Best Mini Mal Surfboard
Mini mals are one of the most popular surfboard shapes, especially amongst beginners. But, with so many to choose from, finding the best mini mal for your skill level is a bit of a minefield.
The mini mal is characterized by boards in a size range between 7'and 8'6", shaped around a template similar to longboards. There's a massive difference in foam and performance between the two ends of the spectrum so, in order to choose a mini mal, you first need to be clear on why you want it. Do you essentially want a longboard that's a little shorter and more convenient to travel with? Or, are you really looking for a funboard with a fuller nose so you don't pearl on takeoff?
Whatever this category means to you, my guide to the best mini mal surfboards on the market will help you find the right board for your current needs.
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The 4 Best Mini Mal Surfboards
#1 Best all-rounder - SBBC Casper 6'8"
SBBC put a lot of effort into making their premium boards stand out from the crowd, and the 6'8" x 21" x 2.75" Casper is no exception.
The wood-and fiberglass base, patented I-beam stringer through the EPS core, and waxless "fingerprint" textured deck certainly single this board out as much more than "just another foamie".
But, can a board under 7' be considered a mini mal? It depends on who's riding it for starters.
The SBBC Casper is billed as a premium hybrid surfboard, and it certainly is a hybrid although I'm never quite sure what between.
For a 210lb surfer like myself, the Casper is essentially a fun-egg-fish type deal (especially if I switch the Futures thruster fins for a twin set).
However, for a smaller, lighter rider, the broad nose, and 58L volume will definitely be substantial enough to give more of a mini mal feel. If you want to get even more retro, match it up with a Solus Hatchet center fin. It's the closest thing to a traditional single which still fits standard Futures boxes.
The least mal-like of my mini mal roundup, but it strikes a great balance between several board types and is possibly the best surfboard overall.
Pros & Cons
#2 Best for beginners - Wavestorm 8'
If you're a bigger surfer like me, the Wavestorm 8' is going to feel much more like a true mini mal than some of the smaller options I'm covering in this article. In fact, for many, it's heading squarely into full-on longboard territory.
The shape is certainly Malibu inspired: a rounded nose, 22.5" width, and 86L of volume overall give a very stable, fast feel to the board.
You're guaranteed to catch waves and have fun even in the smallest conditions.
Beginner surfers will find the ride suitably forgiving, smoothing out bumps and helping the surfer keep their balance.
At the same time, those used to longboards will have enough stability to take a walk up to the nose.
The materials used in the Wavestorm aren't quite as premium as the SBBC (as you'd expect from the difference in price), but an EPS core with three marine-ply stringers, HDPE slick base, bolt through thruster fins, and a barrier skin deck is a fairly well tried and tested setup for foam boards. It's strong enough to take a fair beating and even comes with a built-in traction pad for your back foot.
Pros & Cons
#3 Best kids longboard - THURSO SURF Aero 7'
The 7' x 21.5" x 2.75" Aero, from surf and SUP brand Thurso Surf, has a similar volume to the SBBC Casper (57L vs 58L) but distributed through more of a traditional mini mal form.
The rail lines are more parallel and the squash tail more than a swallow.
The extra length, while only 4", also makes a difference in giving this board the air of a small mini mal rather than a unique hybrid.
In terms of construction, the Thurso Surf use similar materials to Wavestorm in their surfboard range: EPS, 3 wooden stringers, HDPE base, but the Aero's IXPE heat-laminated deck does seem to prevent UV and salt damage slightly better, so one of these should last you quite a while.
The Aero is quite slight for a genuine mini mal, and adult users will enjoy the responsiveness and relatively tight turning arc of this foam surfboard. However, there is some compromise in terms of stability and I wouldn't recommend a 200lb+ rider trying to charge up to the nose (as to whether this comes from personal experience, luckily there was no footage...) It's definitely more in the funboard category for a grown-up surfer, but a very fun board it is at that. A bit more effort will be required to catch waves though, so start working on your paddle fitness.
Children will find this a true mini mal experience, and will even use the Aero as a full malibu. The slimmer dimensions make for easier turning and with a little practice, they'll be treating the board as a fairly refined longboard, combining flowing lines from the tail with the opportunity to get up front.
Pros & Cons
#4 Best mini mal - Wavestorm 7'
The shorter version of Wavestorm's mini mal design is made in the same EPS/HDPE construction as the 8ft edition and comes with similar features and accessories.
The smaller surfboard dimensions do make a significant difference to the ride of course, and it suits a rather different group of surfers as a result.
At 7' x 22" x 3", the Wavestorm 7' Classic comes in at 70L, 16 less than its big brother.
It's only 0.5" narrower and 0.25" thinner but that difference is noticeable and the board definitely feels more slimmed-down rather than squashed.
The change in feel is such that a larger surfer will be able to use this as a hybrid between a mini mal and a more shortboard-inspired funboard.
For a kid or teenager, this board will still feel like a true mini mal, although considerably more manageable and maneuverable than the 8'. It's basically in direct competition with the Thurso Surf Aero 7' in this regard, so I'd let the dimensions decide. For riders under 100lbs, the Aero will be the more responsive and fun of the two. Those in the 100-140lbs category will still be able to turn the Wavestorm, while benefiting from the extra buoyancy.
Pros & Cons
Who Is a Mini Mal Perfect For?
Being an especially versatile surfboard design, a mini mal is perfect for three distinct groups of surfers, albeit for different reasons.
For beginners, the length and width of mini mal surfboards give the ease of paddling they need to catch as many waves as possible, whilst letting them practice their pop up from a nice stable base. The rounded nose also makes the board more forgiving on take-off, being harder to dig into the wave (known as "pearling") than a shortboard-inspired funboard.
The other main demographic for these are kids and smaller adults who want to enjoy the longboard experience but find a full-sized malibu a bit much to manage. Turning a board over 9ft can be especially taxing for riders under 150Lbs and they will get much better flow on the wave face by taking the small step down to a mini mal.
Finally, experienced surfers who normally ride performance shortboards find there is a limit to the wave conditions in which those boards perform. They might take a fish out on smallish days but a bit more help is sometimes required to get going in really gutless surf. A mini mal combines the volume to paddle into small weak waves with the speed to make sections in onshore beach break conditions. This allows a lot of surfers (myself included) to still have fun on those days when a "serious" surf session is out of the question.
Mini Mal Pros & Cons
FAQ
What is a mini mal surfboard?
A mini mal is a surfboard in the funboard size range (usually between 7' and 8'6" long), shaped using a similar outline to a traditional "malibu" longboard. They feature a wide nose, relatively parallel rails, and usually a thruster or single fin setup. Stable and buoyant, they are a favorite among beginner surfers, as well as smaller riders looking for a fun longboard experience.
What is the best mini mal surfboard?
The best mini mal is simply one which has the classic characteristics and benefits we look for in these iconic surfboards. Look for a pop-out or foam board with a nice full nose, at least 21" width, and parallel rail lines narrowing into either a pin or squash tail. Ideally, you want a volume of at least 1L per 2.5lbs body weight, depending on your skill level (the more the better if you are just beginning).
What size Mini Mal surfboard should I get?
If you want to ride your mini mal longboard-style, you'll want one at least 18" longer than your height to allow plenty of room for moving up and down the deck. If you're using it as a beginner board, volume is more important than length. A true beginner surfer will benefit from around 80L of foam (for adults, 50-60L is usually plenty for kids).
Are mini mals good for beginners?
Yes. Mini mals are one of the most popular choices of first surfboard for beginners. Their high volume helps the rider to catch waves in pretty much any surf conditions, which is the single most important aspect when looking to get new surfers up the learning curve.
Mini Mal vs Funboard
All mini mals are funboards, due to their dimensions, but not all funboards are mini mals. Mini mals are a specific type of funboard design, which employ a longboard-inspired shape to replicate the balance and straight-line stability of larger boards. Many other funboards, by contrast, are designed on an oversized shortboard template, giving extra maneuverability to those who want to learn turns.
Mini Mal vs Longboard
Mini mals take their inspiration from longboards and, especially in the case of those over 8', can often be ridden in a similar manner. The surfer has sufficient space and stability to practice walking up and down the board and get at least a "cheater 5" i.e. stretching out the front leg to get the toes curled over the end of the nose. However, most people will find the volume and weight of a true longboard are needed to achieve the full "hang ten" noseriding experience.
Where mini mals have the advantage is in turning, where being slightly shorter and lighter improves their responsiveness. The mini mal design is still a long way from being a performance board, but you can carve out a line with significantly less effort than on a 10' log.
Jasmine Oneill Martin // Team Writer