Have recently dropped in size from a 9'2 x 29.5 to an 8'2 by 29.5, both in 'traditional' surf sup shapes, and the big thing I have noticed is the deterioration in glide, and consequently quite a few missed waves. How do the minion styles compare to a traditional surf sup shape in terms of glide?? Comparing apples with apples in terms of length/volume.
The other thing I have noticed is a tendency to nosedive now, as the balanced standing position now seems to be quite far forward. I am sure with a bit more time on the water I will improve on this.
I can live with the reduced stability with the new board, but it would help if I could address the 2 issues above. It is in the back of my mind to turn over the current board for a minion style in the near future, wouldn't commit without demoing, but curious to know how these styles typically compare in the above aspects.
Thanks,
Scott.
My personal experience is that you lose glide going to the smaller board - you have to take off where the wave is steep. My 7'10" minion is vacuum wrapped or something which makes it heavy - I think it makes it a bit slow off the mark (inertia) but I also believe it provides momentum when the wave gets a bit fat and in the whitewash (in both directions).
I have always been concerned about nosediving with the square nose, but the fact that the board is shorter means it is less likely to happen (a longer board reaches further down the face and into the water in front of the wave). It has not been an issue for me.
Sometimes when I am trying to turn 180 degrees to paddle for the wave I believe the square nose "catches" and can sort-of nose dive - that's when I am most likely to fall off (when it is choppy).
The basic message is that you have to get used to taking off in a "similar" position to a prone short-boarder, and then turn the board during the drop if it is very steep to reduce chance of nose-dive.
Hope it helps.
Lucky bastard, you only went 12 inches 
I went from a JP 10'2' * 32 to a Minion 8'4' * 30.5. Big Step Down for me. I lost and missed that ability to "hunt" from peak to peak due to not only less glide but stability. It took/ is taking a bit of time to get that all back. It is coming back and am able to paddle over to sets but have to spot them earlier. This then gets my glide happening to take off a bit earlier. And as CSU says, it helps to be in surf stance taking off.
And I used to be able to turn and go to the point of taking off almost sideways and correcting down the face, hope that comes back.
I guess it's all a bit of a trade off because the Minion on the wave is miles ahead of the old JP.
Yeah, best you demo one first to feel the differences in shapes.
Good Luck!
I wonder if glide comes from board length as apposed to outline shape and width?, I went from my first board a 10.5 x 32 to a JP 8'2 x 32 and struggled for a couple of months but once I got through the struggle it was well worth it. I have had the JP for over 12 months now and have just dropped again to a Deep JC model at 8'2 x 29.. Its 24 litres less than the JP and being a more high performance shape its like chalk and cheese with the JP..Still to get the Deep into some decent waves to put a review up but im surprised how quickly I have adapted to it.. Im thinking about dropping size again in 6 months or so...IMO sub 8'5 sups are more related to prone shortboards with deeper later takeoffs while bigger boards with more glide allow you to take off on the shoulder and get set a bit earlier... Hopefully I havnt stated the obvious too much 
One more thing, I have found that once you get a smaller sup and dial it in, it seems to be easier to drop down in size again more quickly then when first starting out with larger boards, maybe pretty obvious too but just putting my experiences out there....
I agree with you. I feel like my ability to handle shorter/narrower boards has accelerated once I started to push myself.
I had a fantastic session this morning on my 7'10" minion which I could compare to similar conditions the previous morning on my 8'10" speeed. The speeed was faster by ~2 km/hr, and was easier and faster to paddle, but on the wave I (personally) would prefer to be on the minion. (But I did nosedive once... The wave sucked up on the reef and made for a steep drop. I heard the nose slap the water, then I heard the sonar pings and saw fish...)
Sounds like I am not alone in noticing the significant loss of glide etc by going shorter, I think I probably just need to demo a minion or Hypernut etc next time I am near a major retailer to see if I am better off going down that path.
The conditions I typically surf are small shifting beach breaks and often involving a fair amount of paddling to chase the ideal take off position, so the loss of glide has had a major impact. That said however, I have only had 4 surfs on it and haven't actually had a glassy day. Probably just need a couple of clean days before determining whether it is a keeper, at the moment it feels as though I have gone backwards 12 or 18 months.
Thanks to those who have replied, still keen to hear further thoughts on short traditional vs minion style.
Thanks,
Scott.
Hi Scott.
I have a Minion 8'4" and the 7'10" and came from a Fanatic 9'6" and Coreban 9'. I cant really say that I have noticed any real drop in glide. Certainly a little but not enough to be any form of negative. Less glide with the 7'10 than the 8'4". Certainly feet position plays a big part however I've found that I tend to alter that depending on the surf and conditions.
I was luck enough to have the 8'4" in Bali with 2-8', glassy and choppy and varying most days so really able to put it through its paces.
At 60 and 100kgs its the perfect board for me. On the perfect days the 7'10" would have been awesome and in those conditions the 8'4 is more than I need however most sessions chopped up a bit as well as me getting tired after a couple of hours. I've found with the bigger board I stay out way longer.
In terms of nose diving I have not had any issues with either other than with very late take offs. The Fanatic handled them better for sure. In terms of paddling into a wave I think I prefer that Minion. It seemed to be 1 stroke to drop into a wave where as it seems to take more from the longer board. In terms of glide the Minion is amazing. Allot of the waves we were on reformed over the reef with approx 50m of dead spot in between. There was the odd person out on 10-11' boards not making it where as i had no problems picking up the reform.
In terms of the 8'4 compared to the 7'10 I've been loath to let the shorter one go as it is so nice on a wave. The negatives are though;
a pain when having to quickly turn on a wave,
less forgiving on the wave,
less time on the water with a combination of getting fatigued and wind and chop coming up.
I have found I can do as much with the bigger board if I use my paddle more so I will let the 7'10" go.
Cheers,
