder to find my balance/get things right compared to the mal, only been out on it once in lousy conditions, few more times and I think I'll be back to where I was.

[DayWalker*]

When I switched to a mini mal from a 9 foot mal, I found that I had to
work a bit harder to catch a wave. Once you get the knack of it, it's all good

[RJD]

I still have the borrowed 9'2" aswell.

Took the mini out againg yesterday, feels like I'm back to square one, cant find my balance, hard to padle/catch a wave and a big step back in standing up etc...

I know I would have been fine on the mal last night, and I probably just need more time on the mini, but I'm so tempted to go back to the mal for a while.

[DayWalker*]

At the end of the day it's about having fun in the water.
If you're having fun with the mal, stick with it.
You could always switch to the mini mal later when u feel the need
for a bit more speed and manoeuvrability.

Cheers

[easty]

I must admit I love my mini mal and I would never part with it and the same for my short board , in fact I dont think you can ever own enough surfboards .......

[sazza]

hi just brought my first mini mal 7'6 and pink i love it, went out for it for the first time a few days ago and its the easiest board i've ever ridden, caught the waves first time didn't have to paddle hard or anything and balance wasn't a problem.