SMIK SHORT MAC TEST REVIEW
SMIK SHORT MAC
TEST REVIEW
Verdict
The Short Mac is a proper fun board – not in the marketing sense – but in the surfing sense. From ‘should have been here earlier’ to ‘regional classic’ conditions, the Short Mac is at home for the bigger rider or those that feel life is too short to be wobbling about. We loved the ’17 version and from the design and construction to the blend of practical and performance, we are once again impressed. It’s not a mush-groveller; the Short Mac hits the sweet spot for recreational conditions.
Overview
SMIK boards have rapidly established themselves as having a good mix of engineering and soul. The Short Mac is built using a carbon sandwich construction like all their premium boards which gives a light, tough, responsive product and the bright, durable, paint job seals the deal. The ledge handle is perfectly sited and updates for ’18 include a 4+1 fin set up, and a bit less PVA on deck leaving you space to either wax up or enjoy the lightly brushed paint work.
Brand claim
Moderate rocker with single concave to double out through the tail equates to the perfect blend of speed response and release. Ultimately it’s high performance surfing without reducing surf time from balance fatigue. With excellent magazine and customer reviews the range has been expanded to cater for more rider sizes to experience this boards excellence. All Smik Boards are made only from sandwich carbon construction – cutting edge construction.
Performance
Practical is not a sexy word, but it’s an important one when attributed to a SUP board. Common impediments to SUP surfing are the impracticality factors vs going prone. Transport, storage, portage, balance, surfability…Well, the practicalities of the Short Mac design start when you pick it up. It’s short enough to open your front door with it in hand, light enough to sprint to the beach and stable enough for an easy paddle out to keep you on your feet for a couple of hours or more. These things are so important because they remove the chore factor and keep your sessions fresh. OK great, but how does the Short Mac surf? If you’re looking to take out a national surf title or throw yourself over a ledge this probably wouldn’t be your board. But for those that are into sup surfing for enhancing waist to head-plus surf, and where wave count, good turns, or just bombing down the line are required, the Short Mac is so much fun. It’s an agile, light board that you can create speed with; it likes to climb and is happy holding a higher line unlike some fuller volume boards. Yes, there is a broad deck to work with but the Short Mac fits nicely into the wave and the generous tail lift keeps the front end clear for super late ‘turn and burn’ drops. Combine its performance with its complete inability to cause frustration between waves and there really isn’t much we don’t love about this board. For regular blue-collar surfers, it’s a strong candidate for the ‘one board quiver’.
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST:
Starboard Allstar 14’ x 24.5” Carbon Sandwich