mini-mal

[duhkine]

I was just wondering, is the term mini-mal only used on the mainland. Here in Hawaii I never heard that term used ever. We usually say long or shortboard. The first time I heard the term mini-mal was on this site. Is this like only a mainland type of term?

[PapaW]

Could be, As far as I know its just a term used to discribe a shorter version of the classic malabu shape board. They are ususally around 7'3" so its one of thoese inbetween lengths.

[VaB]

I've never heard of it either, I was guessing it was a foreign term.

[PapaW]

Thinking a little more on it it also depends on th cut of the board...

fatter and wider with blun ends more typically 'mal'

more pointy ends and its moving towards a 'gun' shape for big wave riding.

[jonny]

you US guys have funshapes though right?
that's pretty much what we call a mini-mal.

[duhkine]

Actually, I have never even heard of a mal as well.

[Squeaky]

hey duhkine, i know this really isn't about ur topic, but I heard u wear contacts and I do too. If u have soft lenses then u can wear ur previous set of contacts in the surf; thats usually what I do and it makes a hell of a difference than just wearing nothing in the water. The only thing is u just have to close ur eyes fairly firmly under water and for the first couple of times u try it, as soon as u put ur head up out of the water wipe the water away from ur eyes before u open them again. But maybe u should just ask ur optometrist first...

[duhkine]

Actually I wear the HARD contacts so thats out of question. Everytime I surf im always squinting because I cant see and people think I look funny. Its hard to see the waves when they are forming especially since I surf at waikiki and its small. I thought about having laser eye surgery but thats expensive. By the way I dont remember telling anyone I wore contacts, how did u know?

[Squeaky]

pity about that, oh well. i remember u said u wore contacts on 1 of ur posts, cant remember which one tho...

[duhkine]

heh maybe i did. the good thing about is though is that i dont really need to look for waves because theres so many people there that when i see someone paddling i know theres a wave. then everyone paddles and someone gets hit when the wave starts to get crowded like 8 people on the wave. however i always try to spot waves by myself and if i know i can catch it i wait til last minute then i go so that no one would be fast enough to follow me right before the wave comes.