I have been SUPing for a little over a year (fairly frequently) and I have moved from a 10' to a 9'5" to a 8'8" Naish X32 (last October). I am 6'3" a bit less than 90 kg (at the moment). I have fun on the 8'8" but I have been thinking about taking another step and the 7'10" x 29" Deep Minion has caught my eye. I have read they are stable and a lot of fun on a wave. I am going to the Maldives in July but most of the time I am surfing around Westernport and Flinders (and it is often small) - but I'll keep my other boards.
I have never been a short board rider. My smallest board was a 7'10" Trigger stubby 15 years ago, but most of my time has been a ~9' mal. I am OK on the 8'8" X32 unless it is very windy and choppy.
So, is a board like the Minion really meant for a guy like me? Are they really stable or is it just stable for Cirque du Soleil performers? And do they take special skills to ride in the surf - given they are wide in the tail and 3" narrower in the body?
I would appreciate any comments.
Simon at Deep produces all his boards locally so you are not stuck on certain sizes , you will probably need a touch foam for your size. Just give him a call to have a chat about it and he will tweak the board to suit you. m.0447324940.
The boards do have a different balance point and the fore and aft rocking is something to get used to , just offset your feet slightly to a surfer stance and it soaks up the motion. It only takes a few surfs to adjust. Perfect board for the Maldives 
They go surprisingly well in small stuff. Just check what we had last week during the WSL contest. Stability totally different to "regular" boards and a heap of fun. As Piros said, Simon can adapt them to your requirement. (From a septuagenarian with vertigo problems).
Thanks Piros and LogeiLad - I appreciate your comments. I have found some threads on the Minion and it would seem that I should be able handle the 7'10" (or at least, grow into it fairly quickly.)
cantSUPenough you are pretty much on the same trip I was - a little lighter. I think the 7-10 x 29 will be fine for you. For me at 95kegs it is an all rounder now.
Select to expand quotelotus blossom said..
cantSUPenough you are pretty much on the same trip I was - a little lighter. I think the 7-10 x 29 will be fine for you. For me at 95kegs it is an all rounder now.
Thanks. I had a chat with Chris Clarke - I am wondering if I could even go smaller (if I can stay under 90 kgs).
I reckon you could go shorter. It really depends on whether you are looking for super high performance and a challenge. At 95kg my 7-10 is 119L and when I got on it first was pretty hard. Now pretty cruisy and my go to board. I have a smaller JC to challenge myself.
Select to expand quotelotus blossom said..
I reckon you could go shorter. It really depends on whether you are looking for super high performance and a challenge. At 95kg my 7-10 is 119L and when I got on it first was pretty hard. Now pretty cruisy and my go to board. I have a smaller JC to challenge myself.
What were you riding before the 7'10" Minion? I do want a bit of a challenge and to have more fun on the waves (if only we had more frequent big waves to have fun on). But to be honest, I do not consider myself a "super high performance" surfer or SUPer, so I need to be realistic...
Having said that - I am 86 kg right now and the 7'10" on the Deep site is 124L - so if it will be cruisy then perhaps I should drop to 7'8".
Kidding yourself? Hope not, because that would mean I am too. I'm the same height and 5-10kg heavier than you and collect my 7'10" Minion in a couple of days. IMO it's all about mind set and working at it, which is what I'll be doing, and learning a new board to have heaps of fun on. Knowing the board won't crap itself whilst I'm being unkind to it really puts my mind at ease. Can't wait!
Select to expand quoteBrenno said..
Kidding yourself? Hope not, because that would mean I am too. I'm the same height and 5-10kg heavier than you and collect my 7'10" Minion in a couple of days. IMO it's all about mind set and working at it, which is what I'll be doing, and learning a new board to have heaps of fun on. Knowing the board won't crap itself whilst I'm being unkind to it really puts my mind at ease. Can't wait!
You must be looking forward to it! I am going to go for a 7'10" as well. I may have to wait 6 weeks or more... Oh well, I will be away for 3 of those weeks so I guess I will survive. After just reading through the 26 page minion thread (I really should get some work done) it seems like everyone is enjoying their minions. Just have to choose a color...
I went to the 7-10 119L minion from an 8-8 x 31 119L and a 9-1 x 33 135L. Both gone now.
Looks good Brenno! That's one of the color combos I am considering (it's OK, I am down in Victoria).
Select to expand quotelotus blossom said..
I went to the 7-10 119L minion from an 8-8 x 31 119L and a 9-1 x 33 135L. Both gone now.
Even the 9'1"? You don't find there are days when you want something bigger and more stable?
Select to expand quotecantSUPenough said...lotus blossom said..
I went to the 7-10 119L minion from an 8-8 x 31 119L and a 9-1 x 33 135L. Both gone now.
Even the 9'1"? You don't find there are days when you want something bigger and more stable?
Haha. Not yet. Probably will it was a beauty. Only so many sups can be accommodated. 
