Mini-Simmons as my next board?

[IB_Surfer]

I was toying with the idea of getting a new board (yes again) . I was a thinking of getting a small-wave board for when the waves are more than a foot but not shortboard worthy. I have a longboard and a fish so I want another option.

Was thinking of going short and fat, a mini-simmons twin, 5'8 x 20.5 x 2 3/4. Still not sure though, I usually don't go that short, I'm 50 and weigh 175, so that is as small as I can go. I'm undecided...

[drowningbitbybit]

Was thinking of going short and fat, a mini-simmons twin, 5'8 x 20.5 x 2 3/4. Still not sure though, I usually don't go that short, I'm 50 and weigh 175, so that is as small as I can go.

From a length and volume point of view, you should be fine - I got a 5'10 x 22 x 2 3/4 as my seriously small wave board, and I reckon I could have easily gone to 5'8 or knocked an inch or two off the outline. I'm taller and heavier than you, so the 5'8 shouldn't be a huge drama for you. The mini simmons look like a lot of fun so I say yes

[surf patrol]

I was toying with the idea of getting a new board

I'm pretty sure no one is surprised by this

[dtc]

I know a few people who love them.

[hit_the_lip]

Just a thought, but have you looked at the CI average joe or the Lost puddle jumper? They are mini-simmons-ish, but with some performance characteristics so you can turn. Plenty of volume to catch waves, especially volume in the front for good paddling and wave catching But the tails are pulled in so you can hit the lip on those little waist high mush burgers. I have the puddle jumper, and I swear, that board has improved my surfing tremendously. Traditional mini-simmons boards look too boxy, and hard to turn for me, but never surfed one.

[Big H]

I think it's a great idea....looked around and a lot of people recommend getting it made in EPS....seems like the biggest issue is scrubbing off speed; sounds like a lot of fun for stuff too small for even a fish. The dims you proposed seem on the small side; the little bit I poked around it seems that for a 5'8" you should be looking at around a 21.5-22" wide board about as thick as you planned for the mini sims experience......anyway, have a look at this aficionado site I found, pretty cool....

http://www.minisimmonssurfboards.com

[waikikikichan]

Traditional mini-simmons boards look too boxy, and hard to turn

Maybe your opinion will change after viewing this

It's on talked about on another post, but check out the fin out bottom turn at :37.

Just a thought, but have you looked at the CI average joe or the Lost puddle jumper? They are mini-simmons-ish,

Those boards are very un-like what a true Mini-simmons is. They might be stumpy and wide, but you really need to look at the bottom and how Displacement Hulls works.

[Big H]

After watching that video I think everyone will want one now.......

[Big H]

This wave is tiny!

[Big H]

IB....I was looking though the archives, curious to learn more about mini simmons or other small wave boards...I came across this thread....you had a mini simmons 5'!0" before?

viewtopic.php?t=17051


So......color me confused.

[oldenglish]

That Tyler warren board is a mini Simmons inspired board. Not a traditional shape. With a spiral on the bottom it makes it turn a lot easier I am sure. Simmons and most trad hulls are down the line boards not vertical pocket boards.

Small waves are just like big waves. All of them are different. Sometimes small waves are pocket waves needing a board that can be stalled well or surfed top to bottom to milk as much as you can out of it. Sometimes small waves are walled up speed waves that favor down the line types of boards. Just ask yourself where you surf when it's small and what board favors that wave. Sometimes I wish I was on a pocket friendly thruster where I could hug the power source when my fast quad grovel board is constantly running out on the shoulder.

I like Simmons boards, they look like a lot of fun in waves that favor them. Probably an absolute blast surfing points on small to medium days. None of those waves in the vids are what I consider small grovel waves. Small yes, grovel no. A short board would work fine in those waves.

Anyone can grab vids of rippers surfing waves but it doesn't mean xxxxx because they aren't your average surfer, I'm sure you know this, but this is out to people that think a video means anything. Kind of like taking board descriptions from companies and pros seriously.

[waikikikichan]

We had one regular customer who weighed 250 lbs. order a 5'11" Mini-simmons. After riding it for a while, he ordered a 5'9" and like it better. So I think you can go smaller than 5'8".

[IB_Surfer]

IB....I was looking though the archives, curious to learn more about mini simmons or other small wave boards...I came across this thread....you had a mini simmons 5'!0" before?

viewtopic.php?t=17051


So......color me confused.

That was a while back, when I did not appreciate it, plus it was super thick and wide. Was thinking of version 2

[Big H]

Gotcha.....I sold a board a while ago and bought it back 6 months later.....plus a narrower board with less thickness would be a different ride.

[IB_Surfer]

So after a lot of thinking and finally pulling the trigger here she is, 5'9 x 21 1 /2 x 2 3/4 mini simmons. I went triple stringer for an a nostalgic look.

[dtc]

Mini sims look so much fun - making a big 'comeback' here in Australia instead of (I presume) the more standard groveller boards. Too small for me but for actual proper good surfers I'm hearing great things.

Make sure you give feedback

[IB_Surfer]

So far I've used it almost daily, but it has been really small in San Diego.

So far it paddles and catches like my twin fin fish but it performs way better, it doesn't slide around as much, holds a little better. I don't think it will replace any of my shortboards but I have yet to try it in bigger surf to make the call. Will post again when a good swell comes by

[IB_Surfer]

So I ended up selling her, the tripple stringer made it heavier, and the cut in rails where weird, so having it redone, changing specs to 5'8 x 22 x 2 3/4, the next iteration will be ready in 3 weeks, will post up soon.

By the way, I sold my fish, the mini-simmons was way better!

[IB_Surfer]

ok, pout of the shaping bay

[dtc]

Looks like something you would have in a sleek modernist house as a feature decoration.

That's a compliment btw