Big wave SUP's and impact vest/pfd's

[waderzr]

That there my friend, is a super high-tech vest.  I picked it up at Costco for $25.00.

If you want to get fancy, the wake board shops have these impact vests that you can wear under your suit.  They won't get ripped over your head when you get blown up.  I have been meaning to upgrade my michelin man suit...just haven't got around to it. 

Have fun out there...and give us a report!

Wade 

[surfcowboy]

Wade, I can't believe you didn't support the homeland... Wal-Mart.

I am officially the #2 ranked standup surfer on Team Arkansas. Should we meet another before I get another summer under my belt, I could slip to #3.

[paddlesurfpastor]

Slightly off topic, but I did discover last week that Infinity Surfboards does make a SUP gun. They've shipped many over to a Tahitian crew. http://www.infinitysurf.com/sup/the-rising-sun/

[Beasho]

Big wave insights:

1)   I am reposting the video of Jeff catching this wave at Mavericks.  He was riding a 10' 0" board. 

2)   After 10 years of surfing and 25 years of windsurfing the biggest waves I had ever ridden were 15 feet.  Within 3 months of learning SUP I had caught a 20 footer.  Within 2 more months I had broken my board in half.

3)   Everyone who has caught waves at Mavericks on a SUP has broken at least one SUP.  This despite the fact that Mavericks can sometimes be less slabby than other big wave spots.

4)   People that SUP at Mavericks wear at least one PFD under, or over their wetsuit.  I wear both a rib protector and flotation vest.

5)   Ian, who I have watched catch more big waves than anyone, once observed: "There is no turning on waves like these. They are incredibly fast, you want to make the drop and then you pretty much go straight (watch video).  I have ridden a 9' board, but it was a novelty.  In reality you want something 11' 6" or more."

The moral of the story is that SUP's get us into waves far bigger, much earlier than was ever possible as a mortal proner.  If you are a superhuman surfer, like Jeff, Laird or Robby, you likely have the experience to ride a shorter board, take off late and not have your brain go off its register when making the drop.  Otherwise you should plan on riding something 11' 6" or bigger, wearing a PFD and be prepared to swim in with half a board, $1,500 poorer. 

PS: The PSH 10' 6" board is great up to 3X but for bigger waves is still a bit too small. 
PSS: Have fun and take some video

[Northern Supper]

Maybe you are already in Peru. Here's what you can catch with a 10'6" hull ripper gun, a couple of PFD's, a Kialoa Methane paddle and a waist leash. Be prepared to break it all.

[JakeSupTX]

I have a Dakine surface vest that I use for kitesurfing and when I go out in the little bumps we call surf here in Texas ( I can't surf worth a crap, don't want to drown).

Plus sides of the vest: Comfortable, offers more protection that a true impact vest in my opinion ( I have taken some really hard hits on the kite and it has been great for my ribs), cut out at the waist for fitting the kite harness - frees hip area from restriction that I have found in standard life jackets, and it doesn't look goofy.

Down sides: Price (90-100$), not USCG approved and black in color, not the best visibility if you need that.

Hope this helps somebody and that I'm not butting in. Be safe

[Tom English]

When it comes to big wave guns go with a shaper who has lots of experience in building boards for big waves.
Ron House makes customs for me but Riviera has a production gun designed by Ron House. The blue board is my 11' Rhino Chaser and the white one my 9'6".
I have a Gerry Lopez hand shaped 10'4" and a Ron House hand shaped 10'4" in the Aloha SUP retail store in Leucadia, CA  "try before you buy".
www.AlohaStandUpPaddle.com
Haley and Ian charge waves that are monsters.  Ian's boards are also shaped by Ron House.

[sup_surf_giant]

Maybe you are already in Peru. Here's what you can catch with a 10'6" hull ripper gun, a couple of PFD's, a Kialoa Methane paddle and a waist leash. Be prepared to break it all.

Prepared for breakage is right! Charging!

[PaddleCrazy]

Maybe you are already in Peru. Here's what you can catch with a 10'6" hull ripper gun, a couple of PFD's, a Kialoa Methane paddle and a waist leash. Be prepared to break it all.

Prepared for breakage is right! Charging!

Hey Big E, I didn't know they got video of you and the lovely, "local", young lady on that "controversial" big bomber at Doho yesterday.....

....glad to see you're here today posting, I was a little worried for ya.  LOL!! 

[gkona]

Northern Supper,

What's the deal with a waist leash?

Thanks,
Gary

[Northern Supper]

@ gary - With big boards on big waves and an ankle leash, it is just a matter of time before your knee get blown ruin. The board will pull on your knee that it is likely that you will tear a ligament or cartilage or both.

[supthecreek]

waderzr, I noticed that you are sporting a carbon paddle that has white stripes.
Is that to help you locate it quickly if you get separated from it?


At 64, my days of riding real big surf are over, but I do remember how difficult it could be to find your board once you were separated from it. When in rips caused by big surf, your head is just above water and does not allow you to see your board well through all the chop created by the rip. Bright colors helped a quick glimpse to locate gear.

[banzai]

If you talk to Austin or Blane at Paddle Surf Hawaii I'm sure that they can give you some great choices of boards depnding on your needs. Many of the PSH boards are made for challenging surf and their hull rippers can be pushed to your limits. As for big wave pfd, I remember seeing one that will inflate an air bag on the back which gets you up faster. I don't know much about it though, it may be a one shot deal.

[Plumaei]

I wear a wakeboarding vest in big surf - the beatings are far less intense, and I feel safer.  Plus it's low profile (not USCG approved) and it keeps me super warm.  Love it. 

[newton333]

i ride a starboard 9'8 pro, im not a really big wave guy but have ridden it into some 15 to 18 ft tres palms.  i wear  a impact vest and feel it has saved my life.