Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: clay on November 01, 2015, 01:04:03 PM
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Hi! I have been enjoying building and testing a light weight camera pole "tripod" mount for SUP boards. Downwinding was and probably still is pretty unknown where I live, and after seeing DJ's videos I wanted to show and/or find others to downwind with in the SF bay area. For me the best part of SUP surfing and especially downwind is that everyone is welcoming and sharing the stoke. So with this build thread I want to continue that tradition of sharing the stoke, and my hope is that others can build on this knowledge and pay it forward in ways I never imagined. I was torn about whether to work to bring it to market, and then I realized that what I really want is to share and cooperate with others to create something that we all can be a part of in a good way.
To get the thread started here are some photos of the mounts, I'll work on more detail and a time lapse build of the next one. I welcome all questions, positive feedback, and any ideas on how to improve it. Thanks and I hope you enjoy!
(http://clayisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1-P1020001.jpg)
(http://clayisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2-P1020003.jpg)
Below are 3 "generations", the aluminum being the first one that I used quite often for DW and it weighs 25 ounces without camera, the carbon in the middle was the next DW build and it solved the vibration problem and weighed 15 ounces, and the thinner carbon for SUS I wanted it lighter and free of stuff that leashes and kelp might get caught on and weighs 11 ounces. My goals for these are light weight, stable, and easy to attach and remove, and to have the POV that is often seen at spots like Pipeline where the photog is in the wave face and we see the board, rider, wave, and background.
(http://clayisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/3-P1020006.jpg)
Video of the recent carbon build (11 ounce):
https://vimeo.com/144075658
Video of the first carbon build (15 ounces):
https://vimeo.com/141369276
Video of the aluminum build (25 ounces):
https://vimeo.com/136587208
Best,
Clay
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Sweet rigs...I like the third/lightest one for surfing. I'd love to give that one a try on a mellower/not so hollow kinda day. I've gotten kinda board w/the basic nose mount facing back pov.
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Great Videos Clay!
This looks like a great training/teaching tool. I bet you sit down at home after a session and analyzing it to the bone ;D
Was that the motivation of the apparatus?
Did you ever think of making the pole it self as a stand alone and the triangle leg support as a clamp/braze on?
In theory it sounds like it would give you better positioning freedom, especially if the triangle have suction cups as the connection to the board (at least as an option).
Thus, only the main pole is affixed to the board (with ball base) allowing you to move the mount every which way and only then attach the support. Am I making sense?
The clamp/braze-on should be pretty easy to test as you have many readily available parts on the market borrowing from the cycling world.
The ball base should be also easy to find borrowing something from the Photo?Video world.
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Very cool of you to share these, and having seen your latest one in the flesh, to see the evolution that went into it to get to where you are with low weight and minimum vibration is awesome. I'd suggest three things to make it safer:-
1. Block off the tubes so the whole thing floats easily
2. Make sure the whole assembly can pop off the mounts if you fall on it or it gets dragged along the bottom
3. Paint part of it bright fluorescent yellow / orange so you can find it easily once it pops off.
...then there would be no worries about getting my head or arm or leg somehow stuck in the triangle bit.. or tangling up with a leash
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Nicely done Clay. I half expected the cam to look like the flag at the end of a F1 race with that lever arm so far off center, but it was nice and quiet. Good one.
Jim
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How are they attached to the boards?
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seems like it would be easier to just get a lilly quad copter an film yourself the only issue is battery life.
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Great job.. :)
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Sweet rigs...I like the third/lightest one for surfing. I'd love to give that one a try on a mellower/not so hollow kinda day. I've gotten kinda board w/the basic nose mount facing back pov.
Thanks! Yeah we are trying them in mellow surf ourselves and working our way up to bigger surf. One of my motivations was the nose mount didn't let me see the angle I enjoyed watching, I want an elevated view that gives a more accurate perspective.
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Great Videos Clay!
This looks like a great training/teaching tool. I bet you sit down at home after a session and analyzing it to the bone ;D
Was that the motivation of the apparatus?
Did you ever think of making the pole it self as a stand alone and the triangle leg support as a clamp/braze on?
In theory it sounds like it would give you better positioning freedom, especially if the triangle have suction cups as the connection to the board (at least as an option).
Thus, only the main pole is affixed to the board (with ball base) allowing you to move the mount every which way and only then attach the support. Am I making sense?
The clamp/braze-on should be pretty easy to test as you have many readily available parts on the market borrowing from the cycling world.
The ball base should be also easy to find borrowing something from the Photo?Video world.
Thank you! Yes I learn so much watching the video after, really helpful when I try a new board or spot, and watching DJ's video is super helpful.
The primary motivation is getting the word out about how fun Downwinding is, especially the sharing aspect and good vibes, I want to see more of that in the water and specifically in the surf zone. Filming DW can be a challenge as it's far from land so I wanted a way to film all the downwind runs in a way that is accurate. A second motivation is a teaching tool so people can see what they are doing and make any necessary adjustments. Third because I enjoy it, it's super fun for me ;D
The clamp on is a great idea. I tried a few I struggled to find parts that fit right. I ended going for light weight and super stable, work on adjustable later...
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Very cool of you to share these, and having seen your latest one in the flesh, to see the evolution that went into it to get to where you are with low weight and minimum vibration is awesome. I'd suggest three things to make it safer:-
1. Block off the tubes so the whole thing floats easily
2. Make sure the whole assembly can pop off the mounts if you fall on it or it gets dragged along the bottom
3. Paint part of it bright fluorescent yellow / orange so you can find it easily once it pops off.
...then there would be no worries about getting my head or arm or leg somehow stuck in the triangle bit.. or tangling up with a leash
Thanks Robert!
I'll do a float test and see how it does, for myself I wanted it as light as possible, maybe stick on the orange floaty things like has gopro has...
Maybe not epoxying the attachment points would allow them to pop off if need be...
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Nicely done Clay. I half expected the cam to look like the flag at the end of a F1 race with that lever arm so far off center, but it was nice and quiet. Good one.
Jim
Thanks Jim! I was concerned myself and relieved that it works well :)
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How are they attached to the boards?
gopro adhesive mounts either surf or the smaller black ones.
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Great job.. :)
Thanks DJ!
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seems like it would be easier to just get a lilly quad copter an film yourself the only issue is battery life.
I hear you. That could be impressive when they can make them work well and be silent.
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Nice work Clay!
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Nice work Clay!
Thanks Robert!
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A friend (SUPalon) and I traded off boards and tested out the camera pole in a bit bigger conditions yesterday. Surf was about knee to chest high on the inside and chest to about a foot or two overhead up the point and there was quite a bit of rebound off the cliff making for a more challenging test. Super fun and stoked that the pole held up and how the video came out. :)
https://vimeo.com/144587151
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Awesome Clay. Really enjoyed that. Especially with the two of you switching. Phenomenal POV. Keep them coming!
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Awesome Clay. Really enjoyed that. Especially with the two of you switching. Phenomenal POV. Keep them coming!
Thanks Robert! Really appreciating the good words.
I have been reluctant to take the pole cam to this beach break, the paddle out is often quite a challenge and getting trashed is part of the deal. Real stoked that the pole held up well ;D
https://vimeo.com/145011430
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Looks like an AWESOME mount Clay.
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Clay. The vids are getting better as the conditions get bigger! Keep 'em comin'. 8)
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Looks like an AWESOME mount Clay.
Thanks Ben!
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Clay. The vids are getting better as the conditions get bigger! Keep 'em comin'. 8)
Thanks Robert! Will do, this R&D stuff is pretty fun :D
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I love the dolphin photobomb @ 31 seconds.
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This was from a while back, I was playing around with a really long pole and a side view. Small DW day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW5buxA45MQ
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We went for a late afternoon session yesterday. This time I mounted the camera pole on the tail and managed to catch a nice set wave. I am luke warm on this camera angle, any suggestions on a better POV on the tail? I am thinking maybe rotate the camera to the right so it is "looking" more into the wave face?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3r31E5QfVs
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Clay. This last one looks good. I agree rotating it to the right a little would improve the POV. Great work!
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I'd suggest three things to make it safer:-
2. Make sure the whole assembly can pop off the mounts if you fall on it or it gets dragged along the bottom
Quick update: I did a small DW run a week or so ago. I was feeling cold tired and lethargic. I lost my balance and fell back landing right on top of the tail mounted camera pole, 2 of the 3 gopro attachment pieces broke right off. I flopped it back over, resting on the 2 broken arms and finished the run. Seems like this setup will easily break or separate when needed, accidentally or on purpose. This was the first carbon mount that wasn't very sleek, so I cut the tripod legs off and remade/reglassed it sleeker and stronger and capped the ends of the tubes.
I'd suggest three things to make it safer:-
1. Block off the tubes so the whole thing floats easily
I had a great small day trading boards, a JL SUP noserider and my wife's 9'6" prone Robert August what I ride. I had a tiny long and really fun barrel on the August so I had the idea of trying the newly reconstructed mount on that board. I slapped some adhesive mounts on the nose without sanding or alcohol cleaning the deck, this was an hour before my session on a cold 40F degree morning. Of course 5 minutes into my session I was caught inside and after the second wave the mount was nowhere to be seen. Spinning around I saw it about 30 yards inside floating completely on top of the water. So the whole camera pole rig appears to have positive buoyancy.
I'd suggest three things to make it safer:-
3. Paint part of it bright fluorescent yellow / orange so you can find it easily once it pops off.
The orange floaty on the camera itself made it super easy to spot the camera pole. I paddle for it and scoped it up and had a little selfie wave shot. My gopro session camera has been freezing now and then and it happened on this session and the video file is lost and beyond repair. I ordered a faster gopro recommended micro SD card so I will see if this fixes the freezing problem.
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Hi,
First test of the pole on my new Stretch SUP, the pole itself is super strong but one adhesive attachment point came off on a wipeout. Maybe the pole hit a piece of kelp or maybe it was the wave crashing on it? I am wondering if maybe the thicker diameter of the pole makes for a bigger lever and more stress on the attachment points? Or if the smaller more rigid footprint of this pole doesn't have enough flex and that's why it's not as secured to the board in the surf as it is on downwinders? Or maybe it's the time of year and being colder I need to use an adhesive activator or let the 3M Gopro mounts bond to my board for more than a day or so?
I would love to hear any speculation or suggestions on what the problem might be and how to solve it.
Still a fun session, always special to see a big swell roll in. I hurt my foot last week and have been limping around so I took it easy today and manage some sweet rides. I had been all sinus stuffed up on the drive down and after my session was completely cleared out and felt great. Seems like nature's neti pot works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkmo6zYsc5k
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Super fun session, loving my new board! Also trying a breakaway mounting configuration. It works, and at the same time it pops off a little to easy and is to hard to get back on. A couple times paddling over waves it came unsnapped a little. The one wipeout I had it came clean off. Each time the mount popped off and I put it back on there was no damage to the mount, but I had to whack it a few times with my hand to get it to snap back on.
I suspect a mini "ski binding" type of release would be awesome, I might try one of those broom handle snap in hangers next... I welcome any suggestions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjirQ4zs0mk
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What a wonderful new year! After changing the snap off point of the pole a good test day arrived and I gave it a go. Conditions were very challenging as the wind was howling off/side shore. The rights were almost uncatchable with all that wind in my chest, just staying upright long enough to get into the left was an accomplishment. The cam pole worked great, staying put while paddling and popping off on every wipeout. I am stoked that it works, and seeing how it functions has already given me ideas on a simple way to improve it. Next I want to try it on a barreling day and see if I can score that classic shot...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9XeiKhHHB4
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Clay. That's great you have the snap off function working. That certainly looked challenging conditions. Looking forward to that perfect shot coming soon! I'd be interested to know where you buy your carbon tubes from as I'm keen to start modifying a rig I have here which is way too heavy.
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Clay. That's great you have the snap off function working. That certainly looked challenging conditions. Looking forward to that perfect shot coming soon! I'd be interested to know where you buy your carbon tubes from as I'm keen to start modifying a rig I have here which is way too heavy.
Thanks Robert.
There is a local place here in Livermore called ACP Composites, I have also received some good stuff from www.dragonplate.com
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Cool stuff. Looks like you were surfing in front of the 'pooh shack' at Lindemar.
I am getting more interested in using video to help improve performance.
For example the shot below it appears as though the paddle is fluttering. Is this my imagination? Some of the strokes appear to be waffling left right.
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Cool stuff. Looks like you were surfing in front of the 'pooh shack' at Lindemar.
I am getting more interested in using video to help improve performance.
For example the shot below it appears as though the paddle is fluttering. Is this my imagination? Some of the strokes appear to be waffling left right.
Thanks Beasho.
Yes that's the spot.
I definitely find watching the video replay in slow motion helps me see and refine all my techniques, especially when I watch it the same day and still have the live event fresh in my memory.
I see and feel the "waffling", why I am not sure. Could be my sloppy paddle technique or could be the blade shape? I find I have better control with a flexier shaft, feels like I can plant and setup with more control, especially if I am paddling hard to catch a wave. I hear dihedral is supposed to help with flutter, seems like they put these on a shafts that are to stiff for my taste...
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Clay, thanks for posting the link to this on your other 'pole ministry' thread. ;D
I have some extra paddle shaft materials so I have some raw materials that may end up working for this project. I've been wanting to improve my downwind videos for forever. Unfortunately, the standard GP mounts leave even the most outstanding downwinders looking mighty lame. I'm going to go through the whole thread later, great work! Thanks!
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Interesting view from your mount!
It's great to see a more real life view.... that shows the waves in a more accurate way.
Keep at it!
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Thanks amigos!
I appreciate the positive feedback ;D
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Just read through and watched the vids in this thread.Except for the one w/the "On Two One Two" soundtrack since I'd already watched that twice. You are really dedicated to the development of the tripod mount and it shows. Great work, Clay!
I wonder what results you would get on a mackin' day like I was just out in here in NJ. Making me wanna try the tripod!
This is your standard from the beach pov off my Panasonic Luminex mounted on a SOLOSHOT2. 1/16/16
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/12471350_10153906202597682_3558371104807550037_o.jpg)
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Just read through and watched the vids in this thread.Except for the one w/the "On Two One Two" soundtrack since I'd already watched that twice. You are really dedicated to the development of the tripod mount and it shows. Great work, Clay!
I wonder what results you would get on a mackin' day like I was just out in here in NJ. Making me wanna try the tripod!
This is your standard from the beach pov off my Panasonic Luminex mounted on a SOLOSHOT2. 1/16/16
Thanks Cook! Nice shots! I am also wanting to see how it does on a macking day, I am still a little concerned about getting caught inside and having a total yard sale and while fumbling with my gear I take out myself or someone else. I think I have discovered a way to make the quick release efficient enough to have it pop back on in a second or 2, right now it's a bit clumsy and takes to long to put back on and I have been paddling to the channel first and then reattach it.
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This is probably the juiciest swell I have taken the pole cam out in. I had some steep drops and fast sort of hollow faces, first time I am out in conditions like this on a SUP. All new and exciting like learning to surf all over again, really, really, really fun! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-41C00AhCI
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Those waves are def the best for you yet! Would like to see some beach pov while you're riding the pole cam board.
Love this pov and the wave!
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Those waves are def the best for you yet! Would like to see some beach pov while you're riding the pole cam board.
Love this pov and the wave!
Thanks!
Yeah me too...
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Clay, that's such a great POV You really get to see the scale of the waves and all the action. Awesome!
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Clay, that's such a great POV You really get to see the scale of the waves and all the action. Awesome!
Thanks Robert! I appreciate the feedback.
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Attached is a photo of the coupler and Wipeout break away system that I used in the last video.
I tried strong magnets today and I think they will be to heavy to work well. The pole is to long and has to much leverage.
on to the next idea...
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The biggest problem with the cameras as they are today is the weight, and then most of that weight is added by the battery.
A friend of mine has a company that separated the camera lense from the body and battery. I would assume it would be easier to mount that lens on just about anything.
A.
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The biggest problem with the cameras as they are today is the weight, and then most of that weight is added by the battery.
A friend of mine has a company that separated the camera lense from the body and battery. I would assume it would be easier to mount that lens on just about anything.
A.
I agree. And this mount could be a lot thinner and lighter if the camera was lighter...love to hear more about the cam.
Back before the Gopro Hero I was using helmet cams with a lens that was wired to a backpack with a camcorder in it, then the biggest problem was the recorder was separate from the lens...funny how things turn around. ;D
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Testing "5 times stronger than Velcro" - 3M dual lock - as a detachable mounting system. It seemed really promising until I caught a couple waves and it bounced off and was quite difficult to reattach. Turned into a stunningly gorgeous absolutely beautiful day, amazing clouds and groomed nuggets of joy to be ridden! Love to all :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Keizery4RKw
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Clay, I admire the continual search for perfection in your mounts! Magnets, then Velcro... As they say "necessity is the mother of invention"! You will get there I am sure! I'm thinking maybe a string and spring combination. If you ever had one of those toy figures as a kid that you pressed a button in the base, and then the whole figure collapsed, and then when you released the button, the figure sprang back to his normal self... maybe something like this could work..
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Clay, I admire the continual search for perfection in your mounts! Magnets, then Velcro... As they say "necessity is the mother of invention"! You will get there I am sure! I'm thinking maybe a string and spring combination. If you ever had one of those toy figures as a kid that you pressed a button in the base, and then the whole figure collapsed, and then when you released the button, the figure sprang back to his normal self... maybe something like this could work..
Thanks Robert, great idea! I think I understand it, would be nice to have the pole collapse and then spring back up after a wipeout. Hummmm...
Seems like after every "promising" idea doesn't workout I give up for a minute, and then BAM! another idea comes.
Can't wait to try the next idea! ;D
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Clay, you got it... I've no idea if it will work, but in theory, if you had the bungee cord or paracord + springs inside a tube(s) that connected the mounting bracket to the Gopro bracket and relied on friction between the pole and the mounting brackets to keep it in place, maybe this could work.. On the other hand it would still be connected and it being flailed around in the surf connected to the board might result in extensive damage.. Maybe best it pops off all together.. Maybe the claw and ball type clips from the Zoob toys..
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Clay, you got it... I've no idea if it will work, but in theory, if you had the bungee cord or paracord + springs inside a tube(s) that connected the mounting bracket to the Gopro bracket and relied on friction between the pole and the mounting brackets to keep it in place, maybe this could work.. On the other hand it would still be connected and it being flailed around in the surf connected to the board might result in extensive damage.. Maybe best it pops off all together.. Maybe the claw and ball type clips from the Zoob toys..
Yeah the mount flailing around is definitely a concern, it's happened as I'm paddling out of the impact zone and not enough time to reattach it, luckily no damage to board or mount, this is one of the reasons I want it to be really quick to reattach.
Interlocking connectors like the Zoob is what I'm working on now, something that snaps back easy and fast.
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I am glad my friend (SUPAlon) made the call and rallied us all for this super fun and beautiful SUP surf session. Really magical to surf a new spot with awesome folks. The gorgeous sunset was the cherry on top.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9kpRJmoeDA
In small waves this mount is so easy and versatile, I have no concerns about it falling off or breaking.
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Really fun and challenging session with the howling offshore wind. Super stoked on the waves, board, and day with friends.
Trying a more robust fixed pole cam. Pole broke after my second wave, at the point where I had repaired it. Either it was the heaviness of getting hit with the lip or I forgot to drill holes so the epoxy has more to grab on to :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpCXIUFLBrI
This is probably the best session i have had yet on a SUP, after the pole broke I had some amazing rides. I felt really comfortable riding these hollow waves on SUP, it didn't feel like the large board was holding me back and I was making sections that might have been impossible on prone board, and maybe most importantly I was able to make it back outside without getting drilled like my prone friend was every time he caught a wave. Stoked!
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Hi,
After several builds and testing I have decided a quick release is undesirable for me right now. I have instead gone the other way and added more robust attachment points and reinforced the pole and hopefully it will stay attached and in piece in a wipeout or when hit with the lip. I tested it yesterday morning and had a fantastic session, surfing with it felt great, and I'm really stoked on the footage and looking forward to giving it another test in some hollow beach break. ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ncaEBJf8A
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Just fantastic!!!! Love it.....BRAVO!
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Awesome vid Clay. Great riding, great POV, great conditions and good sounds. What could be better?
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Thanks! I appreciate the feedback. :)
I've been meditating on how to make a less toxic "greener" version. I have some bamboo poles that I was going to make land paddles out of but they are to stiff for my taste. They seem stiff enough for a camera pole though. So I hacked one together in an hour or two. Total cost is about $20-30, maybe as cheap as $10 if knock off gopro attachments are used. I look forward to testing and seeing how it holds up.
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The first test of the bamboo pole broke right off the bat, getting out my board flipped over and the bamboo pulled right through the attachment bolts. I will re-imagine how to connect it.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4XgbxGm6_w
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I tried the lighter version of the carbon camera pole after reinforcing and adding more attachment points. It held well and being 8 ounces lighter I felt more comfortable trying more maneuvers, a reentry landed a bit hard and one of the attachment points broke off, an actual plastic piece that was epoxied inside the carbon sheared off. All the carbon remained solid. The gopro remote stays on after charging and I forgot to turn it off, also the SD card was almost full so I only recorded about a third of the session and missed my best and biggest waves including when the camera pole broke. Still a super fun session and the one bomb I caught really whetted my appetite for SUPing in some larger surf. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq5FM5iVWRQ
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This is so cool! Like i said in that other thread, I normally don't like to watch gopro videos taken from the nose (unless it's in the tube) because it looks retarded, but your pole contraption makes watching these videos enjoyable and interesting. How many inches from the deck of the board is the lens?
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This is so cool! Like i said in that other thread, I normally don't like to watch gopro videos taken from the nose (unless it's in the tube) because it looks retarded, but your pole contraption makes watching these videos enjoyable and interesting. How many inches from the deck of the board is the lens?
Thanks again, I appreciate the feedback. The lens is right around 27" above the deck.
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Hi,
I have committed to finding a way to use bamboo (or other plant), for various reasons: less toxic, renewable, affordable, biodegradable...I have been watching videos of traditional canoe and boat building and find the ingenuity amazing, and really cool that they build from stuff that grows in their village.
So I built a steam wood bending box, and a form to bend the bamboo against and to hold the shape. The first simple bend test went great, and I had high hopes for success on the full test. The sharper bends I wanted were to much and the bamboo walls crushed every time - even with being packed with sand. More research and now I think the sharp bends are accomplished by shaving the walls or even cutting notches and then gluing after being bent, I suspect this will weaken the strength and not work for me.
Attached are pictures of the steam box, bend test, and wood form.
Now I am on to the next idea which is to try what the bamboo bike frame builders are doing... :)
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I wrapped the lighter thinner pole cam with some carbon tape to see if that would help with the camera shake, it doesn't look like it to me. Regardless I had a great really fun session, all around beautiful day in the water. I had a wipeout at the end of this video and hit the pole and one of the attachment point sheared off, totally worth it as it was a fun wave. ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kipL0LkwRcw
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You are really on to something with that taller pole. Is that Pleasures you're surfing in the video?
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Thanks. Sometimes when the pole breaks I feel disappointed and then I remember I didn't think it would work in the first place and I certainly didn't believe it would work in head high or bigger surf.
Some of the other videos were at pleasures, last one on the west side.
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That was a nice wave to bust it on! Clay, good to see someone 'use their hands' to advance an idea rather than MasterCard. Steam box was a good idea.
Jim
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I finished a second attempt at a bamboo pole, and the first test is successful as it held up well in the surf.
I tried a different mounting system, I tied the pole to the board using jute twine, and instead 5 big mounts I used a dozen micro mounts. I didn't tie the mount securely enough to the board and there is noticeable camera shake, hopefully on the next test this will be gone. The weight of this pole is a few ounces more than the carbon, that could be solely to my inexperience with epoxying hemp as it seems to soak up the resin more than carbon. All in all I'm stoked that it works and is solid and affordable and renewable and easier to work with. The bamboo was free, the hemp was a less than a dollar, and the total parts cost was around $12.
Building this bamboo pole taught me that I can probably make this out of plants that grow in my neighborhood, and working with wood gave me all kinds of ideas. Next on the build list is a bamboo toddler skateboard, and a bamboo board bike trailer. Stoked! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3_NT03giDg
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Had a great session this morning, super fun and challenging and humbling.
I tightened the mounting of the bamboo pole cam to the board and it appears to reduce quite a bit of the shake. Next build I will change the side supports a bit to make the pole more stable in all directions and hopefully no shake. And remember to prep the gopro housing so I don't get water drops.
And stoked on my new Stretch board which is a bit smaller and 30L less volume. ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzYB4dcw-HE
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Well the bamboo pole held up well for several waves and I was caught inside and hit with about a dozen waves or more when the hemp joints cracked and the pole fell off my board. The bamboo itself is fine shape with no damage, I am redoing the hemp joints now.
The bamboo pole in this video is about 8-10 inches higher off the deck, I though I might cut it down and then ended up leaving it just to see how it looked and worked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCCRHqQHa-o
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Freeze frame at second 0:22 is a spectacular shot! That'd have to be small framed photo in the man cave for sure! And love the music!!!!
VERY cool Clay!!!
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Thanks Whatsup, I posted that shot to my Facebook before I edited the video as I liked it as well.
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The conditions did not line up for the local downwind event today, this was great news for the surf breaks. Sunny blue skies, light winds, an afternoon glass off, and some swell, pretty unreal for May around here.
First time surfing this stretch of beach, what jumped out at me was most of the surfers exiting and entering the water were father and son duos. This one dad built a canopy for his son's wagon that functioned as a wetsuit hanging/drying rack and board caddy, they wheeled it up to the dunes together and suited up. I really enjoyed seeing this in a non-competitive environment, and I look forward to having these kind of adventures with my son. :)
The bamboo pole is rebuilt and quite solid, I reinforced all the hemp joints. What failed on a wipeout was one of the velcro pieces that attached it to the board (I eventually want to use rope or wood, and for now Velcro is easier for testing). I was bummed at first and then shortly after saw a quick way to reinforce it, stoked to try it again as I feel like I'm getting really close to having a bomb proof design that can handle some solid surf.
http://www.clayisland.com
Music:
Finally Here by Stuart Rau
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nufW67Q7txM
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Aloha,
So I rebuilt and strengthened the bamboo pole cam, I then made another one out of smaller lighter poles and made a different configuration, and I also rebuilt one of the carbon poles just in case the swell was all time and I broke all the bamboo poles.
Here is the first test of the lighter thinner bamboo pole cam. I built it to thin and without enough support, the cam was wobbling all over the place with to much shake for my taste. The swell was still building.and I choose to surf this spot because there were only a handful of people out when I got there and no other SUPs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzHpuBz9Vk
After seeing the video from the first day I switched to the more robust bamboo pole on the peak swell day, and I surfed a different spot that looked so so so much better and had spread out the crowd. I feel like I know how to build the next bamboo pole so that it has the right combination of light weight, rigidity, and durability. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24yNsJpdJNA
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It seems that your contraption is holding up really well to the waves. Good for you that you're still working on this!
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Aloha! Fresh back from a week in Maui, always such a beautiful and amazing place. We lucked into 2 solid south swells bookending our trip, edit forthcoming. I brought 2 bamboo poles and only used one, after many wipeouts I feel very good about the durability with no signs of cracking or any damage. Also I have accidentally found a break away attachment system, any time it gets hit hard enough the velcro pops off and takes a minute or so to reattach. Next I will try something more substantial to see what happens when it's solidly attached, probably should have done this with the rental production board I was riding :) I suspect I have slightly overbuilt the bamboo pole and can remove some of the supports and lighten it by several ounces and hopefully get it under a pound. Maybe I'll do one of those Quickblade tests and try to jack my truck up with it?
So I glassed a new ultra rigid bamboo camera pole just as I left for Maui and when I returned to California the south swell I surfed in Maui was now lighting up California, so after 2 days of rest I had to surf the same swell twice. I put a couple of finishing touches on the pole and headed out. To my eyes this pole is as rigid and solid as the 1 inch thick carbon fiber pole I use on DW runs, the video has no noticeable shake, so smooth that it messes with my head as my brain is trying to reconcile what it's seeing - whereas with vibration my brain says oh hey this camera is on the end of a shaky pole. :D
Stoked to remove the vibration and get this shot, I scored a bomb at the end of this video and had an awesome ride:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWDYZyik4C4
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will you be posting any videos of your maui trip?
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will you be posting any videos of your maui trip?
Most likely, I'm torn on what kind of edit I will do. I want to do an edit that will be new for me and a bit of a stretch, so I am feeling out of my comfort zone and procrastinating.
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After the success of this latest build of the Bamboo pole I wanted to give it a more rigorous test to see how it holds up. It's had three session now, taken many wipeouts, and been thrown around a bit, before under this kind of strain something would have cracked or broken off by now. This bamboo pole has held up wonderfully and shows no signs of damage or wear. The velcro has come undone 4 times, three of those it was as simple as taking a few minutes to reattach. The fourth time one of the adhesive mounts was pulled off the board, so I just pulled the velcro tighter and finished the session with a few more waves and all is well. I have a couple ideas on how to make the pole a few ounces lighter as well as how to beef up the attachment points so the pole stays in place.
I enjoyed both sessions and am grateful for the company of wonderful people, and the positive feedback on the bamboo pole cam. :)
Day one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9pTezTXfyc
Day two:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAOnUyqjbB0
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I am getting more interested in using video to help improve performance.
For example the shot below it appears as though the paddle is fluttering. Is this my imagination? Some of the strokes appear to be waffling left right.
Hey so when I was in Maui I had a rental Kialoa paddle with a larger blade than my Hulu. After watching the video I noticed almost no flutter or cavitation. So this morning I called Kialoa to ask why, and the answer I got is that the flutter comes from me overpowering the blade size. Which makes sense as I'm a big guy using a small blade. They gave me a longer answer which I probably couldn't rewrite accurately.
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Hi,
So it has been a while since I updated this thread, figure now is a good time.
I have been using the same bamboo pole since June and it still works great and looks like the day I made it. So stoked on the durability and functionality.
Also in August I stop using the velcro and went with tying the pole firmly in place (old shoe laces), that has been a big improvement and I no longer am concerned about wiping out and having the pole pulled off my board.
Looking forward to some bigger heavier days to test it in this winter :)
Here a few recent sessions:
From 2 days ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khTJXIXGOrw
First surf with the new gopro session 5 camera:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa_AMjdHe7g
From the first day of fall conditions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqRJU1anVLM
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Awesome vids Clay, with epic conditions. Perfect voice over on the middle one. You have a talent man! Great to see you are enjoying your Session 5 as much as I'm enjoying my Hero 5 Black.. Definitely an improvement on image quality, image stabilisation and sound. Just posted my first vid using a headmount, and looking forward to seeing how it performs on the 3rd person mount. :)
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Thanks Robert! You inspired me to add narration to a video ;D
http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,30862.0.html
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Clay, how much does everything weigh and do you notice a difference with the swing weight?
I may have already said this in an earlier comment but normally I find videos taken from the deck at the nose are unwatchable, but your videos with the raised camera are really enjoyable to watch.
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Clay, how much does everything weigh and do you notice a difference with the swing weight?
I may have already said this in an earlier comment but normally I find videos taken from the deck at the nose are unwatchable, but your videos with the raised camera are really enjoyable to watch.
The bamboo poles that I'm using now weigh around 19 ounces. The smallest board I have is 8'8" and 140L and I do not notice the swing weight. I only used a gopro on my prone boards a couple times because the swing weight was to noticeable and messed with my surfing. On a SUP it feels good.
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I continue to love watching your vid's Clay!!! And I really like the narration as well...very nice touch. Would love to see a pic of your latest set up (from the vantage point of you as the rider)....that'd be cool! I have this image of some sort of tinker toy looking contraption....not saying that in any sort of derogatory way....I just imagine its gotta look a bit weird(?)
Also, I think I may have asked you this before, but can you/do you run your rig in relatively shallow water (like thigh to waist deep water) at the end of a ride - or is it way deeper where you ride?
Best, 8) 8)
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Very nice, although with the pole off the right side of the board I definitely like the view on the lefts better.
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I continue to love watching your vid's Clay!!! And I really like the narration as well...very nice touch. Would love to see a pic of your latest set up (from the vantage point of you as the rider)....that'd be cool! I have this image of some sort of tinker toy looking contraption....not saying that in any sort of derogatory way....I just imagine its gotta look a bit weird(?)
Also, I think I may have asked you this before, but can you/do you run your rig in relatively shallow water (like thigh to waist deep water) at the end of a ride - or is it way deeper where you ride?
Best, 8) 8)
Thanks WhatSUP! Nown that I have 2 session cams I'll add a paddle cam view when conditions cooperate.
The pole definitely draws some attention, usually in a good way. For me surfing is spiritual practice and the pole has helped me practice staying true to myself regardless of what anyone has to say about it. :)
I usually surf in water that is deeper than the pole is tall. Although in summer I surf shallow rock reefs and my board has flipped over and the pole hit the bottom a couple times. Usually the shallower it is the smaller the wave is so I'm unconcerned.
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Very nice, although with the pole off the right side of the board I definitely like the view on the lefts better.
Thanks dns, I hear you, it seems like the view feels more expansive going left. I put the cam on the right side with the intention of pulling into right barrels and wanting the pole to fit in the barrel without getting hammered by the lip. ;D
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Would love to see a pic of your latest set up (from the vantage point of you as the rider)....that'd be cool!
Is this what you had in mind?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-sVc4tEHr4
http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,30982.msg339125/topicseen.html#new
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Clay: VERY VERY cool! And actually quite surprising as I envisioned the pole/cam would have had considerably more vertical height (like thigh high or so). The (vertical) orientation you have looks quite low....like mid-shin(?)....is that right? It also looks like you're on a different board that I'm used to seeing in your vid's. For the larger wave vid's you've made are the pole heights similar? The camera aspect you get from this angle is fantastic! I love it these vid's!!! So cool!!!!!!!
I look forward to more!!!!!!! Thanks sooo much for sharing the stoke and technology!!!!
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Clay: VERY VERY cool! And actually quite surprising as I envisioned the pole/cam would have had considerably more vertical height (like thigh high or so). The (vertical) orientation you have looks quite low....like mid-shin(?)....is that right? It also looks like you're on a different board that I'm used to seeing in your vid's. For the larger wave vid's you've made are the pole heights similar? The camera aspect you get from this angle is fantastic! I love it these vid's!!! So cool!!!!!!!
I look forward to more!!!!!!! Thanks sooo much for sharing the stoke and technology!!!!
You're welcome. This pole is about knee high. Yeah different board, that's a foil DW board. I look forward to more as well. :)
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I thought it looked really thick. :)
Great angles, especially mixing the pole and paddle shots. Having a couple or 3 camera angles makes for a 10x better video. Love it.
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I thought it looked really thick. :)
Great angles, especially mixing the pole and paddle shots. Having a couple or 3 camera angles makes for a 10x better video. Love it.
Yeah it's a little thicker than the average shaft. :) The thinner poles, whether using carbon or bamboo, vibrate to much.
Thanks! I agree the more camera angles the better. I'm interested to see what soloshot and camera drones are capable of in a few years, already pretty mind blowing now.
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I was feeling comfortable enough with my flight control to revive the pole cam. I have noticed the swing weight on the nose of my board when flying. On the tail I feel it a littlle with the heavier gopro 6, with the session 5 I barely notice it if at all:
https://www.facebook.com/clay.schmitz/videos/vb.1564381389/10211468686063856
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I was feeling comfortable enough with my flight control to revive the pole cam. I have noticed the swing weight on the nose of my board when flying. On the tail I feel it a littlle with the heavier gopro 6, with the session 5 I barely notice it if at all:
https://www.facebook.com/clay.schmitz/videos/vb.1564381389/10211468686063856
Cool video, and surprised I didn't run into you while you were down there. But more interesting....how'd you get the Go Foil (Maliko) wing mounted on a Slingshot fuselage...if that's indeed what it looks like there? :o
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Thanks, we were down there for that last south swell. Next trip I will see if I can send out some kind notification or something.
It's a Ride Engine, I got it from Coleman, I guess it's the pre-production version without the new color scheme and trim. Yeah it does look like a Maliko 200 when underwater.
On a side note - are Facebook video embeds not working any more?
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The Facebook link still works. Let us know next time your down. I'll take my GoPro out and film you guys. It seems like a very popular foiling spot now. Even Jeff Clark was there a few weeks ago. Kai is there a lot, as well as Chuck Patterson.
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nice one clay.
to foil or not to foil, maybe oneday :)
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I finished making a tutorial on how I make these bamboo pole camera mounts, yay! ;D
The pole in this video is specifically designed for foiling: About as light as I can make one, half the weight of the ones I made for SUS. Once up on the foil vibration is almost nil, and when foiling I am rarely getting bashed by heavy lips so building light makes sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peXkaxYl6mI
I hope this helps!
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Great vid.. Thanks Clay.
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excellent!
fun/relaxing to watch
thought no chance id last 9 mins--but did so, happily
the mix of your calm manner, with the sped-up assembly footage works well
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Nicely directed Clay.... good "How To" video for folks to see innovation at work!
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I finished making a tutorial on how I make these bamboo pole camera mounts, yay! ;D
The pole in this video is specifically designed for foiling: About as light as I can make one, half the weight of the ones I made for SUS. Once up on the foil vibration is almost nil, and when foiling I am rarely getting bashed by heavy lips so building light makes sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peXkaxYl6mI
I hope this helps!
Thanks for the feedback DJ, EB, and Rick! I appreciate this, and seeing your adventures inspires me.
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Great project and video Clay!
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nice video. Looks like a well engineered solution with some pretty loft materials. Love your videos though. So smooth. Your Paddlefest video made me want to fly out to SantaCruz this year, but I had some issues that kept me from it. Are you going to make any more SUS videos?
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Thanks Robert! Your paddle cam video capture is inspiring, foiling is challenging as it is and being able to score good video at the same time is impressive.
@supsean Yes to Paddlefest, I didn't register this year and I had a great time still! Foiling with Zane and Derek was awesome. The sup film fest was a nice addition. And seeing folks I haven't seen in year and meeting new folks was so fun.
I have some general (applies to all surfing) videos in the works. I have only SUS twice in over a year, and it's been 11 months of only foiling for me. Foiling is so fast, with such long rides, and radical turns, easy to say yes to this. Downwind foiling is big time on my radar, as well as the radical new wings that are coming soon...