epoxy board in river

[bretrwarner]

How dumb am I if I take an epoxy board down a class 2/3 river section.  I am asking more because I know very little about the durability of epoxy.

[southwesterly]

Are you asking for a number from 1 through 10?

[kwhilden]

That depends on how rocky the river is...  rocks and epoxy SUPs do not get along, and the rock always wins.

Even more important is your personal safety. River safety is highly counter-intuitive compared to surf safety, because the water is moving while the waves are stationary. If you wear a leash, make sure it is not an ankle leash, and that it has a quick-release feature that can be easily popped in a pin situation. If it's a shallow rocky river, you might also consider protection for shins, elbows, knees, and especially your head.

[bretrwarner]

Thanks,
I figured that was the answer, but the recent rains had me thinking of my whitewater kayaking days.  I would not have thought about the leash problem either.

[h20bug]

Make sure you check out Glide Paddleboards.  www.glidesup.com 

[JimK]

Been doing it for YEARS! No problem Upper Delaware, Lehigh rivers regularly. Nothing super RAD but having fun

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[corran]

I had a kevlar, vacuum bagged epoxy prototype of the Spitfire in South Africa this spring. For a composite board, it was exceptionally strong. Brand new board. By the end of the two week trip it was almost a write off!

Your call lol

Corran

[MOsup]

Man, if your river is anything like the one I paddle, even though it is solid class 2 with the occasional 3 thrown in there, I would have demolished an epoxy board. I've only been on an SUP a handful of times but I think back to my surfboard when I lived near the ocean, and it would not have lasted one trip down the river.

[mountainpaddler]

Not sure on how the material compares but I am about 100 plus runs on class III to low IV on my Surftech and its fine. Some nicks and dings but still watertight and paddles fine. But....the river and the rocks will hammer it worse then just about any other paddling conditions obviously.

h