Just scored a fresh Coil Megamind

Ok, again, tonight's sesh was in a complete joke of swell. 1-1.5ft at 6s. I really just took it out to get used to paddling on it and get foot placement down before the Bertha swell. No delusions of grandeur were had. I'm basically only writing about it since several of you Coil fans/aficionados are eager for another report. I can honestly say though that I do have a baseline to compare it to because I've surfed a lot of different boards in under 2ft waves by now on the EC and am actually having higher wave count sessions these days in them (albeit single-turn takeoffs on most). I'm sure the sessions I'll have later this week will give far more feedback as the action we expect to get then makes tonight's sesh pale in comparison.

On takeoffs, I felt like the board would tell me instantly if it was in the wave or not. Gaff says the Megamind is a good no-paddle wave board, and I can see that. There was no see-saw where you're at the fulcrum on the crest and it's mostly up to your paddling whether you get in it or not. For the waves I got takeoffs on (probably 12 in just over an hour) I knew as soon as water hit the tail that I'd get in it. Did I fight my way in on a few? Sure, but what was lacking was the duller lift feel (or no lift feel) that I get on many other boards in other gutless, small waves. The projection felt pretty good and a smoothness of push into the wave was present like I haven't felt on other boards. For example, on the 5'10 Retro Fish that's thick as hell, you get a push for sure on that even in small waves but it feels less stable as you begin planing.

It's the widest SB I've ever ridden at over 22" so front foot placement while getting to feet was something I had to adjust over the course of reps. I feel like I get better placement on a narrower deck since there's less excess of space, you're more apt to place foot on the sweet spot instead of being rail-heavy. I felt adjusting feet during the ride was easier to do on this board than others; as responsive as it is, the board seems to have an integrity in its connection with the wave. Not sure I'm stating that properly, but other boards seem to lack the auto-correct this has. My back foot was finding the perfect spot each time which I can't say is always the case, and this may or may not have been helped by the board.

The biggest noticeable difference overall from this board and others was the instant reactivity on a turn. Gaff said a hallmark of the board was response to rider input. I've rode some 18-19" x 2 1/4-3/8 boards in 7-9ft waves so I'm familiar with what a maneuverable board feels like while turning sharply at speed. Felt like the bottom turn (or any turn made on it) was more pronounced yet fully in control with what my body was doing. The board seems to decelerate opposite the turn on its own, maybe I'm not saying that right...there's no feel of being a victim of overcommitment to any turn or throw on this thing like other boards (no "what goes left, must be stabilized right" feeling).

Felt like I was riding the Carver on a wave (Erock and DSUP, you agree?), rather than when I'm on the Carver it feels like I'm on a wave. There was a slingshot feel to the turns and the harder I threw the harder it responded. The pendulum feel on throws was higher than ever and that's my favorite feeling of all - on a Carver or a surfboard I just want to friggin hack and hack hard. I can't wait to see how hard this throws at real speed on Wednesday.

Last thing to note was that this is the least boggy board I've been on - it doesn't feel like it could bog at all. Seems to stay above the wave unlike other boards, yet still gets a rail in the wave on a turn.

Not sure how much I'm actually giving you bros. Again, this was all on laughable waves and I'm laughing that I was even able to get rides of any speed on them on a SB. This board is dope, that's for sure.

 

Just thought of another way to put it - this board shifts gears smoother than other boards.

For those who it didn't "click" with (Exit98Surf didn't you have one?), I'm interested to keep hearing why. I know that there are riders who respect the Megamind but saw that it wasn't for them. The seller of this board said he wanted more glide and this was more HP than others in its class. I respect his opinions since he definitely knew what he was talking about and was a very experienced surfer, seemed like a very good guy as well. Was stoked he was willing to let it go for what he did and thankful for that.

I guess some riders like more of a cruise and glide out of a SB and less pure responsiveness. I'm on the other end, if I'm not creating and using power then I don't feel alive on a board. Neither is wrong, it's all preference.

 

Exit98, I'd agree so far and hope it's the case going forward. I wouldn't classify myself as front or back at this point (which has changed), as I use both at different point and am big on weight transfers.

DSUP, glad you scored and I'm looking forward to scoring in a few hours too. I'll take some lumps to learn and surf at my potential while only reaching for the level just above, not any higher. If I go in saying it will be my best day ever on the water then that's what happens. It'll be fun nonetheless, and I'll have data for you bros. Incidentally, I'm bringing 2 other sticks with more length and less width/thickness in case the plus sets are head-overhead. Or I'll pick the best waves available as appropriate.

Interested to see how it duck dives with the width. I'll adjust.

Hope all you guys score.

 

Good post zach. Thanks bro. I've rode quads before and they're definitely different. I've got a 5'10 groveler that's awesome and was the first board I ever got dialed in that was closer to the HP side. Picked up a very similar board in nearly all the same dims and diamond tail last fall in SoCal and it was thrusted. I've had the best rides of my life on that board.

Took out the Coil in Bertha. Got rides and made drops in shoulder to OH but that was a bit steep for that board. Had it out for the first half of the session the next day which was still chest-high leftovers and again got rides but got way better rides on that 5'10 thruster the second half of the session.

I'm not completely new to quads, having rode them as much or more than thrusters. My 7'7 is a quad also. I would probably prefer the Coil to be a tri but I'll keep giving it a chance as I'm sure it's more a case of me needing to feel it out than the board changing.

 

Yeah, took this puppy out again today in waist and clean. Surfed that bish proper. Smackin lips and such. Wapahh. Def gonna get on it more now.