Post by: starman on April 29, 2014, 11:50:55 AM
http://bigwindsblog.com/
Post by: XLR8 on April 29, 2014, 03:57:00 PM
Post by: starman on April 29, 2014, 04:22:23 PM
Post by: robon on April 29, 2014, 07:02:12 PM
http://villageofstoke.blogspot.ca/2014/03/the-imagine-surf-connector-dw-board.html
Post by: Muskoka SUP on April 29, 2014, 07:11:45 PM
Post by: Fog City Rider on April 29, 2014, 09:57:36 PM
To this day, I have never seen an Imagine board in my life. Are they popular somewhere, because they're definitely below the radar in Norcal.
Post by: Muskoka SUP on April 30, 2014, 04:16:08 AM
To this day, I have never seen an Imagine board in my life.
..hence the name. Imagine. ;D
Post by: yugi on April 30, 2014, 06:10:56 AM
Post by: PonoBill on April 30, 2014, 09:11:10 AM
Post by: JP4 on June 12, 2014, 06:08:24 PM
A little background. I'm an intermediate paddler at best, but pretty solid. 160lbs. I've been paddling an old beater 2011 Glide that Covesurfer sold me last summer, as well as a 2011 Javelin (for sale, btw).
Well for me the Connector was better in just about every way. I've been trying to think of some negatives since I got off the board, but I just can't come up with any. I'm sure some of you more experience paddlers might have a different opinion, but for me at my ability level, it was just a lot more fun, forgiving, and faster.
For reference I was padding with a buddy of similar ability on a 2011 Glide. We are usually pretty much the same speed, but today I easily put distance on him by catching many of the small swells that he couldn't get onto.
The first thing that was apparent on the Connector was it is pretty much immune to pearling. At first I was bracing myself when the nose went under, but soon I was intentionally drilling it into the swell in front just to see what would happen. What happens is the board slows every so slightly, but doesn't come off a plane and toss you over the front like the old Glide would.
The other big thing I noticed was how little trimming I had to do compared to the Glide. On Big Tuesday last week, I often found myself standing way back on the leash plug of the Glide, trying not to auger in with my limited skill set. Even on a smallish day like today, I'm usually taking a few steps on the Glide. On the Connector I found I only had to take about one step back when it really got going. That made it much easier to keep on a plane, right in the pocket of the short period Gorge swell.
Another thing I really liked was how responsive it is to foot steering, and I also found it was less likely to dig a rail and throw me off if I screwed up and got sideways on a wave.
By the time we got to Wells the wind had really backed off and I found it paddled pretty well in the flatter water too. The recessed deck is also really nice as is the light weight. Carry handle is really good too and it comes with a slick FCS GoPro slot up front.
So, long story short, I went back to Big Winds, credit card in hand, and I'm now the owner of a sweet new Imagine Connector!
JP
Post by: covesurfer on June 12, 2014, 06:55:09 PM
Congrats on becoming so addicted that you have added to the board collection and because it sounds like that is a great board. At 27 lbs. you can't go wrong. Also, the nose design is really cool and it sounds like it works.
Don't sell the Jav, what am I supposed to use when I come over to paddle?!? Maybe we can work something out where, say, I give you $40 towards ownership in the board and I get to use it whenever I come over. You just store it for me and deliver it when I visit. Sounds pretty good, huh? Maybe I could give you $45?
So much for my stupid attempts at humor. I am excited for you getting that board. Wish I could come over and paddle the Gorge. Maliko was as good as ever today. Solid wind 25 to low 30's. Best run I've had in a couple of weeks. Come visit, we will go get some downwinders!
Post by: pdxmike on June 12, 2014, 07:16:30 PM
I think what Covesurfer is trying to say is, don't sell the Jav, what are you going to use when he comes over to paddle?
Don't sell the Jav, what am I supposed to use when I come over to paddle?!?
Post by: Fog City Rider on June 12, 2014, 07:35:31 PM
It's great to hear comparisons between different DW boards. I'm the owner of a 2011 Glide, looking to eventually upgrade.
Post by: cnski on June 12, 2014, 07:38:16 PM
Post by: JP4 on June 12, 2014, 07:45:53 PM
Post by: JP4 on June 12, 2014, 07:49:40 PM
Post by: covesurfer on June 12, 2014, 09:31:53 PM
Covesurfer, I will gladly keep the Javelin in reserve for you if you keep a lifetime supply of papaya juice with little umbrellas in it next to my hammock on your Lanai. And I get to ride in that new hollowed out log you just bought
The 'hollowed out log' is like a freaking paddle powered Ferrari. And, you sit 'on' it, not 'in' it. Grasshopper.
When we get a day like today, where you actually get to drop in and surf for most of the Maliko run, I'd rather be standing than sitting. As JR told me a while back, I've never been surfing when I've thought, gee, it sure would be fun to sit down. ;D
Post by: JP4 on June 12, 2014, 09:40:53 PM
Post by: covesurfer on June 12, 2014, 09:45:42 PM
And, maybe this picture should be shared on the 'Hot Chicks on Standup Paddlelogs' thread.
Post by: pdxmike on June 12, 2014, 09:56:47 PM
Post by: Blue crab on June 13, 2014, 03:14:44 PM
Heading down to HR in mid July. A few questions. What other boards are available at the event center? I am also stoked to try the 2014 glide. Also, is the shuttle going 2x / day?
Post by: JP4 on June 13, 2014, 05:48:44 PM
What other boards are available at the event center? I am also stoked to try the 2014 glide. Also, is the shuttle going 2x / day?
Blue Crab, I think you can demo just about anything they sell from Big
Winds down at the Event Site on the water. I was keen on the 2014 Glide as well, but haven't ridden it yet. I know they have those for demo.
As far as the shuttle, they will run it as long as they have a minimum of 4 people going. There are more and more people downwinding all the time, so you shouldn't have to look too hard to get a ride. It's only about a 7 mile drive on the freeway.
JP
Post by: JP4 on July 16, 2014, 04:41:49 PM
It's really tippy compared to the Glide I came off of. In the end, this was a good thing, because I have really improved my brace and have learned to stay much looser on the board. Now I can get through a whole run without getting tossed off if I'm having a good day.
It's really light and maneuverable. Changing direction is a breeze compared to the Glide.
It's more sensitive to where I'm standing on it. The planing surface is much shorter, so you have to be in the right spot to get it going.
It's pretty slow if the wind backs off. While it paddles nicely at low speeds, it pushes quite a bit of water.
I think this will be my go to board on really windy days, say 25kts+, but on the lighter days I'll be on my 26"Javelin, which doesn't even seem that tippy after getting used to the Connector.
Still really stoked on it though. Still cant get over how light is is either, which is kind of a big deal for me as my shoulder is trashed. Much easier to get on the rack!
JP