Had my first crack at my minion yesterday, and the only problem i had was trying to wrestle it back off my kids! The shortest sup i had prior to this was an 8'3" x32, which i found a struggle especially in the slop. The minion is pleasingly stable, and "wake you up" quick. Thanks to Simon at Deep, for another superb board, and cheers to Darren for talking me through the process and getting the board half way home for me. I predict many hours of fun with this beasty. 
I got mine on friday. Now i just need to get it wet. I went for the 7'8 and im 97kg so it will be interesting to see how its goes my first few times.
Hey mate ..I'm about the same size as you and pulled the trigger on a minion last year.best decision I've made.I came from a 8'10 prowave 115L and since I've had the minion the prowave hasn't touched the water. Love the minion and it's my go to everyday board now. It does take a while to dial in but most new boards do. These some videos of me riding the minion in here and on youtube. Hope that helps
chur
Select to expand quotebuzzard said..
Hi there I am seriously considering getting one of these to use in NZ, but like others there is no way to test drive one.
I mainly surf Muriwai Beach and on the Coromandel.
I'm 180cm, and 95kgs.
I currently use a Coreban Icon, and have been on a standup for around 4 years.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Hey Buzzard, I have the 7'4 Minion @104L and love it but at 85kg I have found Muriwai has too much current and turbulence and wind chop to really enjoy my Minion there. I know what I am doing in the surf and can easily handle the 7'4 in a lot of conditions but find Muriwai conditions are tricky and fickle and rarely glassy. I came to the conclusion that volume and width are your friend there so just got a 8'5 LSD Flashback @130L specifically for Muriwai. It has been a joy to get out there again and not struggle in that killer cross-chop!
The Minion is my go-to board for all things east coast which is about 80% of my sessions and the rare glassy days at Muriwai. It has really taken my surfing to where i want it to go which is faster more aggressive, throw more spray and crank harder turns and generate more turns on the wave.
I guess my advice for you @95kg would be to go for the 7'10 Minion @124L if you want it for Muriwai.
Well there's no board like this in the UK......
Having read the posts I'm v.interested in getting one, have emailed Simon about the stretch version, but on reflection thinking the 7'10" or 7'8" instead. Currently using a SB hero in anything up to overhead beach breaks in North Cornwall and the odd reefbreak. I'm 5'11 and approx. 95kgs depending on how much food I eat.
Will be be replying dreckly to Simon.
I have ordered mine - can't wait - but I have been curious about what they are like in a late take off. Anyone had trouble with nose dives? I have the 8'8" Naish X32 and it has plenty of rocker - I am sure that has saved me more than a few times.
Hi, I have the 7'10". It constantly amazes me. They look so flat and I'm always expecting the nose to bury but it hasn't happened yet. Yesterday we had 4' with late take offs. No problem.
No issues with late takeoffs or steep drops. My Minion is 7'4" and given it's short length (and rocker) I think it handles these things better than longer boards. I also have found that, after getting the feel of the board and the way it paddles, if you stay relaxed and keep your paddle technique you will catch as many waves as when on a longer board. Don't try to "brute force" it into waves.
Also, I regularly surf my Minion at Big Left and don't find the paddle out any issue.
Agree with you rosscoe. Had my second decent session on my 8'0" minion this morning, and you don't need to surf these boards too hard for them to perform. Gave EToriginal a good go on it as well. Don't think he wanted to give it back, had a grin from ear to ear!
Thanks guys - that is all good to know. Now I just have to wait until the beginning of May for my board... (I will be trying it at Big Left - the paddle was a concern and the choppy water out there is also a bit of a concern, but it sounds like the Minion will be as good or better than my bigger Naish.)
Brenno that board was damn good. I seriously didn't want to give it back.
Really wanted to get it on a good set to test it properly, but on the half a dozen little waves I got I couldn't believe how easy it was to ride.
When you finally wrenched it back off me and I got back on my 9'1 Allwave I got the wobbles and took a while to get steady again - seriously.
I now just have to work out how I can get to afford one myself.
I've spent the morning (on & off) reading this thread from start to finish...
All I can say is...you bastards...I want one so bad I would sell a kidney...have to start saving the pennies. Don't think my better half will allow a new board 4 months after the last one.
I suppose I could just do it and deal with the consequences (easier to ask for forgiveness than permission?) but if anyone hears of a 40-something Brisbane man murdered by his wife for indiscriminate purchase, please speak well of me... 
I ride a 2014 Starboard Pro BC 8'0"x28"@96 liter and I weigh 84 kg, my SB is too much work when it is choppy and I could use a bit more speed.
What size Minion should I go for? The 7'2"x27 1/4 @97liter?
And can it be shipped to Europe? I already sent Simon an email but he didn't answer...
Select to expand quoteCamarillo said..
I ride a 2014 Starboard Pro BC 8'0"x28"@96 liter and I weigh 84 kg, my SB is too much work when it is choppy and I could use a bit more speed.
What size Minion should I go for? The 7'2"x27 1/4 @97liter?
And can it be shipped to Europe? I already sent Simon an email but he didn't answer...
Hi Camarillo
After riding a 7'0 x 26.5 @ 95L I would go a 7'5" x 27 @ 98L for your weight, a little bit more length will help. They are a awesome board and you will struggle getting back onto a standard shape board.
Select to expand quoteroscoe1974 said..
I've spent the morning (on & off) reading this thread from start to finish...
All I can say is...you bastards...I want one so bad I would sell a kidney...have to start saving the pennies. Don't think my better half will allow a new board 4 months after the last one.
I suppose I could just do it and deal with the consequences (easier to ask for forgiveness than permission?) but if anyone hears of a 40-something Brisbane man murdered by his wife for indiscriminate purchase, please speak well of me...
Hey Roscoe,
Thats what credit cards are for...........then sell the 4 mth old coz you won't want to ride it again
Select to expand quoteTheGoodDr said...roscoe1974 said..
I've spent the morning (on & off) reading this thread from start to finish...
All I can say is...you bastards...I want one so bad I would sell a kidney...have to start saving the pennies. Don't think my better half will allow a new board 4 months after the last one.
I suppose I could just do it and deal with the consequences (easier to ask for forgiveness than permission?) but if anyone hears of a 40-something Brisbane man murdered by his wife for indiscriminate purchase, please speak well of me...
Hey Roscoe,
Thats what credit cards are for...........then sell the 4 mth old coz you won't want to ride it again
You're a welcomingly-persuasive influence Doc... 
Select to expand quoteCamarillo said..
I ride a 2014 Starboard Pro BC 8'0"x28"@96 liter and I weigh 84 kg, my SB is too much work when it is choppy and I could use a bit more speed.
What size Minion should I go for? The 7'2"x27 1/4 @97liter?
And can it be shipped to Europe? I already sent Simon an email but he didn't answer...
Camarillo,
I emailed Simon last week and got a response from him, though he stated he's not back until after Easter. I'm sure you get a response from him in the week once he is back from his trip away. im looking at trying to get a minion shipped to the UK, he says its do-able.
Select to expand quotemurf said..Camarillo said..
I ride a 2014 Starboard Pro BC 8'0"x28"@96 liter and I weigh 84 kg, my SB is too much work when it is choppy and I could use a bit more speed.
What size Minion should I go for? The 7'2"x27 1/4 @97liter?
And can it be shipped to Europe? I already sent Simon an email but he didn't answer...
Hi Camarillo
After riding a 7'0 x 26.5 @ 95L I would go a 7'5" x 27 @ 98L for your weight, a little bit more length will help. They are a awesome board and you will struggle getting back onto a standard shape board.
Is that a custom size? A bit longer and narrower compared to the standard sizes?
Are the custom sizes more expensive than the standard sizes?
No standards Camarillo. That's what i'm loving about this board. I've gone for an 8'0" cause i'm a fat bastard at a wind blown local. Today was my 6th session on this f'n awesome board. I was blown away by the amount of tourists on all the lazy breaks, but not as much as how this skateboard of the ocean handled the steep walls they were all avoiding. Trust the minion. This biatch eats steep walled beach breaks for breakfast. Back out at dawn tomorrow. Look out vics, bring on winter!
Select to expand quoteGareth1104 said...
Well there's no board like this in the UK......
Having read the posts I'm v.interested in getting one, have emailed Simon about the stretch version, but on reflection thinking the 7'10" or 7'8" instead. Currently using a SB hero in anything up to overhead beach breaks in North Cornwall and the odd reefbreak. I'm 5'11 and approx. 95kgs depending on how much food I eat.
Will be be replying dreckly to Simon.
I've been surfing my own boards that are very similar in design and principle for the last 3or more years in the uk and the shape lends it's self well to our conditions in Cornwall and devon and general uk less than average stuff
Nice work! It is interesting to watch your foot work - I imagine with the wider board you have to move from side to side a lot.
What size did you buy (I know it is in this thread somewhere). Are you happy with the size you chose?
Cheers mate..I have the 7'8 115L Minion. Really stoked with this board..use it in all conditions and size. I did think about going for the 7'4 but because I couldn't demo this new Minion shape in NZ I decided to go with the 7'8. I'm 95kgs, 6ft
As cantSUPenough said, been watching your front foot work. Very instructed video indeed 
IMO your next Minion would be narrower an shorter as well less volume , don't you think
.
I reckon go to almost equal liters to kilos. The bonus stability of the Minion's shape will allow you to standup paddling easy with a bit of practice.
Cheers Kami..I would definitely go smaller and narrower next time..but in saying that still feels like I've got lots more to learn and push on this board first.
If only I could have two..whoop whoop..I don't know if it helps a anyone but posting my videos..but I like to share the stoke..
Chur everybody
Nice vid Supmaori!
If I can give a word of advice, it would be to keep your front foot in place, centered (on the stringer), and only move the rear foot.
Moving the front foot, especially towards the inside rail on backside rides can dig a rail easily and/or stiffen the turns dramatically.
I would not go too narrow too soon. I went too narrow (27"), went back to a more confortable width (29" - everybody will have different limits). I'd rather have to move a bit more my (rear) foot around and commit myself more in turns rather than spending my mental energy struggling to stay upright, and be less efficient on the waves for being tired.
On the other hand, trying narrow boards is the way to find what are your limits, and work to expand them...
Thanks Colas...Much appreciated advice..yeah that's what I'm really trying to go focus on now is getting back more over the fins and driving it from the rear..I think it's bad habits from prone surfing for so long that I tend to slip back into.
And I'm in no rush to get a new board..Still love this one and it challenges me enough for now
Kia ora
Select to expand quoteSupmaori said..
Cheers Kami..I would definitely go smaller and narrower next time..but in saying that still feels like I've got lots more to learn and push on this board first.
If only I could have two..whoop whoop..I don't know if it helps a anyone but posting my videos..but I like to share the stoke..
Chur everybody
Keep the vids coming!
I have a 7'10" x 29" x 4 1/2" 124 ltr minion on order based on Chris'/Simon's recommendation, but I keep wondering about going smaller. I am 88 kg, 6'3 on an 8'8" X32 140 ltr - but it is fair to say I am not a great surfer and the conditions here in Westernport are often small and choppy... I am probably past the point of no return...
Hey cantSUPenough. I'm the same height as you, about 10kg heavier. I originally went an 8'0", changed my mind halfway through the process to a 7'10", and ended up with an 8'0", and you know what, i'm glad. It's a really comfortable size for me and as the shortest sup i've ever owned surfs really, really well. The combination of stability, speed and manouverability is spot on. Easter Sunday morning was the most fun i have ever had on a sup, and i definitely ain't no jackson or kai. I keep getting stopped by people wanting to chat about it, cause it looks freaking unreal! You'll love it.
