Mini Simmons: What's the verdict?

That's a yes for me. I had a 6'0 true "twin fin"... not a mini sim or a fish, but a true twin fin design like the original MR Twin... and it definitely worked better with the trailer. Might be different on a mini simmons, but if you have the opportunity, go with the option of being able to use the trailing fin.

 

I 100% agree with that suggestion. My twinnie mini simmons immediately had a more responsive feel and shorter turning radius when i got rid of the keel fins and put in those upright (MR type) twin fins. I personally have never been a fan of keel fins in any board that i rode in small soft-faced waves under waist - stomach. I have had Keel finned fishes that I like a lot in more walled-up waist - shoulder high waves.

 

How ironic that people are talking about how fast this board is....yet, just a couple of days ago, I got slammed by some "expert shaper" on how the theory of flat rocker + fuller outline (parallel rails) = speed. He said the theory was "shonky".

When it's 15 to 1, I guess it really sucks being "1".

 

that shaper doesn't know what he's talking about. Flatter rocker is faster because there's less water being pushed. I wouldn't recommend any flat rocker board in steep or barreling waves of any size, but they excel in softer/flatter faced waves.

 

Waiting for a fish designed kind of like te lost bottom feeder should get it soon can't wait. It 5-9 20 1/2 by 2. 1/2. I'm 170 I think it will be perfect. Lots of float and good summer board. Mini Simmons look interesting but not as reactive as a board like the lost bottom feeder but I bet the mini Simmons shape could catch more waves and on waist high days there's something to be said bout that

 

It depends way more on wave hollowness than size. Hollow, pockety steep a-frames are not a good fit at all for any of my MS type boards. Even thigh-waist high waves of that type and I'm wishing I had brought something with more rocker.

long rolling point break type surf where you're out on the open face the whole time doing cutbacks, I've had really REALLY fun sessions on the MS in waves approaching shoulder high.

Yeah exactly ...ANY size

 

There is no doubt that those things kick into high gear and catch almost anything. I am shocked to hear that you guys are stoked on the way they turn and go rail to rail. I have seen guys on bigger days at blacks rocking them. I even saw a guy on the La Jolla reefs on a HUGE day, probably the biggest day I have ever surfed there. He was getting into the waves fine, but he was getting smoked inside the barrels and wasn't making it out. I have just never witnessed guys turn those things with style and grace. I don't always pay attention, I have just seen guys in very strange circumstances riding them, and im like, wtf are you on that today? Yeah, you may be able to tuck into a barrel at Blacks, but what happens when you come out and you have a huge, hollow shoulder in front of you.... how do you plan and whipping that puppy back around without eating sh** on a fast wave....

I guess in the proper knee to shoulder high application, it could work, or even on a sloooooow reef break like the cliffs. I just always thought they were wave catching beasts and you can catch similar surf to a long board, but you should expect similar performance capabilities... exaggerated turns and having to apply weight differently....

Never ridden one, but I "thought" I understood the design concept. Maybe not.

 

Haha, I posted my reply while you were typing that and now I see your comments. Makes perfect sense. Thats kind of what my long winded dissertation was assuming.

 

Both...5"+ in the front.. 3-3.25" in the rear
I used to run MRs in the rear..and little 2-2.5" in the fron for that twinzer feel...
Now rfc bamboo rocket fish keels for small days..and the quartet on bigger

I was there 7:30-10:30... I think i saw you...I was n-side pier..eddie/911surfreport was next me..for like an hour
Then i went to the southside...needed near the music pavilion...a friend was riding this bill thraillkill twin(see swaylocks.com. For info)... Unreal..I was on the coop speedhull

 

Agree and will do. Also one of the best

 

no my 5"2 mini simmons a twin setup, not twin with trailer, or a quad. i have rode it in chest plus lined up surf with these fins and it was no problem. not on purpose though, some days its just bigger then expected and mini was all i threw in my jeep.

 

I just finished shaping and riding my fourth board that fits this category, and have been riding the crap out of them for four years. They range in length from 4'11" to 5'9" all are around 22" wide, two are twinnies and two are quads, and all have super wide squared off tails.

My verdict is that the Mini Simmons is the current version of the 1990's rockered-out potato chips and the 2000's thick twin finned "retro" fishes" - they have merit but have been over-marketed/over consumed. Lots of people (including myself) went whole hog for the shape because it made surfing small soft waves SO easy and fun, decided to start riding them in better (waist - chest) waves for the speed and easy paddling, and eventually they became their go-to board in a lot of conditions where they could have been riding a more performance oriented board. They catch waves and make speed without putting effort into it, and that makes you feel like your surfing is better. You're beating sections that others aren't, and getting long rides in waves that others cant even paddle into if they are riding a more traditional shortboard.

I've started becoming aware that at least for me, the Mini Simmons can become a crutch. The grovel boards I was ripping up (in my head anyway) waist high waves on five years ago, now seem under-volumned. I cant make speed on these boards because the Mini Simmons have eroded my skills/instinct to work the board for speed...their wide planing hull does it for you.

My verdict is they are really fun in soft waves under waist high. Riding them in waves where you could be riding a more performance oriented, narrower board with more rocker comes with a price - your skills are negatively impacted - and that eventually becomes unsatisfying.

 

Great post and totally true, awesome boards until you realize you can't surf anything else because of them. This cube is gleaming.

 

Might that be because you were riding a board that was just better suited to the conditions, which in turn enabled you to make the longer sections and rides that others couldn't? I had a similar experience to the one you described, but I guess I just chalked it up to the idea that I was riding a board that was better suited to the typical mushy rolling waves we get in VA/NC. When it gets shoulder-head high, or when it's steep/hollow, I bust out my hpsb and haven't noticed a fall off on performance. I do get what you're saying about smaller waves and getting lazy from not having to work as hard on a flatter-rocker, wide board, but at the same time, that's why I ride that type of board. I can make sections that others aren't, and get longer rides. Then again, that is what satisfies me, so I guess it's all a matter of personal preference...

 

dead on mate!

This is exactly what I explain to people who are interested in these shapes. We have a board that is exactly what you are talking about a "mini simmons inspired design" a short round nose square tail quad. The board is so loose that if you try to surf if like a normal shorty you will look like a total kook, but if you can reign in the flow like you said you will absolutely own the smaller junky days when guys are just sinking on their normal shorty's.

 

Makes sense but it really is all about how you approach the wave on these boards. On a wider square tail style board you just gotta make sure to exaggerate the bottom turn. really get down low and out in front of the wave. I surf mine in small beach break stuff and still get in some great turns, but I know what you are saying about guys not looking like they are having fun on these boards. It you try to surf them like a proper shortboard you are in for a world of hurt. Totally different approach needed.