Wow, this thread is really the gift the keeps on giving
Quick ride update. Wanted to add that the initial review was based on some pretty unique conditions in retrospect.
While the surf never got epic during that period (as I might define it) it was an unusually good stretch of conditions for OB in that it was light offshore and extremely clean for three days albeit a little bit on the smaller and softer side.
So when I got the Mid in some larger, more warbly conditions the other day, I definitely saw a slightly different version of the board. What I pretty quickly realized is that a mid-length is really going to favor clean conditions because when you give it some bump or warble, all that extra board that generally doesn't feel in the way (when it's clean) all of a sudden gets a lot more pronounced and works against you a bit.
The note here is that what my earlier review didn't really capture is the diminishing returns when the conditions are a little bit more warbly. It's not like you can't have fun though, in these conditions, it just takes a bit of extra work and precaution. In these cases, your standard shortboard just does less to stand in the way than a ML does.
The conditions did continue to clean up a bit through the session and there were some solid overhead waves that gave me an opportunity to put the CI Mid through the paces on overhead surf. I'd say I'm pleasantly surprised by how the board handles these conditions.
You can't really stuff the board into a fully vertical drop but I would say the board definitely holds its own when it gets steep. The extra paddle power allows you to get yourself into the ideal location most of the time and there's something pretty fun and rewarding about lining up a solid drop on a ML.
On the wave, I was again pleasantly surprised by how composed the board is on an overhead wall. Especially its ability to hold in on steep sections and continue to do the slowing maneuvers I referenced earlier. One case that really stood out is how easily the board pulled into a backhand overhead barrel (closeout but still fun) without really fighting me. A lot of alt boards can be really hard to ride backside and this one is really pretty easy and forgiving.
Still giving the CI Mid a solid grade as a HP all-around mid-length.
