Mini Simmons Surfboard Review

In this episode I review two Mini Simmons. One is a classic dual keel Mini Simmons from Hydrodynamica in EPS constructions which carries a true Simmons planing hull design and the other one is a modified version in PU from Token Surfboards (Brooklyn, NY).
The Mini Simmons shape was always out of my radar because I didn’t really believe that I could ride these tiny boards especially in ankle high waves and also have a lot of fun with it.
To get the most out of the design you want to ride them small like smaller than your fish.
The Mini Simmons boards provide a full planing hull experience allowing you to approach the waves in a unique way. I felt it immediately when I was too far from the pocket and the board continually planed with the speed.
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Board dimensions:
Mini Simmons by Hydrodynamica: 5'2" x 20 x 2.6 | Volume: 34-35 L
Mini Simmons Golden Tooth by Token: 5'1" x 21 x 2.5 | Volume: 31 L
Feel free to add me on Instagram: @skippersurfreview
My Height: 5’9” or 175.3 cm
My Weight: 155 lbs. or 70.3 kg
Filmed on DJI Mavic Air2 / Soloshot 3 / iPhone 12 Pro.

[@safetybeachlife]

I’ve had a 5’4 mini Simmons for about 8 years now. Now I’m over 60 I don’t surf it any more but my son uses it as a groveller and loves it. It is 22 wide and 2 7/8 and maybe 40 ltr with glassed on fins and flys on you’re forehand

[@SkipperSurfReview]

That's sick! I hope my son would use mine if he ends up liking surfing. He's 2 years old now. The Mini Simmons are so fun to ride!

[@theoverstoker3430]

I’m 6’3 and 250lbs and I surf a Ross surfboards mini Simmon’s out of obx nc and the thing goes mental! I live in Florida and when my friends grab their 9ft+ longboard I grab my 6’ mini Simmon’s and it catches waves with ease and I’m able to whip the thing around and it actually surprisingly gets on rail quite easy and I’ve got some really walled up waves on it! It’s got the wooden glassed in keels and the thing is epic!! I wanna say it has around 45 liters which is good for me being super heavy my shortboard is 6’4 and 43 liters for comparison 🤙 people always turn and look at this board idk if it looks kooky or they like it but when I paddle out on it I get mega amounts of waves and it flies and turns too! Cheers from st Augustine fl!

[@Logan-gi2lm]

That’s sick

[@ItsWesSmithYo]

I’ve got a custom 5-6, totally changed my mind about short boards, you NEEED one 😎🖤🐓

[@SkipperSurfReview]

That's awesome! Who is the shaper?

[@JakeMannings-hp2hp]

Thanks, been thinking of trying one in UK for a while but broke my shoulder recently so can only knee paddle my longboard at mo' 😮 but that's ok!😎grateful for the advice👍

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Feel better Jake!!! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@JakeMannings-hp2hp]

Nice one 😉

[@teahorseguitarstraps1856]

Answered a lot of my questions about the mini-Simmons concept. Thanks!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JackSmith-bs4uc]

Nice review. I’ve been looking at Hydrodynamica Mini Simmons for awhile.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ThomyeSurfs]

dang, you are making me want one now. I was looking at some earlier this year and talked myself out of it. I have to decide between an El Tomo, Mini Simons, CI Mid, or the Flat Earth (low budget). More for reviewing and not so much for surfing. For surfing, I think I found a board that works really well for me. I will drop that review soon. You'll have to let me know what you think of it. Anyways, great job as always. keep them coming. :)

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Ha, you should definitely get one.. I think there shouldn't be an issue to find a used one in LA. If you can do review on CI Mid and film it at Rincon, that would be great to watch. I'd like to see what you can really take out of it. I can't wait to try it on a good point break. That's where it belongs to. LOL. Thank you for the feedback! Will keep an eye on your upcoming review! YEW! Cheers, brother!

[@njsurfer2352]

Love this review. Mini simmons is exceptional!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

It really is! Thanks for watching!

[@zacklee6169]

I want to get one now. Great review!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Go for it!

[@tommcnatt6170]

Hydrodynamica Mini Simmons is the bomb. I love mine. Good review.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you, Tom. Yes, indeed. it's super fun. I need to try it on a solid 4-6 ft day. What size do you have?

[@meteomorris]

What are the specs of your mini Simmons?

[@alikajohnson9250]

Cool. I ordered one from album the the symphony. Can't wait till it arrives

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hi Alika! Thanks for watching! Oh nice. There is currently one on Album website. I'm tempted to get it LOL. That's awesome. What size you ordered?

[@alikajohnson9250]

6'0 I think it's 49 liters

[@lucashildreth5692]

Mini Simmons

[@zandakaskieva2349]

Love this review👍

[@Quickrex]

Mini Simons all about flow and fun. Haven’t had any other board that tells you “ Now dude paddle" If the feeling is not there don’t bother brother. Okay it not exactly a beginner board . But I would say this board actually improved my ability to do a super fast quick pop up and amazing how fast you can pivot in to the wave face. I have a question, do you feel some similarities in the seaside from FireWire. Should because at least my MiniSimons have a boat hole design a keel. ? Bang on with the review by the the way.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

I totally agree on the flow and fun! I don't really feel any similarities in the Firewire Seaside. That board is more about performance. It's a different style board. It will turn much faster, hold better to do the turns and be more precise to draw the lines. Hope this helps!

[@paulvitale5831]

Nice!!!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you, Paul V :)

[@jameso8418]

Fyi I'm in the process of shaping a 6' mini simmons 👍

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thats awesome!!!

[@jameso8418]

@@SkipperSurfReview i should hopefully be done next weekend? I work nights, and in the day too so i need to take a day off ob Sat so i could crank out this Mini Simmons board out. Anyway, once it's done and if it works better than my first one I'll be making these for whoever might want one.😸👍

[@kevinalmeida7159]

are these good for beginners i have a 9ft board and just think its like an oil tanker i need a board that i can turn but till make up for my poor balance, i want a 6' im only 5'5" 138lbs

[@SkipperSurfReview]

No, they are not. They are meant to be surfed short to get the full advantage of the planning hull. I'd consider something in mid length range like Firewire Seaside and Beyond in size 7'6". I wouldn't recommend jumping down in size quick from 9' to 6'.. may be from 9 down to 7'6". That should be more seamless to not struggle a lot. Hope this helps.

[@allenwilliams8962]

1. Do you prefer the mini simmons to a midlength in anle high waves? and if you coud do it all over again how would you size?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Allen, it depends on how I feel that day. It's pretty tough sometimes because I constantly battle with myself on what I want to work on. For instance, If I grab Mini.. I can do more turns on a small wave and basically feel like I can still shortboard LOL. However, I may have to work harder to get the waves if it's crowded. So usually my strategy is to sit on the inside and pick up scraps. I would probably go with the same size 5'2". I find it working perfect at this moment. I would be curious to try 5'5-5'6" to see if I could glide into the waves earlier.

[@allenwilliams8962]

@@SkipperSurfReview I hear ya so many choices. I am debating between something like this or a 5'6 Plasmic by Panda...what do you prefer for small waves?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@allenwilliams8962 Plasmic from Album Surfboards? Well, they are completely different boards. Mini Simmons will feel more skatey, you would need to nurse the turns more however you would plane over fat/flat sections easier as a result you would have longer rides. Also, catching waves will be easier on Mini Simmons. The Plasmic will give you more performance top to the bottom allowing you to do aggressive turns.

[@Matt_olypenlifer]

I’ve recently found this video and it’s great! It inspired me to pick up a 5’3 Solid bento box from my local shop. It’s by far the shortest board I’ve tried. Any suggestions for someone the same height/weight as you on learning the pop up on such a small board? Again, great content!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Matt! It will be very challenging to learn pop up on the boards that size.. I would first dial the pop up on bigger boards like 7-8 ft and once you feel comfortable, move to a shorter one. Just don’t rush with the process of going shorter here and skip the fundamentals. Hope this helps!

[@Matt_olypenlifer]

Oh my bad, I’ve been surfing for 4 years and have been transitioning to shorter boards for the last year or so. The shortest before this 5’3 was a 6’6 egg.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@Matt_olypenlifer if your pop up is quick and you don’t struggle catching waves on the 6’6” meaning you can catch the waves from the inside with just 2-3 paddles then you could definitely handle the shorter size board😜

[@maynardlim9438]

Nice review! Try a von sol manta. Best one I’ve ridden.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you! I’ll look it up🤙🏼

[@MarkFeng]

Ok. Need one ☝️. Surprising that the major board makers don’t make mini Simmons models. How does this compare to your 5’7 seaside?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

5'7" Seaside would just give you more control to make precise turns when the conditions are right which is in my opinion are really limited. The Mini Simmons will keep skatey, go super fast and deliver performance whether it's clean or shitty out there. I love it a lot! I try trying to not get too addicted and balance it out with my other babes:) There are a few brands that offer custom boards. I'm not really sure why FW or Lost don't make them. May be it's harder to replicate full planning hull or it's a marketing move to sell more grovelers/hybrids... coz some people will not buy a groveler after surfing Mini Simmons.

[@MarkFeng]

@@SkipperSurfReview Thanks bro! Keep it up with the great reviews! I've been looking at the MiniBob by Nine Lights (local shaper). But i think i need to surf my ss&b and ci mid more before another new board! haha. really loving the ss&b! still trying to figure out the ci mid.

[@steezemastergeneral4763]

When's the comprehensive quiver tour goin down??

[@SkipperSurfReview]

More alternative crafts! I'm going to drop next review this week.

[@larrameburger]

I just found this video and am considering one, I think you're about 80kg now? Just looking for a size recommendation for 6ft tall and 83kg. Would you size up to 5'6?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Yes, I would go 5'6" x 22 x 2.5... keeping it closer to 40L. Check out my newer board Mini Super Somma Special Designs. It's kind of a performance mini simmons. It's rad! I just surf it 99% of the time!

[@SanookDap]

For really tiny waves, do you think a Mini Simmons would be better than a 7'7 Hayden Shapes Glider? I currently have a 6'0 Christenson Fish but wanted to get the Glider maybe for small small days

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Ben! It all depends on what you like to do. If you just want to cruise down the line then go with the Glider. If you want to just catch a wave and be happy with one turn or floater then Mini Simmons could be a great choice however it needs a bit of a face to take off unless you go in bigger size but I would prefer to keep it short. I'd love to get the Hayden Glider. It's not in US yet. It seems like due to Covid the shipping got delayed. By the way, what size of swell do you get when it's a small small day? I mostly get windswells and it's really weak like mostly 3ft @6 s (mini simmons work in those conditions) but if it's 2 ft @5 sec (i wouldn't bother mini simmons at all).

[@jimcallaham1392]

those keels so far back really hurt that board for most surfers. the yellow board with boxes let you surf better,not so hard to turn

[@dickfortunado6686]

Great review! When do you decide to go backside over switch?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you, Dick. It depends on the conditions! If it's too steep, I go backside :)

[@danielbarbieri8199]

Hi, have you ever ridden the ms in bigger swell ? Your surf is pretty flat, and I'd like to know how rails and fins act when it's bigger. More, the carving capability should be very fun with more speed and steepwaves. thanks, daniel

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Daniel! No, I haven't. But I can only guess that it should hold well on the bottom turn but would have twin fin effect when you do a sharp turn back to the pocket. I mean, it was happening in 2-3 ft waves. I can see that happening in much bigger surf. It's super fun to ride though and your questions made me think of taking it out on a bigger day to try it. If I end up surfing it, I may share it here! Thanks for watching and asking this question! Cheers!

[@mcs9103]

What’s hydrodynamica board bottom like?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey MCS! It's relatively flat. Hit me up on Instagram. I can send you the pictures.

[@catchingmoefish]

Hey Skip, who’s got mini salmon for sale in New York?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

I may sell mine this summer. If I hear anything, I will let you know.

[@catchingmoefish]

Hey cool I don’t have social media i live in Long Beach but very interested

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@catchingmoefish I’ve ordered a custom board with Shea Somma and he’s gonna shape a twinzer. If it works as good as my Mini Super.. I may unload my current one. We will see😁 you can email me [e-mail]

[@alexmur5751]

Do you speak russian ?

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Hey Alex, thanks for watching. yes, I do. Do you speak Russian too?😁

[@gordonquigg9389]

Just so you know, those are actually Mini Joe Quigg design inventions, which Joe came up with in the late 1930's and early 1940's for young kids and girls, 5 years before Simmons started surfing and 10 years before Simmons ever started copying boards of Joe's like that. This mis- conception has been going on since about the 1990's, and is really ludicrous to those who know.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you for your input!

[@leinosaur]

Very thoughtful commentary, my new favorite channel... How fun is it to go back and forth from these skates to the big smooth S&B? Been meaning to try a Simmons and am double-stoked to do so now

[@SkipperSurfReview]

Thank you. It's super fun. I like to switch out boards during the day, jumping 20L up and down LOL