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OR Mako for learning?

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 4:51 pm
by TommyDelly
How are the Mako boards for learning and generally for total beginners (waterstart, first runs, getting upwind, etc.)?

Thanks for your input!
Cheers

Re: OR Mako for learning?

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:06 pm
by adamj2281
I wouldn't advise them for learning unless that's all you want to ride for awhile. Mainly because they require a more even amount of foot pressure between your front and rear instead of the more traditional tt that requires more back foot pressure.

It's a great board, but I'd get comfortable on a more "normal" twintip and then buy a Mako to suit your needs.

Re: OR Mako for learning?

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:40 pm
by whabbits
The local school here has one that they occasionally take out for students who're struggling to apply more pressure on their back foot.

I would agree with the above that a more traditional, wide, reduced rocker, twin tip is better for beginners.

Re: OR Mako for learning?

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:19 pm
by Laughingman
I learned on a Mako 150 wide, and taught my wife on the same board then moved her to a Mako mini. and then she bought a Crazyfly girls and then I bought her a Epic Spartan. She has not ridden the Mako since she got the Spartan.

I think it is fine for learning.
I will never sell my Mako but there are pros and cons to every board, the Mako is great in waves but lacks characteristics such as POP, but it eats up chop like crazy and is a nice comfortable ride but it is certainly not a light wind board.

Re: OR Mako for learning?

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:38 pm
by Life_Is_Awesome
I agree with everything above, especially that the Mako is a sweet board :thumb:

It also depends on your local conditions. I learned on a Spleen Session, which is a beginner friendly board. But, since where I live we get higher winds and lots of chop it really was not a great board to learn on for me. Reason being is that it handled the chop poorly (still a great board though, just meant for different conditions). I then switched to a Mako and it helped me to progress since it was so much better in the chop. If you're in gusty, choppy conditions, consider the Mako even if you are a beginner.

Re: OR Mako for learning?

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 12:24 am
by fourperf
I taught my 14 yo son on a mako and think it works really well for a beginner personally.

Re: OR Mako for learning?

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 12:52 am
by NYKiter
Mako generates an EXPONENTIAL reduction in the learning curve for students...seen it four times this year... :party1:

Re: OR Mako for learning?

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:30 pm
by Slappysan
Unless you have the Mako already or really want the surfy feel of the Mako I would get a Shinn Gintronic or Red instead.

Re: OR Mako for learning?

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:11 pm
by tommeltot
I learn't on a traditional twintip but that was before I discovered the Mako.

I think the board would be just fine for a newbie after all why buy anything else when the Mako smooths out chop, boosts big (I speak for the 130cm size, 'Mini Mako') and is great in the waves to boot?

Re: OR Mako for learning?

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 2:35 pm
by TommyDelly
Thanks for you replies!
I see there are very different opinions on this one. The board is not for me actually, but would be ment for teaching and i was thinking about the 140/40 size.
We have different spots, no waves, some choppy but mostly flat water, so looks like a board with less rocker would be better.