Meyerhoffer by Modern Longboards

The Board

Dimensions & Material

We tested the 8'0"H x 39"/21 1/2"W x 2 7/8 "T EPS model. The EPS makes this board very durable and lightweight. The outline starts off with a round nose narrowed at the middle/top, flowing into a wide bottom and finally takes a long narrowing into a pintail. The purpose of the narrowed deck is to eliminate weight for an improved performance without sacrificing paddling power or forgiveness.

Bottom

The bottom is a single concave to a serious vee at the tail. This is an aggressive underside, that promotes performance.

Tail

The tail is a long pintail with moderate rocker. The pintail design allows the Meyerhoffer to drive down the line while the rocker allows for greatly improved maneuvering. Any back foot pressure pulls the nose out of the water which makes all turns easy.

Nose

The nose has a low rocker which works great for nose riding. The nose also thins out which makes the board less front heavy and thus improves performance.

Rails

The rails are rounded 50/50, the forgiving design of the board, to defined edges at the tail. The tail edges allow the bottom and deck to flow together as opposed to defining a division.

Fins

We tested this board with 2 fin FCS and 1 center box. The side fins were polycarbonate and the center fin was a McTavish 6" Fiberglass Fin. This board really benefits from a high performance center fin.

Paddling

The Meyerhoffer paddles comparable or just a hair slower than a longboard/mal. Unfortunately, the board is finicky about body positioning. So there's less forgiveness if you're body is too far forward or backward. Compared to a longboard, you'll have to position yourself closer to the nose to balance the volume at the back.

Catching

Just like paddling the Meyerhoffer catches waves easily like a longboard. The Meyerhoffer is able to catch small (knee or less), poor, or rolling waves, but you'll have to work for them. In these conditions the Meyerhoffer has a harder time locking into the wave. Once you're locked in there's still a chance you can lose the wave. On pop-up the board can roll out of the wave because the rear contour of the board has a tendency to pull back.

In waist to slightly overhead conditions the Meyerhoffer shines. Again, it has the paddling power to get into the waves. Once locked the board holds the wave for a second or two before pop up. Compared to a longboard the Meyerhoffer is a little less stable on pop up. But this allows the board to be more maneuverable on take off. Once up in slow to moderate waves, the board takes a second before the drop. In faster waves or late drops there's no real pause, it just goes. Essentially the Meyerhoffer will match the tempo of the wave you're going for. Thanks to the increased rocker, the board can handle steeper drops compared to a classic longboard. Just a little back foot pressure allows the nose to pull up and to avoid nose diving.

Riding

The ride on the Meyerhoffer is amazing by accommodating almost any riding style. The only downside to the ride is in knee - or small/poor waves, the Meyerhoffer lacks the volume to keep you in the wave. You can still ride these waves but you'll have to work for them. Really this board was designed for waist+ waves. In waist+ conditions the Meyerhoffer will compliment your riding style. Want to bomb down the line? Or how about some old school noseriding? Or maybe you want to do some serious carving? It's all doable with the Meyerhoffer.

The board's maneuverability is unmatched by any longboard, all thanks to board's rocker and reduced center volume. Bottom turns, snaps, and floaters can be easily done. Although the Meyerhoffer has increased performance the board is still very forgiving and that's what makes these maneuvers easy to pull off. Also, after every big move the Meyerhoffer will get back up to speed quickly so you can continue to enjoy the wave. Ultimately if you want to rip on a longboard, the Meyerhoffer is an awesome way to go.

The Meyerhoffer is also great for noseriding. Although it has a funky shape, the board is well balanced for walking and even standing on the nose. In fact, the Meyerhoffer is stable enough for any kind of footwork. The board tucks tightly into the face of the wave, which keeps the Meyerhoffer stable as you walk on the deck. And the board's natural drive keeps it moving while you focus on your footwork.

If you just like to cruise down the wave the Meyerhoffer has you covered. The pintail design allows the board to fly, keeping up with fast paced waves and burning past quick sections. There's not much carving needed on your part to build or maintain the drive, the Meyerhoffer takes care of everything.

But the best part of the Meyerhoffer is its ability to transition through riding styles all in one ride. Bomb past a quick section, hit the lip, come back up the face and walk to the nose, fly down the line, walk back and shoot up for a floater all in one wave. The Meyerhoffer opens up all kinds of opportunities to keep your surfing interesting and varied.

The Meyerhoffer is a great surfboard for novice to expert surfers. The board's ability to conform to a variety of surf styles makes it great. Shortboarders will be able to increase their wave count while still being able to rip. Longboarders will experience improved maneuverability helping to to expand their arsenal of tricks. Priced around $650 makes this a must have for almost any surfer. The Meyerhoffer is an everyday board that'll keep you happy for years.