River SUP Gear... What are you wearing and how is it keeping you safe?

[VTStrider]

Hey All,

Being that SUP is relatively new to rivers, I am interested in how everyone out there on rivers are decking themselves out with gear.  Between the pictures I've seen of Dan Gravere, Corran, Luke Hopkins, and all the other river paddlers; it seems as though everyone has a similar idea but is varied in the way they use their gear.

I posted a question about leashes on rivers a while back and it got great response.  I would really like to see what people are wearing and how they are keeping themselves safe at the same time.

Questions like what type of paddle, vest, cold weather gear, protective pads, helmet, ect., why you like what you are using and what type of river you are paddling??  

What has everyone decided about leashes?  Is there a why to make them safe for the river?

Post pics of the gear and you running a section in it.  Because this is all pretty new, lets help each other out by setting some kind of rough safety standard for River SUP.  This way people that are interested in getting into the sport aren't going in completely blind.

Check out this picture at http://www.ridestride.com/gallery/files/3/6/2/p5164043.jpg.  This is a picture of my second time ever SUPing, first time on a river... it is mid spring in DC and I am wearing a golfing rain jacket w/ a bike jersey underneath, surf trunks, a climbing helmet, a kayaking PFD, and I'm barefoot?!Q!??  Now I know what you are thinking... but I made due for that trip and have since upgraded my river gear.

Looking forward to reading and seeing responses.
I will be posting an updated picture and description of my gear setup after this weekend at West Virginia's Gauleyfest, can't wait to hit the river!

Jason Stender

[Simple Simon]

well Jason I will reply.....  I never leave home without my Cardboard Tube 

[corran]

I wear booties all the time - we're in the water a lot and foot protection is not a bad thing.

I just switched to a full face helmet (Sweet helmets) because landing boofs on an SUP is a bit like stepping on a rake! Think about it ;-)

IN some situations I'm using an ankle leash, others a leach tied to my rescue vest - depends on the volume of water I'm on. Ankle leash is a faster board recovery, but not as safe in the event of a rock or tree tangle! Cary a cutter!

I'm also wearing one of Sweets spine guards. However there is some good inexpensive motorcross protection out there. One guy with me yesterday busted a rib on a rock falling off the board  -so protection is not a bad idea. Rollerblade elbow and knee and soccer shin guards are also an option to explore that I have not done yet. I'm good at falling in flat and not hitting rock - or so far.

LOTS of handles on the boards! The faster you're back on, the safer it it for you.

Corran

[OhioSUP]

I am still using a Surftech laird turflite 12.1. There were only a few choices 2 years ago when I first wanted to get into river SUP. I am using a 7 inch flex fin to avoid rocks but maintain some tracking. Once we see some new river boards show up I will trade up.

Warner spanker paddle has worked well. Then all my traditional whitewater kayak gear: helmet, vest, clothing. I have not used knee pads but I will be exploring that this fall. Good fitting booties help. The first set was too loose and I would lose my footing easily.

Ohio rivers are mellow, more surf then rapids, so most of the time I have gone with a leash just to make retrieval easier, I do attach via rescue belt on waist.

I am interested to see if anyone has tried a straight shaft paddle instead of bent.

[VTStrider]

Hey Ohio, I am curious how you like the surftech on the river.  I have surfed the flex fins in a surf camp a taught a few years back, but I was wondering how well they work on the river??  I am paddling a Stride Airlite HD on the rivers of VA and WV and love it.  Right now its great paddling a board on the river that I can take straight into a rock and not think twice about it.  I can smack it on rocks, drop over shallow ledges due to the short polyureathane 3" fins, and roll it up and throw it in the back of my car.  As much as I love the inflatable board for the river, I'm still curious how the surftechs are holding up on the river.  Thanks for the reply, I'm glad too see others are wearing good safety gear on the river.

Jason

[OhioSUP]

Again I don't have many rocks to dodge on the rivers up here. Mostly rock ledges. So far it has held up well. I am going to do some minor repairs over the winter, I have some good size dings but nothing structural yet. Not as durable as inflatable I know, but it does surf great. Nice and stable getting onto waves. Great control for being 12ft. It also crosses over to all our flatwater here in ohio, Thats where the surftech excel. Just like everything else. One is never enough. I know I will have to go inflatable to get into some more technical water. I will just have to replace the playboat and creekboat for composite ( play) and inflatable (Creek) SUP boards.

The rubber fin has worked well, I have only taken minor hits on the fins so I still don't know how it will react on a full hit. I took the recommendation from surftech rep. It's only 7inch so I have avoided most hits compared to my old 9inch stock fin. I am very happy so far.

Safety gear is always important and for any of those without WW kayak experience and looking to try whitewater SUP, think about taking a basic whitewater kayak class. It will help you enjoy the river better. Gear does not replace experience.

[NRG]

I've been wearing a leash in deeper, faster moving whitewater where the chances of getting caught up are less and a leash is more necessary because the board will float down river faster than you in a quick current.

While running a shallow section of whitewater my board got pinned on rock while I was attached to my leash.  The quick release didn't work on my PFD and Dan had to pull me out of the water because I was getting worked.  If he wasn't there to help it would have been ugly.

Photos by: Dan Gavere and Jock Bradley

[localpaddler]

Rivers are like the surf...they change day to day...moment to moment.  Some rivers demand a little more gear for the rapids.  The picture below is one of those days.


Helmet: A shred ready Standard full face helmet, this helmet offers the ultimate protection will a tightener adjustment on the back.  I have never seen a full face with that option.  The helmet has incredible outfitting and get this...it cost $99 bucks brand new.  More info here: http://shredready.com/products/le.htm

Body armor: This SixSixOne suit has got chest, elbow, shoulder, fore arm, and spine...and it does not limit your range of motion.  This is a good one at a great price.
http://www.sixsixone.com/Catalog_661Moto.aspx?id=ce948f69-2008-4cf2-8cbf-a6ae2f75ea9f&product=560e6388-0cb1-4dbb-8424-e3427821bab7

Board is a Stride Airlite HD River SUP:  It has a double layer inflatable construction, unbreakable urethane fins.. not soft rubber or vinyl, andit is a high volume design which helps to keep the edges from catching. More info here: http://www.ridestride.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=10&osCsid=igns2p2521uf55f4fs90ouek32