I noticed the same thing. His position on the board is very atypical - back foot almost at the back of the board and a lot of length in front of him. It kind of makes intuitive sense to me though. You paddle further forward on a prone foil board vs a traditional surfboard to prevent early takeoff. This might center the volume (in relation to foil position) a little better, improving paddling efficiency. There isn’t a lot of benefit to having board behind your back foot. Could be an interesting evolution specific to prone.
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Finally my new midlenght is ready!
5’0" x 18" x 46-47lts
Hope can receive it and hit the water this weekend!
Light EPS - 3mm PVC on top and bottom (not in the rails) - Carbon fiber layups. Let’s see how it flight soon!
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I just saw he said its 40 liters too. Also that tail is nuts. it almost looks like an old V bottom tail from a 70s surfboard.
so are these Mid length prone boards just shrunken down DW Sup boards?
How do these boards compare to older generations of prone boards? Like the KT Drifter Pro was 5’10 x 22 at 45L
those old kt’s were paper thin, kinda wide and had the foil boxes at the tail.
the new mid length prone boards are narrower, thicker under the chest and foil boxes much farther forward.
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But this is how DW boards neutralize swing weight! I think it would be important for these 5’ and longer boards to still pump and turn well to have your stance somewhat centered. Might be a different situation for Kane since he is a pretty big guy.
Hello guys, love this thread! I had been struggling with prone and thinking why I was making the same mistakes with board election as in surf.I prone in Lima Peru mostly and also at home in Canary Islands .Both places have really long paddles back to the point and with the 38L board I was gassed after 30 minutes.
One morning I saw this guy ripping in head high waves at a perfect lefthand and he was riding something like a DW board but smaller.After talking for a while I found out that he’s a long time shaper and made me this beauty.
Its 4.11 19 2.5 ".I am guessing around 50L .
Its a light shape so it does not work for winging but is perfect for prone since there’s no swing weight.
I see guys doing the chip in stand on waves here bot that has never work for me, I guess I am not that good jumping on the small board.With this I can catch the wave way earlier and that gives me chances on bigger waves.
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Thats a good looking shape. How does it do for really small waves? Wonder if something around 5’6 would be the ideal for both big and small waves. Catching non breaking waves.
Yeah sweet looks nice.
I’ve just ordered a similar shape 5’0 x 19.5 50L from signature to collect once I arrive in Cape Town next month 
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I am actually pretty pumped about the mid length situation going on. After foiling 28-30 liter boards this summer I am having a hard time getting to my feet with a full suit. Gloves slip and the boots get stuck so proper footing on the lower liter boards are pretty tough. The things that I am seeing with the “mini DW” boards are super appealing and from a surf board design look a longer rail line helps with paddling but also if the nose and tail are done right swing weight will actually work in your favor. It’s all about balance especially with having a foil under your feet. After watching a few people experiment and successfully shred on a “mid” I decided to pull the trigger. It’s also not only the idea of having an easier time paddling but also I see people drawing different lines. Their foiling looks pollished "not to say it dosent look insane already " but it looks more fluid, stable, and in general better. I have a 5’2 x 18 x 3.5? on the way. More of a double ender shape with a flat deck and subtle rocker shaped underneath. Concave angles or touch down angles are aggressive to keep it non sticky and low in volume, we are aiming for 45-50 range. I run Uni-foil gear so tracks are set up pretty high in hopes that it helps with the balance aspect as well. Now don’t get me wrong I completely understand the benefits of having a very small board. Pumping is easy and easy to duck dive. But are we at a time where our time on foil should feel more fluid? I have scene mid style surfboards do wonders for peoples surfing. Does that apply to foils too? Anyway that’s my whole idea on this if anyone is interested. I will be putting out some content on the idea behind the board and speaking to the shaper himself to explain why.
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I completely agree with you! Mike and Erik’s foiling on these boards is a thing of beauty. I don’t feel much is lost that is not gained in other areas of their new style and approach on these mid length style boards.
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It has a light shape so once on the air I don’t feel any difference , but I am no expert whatsoever.
Hey, so maybe that’s the key. The guys I see here with small boards are all about the pumping .The take off in a shot wave and then start surfing and pumping.But it looks as if their main goes is to be able to pump two or three waves rather than surf the actual wave.
I have also notice that if you aim to surf mainly a beach break you will only be able(unless you fucking rip) to do a nice carve and then go back to pumping.Whereas in an long point break you can do a more fluid surf.
The Unifoil board looks amazing and since the construction is really good it looks like it can also be used as a light wind board .
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5’2 x 18 x 3.5? No clue what volume I’d but north of 40 and south of 50. Will be giving a full ride review and chat with shaper once we get some time flying it. Is also. 7 pounds
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Picked up my mid-length today! 5’5 x 17 x 4.25 @55L
Pictured next to my JS Mister Bennetts 4’5 @29L which I absolutely love so looking forward to getting this board out in some decent conditions
First impressions is build is amazing but it’s also super light which was one of my bigger fears “upsizing”
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This is a great thread and the boards pictured look killer! I often fantasize about catching waves more easily and in less critical sections, than my current 30L board.
Here’s my question:
Are you guys who are on the mid-length boards pumping and linking the same amount of waves as the small boards? Or are you taking a more surf style approach by getting in earlier, riding the whole wave (vs the quick chip in) and then paddling back out?
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Hi Kai !
Well, both, I’m not gonna say I threw away my 28L board for proning, that board still have it’s place and I love it. Whenever the waves have some power or are a bit steeper, I’ll go for the 28L 4’4" x 18 3/4" x 28L.
The Mid 46L kinda mini DW board has it’s own place as my everyday Wing board as it floats me enough (69KG) and let’s me takes off on a small wing and small foil easier so I can enjoy the surf on the wing. Also I’m using a lot the Anchorman so I can surf foil the good ones while not carrying the wing. As a prone board, mostly use it in small breaking foams little waves cause it’s really easy for that board to generate the required speed for take off on the smaller stuff.
So my point is around your question, yes I can still pump it pretty much the same as the smaller board, and the ride of the wave have its own singularity since you feel a bit more drive from the extra length of the board, feeling more like riding a proper surf board in that sense, and also, since it’s so narrow, it let’s you carve just as hard as your prone little prone board (could be laid even a bit more if the board is narrower), but the real benefits are from the take off in some specific situations.
And yes they also paddle back to point way easier !!
Here’s a video riding the midlenght in prone
And with the release of the wing (anchorman)
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Thanks Omar! Those videos certainly answer my question. They still rip and still pump! I like the idea of a wing board that surfs good too! It has to be blowing pretty good for me to use my prone board to wing.
Thanks for the info!
Kai
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Got my hands on a larger prone board: 4’10 FFB Rubix 45L
Wasn’t sure it was going to be enough of a “mid length” but figured 15L extra would be enough of a jump to get me into more waves.
First sessions weren’t that impressive, obviously more float but nothing special at the near to shore local.
Conditions changed and it was the offshore reefs now breaking and wow, the bigger board really began to show its benefits. Tons of glide in the paddle both getting out and catching waves.
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