Messages

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SUP General / Re: Starboard Pro vs. Infinity Blurr v2, thoughts?

« on: April 14, 2024, 08:49:33 AM »

I always put together these to-scale nerdy images when I'm looking at boards. After more thought, the B-Line is more similar in outline and rocker to my Kronos than the Blurr, so it might make sense to try out a Blurr for some differentiation. Hopefully I can get a demo on one.

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SUP General / Re: Starboard Pro vs. Infinity Blurr v2, thoughts?

« on: April 13, 2024, 08:48:34 AM »

I currently have the Blurr 7'11 x 27,5" - 90 L, since I only surf a few times now during the year and mostly in bigger waves with more water moving and in conditions that you have to be more aware of incoming sets and crowd. The Blurr 7'11 is super stable. Way more stable than the B-Line 7'11. I rode it in crazy conditions: super mushy waves, with lots of wind, chop, current and backwash, and was able to stand on it with some comfort. 
(...)
Hope it helps!

Oh man! Thanks! Yes, that absolutely helps. I'd kind of ruled out the 7'11 Blurr thinking it wouldn't be stable enough, but clearly I need to try it before I do rule it out. Based on the specs and shape, I would have bet my 2nd child that the 7'11 B-Line would feel more stable than the 7'11 Blurr.

I rode it in crazy conditions: super mushy waves, with lots of wind, chop, current and backwash...

Sounds like my local!

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SUP General / Re: Starboard Pro vs. Infinity Blurr v2, thoughts?

« on: April 12, 2024, 10:18:49 AM »

I can’t speak for the Starboard models discussed here but I have a lot of experience with Infinity boards, specifically the RNB, Blurr V1 and V2 and mode of their other models. The RNB is “fun” but lacks the performance of the V1/V2. The Blurr surfs much differently than the RNB so just keep that in mind. If the shop near you offers demos, I would try that before settling on one or the other. I have two RNBs but rarely pull them out, the B-Line or a Blurr has been my go to for a couple of years now.

Just to circle back to my original post.. almost two years later I'm the proud new owner of a lightly used 8'5"x30.5", 121L Infinity BlurrV2.

First of all though...
Many thanks to @supthecreek for his remarkably detailed emails when I casually asked in an email basically, "Do you think a Genration Kanga would suit me?"  I feel bad for all the effort he put in to provide me with all the pros and cons and possible alternatives since I didn't end up buying his eventual recommendation, an SPX.  @supthecreek, you are really a great ambassador for Sunova and the sport in general.  Sunova/GR will be at the top of my list for my next board for sure.

I've only had a few surfs on the Blurr so far but I think I'll be happy with it.  I can definitely tell the difference the volume and outline make to the stability but I was able to stand up immediately and paddle around, albeit a bit tentatively.  After an hour or so, I was feeling a bit more comfortable and able to catch a few smaller waves.  I realized I had some bad/lazy habits from being on the Wedge though.

The main one was the stability of the Wedge didn't really require me to paddle around in a semi-surf stance so I never really practiced it.  The Blurr definitely requires it especially when paddling for a wave.  I don't think it has to be an extreme staggered stance but about an 18" difference fore/aft is enough to noticeably improve the perceived stability.

Relevant thread for me!  I'm looking to replace my Infinity RNB (7'6 x 28, 95 L). I need a new "comfy" board, but want one with a bit more performance. My smaller board (7'4 x 26, 82 L Kronos--my all time favorite) takes quite a bit of work especially on the pop-up. I added pics of both below (including a rail thickness shot). My RNB has always been my go-to board if conditions call for something with a bit more stability, but I find myself wanting something with a bit more spark. The RNB is a great cruiser (parallel rails and flatter rocker), but I find it a little stiff to turn.  Plus on "bigger" waves (bigger for me = head to head and a half high), I find the RNB doesn't quite have enough hold on the bottom turns. But, I'm getting older and haven't been surfing as much as I used to, so I need something that is a bit more forgiving than my 82 L board when popping up and trolling for waves in the lineup. Ya, so I want stability combined with maneuverability (imagine that).

On my first short-list, I have put down five options (pretty sure I'll go with Infinity or Sunova):
1.) Infinity B-Line (7'11 x 27, 85 L)
2.) Infinity BLurr V2 (7'11 x 27.5, 90 L)
3.) Infinity Wide Speed (7'7 x 28, 100 L)
4.) Sunova SPX (7'8 x 28, 95 L)
5.) Sunova Ghost (7'11 x 28.5, 99 L)

My favorite lengths are 7'4-7'8.  I just connect with boards that length. For float, my ideal would be around the float of my RNB (95 L). Anything over 100 L starts to feel a bit bargy for me (I'm only 150 lbs at my heaviest). I'm up to my ankles in water at 82 L with the nose just sitting out of the water. At 95 L, my deck is just a bit wet. And I like light boards. I really really like light boards. For me, they just add a spark to the ride that I miss on heavier boards. My small board only weighs 8.2 lbs (without fins & traction) which is insanely light (it's amazing). 

If I was going custom (which I traditionally have done), I'd contact Dave @ Infinity and would ask if he could whip up a B-Line for me around 7'8-7'11 x 28-ish, 90-95 L. I'll probably talk with him about that when I'm ready.  But there is something to be said about the stock boards they are making now (strong & light). My custom RNB had amazing construction (strong enough and light enough). But I've had one other custom from Infinity that was soooo fragile. And my buddy has a custom that is also a bit weak. But that was 8+ years ago, so maybe their customs have progressed (like their stocks have).  I'm pretty curious about the Sunovas too.  I do wonder about their weight vs the stock or custom Infinity boards though.

Of the boards above, here are my thoughts and concerns/questions about them:

1.) Infinity B-Line (7'11 x 27, 85 L)
I'm confident the shape and rocker would fit the ride experience I'm looking for. I do like performance boards with a bit fuller of a nose (adds pop-up stability and helps me get into waves). The length is on the higher end for me, but it might be a good thing as a step-up board and we do sometimes surf bigger, thicker waves that can use a bit of glide to help get into them. My main concern with this one is the volume. 85 L is a little low for my "comfy" board, but I don't want the next one up at 8'2 long. I'll eventually talk with Dave to get his thoughts (maybe a custom?, or maybe the added surface area to this would mean 85 L would be OK for stability?). Ideally I could demo it. I'd know immediately if it'd be comfy enough.

2.) Infinity BLurr V2 (7'11 x 27.5, 90 L)
Oh man, my soul wants me to be on this board, but I have to put myself in check. On paper, the volume and width look good, and I know it'll be light. But that shape will for sure be less stable than the B-Line. I really really want to demo this board to see how it feels on pop-up and paddling around in chop. I'll probably visit SoCal at some point in the next year and will check with Dave if he has some demos. I want this to be the one, but I suspect I'll need a bit more stability (and I don't want to jump up to anything longer than 7'11).

3.) Infinity Wide Speed (7'7 x 28, 100 L)
With the B-Line and Blurr, I have no doubts they would surf amazing--I'm more worried about how stable they'd be in the lineup. With this Wide Speed, I'm sure it would have the comfort, but I'm really curious to feel how it rides on the wave. How does it ride with its unique bottom shape and beveled rails? If this had a bit more performance than the RNB, it could be the one.

4.) Sunova SPX (7'8 x 28, 95 L)
The specs on paper of this board are exactly what I'm looking for. The shape, rocker and intent of this board seem like a good fit. I think it'd be stable enough and I think it would add the performance I'm looking for. The only real question mark here is weight.

5.) Sunova Ghost (7'11 x 28.5, 99 L)
This is the wild card. Like the Wide Speed above, I'm sure this would be more than stable enough but I'd want to surf it before making the call. I LOVE the concept of the fin-forward design. Like many of us, on my bigger boards, I tend to do most of my riding with my back foot in front of the tail pad. The only board I seem to ride with my back foot right on the tail pad is my small Kronos. So with this board being designed to be ridden like that--it has my attention. Like the SPX, I do wonder about weight though (again, I'm really sensitive to board weight for its feel on the wave).

Ideally, I could head to Dana Point and try the three Infinity boards. And I will contact them to see if there's a chance for that (but that might not be possible). Same with the Sunovas...I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to demo those two, but I just don't see how that can reasonably happen. There's a small chance that I might visit Rick (SUPTHECREEK Rick) at some point over the next year to surf with him, but I doubt he'll have access to any Sunovas in my size range to try.

So ya, the search is just beginning....gonna take my time with this one.

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Random / Re: At what age did you, or do you plan to retire?

« on: April 05, 2024, 12:12:27 PM »

There's no good reason to retire if your work doesn't beat the shit out of you. I have some acquaintances in Hood River who do physically taxing labor, but they are making 2 to 3X more money than they ever did before and can't find anyone to take over their business. Retirement was a useful concept when people died at 60. Not so much when you will probably see 90.

My thoughts on that.... if you have enough money to maintain your lifestyle (with a cushion for the unexpected), I'd only consider working if I'd be willing to do it for free. That was the ultimate test I used in my decision. Reasons to retire even if work doesn't beat the shit out of you are time and health.  If work doesn't bring you joy (ie, would do it happily for free), there are probably some other things you could be doing instead that do bring you joy (volunteering, family, surfing, learning, etc). I truly believe in the cliche--time is the most valuable currency of all.  And tied with time is health....you never know what lurks around the corner. Work didn't beat the shit out of me. But I've found that having extra time has opened new doors that I didn't even know existed (not work or money related). But I know some people who truly love their work and couldn't imagine life without it. They are lucky.

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Random / Re: At what age did you, or do you plan to retire?

« on: April 01, 2024, 05:01:16 PM »

I retired the month I turned 48. It's been 2 years--I just turned 50. My decision came right as the pandemic was winding down. I had the opportunity to sell my business (after 21 years of hard work) and I realized if I did, and kept my spending in check, I could retire without sacrificing my standard of living. I've been a very disciplined investor since I was 19--nothing exciting, just slow and steady, so that helped too.

My late 30s & 40s were full of injuries and surgeries (15 total), and being so messed up for so long changed my perspective on how I wanted to spend my 50s and beyond. My body is pretty compromised, but I've figured out my boundaries and have accepted them (hard to do). I have to put time in daily for body maintenance--I've become pretty obsessed with it. Zone 2 cardio, strength training, saunas, cold plunges, focused eating, etc. It's helping me participate in some of the things I really enjoy. But it takes time. I don't think I could keep up with it all if I was working. 

So now, I spend my days working on my fitness, enjoying time with my teenage kids, and exploring any wormhole hobby that keeps my mind inspired. I'm rarely, if ever, bored and usually have some sort of "to do" list on the go. I feel privileged to be in this situation and am thankful for it everyday.

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Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: I needed that! (El Salvador)

« on: April 01, 2024, 01:03:27 PM »

Here's a little clip of some of the waves I managed to get. The rust is real! Motivation to get back at it this spring and summer!

https://youtu.be/Bkrf9S7Q-v8

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Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: The state of SUP surfing?

« on: March 29, 2024, 08:49:32 AM »

I thought this was interesting (and surprising) from Jannik Linder, Gitnux, Market Data Report 2024:

The global SUP market was estimated to be worth $2.6 billion in 2023.
The global stand-up paddleboard market is projected to grow at a rate of approximately 7% between 2021 and 2026.

My personal experience, here on the Jersey Shore, is that while there are not many new SUP ers, we haven't really lost any either.  Personally I've plateaued in my ability and preferences, and I've settled into equipment that work well for me, so it's hard to get exited about new stuff.  That of course is subject to change...

My perception is that flat water SUPing is growing, but I'm seeing less SUP surfers (but that could just what I think I'm seeing and not reflective of what's really going on).

I'm with you on gear. At first, I was buying new boards pretty frequently hunting what works well for me.  Once I got what worked, I've pretty much locked in on 2 boards and don't see buying anything else until they give out.

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Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: The state of SUP surfing?

« on: March 28, 2024, 10:20:29 PM »

 
The SUP scene that I have seen first hand seems more popular in SoCal than NorCal.  The beaches got hammered in SoCal this winter, messing up some of the beach breaks, but SUPs still work.
Don't worry about what what other people are riding, ride the equipment that feels good to you. 
Stoked on your El Savador trip.  Welcome back.

Ya, SoCal seemed to be a real mecca back in 2014-2018 when I was really active. My shaper was based out of Carlsbad and I made a couple trips down to pick up boards and surf around the area. Met some very cool people on those trips. I'm glad to hear the scene is still strong there.

The state of SUP will have no influence on what I choose to ride. My big decision is only what SUP to bring. I'm not worried, but more curious how things ebbed and flowed while my head was in the sand.

...and thanks....I'm so thankful to be back in a spot where I can froth again!

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Travel, Trips, Destinations / The state of SUP surfing?

« on: March 28, 2024, 12:57:26 PM »

Hi all,

I've been away since 2018 (both from SUP and this forum). Had a few surgeries and recoveries I needed to take care of.  I'm looking forward to getting back out there, but am curious to hear from you all on what the state of SUP surfing is these days. At my local spots up here in Canada, I'm seeing less SUPs out in the lineup. On my recent trip to El Salvador, I only saw two other SUPers out over a 10 day period.  I also stayed at Alex's hotel (the local legend SUPer down there) and he said he hasn't SUPed much at all over the past few years.

It also looks like this forum has really morphed much more into a strong foiling forum since I was active back in 2017/18.

How's the SUP surf scene down in SoCal where it used to be flourishing (Carlsbad, Sano, Dana Point, etc)? Is it declining elsewhere?  Or is it strong as ever?

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Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: I needed that! (El Salvador)

« on: March 28, 2024, 12:48:57 PM »

Cool to see you back, and back at it !

Thanks! It's great to be back!

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Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: I needed that! (El Salvador)

« on: March 28, 2024, 12:47:46 PM »

You are a brave soul indeed lol. El Salvador is full of cobble and massive rocks. So many point breaks lead to shallow depths of rock, it's a intimidating place. I surfed that area 10 years ago and was blown away by all of the spots within short distances of each other. I've heard Playa El Tunco is all growed now. Way to crush it!

Thanks! Ya, lots of rocks in that area for sure.  I was SUPing with two guys from Miami (only 2 SUPers I saw all trip) and one guy broke a leash.  His board got swept into the rocks. They didn't have booties on so I swam in to get his board (I've had enough urchin encounters to have no shame wearing booties in the tropics!). Board was fine thankfully.

And ya, El Tunco is a pretty busy place relative to the rest of that coast.  Visited for 20 minutes and then moved on!

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Travel, Trips, Destinations / I needed that! (El Salvador)

« on: March 25, 2024, 06:41:15 PM »

Turns out taking 5 years off, getting 5 years older and having 5 surgeries doesn't inspire confidence in the water. Decided to spend the week in El Salvador to jump start my come back. I was scared sh-tless! But after a few days out, I started getting a bit more comfortable. I had to completely relearn my pop-up (due to new limitations from the surgeries) and it took some time to lock in on my standing balance. But it's coming. Had a great day today!

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Gear Talk / Re: L41 Bruce Wayne model

« on: October 10, 2023, 09:08:39 AM »

I've never ridden a Bruce Wayne, but I owned a L41 ST (SIMSUP) for a couple of years.  I think of it as a gateway board for me. It really opened my eyes to surfing on shorter SUPS. I was riding 9'0s at the time and went down to a 7'11 on the L41. The difference was massive (in a great way). After a while, the wide tail started to feel sluggish though. At that point, I actually considered a Bruce Wayne but I ended up deciding on an Infinity RNB which took things to a new level.  The RNB still had a wide-ish tail and parallel rails for stability, but was more maneuverable on the wave. My guess is the Bruce Wayne would have fit the bill there too.  After a while on that RNB, I was still wanting something even a bit more agile (even more like a surfboard than a SUP surfer) so I had Kronos shape me a Nano and it was love at first ride--that's my magic board.

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Training, Diet, and Fitness / Re: Back surgery advice

« on: October 10, 2023, 08:56:05 AM »

Pono, I'm actually looking at what the moto guys are doing and am armoring up for the mtb trails with gear they use.

Even more than doubling down on physio, I'm paying huge attention to this latest Medicine 3.0 movement. I recommend everyone read Outlive by Peter Attia. And bonus points to listen to podcasts by Attia, Andrew Huberman, Brad Stanfield and Rhonda Patrick (all on Youtube and other main podcast sources).

Here are some things I've added to my general daily routine these days:
- cold plunge (4 minutes, 7 degrees C)
- 30 minute zone 2 cardio (the odd zone 5 interval day)
- 45 minute strength/balance/physio training
- sauna (15 minutes, 90 degrees C)
- more protein (+ creatine & collagen)
- getting on statins (even though I'm still under the old school threshold of LDL levels)
- I'd add more things I'm up to, but it starts to get into the weeds

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Training, Diet, and Fitness / Re: Back surgery advice

« on: October 04, 2023, 02:50:41 PM »

Always good hearing from you Creek.

My big dilemma is my nearest surf break is 6 hours (and $200 in ferries) away.  I can be mountain biking on the world's best trails in 10 minutes.

....but I hear you. I'm changing my mindset on the trails moving forward. I'm 50, not 18.

BUT, I surfed this weekend! ...on my 7'6.  And minus some rust on getting from my knees to my feet, it felt like I never left. On wave it felt natural (and great!).

I'm starting to think about a trip to El Salvador (tips welcome!).