Lost Mini Driver

[buzzy]

Goanna, thanks for the offer. I'm enthusiastically looking at the Unibrow now which is a similar outline but perhaps closer to what I have in mind for my needs. I really need to demo/fondle one and hear some feedback from people who have actually used one.

yeah the volume thing is interesting. Theoretically I could surf a board with volume anywhere between say 33 litres up to around 43 litres depending on the waves concerned. My actual boards range from 35.5 or so to 41.8. I suspect around the 37 or 38 mark is around perfect for me for average to better waves. That's bearing in mind I have a bung left shoulder (rotator cuff tear) which means my paddling lacks the explosiveness it once had. Plus I'm older and slower. So I need a board with a tad more volume to get me into a wave earlier. There's a touch of a performance tradeoff but that's the world eh!

[Goanna]

Great to see that you and Minnie have made friends :)

Thanks Jase - she might even find a place in my heart right next to the ElFuego and Futura - it's a big call but time will tell!
I've realised that I haven't had to get to know a board in around 5 years as they have all been great from the get go. Ironically after my early MD woes the last 2 surfs in marginal conditions have ingnited the inner grommet in me and I can't wait to find out what else the board can do for me.

Goanna good to hear. I am getting more used to my MD now and finding i havn't really had that bad surf again, i mean I have had some shockers but its the 12 coopers the night before and not the board. i know what you mate is on about the whole dehydration thing I find that if i am surfing 3-4 hours a day over a week or so my performance drops as the days go on and after a few days out i am back on track, but if only surfing a 2hrs every second day i seem to improve. Hope the swells is up down your way.

Good to see you are supporting a great Aussie Beer!

Goanna, thanks for the offer. I'm enthusiastically looking at the Unibrow now which is a similar outline but perhaps closer to what I have in mind for my needs. I really need to demo/fondle one and hear some feedback from people who have actually used one.

yeah the volume thing is interesting. Theoretically I could surf a board with volume anywhere between say 33 litres up to around 43 litres depending on the waves concerned. My actual boards range from 35.5 or so to 41.8. I suspect around the 37 or 38 mark is around perfect for me for average to better waves. That's bearing in mind I have a bung left shoulder (rotator cuff tear) which means my paddling lacks the explosiveness it once had. Plus I'm older and slower. So I need a board with a tad more volume to get me into a wave earlier. There's a touch of a performance tradeoff but that's the world eh!

Yeah Buzzy I'm lovin the look of the Unibrow myself - I'm hooked on the MD right now and trust me - that's a relief!
That being said I'll be looking on in interest

[Goanna]

Paddled out in 3ft clean waves this afternoon and by the time I was finished it was around 5ft+ thanks to a cyclone swell due to hit overnight.
Although inconsistant when they came there were 3 -5 waves in the set with the last wave the biggest.
The take offs were long, steep and fast then quickly filled up for a long full wall so I got to put her through her paces.
The MD paddled in early and caught the larger sets with ease and handled the drop with complete confidence to the point where in the end - I wasn't even thinking about the drop - I was eyeing off the next section and what I was going to do when I got there. (or try to anyway!)
This board seems to hold no matter how hard you push it.

She's a keeper!

[prjwebb]

Yeah she's a reliable one that's for sure. I find it doesn't have the little magic spark that boards like my CBD has, but at the same time it's handles a wider range of conditions and always feels solid and dependable and does everything I want it to do. It's a work horse! I like the wider nose outline for paddling and getting into waves. Once I get back on my shortboards the noses always feel really skinny and unstable compared to the MD.

[FW - Fan]

Paddled out in 3ft clean waves this afternoon and by the time I was finished it was around 5ft+ thanks to a cyclone swell due to hit overnight.
Although inconsistant when they came there were 3 -5 waves in the set with the last wave the biggest.
The take offs were long, steep and fast then quickly filled up for a long full wall so I got to put her through her paces.
The MD paddled in early and caught the larger sets with ease and handled the drop with complete confidence to the point where in the end - I wasn't even thinking about the drop - I was eyeing off the next section and what I was going to do when I got there. (or try to anyway!)
This board seems to hold no matter how hard you push it.

She's a keeper!

I too had a crack on mine today G...was reasonably solid by the arvo before the NE's stuffed it..its like when I dont surf this board I start to have doubts about it...and then I surf it and think what was I thinking...its a great board and would go sooooo good in sucky hollow waves. Today was 5ft ish but a little fat but despite this it paddled in so easily and the tail held when it it the bank and started to hold up..hope its bigger tomorrow !!!

[Goanna]

Yeah she's a reliable one that's for sure. I find it doesn't have the little magic spark that boards like my CBD has, but at the same time it's handles a wider range of conditions and always feels solid and dependable and does everything I want it to do. It's a work horse! I like the wider nose outline for paddling and getting into waves. Once I get back on my shortboards the noses always feel really skinny and unstable compared to the MD.

You've hit the nail on the head Phil.
Now I've ridden the MD in a wide range of conditions my perfect quiver is clearer than ever to me
some time down the track I can see my perfect quiver being

5'6" Sweet or Baked Potato - for 1-2ft slop
6'1" El Fuego (if I can get my hands on one) - for 2-4ft full waves
6'2" Mini Driver 2ft-8ft for waves with grunt

[Chris]

good stuff!!

[big leigh]

Could this be a one board quiver?? ive sold my alternator because its to small , its a 6-4, i was thinking a 6-4 md, i have a 5-10 potatonator for real small waves but a 6-0 would be probably better, so i was thinking the 6-4 md as being the one and only board??? might help my surfing not changing boards....

[FW - Fan]

Could this be a one board quiver?? ive sold my alternator because its to small , its a 6-4, i was thinking a 6-4 md, i have a 5-10 potatonator for real small waves but a 6-0 would be probably better, so i was thinking the 6-4 md as being the one and only board??? might help my surfing not changing boards....

I dont see the MD as a one board quiver..its great at 3-5 but below or under that there are much better boards. I would upgrade your PN to a 6'0 if thats an issue and get a 6'4 MD for up to 5-6 foot. In case your wondering I have both a 5'10 PN and a 6'2 MD.

[Goanna]

Yeah I agree with FW-Fan although I don't have any trouble catching sub 3ft waves on the MD.
I'm hanging to get it in some nice 3ft fun waves. So far it's been 1-2ft fun, 5ft onshore/powerful and 5-7 ft cyclone swell.