Jun 16, 2025

Midlengths: The most functional board in your quiver?

For most surfers, a versatile quiver means having the right tools for different conditions: a groveler for small days, a shortboard for punchier surf, a log for clean peelers. But one board category consistently proves itself session after session, across conditions and skill levels: the midlength.

Some call them eggs, hybrids, or funboards—but those names often undersell their performance. Midlengths, generally falling in the 6’6” to 8’0” range, blend the best features of shortboards and longboards. When thoughtfully designed, they aren’t just “in-between” boards—they’re high-functioning, wave-maximizing machines. And with the current shift in surf culture toward flow, paddle power, and smart lines, midlengths are seeing a well-deserved resurgence.

This guide explores why midlengths are arguably the most useful boards in your quiver—and why Degree 33 Surfboards is offering some of the most dialed-in models available right now.

What Defines a Midlength?

Midlengths sit in the volume and length range that gives them significant paddle power while still allowing for performance surfing. Most designs favor a flatter rocker, fuller outline, and moderate rails to improve wave-catching ability and maintain glide. But they also include subtle features—tapered tails, refined concaves, more responsive rails—that elevate them beyond “beginner boards.”

Here’s what makes midlengths so valuable:

1. Efficient Paddle and Early Entry

With extra volume under the chest and flatter entry rocker, midlengths allow you to get into waves earlier. This is critical in crowded lineups, where securing priority and avoiding late drops can make or break a session.

2. Trim and Speed with Control

The longer rail line generates natural down-the-line speed. On point breaks, this means effortless trimming. On beach breaks, you’re able to connect sections that would be difficult on a shortboard. But unlike longboards, midlengths are still compact enough to respond to directional changes quickly—ideal for controlled cutbacks and functional carves.

3. Range of Performance Possibilities

Midlengths can be tuned toward glide or performance. Depending on tail shape, rail profile, and fin setup, you can get very different results—from a cruisy hull-like feel to something much more maneuverable.

Degree 33 Midlengths

We at Degree 33 Surfboards are proud to have built a reputation around surfboards that perform well in everyday conditions. Our midlength lineup shows a clear understanding of what most surfers actually need: accessible, wave-catching boards that don’t sacrifice performance.

Let’s break down four of our standout midlengths.

1. The Poacher – Hybrid Versatility

The Poacher is Degree 33’s answer to the one-board travel quiver. With its hybrid outline, it maintains a wider nose for paddle power and stability, a pulled-in tail for tighter turning arcs, and moderate rocker for all-around functionality.

Bottom contours include a single-to-double concave that transitions into a slight vee off the tail. This creates lift under the front foot and added control under the back foot—allowing for rail-to-rail transitions that feel surprisingly quick for a board in the 7’0” range.

Who it’s for: Intermediate to advanced surfers who want one board for everything from chest-high beach breaks to overhead reef setups. It’s a do-it-all board that still rewards technical surfing.

2. The Easy Rider – Entry-Level Friendly, Progression Ready

The Easy Rider is designed with approachability in mind. Its fuller template carries more foam throughout the outline, giving it a very stable platform and high wave count. The nose is generous but not overly bulky, and the tail is kept wide enough to keep the board planing easily through flatter sections.

What stands out is how well it paddles. With significant foam under the chest and a flatter rocker profile, this board is engineered to catch waves early and maintain speed without much effort.

Additionally, the Easy Rider blends the best elements of a fish, allowing for amazing turn ability and speed; even when the waves are slow.

While it’s positioned as a great beginner-to-intermediate transition board, it doesn’t lack control. Tucked rails and subtle bottom contours allow it to turn cleanly when ridden from the mid to rear section.

Who it’s for: Surfers moving down from a longboard or soft top, or experienced surfers who want a high wave count with low stress.

3. The Over Easy – Balanced Progression

Sitting between the Easy Rider and Poacher in terms of design complexity, the Over Easy is one of the most balanced midlengths in Degree 33’s lineup. It trims back some of the volume from the Easy Rider and pulls in the tail, making it more responsive and lively off the back foot.

You still get the full outline and glidey feel under the front foot, but the rails are more foiled and the tail design allows for cleaner exits and tighter wraps.

The rocker is slightly more progressive as well—more lift in the nose to handle steeper drops and prevent pearling, with a touch of tail rocker to enable better pivot in turns.

Who it’s for: Intermediate surfers ready to refine their surfing with a board that rewards improved technique. It’s also a solid option for advanced surfers looking for a reliable daily driver.

4. The Speed Egg – High-Performance Midlength

The Speed Egg is designed for surfers who don’t want to sacrifice performance in exchange for volume. Its narrower outline and more pinched rails put it closer to a step-up shortboard than a cruiser.

The tail is noticeably pulled in as a round tail which helps the board hold in steeper, faster surf. A single-to-double concave provides speed through flat spots but lifts through turns, keeping the board agile and responsive.

Despite being a midlength, the Speed Egg excels in powerful waves. Its rail line engages early and holds through turns, and it paddles just enough to get you in early without feeling oversized.

Who it’s for: Shortboarders adding foam without losing responsiveness. Best suited for intermediate+ surfers looking to push performance midlength surfing in better surf.

Fin Configurations and Customization

Degree 33 offers a range of fin options across their midlengths, from thrusters, to quads, and even 2 plus one on our 8'2 Easy Rider. This adjustability allows you to tune the feel depending on the conditions.

Construction options also vary—from traditional polyurethane, which can be customized to different colors and sizes, to epoxy for added durability and lighter weight. We also offer these in our hybrid epoxysoft construction, which is an epoxy board with a soft deck meaning no wax required!

The Real-World Case for Midlengths

Midlengths aren't niche anymore—they’re practical. They maximize wave count, suit a wide range of breaks, and complement other boards in your quiver.

In many conditions, they outperform both shortboards (which can be under-gunned) and longboards (which can be cumbersome). They teach better positioning, clean line choice, and reward subtle technique. For surfers looking to evolve their style or efficiency in the water, midlengths create that opportunity.

Final Take

For most surfers in real-world conditions—wind bumps, inconsistent tides, crowded lineups—a good midlength will likely get more water time than any other board in the quiver.

Degree 33 has done a solid job building midlengths for a range of needs—from entry-level progression (Easy Rider), to do-it-all versatility (Poacher), to performance carving (Speed Egg). Each model is tuned for specific needs, but all share an underlying commitment to user-friendly design and real-world function.

If you haven’t given a midlength a serious run, now’s the time. It’s not about chasing trends—it’s about maximizing your time in the water with a board that works with you, not against you.