NAH-SKWELL MAXI-G 7’3” TEST REVIEW
NAH-SKWELL MAXI-G 7’3” TEST REVIEW
Verdict:
A simple, super loose board that is dedicated to making less-than-average surf enjoyable and it achieves it. More stable and easier to handle than it appears, the learning curve is quite brief and at £949, makes a good addition to, rather than replacement of, your daily driver.
Overview:
Flat, stubby short boards are becoming a more familiar sight in average waves but the Maxi-G seems to take the shape a step further with a very broad, square tail and nose connected by parallelised rails. The one-piece deck pad has a low rise kicker and lips over the carry handle. With two large, long-base 3-tab honeycomb keel fins, the single concave really deepens towards the tail, further flattening the modest rocker.
Brand Claim:
We realized the need to create a board that would make surfing in small waves easier and swifter. Looking at the Mini-Simmons making a huge come back, we decided to go explore that shape…The Maxi-G literally flies on the water, is easy to paddle, ultra fast and explosive in the turn… A magic board in a way!
Performance:
It’s hard not to be sceptical on first acquaintance with the Maxi-G but getting onto the water is a treat: a simple twin FCS set up, no US fin box, and just a 6.6kg board under your arm. Paddling out relies heavily on paddle skills; riders will need to brace and feather the paddle for stability in the surf and keeping momentum paddling out in close swells over waist high can be an issue. However, it’s not aimed at ‘gnarly’ surf and once past the whitewash it is surprisingly stable; if you let the paddle side rail sink a little when paddling out you can noticeably increase the paddling efficiency of this board.
It’ll take a few waves to get used to the tracking on take-off, but then the Maxi-G happily hops over the ledge and straight into a fun, skatey feel on the wave. Those big twin fins really do release on demand; on the first wave we were straight into a lay-back slide off the top with the board hooking round underneath us to finish the move. Hopping and bouncing up onto little corners and rapid changes of direction are what this board is all about. The Maxi-G doesn’t really favour compressed, committed bottom turns, rather a mid-face check and high paddle input and pumping (not stomping!) rather than just trimming and gliding down the line.
This board makes carving small chunks off the face, white water foam climbs and floaters really fun. It wants to stay underneath you and handsomely rewards ambitious and creative riding. A great match for aspirational sup surfers looking to round out the quiver for mushy, smaller days and riders faced with regular weak surf willing to sharpen their game on a lower volume board. (Also available in 7’ or 7’6”, and CPC full Carbon construction)