Agree with slowboat, for any small or big wave or chop riding, the longer masts are used.
The short one will be good if you got a spot with ONLY shallow water all over.
We dont, we always got deeper water further out, so no need for a short mast for normal riding.
But as said many times, if marginal dead onshore winds (say 5-8 knots depending on your kite), the only way to be able to "fly", meaning start and get out to deeper water, is having a sufficiently short mast, 80 cm or less.
This is why the shorts mast are used very rare, but WHEN they are, they are worth it IMO, as these are days you will remember, being able to fly in almost nothing and the most beautiful weather
Nothing has changed lately regarding this over the last years, apart from bigger wings being used now also, IMO.
I think the misconception (as it is IMO) about the short masts for waveriding, comes from the SUP foils, where they are often needed and it is a different concept in other aspects too.
A few will of course always love one or another in waves, ie supershort or extra long mast, but I honestly do think the really short ones are not what many will choose in anything but the "too low water" scenarios.
Might be wrong, just my input...
PF
PS: Yes, the fun waves are often close to shore over the lower sand banks, but you dont need a shorter mast for this, as you are up foiling
Only if you make a mistake and fall, okay you have to body drag a bit (not much) to slightly deeper to get up foiling and start again.