I was searching for a board I could easily travel with — something lighter than my CJ Nelson Sprout longboard, yet versatile enough to catch small waves at mellow spots and handle more advanced conditions in tropical locations. I originally got the Mid Tide for a trip to Fiji, but unfortunately, the conditions weren’t great. So I brought it back to explore and test some of the New Zealand breaks — and I have to say, at 7’8”, it’s super easy to travel with, way easier than a longboard or log. But I ended up bringing all of the boards 😉 — just in case!
Board dimensions:
- Length: 7’8”
- Volume: 56 litres
- Fin setup: Single fin + 2 quad side bites
My first destination with the Mid Tide was Taupō Bay — a quiet, laid-back spot in the Far North of New Zealand’s North Island. Here you discover a mile of white sand beach, crystal blue water, and a pace that instantly slows you down. There are no stores, no restaurants, and very little traffic. We stayed in the campground and most days delivered small, glassy 2 ft waves — the kind that invite long, cruisy lines rather than high-performance pressure. On high tide, I was riding my longboard, catching smooth, flowing waves, but when the tide dropped, I switched to the appropriately-named Salt Gypsy Mid Tide — and that’s when the board came into its own.
The Mid Tide paddles easily, glides beautifully, and feels incredibly forgiving, making it perfect for smaller conditions without ever feeling boring. It holds speed well and allows you to link sections effortlessly, even when the waves aren’t perfect — exactly what you want in a place like Taupō Bay, where surfing is more about flow and fun than forcing turns. I was getting some spray off the rails, turning in ways that are not possible on a much longer board, and enjoying the responsiveness of a smaller craft.
You can still cross-step up the deck if you wish, or you can lean hard into the tail and rapidly change direction.
One day, we managed to capture some drone footage with the DJI Air 2S. The waves weren’t ideal — lots of closeouts — but it was one of those absolutely stunning settings: no wind, crystal blue water, and scenery that felt more like a tropical island than rural New Zealand. The temperature was perfect for my 2 mm summer wetsuit, adding to that effortless, holiday-surf vibe.
Check out the short video below from my session on the Salt Gypsy Mid Tide.
Table of Contents
Specs & Shape
The Salt Gypsy Mid Tide is a true mid-length surfboard, designed to sit perfectly between a longboard and a more performance-oriented funboard. It is available in multiple sizes, including 6’8”, 7’0”, 7’4”, and 7’8”, with a variety of colour options to choose from.
Board reviewed:
At 7’8”, the Mid Tide offers plenty of paddle power and glide without feeling oversized. The generous volume makes it stable and forgiving, while the outline keeps it refined enough to handle a variety of conditions. The single fin with quad side bites gives a beautiful balance between classic trim and modern control, allowing you to cruise when you want — and engage the rail when the wave demands it.
If you’re coming from a longboard background, this board instantly feels friendly underfoot.
Paddling & Wave Entry
One of the standout features of the Mid Tide is how easily it paddles. At 56L, it gets into waves early and effortlessly — a huge advantage in small or softer conditions.
In 2 ft glassy waves at Taupō Bay, it felt fast into the wave and incredibly forgiving on take-off. Compared to a longboard, it requires a little more intention, but it still allows you to catch waves comfortably without fighting for position or timing.
It’s especially good when:
- The waves are too small to justify a shortboard
- You want something more agile than a log
- You’re surfing crowded or mellow longboard spots
Performance on the Wave
Once on the wave, the Mid Tide really comes alive.
In small, glassy conditions, it trims beautifully and carries speed across flatter sections. It doesn’t feel sticky or slow, even when the wave lacks power. The glide is there, but with more responsiveness than a traditional longboard.
On mid tide, when the waves became slightly steeper and more playful, the Mid Tide felt like the perfect choice. It held speed through sections, allowed smooth direction changes, and felt incredibly controlled, even when the waves started closing out.
The single fin provides stability and flow, while the quad side bites add extra hold and drive, especially when trimming higher on the face or setting a line through faster sections.
This isn’t a board that demands aggressive surfing — it rewards smooth lines, good positioning, and relaxed flow.
Maneuverability & Feel
For a mid-length, the Mid Tide turns surprisingly well.
It’s not designed for sharp, snappy shortboard turns, but it offers:
- Smooth rail-to-rail transitions
- Easy direction changes
- Confident bottom turns
- Flowy cutbacks rather than tight pivots
The board feels stable, predictable, and confidence-inspiring, especially in imperfect conditions. Even on a day with lots of closeouts, it allowed me to stay relaxed and have fun — and honestly, that’s the biggest compliment you can give a surfboard.
Conditions: When to Ride a Mid-Length
- The Salt Gypsy Mid Tide shines in:
- Small to medium waves (2–5 ft)
- Glassy or clean conditions
- Longboard spots where you still want performance
- Beach breaks with softer sections
- Point breaks and cruisy reefs
- Travel destinations with variable surf
It’s ideal when:
- A longboard feels too big or slow
- A shortboard feels like too much work
- You want one board that can handle most days
Not ideal for:
❌ Very steep, hollow waves
❌ Heavy barrels
❌ Late, critical drops
Who Is the Mid Tide For?
This board is perfect for:
✔ Longboarders looking for something more versatile
✔ Intermediate surfers wanting more wave count and confidence
✔ Surfers who value flow over aggressive performance
✔ Travelers looking for a one-board quiver
✔ Anyone surfing smaller, playful conditions regularly
It’s especially great if you want:
- Easy paddling
- Fun over performance pressure
- A board that adapts to conditions rather than fighting them
Travel Factor
The Mid Tide proved to be an excellent travel companion. It’s easy to carry, practical to pack, and versatile enough to cover a wide range of conditions — from mellow longboard waves to more powerful tropical setups.
On our North Island trip, it was the board I reached for when conditions weren’t perfect — and often ended up being the board I had the most fun on.
Final Thoughts
The Salt Gypsy Mid Tide is a joyful, easy-to-surf mid-length that bridges classic glide with modern versatility. It’s the kind of board that makes average days feel fun and good days feel effortless.
If you’re looking for a board that travels well, paddles easily, and delivers smooth, flowy surfing across a wide range of conditions, the Mid Tide is an excellent choice.
Verdict:
- Perfect for small to medium waves
- Great for longboarders stepping into a mid-length
- Easy to travel and versatile
- Fun, forgiving, and flowy — not for steep hollow waves
Check out the Mid Tide surfboard by Salt Gypsy.
For NZ, the Mid Tide is available through Global Surf Industries.