Where i live in Australia, the break i ride 80% of the time is called mystics and it's a really curvey, dumpy beach break - the closest thing you would find to a beachie that breaks like a shallow rock ledge. I ride the MLV there all the time with no issues. Whatever Malcolm does with the rocker takes care of the nose. And don't be afraid of volume in it as it seems to improve the ride. Mine is 5'6, 21 1/4, 2 5/8 and i can ride HP boards at 24litres.
Having watched Sterling Spencer's many surf clips of the gulf area and let's face it - he is an amazing surfer with an uncanny appreciation and ability for smaller waves. But i think the mlv would be great for those types of waves.