Why You Should Have a Mid Length
I'll tell you why you shouldn't have a mid length in your quiver: if you think catching more waves is a bad idea, if you think getting in earlier and making more sections with less effort sounds boring, or if you think gliding through smooth, on-rail, wrapping cutbacks isn't for you, then go ahead and keep struggling on your shortie when the waves are anything less than firing. Modern mid lengths are versatile, capable, and so fun to surf, it's almost like cheating.
You can't throw a bar of wax these days without hitting a fit, old surfer who still rips, but has thousands of waves in their sore, creaky shoulders and wonders how much longer this can last. Even Kelly Slater, the greatest high performance surfer of all time, spends time on his own mid length model (The Boss Up).They, and you, have earned a smoother path to wave-fulfillment, and that path is on a mid length.
A mid length paddles faster, catches waves easier and earlier, speeds through sections effortlessly, and still lets you crank turns.
What It Is - A mid length (hereafter referred to as a mid) is a board somewhere between a longboard and shortboard in length. There is some debate as to what general planshape constitutes a mid. For instance, does a 7'0" fish qualify as a mid, or must a mid more closely resemble a pulled in longboard? We're going to keep it simple and say that anything between, say 6'10" and 8'2" qualifies as a mid. Below that and it's more of a "big boy" fish, shortboard, etc., and beyond 8'2" is getting into longboard territory.
Most mids have rail and bottom profiles that mimic performance boards rather than log-style longboards, meant to facilitate easy turning, hold on the rail, and a high top speed. Mids come as quads, twins, thrusters, single fins, 2 + 1s, and 4 + 1's. Thanks to their combination of extra volume and highly surfable design attributes, mids are very forgiving of their surfer's mistakes.
What It's Not - A mid is neither shortboard nor longboard, but shares desirable attributes of each. Of course, longboarders will think it surfs more like a shortboard, while shortboarders will feel like it's more of a longboard, and they're both right, and wrong. Most mids are not made to lock in to an extended toes-over nose ride. And while you can definitely whack an oncoming section or cap off a roundhouse with a legit smack, a mid isn't inviting you to blow the tail out when the mood strikes.
Why You Want One - A mid catches waves like a longboard - early and with less effort - yet still allows for top to bottom turn combos and full wrapping cutbacks, they just need a little more space, planning, and proper technique. Mid lengths allow for the proper level of ripping for most surfers. Don't worry about being able to do an inverted air or the latest grab, or pop a reverse on every section, as long as you can do a solid bottom turn and throw some spray off the top, you'll be feeling like a ripper. That extra rail line and swing weight, matched with highly capable design, create a combination of speed, hold, and forgiveness that will have you grinning all the way back out to the take-off zone.