Mikey February groovin' along in his home country of South Africa, riding a stock sized CI Mid, with a 2 + 1 fin CI Mid fin set of 6.5" center and 4" sides...
This model is a modern classic design inspired by the clean, longer-railed lines drawn by traditional eggs and single-fins Al made in the 70s. Today’s CI Mid design is the result of a fun collaboration with Devon Howard / devon_howard , and it infuses that timeless vibe with the crispness, sensitivity, and freedom made possible by modern features synonymous with Merrick design principles. Boasting a sleek, egg-like template with low entry rocker and foam a tad forward for ease of paddle and effortless trim speed, the CI Mid scoots, squirts and swivels thanks to contemporary features like double-barrel concave, gradually accelerated rocker, and hard, slightly tucked rails through and off the tail.
The CI Mid was designed with a 2+1 fin set-up in mind but we’ve found it also works well as a single. We created a custom made 2+1 fin set that comes with a 6.5” center and choice of either 3.6″ side bites for surfers 160lbs and under, or 4.0″ side bites for those over 160lbs. We also have a new single-fin template you can find now at True Ames website.
When it comes to sizing your CI Mid, we’ve found that 12” to 14” over one’s height works for most common body types with average to well above average ability. Very experienced surfers with solid shortboard skills have been going 10” to 12” over height. For surfers with a more solid frame or leaning toward the heavier side, we’ve been recommending they do custom Dims through their shop or cisurfboards.com by adding 1/16” to 1/8” extra foam thickness and sometimes about the same on width.
If you have more questions about this design, ask your local surf shop or hit us up via email at [email protected] or talk live to one of our board gurus through the site anytime during normal business hours.
Learn more about the CI Mid here: https://cisurfboards.com/products/ci-mid
Find a CI Mid at your local surf shop or order a custom online here: https://cisurfboards.com/products/ci-mid
Video shot by @surfcanon
Song is "Easin In" by Edwin Starr.
Interview with Mikey February about Riding mids:
In the past year or two we’ve seen some clips here and there where you throw a midlength into the mix. When and where do you usually jump on one?
Mikey: For me, I’m usually at a point break when riding a midlength, and typically when it’s a little bit on the bigger side but not that hollow. Although, I have to say they can tube ride quite well. Softer, mellow type point waves almost always have lots of open face and plenty of room to move around, which is perfect for tapping into the extra rail length. I’ll also ride my CI Mid at beach breaks, but mostly on the days there are some running walls versus super short, closed out stuff. And while I’m generally looking for a tad bigger surf when I ride one, like head high to a bit over, they’re also nice for when it’s a little bit smaller. You just have to keep in mind it’s a lot of rail to fit into a small pocket, so you have to set reasonable expectations of what you can do with a longer rail in that much space. Regardless of the kind of wave, choosing when or where to ride a midlength just boils down to those moments when I’m feeling like experiencing something different.
You appear to transition easily between performance shortboards and a midlength. What helps you to adjust to that additional length in board so seamlessly?
Your frame of mind is a big part of it. When I am feeling like cruising, and taking it easy, I just hit a mental reset when I get on one because I’m not trying to ride it as though I was on my shortboard. You must resist the temptation of over surf the board. I think if you don’t keep that crusier approach in mind you may end up just fighting with the board and probably be disappointed with it.
What has been the most surprising aspect of getting to know this genre of board design?
I think some people, maybe me included, have thought of riding midlengths as kind of taking a big step backward in their surfing—like, they are only for going straight and super slow. Maybe it depends on the shaper, or the kind of midlength design you get, but I found that when I first got mine that I didn’t expect it to be as fast and responsive as it was. My 6’10” 2+1 gave me a lot of drive and squirt off whatever part of the wave I was pushing into. You aren’t cracking the lip or throwing fins like a shortboard but there are certain moments that translated a flowy shortboard approach really well. Has lots of drive and hold, and quite maneuverable when considering how it has nearly another foot of rail than what I’d normally be riding. I now try to take a Mid with me whenever I go on surf trips because it seems there is always a time and place to ride one.
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