SMTH Grande 7'4 review: a twin fin mid-length that feels lively
Updated 2026-09-20
The SMTH Grande is a 7'4 stock twin fin mid-length, designed by Graham Smith and built with a more traditional shortboard outline than most boards its size, and it feels alive underfoot in a way flatter mid-length twins do not.
What it is and why I bought it
I bought the Grande stock, a PU board glassed light at 4x4x4, 21 3/4 inches wide and 2 7/8 thick, coming in at 49 litres. The outline reads more like a traditional shortboard stretched out to 7'4, missing only the middle fin, with real nose rocker and a moderate tail rocker through soft-to-medium rails. The bottom runs mostly single concave with a very mild double near the tail, on Futures boxes. I run the Torren Martyn hand-foiled twin fins from Need Essentials in it, extra large MR templates in black fiberglass, the same setup that came with my Fiji board from Simon Jones. Graham Smith, who shaped it, is Jordy Smith's father and has shaped for riders across Hawaii and California. I bought mine from Boardcave, at retail price.
How it surfed
In clean waves at my local break it feels smooth and predictable, more performance-oriented than most twins its size, sporty and responsive while still giving the extra paddle and glide a mid-length is bought for. Light glass does mean deck impressions show up after a few surfs without a tail pad, which does not bother me. It reminds me of the SMTH Goldfish, another board from this shaper that I already rate highly, and I have had two other SMTH boards, both excellent, with friends who ride them saying the same.
Who it suits and who it does not
This suits an intermediate surfer or above who already rides mid-length twins and wants something livelier underfoot. A genuine beginner will not get the most from it, since it rewards standing with weight over the rear fins to drive through turns rather than a passive stance.
Questions people ask
What fins work on the SMTH Grande?
Torren Martyn hand-foiled twin fins from Need Essentials, extra large MR templates in black fiberglass, the same setup I run on my Fiji from Simon Jones.
How is the Grande different from a typical mid-length twin?
Most mid-length twins carry a rounded nose and a flatter, more forgiving rocker profile. The Grande instead uses a more traditional shortboard outline with real nose and tail rocker, which makes it sportier while still giving the paddle and glide a mid-length is meant for.
Is the SMTH Grande good for beginners?
Not particularly. It suits an intermediate surfer or above who can position their weight over the rear fins to drive it through turns.
This one is still in the rack; more on where it fits sits on the quiver hub. For a similarly lively twin fin, see the SMTH Shapes Goldfish and the Campbell Designed Mid Mod. For more on twin fin mid-lengths generally, see mid-length or longboard.
