9' x 31 @ 120L Mini Lord Custom.
I have a bad hip and wanted something reasonably stable, I usually paddle for a few hours or more in a variety of conditions. So this was one of the reasons for a custom, have ridden a few boards, know roughly what feels comfortable for me volume wise and order this from SMIK. The board is everything I hoped for, performance, paddling, quality. Have ridden it now in a variety of conditions from 2 to 6ft, current and wind effected, to glassy calm walls.Have the centre fin most of the way forward in the box and happy atm. Will experiment a little eventually. Board was damaged in transit which was disappointing, but all care was taken and is always a possibility with a board in transit. Was an easy fix locally. Only thing I might change, I like a rear kick pad with arch support/mound so I can feel my rear foot is mostly in the right place. Planning on just riding it for a while before thinking about changing. Bought a SMIK paddle with the board, light, great flex, another quality product IMO.
Thanks SMIK

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rwtaaffe said..


9' x 31 @ 120L Mini Lord Custom.
I have a bad hip and wanted something reasonably stable, I usually paddle for a few hours or more in a variety of conditions. So this was one of the reasons for a custom, have ridden a few boards, know roughly what feels comfortable for me volume wise and order this from SMIK. The board is everything I hoped for, performance, paddling, quality. Have ridden it now in a variety of conditions from 2 to 6ft, current and wind effected, to glassy calm walls.Have the centre fin most of the way forward in the box and happy atm. Will experiment a little eventually. Board was damaged in transit which was disappointing, but all care was taken and is always a possibility with a board in transit. Was an easy fix locally. Only thing I might change, I like a rear kick pad with arch support/mound so I can feel my rear foot is mostly in the right place. Planning on just riding it for a while before thinking about changing. Bought a SMIK paddle with the board, light, great flex, another quality product IMO.
Thanks SMIK

Hey rwtaaffe, great looking board! I've been on the lookout for a new board for 12 months now and the Smik range looks the goods. One thing I'm certain is that I want something that is really stable. I'm 72 yrs and 69 kg. I don't want something that is tippy in less-than-glassy conditions! While waiting for a wave I like to relax and chat with the lads. Also, anything over head-high is not that tempting any more. My brain now writes cheques that my body can't cash! So . how would you rate for stability and ease of wave-catching? I'm fairly light so the 120l looks not too corky. Am I right about that.
Looking forward to more comments from you and maybe a vid or too.
Cheers, Jimbo

Ahoy Captain, have been trying to ride as many boards as I can get my hands on. I am 54 and 78kgs, paddle as often as possible and considered myself intermediate plus level rider. I had a fair idea on the volume and 120L is ball park for my ability atm. For longer sessions and in poor conditions I am happy about 31' wide. Paddles onto waves well IMO, for what the board is.Have ridden 33 down to 28.75 inch wide boards. I loved the narrow board(rode it in Sumbawa and conditions were glassy n perfect til the wind came). It became miserable as the chop increased. Narrower and less volume mean better performance, but at a cost.
I ordered this board/dimensions to suit what I considered our local day to day conditions.
I might add another board to make a quiver one day, probably same board but 29' and a little less volume. Performance, be it paddling, catching waves, surfing once on the wave, are all personal preferences. IMO ride as many boards as you can put your feet on, even if it's flat water, read reviews and do a little research.
You will get an idea what works for you.
More than happy to Demo my board to anyone who is interested ??

Select to expand quote

rwtaaffe said..
Ahoy Captain, have been trying to ride as many boards as I can get my hands on. I am 54 and 78kgs, paddle as often as possible and considered myself intermediate plus level rider. I had a fair idea on the volume and 120L is ball park for my ability atm. For longer sessions and in poor conditions I am happy about 31' wide. Paddles onto waves well IMO, for what the board is.Have ridden 33 down to 28.75 inch wide boards. I loved the narrow board(rode it in Sumbawa and conditions were glassy n perfect til the wind came). It became miserable as the chop increased. Narrower and less volume mean better performance, but at a cost.
I ordered this board/dimensions to suit what I considered our local day to day conditions.
I might add another board to make a quiver one day, probably same board but 29' and a little less volume. Performance, be it paddling, catching waves, surfing once on the wave, are all personal preferences. IMO ride as many boards as you can put your feet on, even if it's flat water, read reviews and do a little research.
You will get an idea what works for you.
More than happy to Demo my board to anyone who is interested ??

Thanks rwtaaffe, I think I'm intermediate to advanced too. [Years of prone longboard surfing] I've demoed a few boards, especially at Merimbula - my local break - during the Classic. I was really looking forward to trying some Smiks last year but Scotty didn't make it. Bummer! I know where you're coming from in terms of width. I'm also happy on about 31" but not 29", especially on my Speeed in any chop or wind. I'm currently riding a McKill [Pambula maker] which is 9'6" and 31.5 wide. It has a fair bit of water on board so I'm scared to weigh but believe me it is not corky at all. Slow on a wave but hangs in and turns ok off the tail. Somewhere between the McKill and the Sunova would be nice. I think something in the Smik range might be ideal. Ta for the info. I'll keep trying to get a Smik demo. Cheers, Jimbo

Board looks really nice and good useable size.

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rwtaaffe said..
Ahoy Captain, have been trying to ride as many boards as I can get my hands on. I am 54 and 78kgs, paddle as often as possible and considered myself intermediate plus level rider. I had a fair idea on the volume and 120L is ball park for my ability atm. For longer sessions and in poor conditions I am happy about 31' wide. Paddles onto waves well IMO, for what the board is.Have ridden 33 down to 28.75 inch wide boards. I loved the narrow board(rode it in Sumbawa and conditions were glassy n perfect til the wind came). It became miserable as the chop increased. Narrower and less volume mean better performance, but at a cost.
I ordered this board/dimensions to suit what I considered our local day to day conditions.
I might add another board to make a quiver one day, probably same board but 29' and a little less volume. Performance, be it paddling, catching waves, surfing once on the wave, are all personal preferences. IMO ride as many boards as you can put your feet on, even if it's flat water, read reviews and do a little research.
You will get an idea what works for you.
More than happy to Demo my board to anyone who is interested ??

I'm similar age, weight.
i have a smik hipster twin longboard 9'2" x 29" x124lts
it's a beautiful board, but in challenging sea conditions and extra 1" on width would be nice.
must say I'm impressed in how it rides and the durability, I would love a more shorter board style smik to add to quiver similar to yours.

Select to expand quote

rgmacca said..
Board looks really nice and good useable size.

rwtaaffe said..
Ahoy Captain, have been trying to ride as many boards as I can get my hands on. I am 54 and 78kgs, paddle as often as possible and considered myself intermediate plus level rider. I had a fair idea on the volume and 120L is ball park for my ability atm. For longer sessions and in poor conditions I am happy about 31' wide. Paddles onto waves well IMO, for what the board is.Have ridden 33 down to 28.75 inch wide boards. I loved the narrow board(rode it in Sumbawa and conditions were glassy n perfect til the wind came). It became miserable as the chop increased. Narrower and less volume mean better performance, but at a cost.
I ordered this board/dimensions to suit what I considered our local day to day conditions.
I might add another board to make a quiver one day, probably same board but 29' and a little less volume. Performance, be it paddling, catching waves, surfing once on the wave, are all personal preferences. IMO ride as many boards as you can put your feet on, even if it's flat water, read reviews and do a little research.
You will get an idea what works for you.
More than happy to Demo my board to anyone who is interested ??

I'm similar age, weight.
i have a smik hipster twin longboard 9'2" x 29" x124lts
it's a beautiful board, but in challenging sea conditions and extra 1" on width would be nice.
must say I'm impressed in how it rides and the durability, I would love a more shorter board style smik to add to quiver similar to yours.

I am 72. A massive 65 kegs. Horrible balance from crashes, no ligaments, blah blah.

My 9'2" HipTwin is super stable at 30.75" wide. The plan shape makes for a very stable ride in wonky waves.

Select to expand quote

cbigsup said..

rgmacca said..
Board looks really nice and good useable size.

rwtaaffe said..
Ahoy Captain, have been trying to ride as many boards as I can get my hands on. I am 54 and 78kgs, paddle as often as possible and considered myself intermediate plus level rider. I had a fair idea on the volume and 120L is ball park for my ability atm. For longer sessions and in poor conditions I am happy about 31' wide. Paddles onto waves well IMO, for what the board is.Have ridden 33 down to 28.75 inch wide boards. I loved the narrow board(rode it in Sumbawa and conditions were glassy n perfect til the wind came). It became miserable as the chop increased. Narrower and less volume mean better performance, but at a cost.
I ordered this board/dimensions to suit what I considered our local day to day conditions.
I might add another board to make a quiver one day, probably same board but 29' and a little less volume. Performance, be it paddling, catching waves, surfing once on the wave, are all personal preferences. IMO ride as many boards as you can put your feet on, even if it's flat water, read reviews and do a little research.
You will get an idea what works for you.
More than happy to Demo my board to anyone who is interested ??

I'm similar age, weight.
i have a smik hipster twin longboard 9'2" x 29" x124lts
it's a beautiful board, but in challenging sea conditions and extra 1" on width would be nice.
must say I'm impressed in how it rides and the durability, I would love a more shorter board style smik to add to quiver similar to yours.

I am 72. A massive 65 kegs. Horrible balance from crashes, no ligaments, blah blah.

My 9'2" HipTwin is super stable at 30.75" wide. The plan shape makes for a very stable ride in wonky waves.

cbigsup, that sounds like the sup for me! Just tell me it catches waves fairly easily and I'll do all I can to demo one.
Oooo, now I'm excited!
Cheers, Jimbo

STYLE LORD Captain (caps in computer talk means shouting)

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CaptainJimbo said..

cbigsup said..

rgmacca said..
Board looks really nice and good useable size.

rwtaaffe said..
Ahoy Captain, have been trying to ride as many boards as I can get my hands on. I am 54 and 78kgs, paddle as often as possible and considered myself intermediate plus level rider. I had a fair idea on the volume and 120L is ball park for my ability atm. For longer sessions and in poor conditions I am happy about 31' wide. Paddles onto waves well IMO, for what the board is.Have ridden 33 down to 28.75 inch wide boards. I loved the narrow board(rode it in Sumbawa and conditions were glassy n perfect til the wind came). It became miserable as the chop increased. Narrower and less volume mean better performance, but at a cost.
I ordered this board/dimensions to suit what I considered our local day to day conditions.
I might add another board to make a quiver one day, probably same board but 29' and a little less volume. Performance, be it paddling, catching waves, surfing once on the wave, are all personal preferences. IMO ride as many boards as you can put your feet on, even if it's flat water, read reviews and do a little research.
You will get an idea what works for you.
More than happy to Demo my board to anyone who is interested ??

I'm similar age, weight.
i have a smik hipster twin longboard 9'2" x 29" x124lts
it's a beautiful board, but in challenging sea conditions and extra 1" on width would be nice.
must say I'm impressed in how it rides and the durability, I would love a more shorter board style smik to add to quiver similar to yours.

I am 72. A massive 65 kegs. Horrible balance from crashes, no ligaments, blah blah.

My 9'2" HipTwin is super stable at 30.75" wide. The plan shape makes for a very stable ride in wonky waves.

cbigsup, that sounds like the sup for me! Just tell me it catches waves fairly easily and I'll do all I can to demo one.
Oooo, now I'm excited!
Cheers, Jimbo

Ahoy Captain! Catches everything easily!

Select to expand quote

rockmagnet said..
STYLE LORD Captain (caps in computer talk means shouting)

Thanks rocky. It's on my list to check out!

Select to expand quote

cbigsup said..

CaptainJimbo said..

cbigsup said..

rgmacca said..
Board looks really nice and good useable size.

rwtaaffe said..
Ahoy Captain, have been trying to ride as many boards as I can get my hands on. I am 54 and 78kgs, paddle as often as possible and considered myself intermediate plus level rider. I had a fair idea on the volume and 120L is ball park for my ability atm. For longer sessions and in poor conditions I am happy about 31' wide. Paddles onto waves well IMO, for what the board is.Have ridden 33 down to 28.75 inch wide boards. I loved the narrow board(rode it in Sumbawa and conditions were glassy n perfect til the wind came). It became miserable as the chop increased. Narrower and less volume mean better performance, but at a cost.
I ordered this board/dimensions to suit what I considered our local day to day conditions.
I might add another board to make a quiver one day, probably same board but 29' and a little less volume. Performance, be it paddling, catching waves, surfing once on the wave, are all personal preferences. IMO ride as many boards as you can put your feet on, even if it's flat water, read reviews and do a little research.
You will get an idea what works for you.
More than happy to Demo my board to anyone who is interested ??

I'm similar age, weight.
i have a smik hipster twin longboard 9'2" x 29" x124lts
it's a beautiful board, but in challenging sea conditions and extra 1" on width would be nice.
must say I'm impressed in how it rides and the durability, I would love a more shorter board style smik to add to quiver similar to yours.

I am 72. A massive 65 kegs. Horrible balance from crashes, no ligaments, blah blah.

My 9'2" HipTwin is super stable at 30.75" wide. The plan shape makes for a very stable ride in wonky waves.

cbigsup, that sounds like the sup for me! Just tell me it catches waves fairly easily and I'll do all I can to demo one.
Oooo, now I'm excited!
Cheers, Jimbo

Ahoy Captain! Catches everything easily!

cbigsup, thanks. It's a must-demo now.