Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: Subber on July 31, 2016, 07:03:57 PM
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I'll be very interested to hear what you think, especially now that I'm going to be back on my B&B fulltime. 2.5 lbs seems like a goodly amount of weight, so if nothing else, the effect of it should definitely be noticeable. What fin are you going to try it with first?
Here you go Linter (I created a new thread cause I felt someone might not appreciate it
inside a Sunova marketplace thread):
I got to try the tail-weighted B&B today. Surfline said it was 3 to 4 feet +.
It was pretty good shape and not too windy - so good conditions except the crowd.
Some overhead waves.
It was crowded. I even got hit by an aggressive beginner shortboarder with
a thin, very pointy board. I'd seen him earlier and could not believe it but he
could actually catch a wave, although he couldn't surf very well. I moved my
takeoff area away from him, but somehow he dropped in - luckily I wasn't hit
by the point. No board damage. I can't remember the last time I actually got
hit by someone and today I also had a couple other close calls - so in that way,
not optimal for an "experiment."
Anyway, it was crowded & people were shoulder hopping, etc. but I did get
quite a few nice waves. But in those conditions, I'm not as much into stalling
the board, but more just run up on the nose, cutbacks, etc. I think I could have
used more precision for better results as far as hanging toes.
Well, I did go with the 10.25" Rainbow Nomad fin, so I don't really have a complete base line; however, it
is pretty much like some of the other fins I have.
First, it wasn't all that different carrying it down the stairs to the surf - tail didn't drag.
I did notice the extra weight but not much; coming back up the stairway after the surf
was another matter - it seemed like it was 20 pounds heavier.
In the water, I think it lowered the tail a little and was a bit more work to paddle.
I think as a heavier board, it was a bit more stable and went through the whitewater
a little more easily.
I was concerned it may have negatively affected taking off but it didn't seem to -
difficult to tell any difference.
Ok, on the wave, I do think the board was more stable and I was able to get out
further on the nose than normal - although not positive with that fin, since I'd not
used it previously. I was up "in the black" pretty much whenever I wanted to be.
Several times I was within about five inches of the tip. Usually on bigger waves
- Some were overhead - I was surfing on the nose in the steeper part of the wave
much more than normal but, geeze, didn't want to risk wiping out by trying to hang toes
over the nose.
I did get some great rides.
The board did everything well - take-offs, cut backs, noserides, pivot turns, bottom turns, etc.
I did seem to be maybe a tad more slugglish...but I think that also translated into more stablility.
After a while I really didn't really notice it - although I would think "I've got extra hold"
when running up front & I do think it does result (from more water over the tail) in a bit
more support. I have to work more on stalling and burying the tail - but the crowd was
distracting me I think. Thinking about it, I do think the board was a bit slower which was
good today as the waves weren't closing out (very often) so maybe it kept me more in the pocket.
One thing, I did take off on a pretty large wave switch-foot - pretty strange because
I don't normally do that and I really didn't even think about it - never done it on a wave that large
- maybe, the extra stability gave me extra confidence - it was kind of fun when I realized
what I was doing.
So, bottom line is that it was good enough and fun enough that I'll leave it on and try
it with some of the other fins from my quiver - hopefully, toes over!
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Well, that's pretty dang cool to hear. Would you mind posting a photo of where you've got the lead taped on? I wonder how much, if any, of what you're experiencing is psychological? as in, you're expecting to do better on the nose, so you do. i like that the lead slows you down a little, but what about if you're trying to make it around a section, did it hamper you then?
I know what you mean about carry weight. When I first tried the lead experiment, getting to the water was no big deal, but the return trip left me huffing and puffing and having to take breathers along the way.
Thanks for the report. Can't wait to hear more, especially how you like the lead w/ the Skeg fin.
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I guess I don't get it. If the point is to keep the tail down, adding a lump of weight to the tail seems counter intuitive (to me) as it would disturb the water flow across the tail which in turn would decrease the tails natural ability to hold down on the wave.
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Hey Bean,
The idea is that the tail could be just a bit too floaty to get a good chunk of water on top of it
to counterbalance you on the nose. In your case it might not be true - you have the smallest
B&B but we've got the 10'1".
The lead is only a about 1/4" thick - its height above the board is about even with top of the pad
which it is up against. Thus, I don't think there is any flow issue but there could be if you stacked
something up higher like maybe a stomp pad. Of course, I guess it depends, it could make
it better but I tried to make it unobtrusive.
I'll get a picture up shortly.
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The proof is in the puddin' as they say, if it works that's all that really matters.
And yes, I'm 205 on a 117 liter board so excess float is not an issue for me. ;D
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Linter, yes I guess it could be psychological,
athough I was actually expecting it to work a bit better -
but I really didn't take any chances - on the SUP I don't like
to fall in the water, so I'm a bit cautious. Not once did
I do a nose dive while perched (although I got dunked
more than normal mostly due to the crowd and closeouts).
I think it will work better with the Skeg and some of the
other fins. We'll see.
Also, because it was so crowded, I wasn't really doing my best to
slow the board down, you know stall it. Generally the waves were a bit
fast and sectiony. It did pivot nicely. So, I did readjust sometimes
but mostly it was just go.
The setup was a bit slower - but the waves were such that they
weren't closing out if you took off in the right spot. Sometimes
I'd get a bit behind - the good thing about SUP is you can
hit the gas - the paddle.
Earlier in the year we had some big surf where it was very fast
and you had to have a very fast board to make it - and then it was
a long ride. Anyway, I had the B&B but I wish I had had my Laird
with the small side bites and pretty small center fin - it is a much
easier ride in those conditions because it is a lot faster. There was
a guy on a big Sim Sup who was killing it - making it all the way.
Other than him only the shortboarders were making it all the way.
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The proof is in the puddin' as they say, if it works that's all that really matters.
And yes, I'm 205 on a 117 liter board so excess float is not an issue for me. ;D
Lol....I'm 195 on 164 liters. I think Linter is quite a bit lighter.
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Two 4" by 4" squares.
(http://LeadBBsideview)
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I find that it's easier to add weight to the rider.
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s'westerly: har de har. good one!
subber: thanks for the pic. think i'll try it in a few days, after i get my sea legs baack following my failed sunova style experiment. i weigh 165 but have a neurologic/muscle problem that makes me the equivalent of a 300 lber, if not more, in terms of balance skills and stability needs.
I agree, the laird is much better in fast waves. i have the 10-6 one out in CA but i haven't ridden it in two years. for what i want to do, it's too too speedy, and i don't go out in big faster waves, so i don't really need anything but the B&B.
For whatever reason, I also like the nose shape on the Jimmy better than the Style. The first times I got up there on the Style, I found it kind of wobbly and slidey. Much operator error, I'm sure, but the B&B exhibits no such tendencies.
Keep us posted on future findings and i will of course do the same.
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I find that it's easier to add weight to the rider.
Ha Ha!....yeah, but I'm trying to lose that weight.
;D
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Man, you do got that board taped up. All along the rails like that, right? At this point, that wouldn't do me much good. Two times in the rear-view mirror of my Kia, I've watched my B&B cartwheel down the highway. Today, what with all the repairs and no attempt at paint matching, the thing looks like a patchwork quilt. And yet, such is the great Jimmy construction, the damage isn't 1/8th what I thought it'd be. The fin took hits but the fin box never budged. Quite some boards.
Meanwhile, thought I'd copy/paste your lead-hammering instruction here for future reference. I love this kind of experimentation!
Subber wrote: I took the 4 thinner pieces (that I think you had taped on the bottom of your Surfapig),
untaped them, cut them in half. so I had eight 4" by 4" pieces that I put together into two lots of four each
that I then pounded with a mallet (and later a hammer to soften the edges and corners) and taped back together.
Then, I used double sided mounting tape to mount them behind the pad, one on each side of the leash.
Then, I taped them over them. Seems pretty secure and obscure.
I think each of those original 4 pieces was ten ounces - so I think it is 40 ounces
or 2.5 pounds total. Not a lot - maybe just enough to weight the tail down to a better level - we'll see.
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Linter, I was wondering if anyone was going to notice that.
Well, my Laird was purchased as a demo/rental. And I'm sure you know those old Surftechs chip
pretty bad. So, now, ha! 5 years later the sides of my Laird's rails are all smooth as all the paint pretty much chipped
away and the edge of the board got "smoothed" by my paddle. It actually looks better than it did
when it was just chips all over the place.
Plus, I put my boards up on edge on top of the loosely coiled (straight) leash leaning against my van.
I know I got some chips on the Laird from doing that too....but it is so much easier than hoisting it up on top of the
van - I keep it in the van so no reason to lift it up like that if I don't have to. I treat my B&B
the same way without any problems (so far).
So, with the Jimmy B&B , brand new, I thought I'd do as much as I could to protect it.
Any, about nine months and probably 100 surfs later (and in lots of big surf), it is pretty much
blemish free. One little chip next to the fin box - that's it. Maybe I should tape the bottom - lol.
Still, ha ha...it may look like hell with all the extra tape I put on it. I did wonder if the tape
could effect how the water grabs the rails, but, at this point, I don't think so. Even when there
are loose pieces of tape hanging off the edges.
I've got the RSPro on the main rails - it is awesome and looks great.
But then I added clear duct tape to the rest of the rails and the front and the back. In fact on the
front and the back I added two layers of the clear duct tape. And, it really crinkles on the curves.
As it gets old it almost turns to paper and starts to fall off...I just scissor the loose edges off and add
some more. Another reason I added the front and back tape is because in the van the board
is up against the dash - and the Laird had a nice extra loss of paint right there on its nose.
Well, for sure the RSPro really protects the board, but I think the duct tape has also done its
job at least a few times when I bounced the board on the edge near the back of the tail.
Good to hear your B&B held up so well even with it falling off your car.
Of course, the main thing is how the boards surf!
;D
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Tried the extra weight with the Skeg today. Surfline said it was 3 to 4 feet but most of the waves were a bit smaller. Crowded for the number of waves and quite a few competent surfers and, some closeouts and lots drop in and shoulder hopping – a lot more of that than normal because rather than several peaks there was really just one place to take off - still fun but usually better than that.
Backside - I had a difficult time getting good waves because of the crowd. Generally the break is a “right.” Because of the crowd you really have to get off to the left to get a good takeoff where you have position but then today it likely will closeout or you’ll have a few shoulder hoppers in front of you. So, much more often than usual for me, I often went left, which is my backside. Well, I was up in the black (extreme front of the B&B) several times which was also usual for me on my backside – I don’t remember ever getting up that far while going backside.
Front side - I did well but did not hang toes. But, one time, I was in parallel stance with toes on each foot only about two inches from the nose – that is the furthest I’ve ever had Both feet up there – but suddenly the tail pulled out and I got dunked – pretty fun for a few seconds.
I think I just need a less crowded day so I can concentrate more on stalling the board than staying out of everyone’s way and getting dropped in on and shoulder hopped, etc. - lol
Overall, worked well.
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okay, subber, i'm going to try this. went out in shin high stuff today and had a fin pop out a few times the closer to the nose i got. maybe a little counterweight is what's called for. will report back. thanks for the update!
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I'm thinking it might help you more as you weigh quite a bit less than I do (at 195 lbs)
so the board is relatively more floaty.
Looking forward to your ride report.
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you guys are mad scientists!
The next thing I expect to see is a stainless steel skeg...Oh don't tell me you have one already?
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We were thinking aluminum - lol
;D
Uh oh....wait a minute......wait...wait......
geeze, we should make a D-fin out of lead!
;D
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Added weight + indestructable fin = win win
(well, until you slice some boogieboarder in two ;))
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Okay, we had the best waves in the past 6 six weeks today, 2'-3' and peeling off the points. I had the lead on, and I think I'm going to keep it on. A few notes.
1/ Dang but it makes the board heavy to walk with and throw on top of the car.
2/ It does slow the board somewhat while paddling but it didn't bother me.
3/ It does stabilize the board. I'm particularly sensitive to lateral side-to-side shifting and the extra weight seemed to settled the board down.
4/ Catching waves was about the same, I think.
5/ *But* the lead on the back allowed me to stand further forward during take off and if I slid into a top turn at the start, all it took was one step and I was way up on the nose. I liked that.
6/ My brain has a hard time communicating with my feet in more complicated situations, such that the closer I get to the nose, the more crossed up they get. That still happened today but I found I had more time than before to try to get them pointed in the right direction. I liked that, too. And it felt very stable up there.
7/ I usually have problems taking two complete steps one right after the other. I'm usually waiting to take the second one until it's too late and the moment has passed. For whatever reason, I was able to keep walking today. Might not have been pretty but I did it. As well, stepping back seemed much easier.
8/ I tried some larger pivot turns but think I can go much more dramatic with them.
9/ I was able to stay on the nose much longer than before. Much longer. I felt much more locked in.
10/ I still can't hang nothing, mainly due to unwilling feet. I have a line at 18" from the nose and several times I looked down and saw that both feet were ahead of it. There's no reason I shouldn't be hanging five left and right, at the very least. But it's very difficult to build on successes if you don't have any. I'm hoping that the added nose time the lead allows will eventually allow my feet to position themselves properly. Fugging things.
Those are my initial findings. Needless to say, I'm stoked. Subber, thanks much for having this idea and sharing it!!!
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Okay, day 2 ... which might also be called the day of unintended consequences.
1/ the added weight seems to add a lot of stress to the paddle when taking off on a wave. how much stress? enough such that, today, stroking in, my paddle snapped in half with a ka-pow. very loud. followed by lots of cussing on my part.
i'm sure it being an old paddle didn't help much. probably on its last legs anyway.
2/ a couple of times when i was noseward, the fin popped out and i started to slide. in all instances, however, just a slight shifting of my weight to the rear reengaged the fin and off i went, bob's yer uncle.
3/ taking off already way up on the nose is awesome!!!!
4/ mostly, though, i've been dropping in the usual way, with one happy-making variation. I can take off and make the drop in surfer stance with my feet almost touching. i hate stink-bug stance, which i fear i sometimes fall prey too, so this up close and parallel is the bee's knees. plus, when moving a foot back to pivot turn, i can now get that foot way back, for big pivots.
all of this is my perception. someone on shore looking at me might see something entirely worse and/or no different than before. but ... it sure feels great to me!
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Yowza linter!
Your's pretty much matched my perceptions.
Although it maybe a bit better for you because you are much lighter -
- the added weight is a larger relative amount.
Its nice to have just a bit more time and a bit more stability.
I also found myself sometimes taking off a bit further up on the nose
and a couple of times in switch stance - fun!
How much weight did you add?
Glad that worked for you!
&
that you guys on the right coast got some nice waves!
;D
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same weight as you, subber.
day 3, today, the same as previous two days, only better. just getting more comfortable. has some interesting side slips that i stopped by weighting the back foot just a little. i noticed that my normal take off position if different and better now. before, i'd kind of be straddling the handle. now my front foot is on top of the handle. you'd think this wouldn't be so but it is, for reasons im not sure of. but, i like it, because it starts me off right where i need to be to start walking. nice!
i'd love to come up with some kind of attachable pouch for the lead, so i can add and subtract. i worked on that two years ago but never found a solution. got any ideas?
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I was thinking along those lines.
I was thinking a compartment in the tail that you could
load up with different amounts of lead and a flip top you
could close. You could fill any void with bubble wrap.
An attachable pouch - that is an easier idea to implement...
hmmm...I'll have to keep my eyes open for something to use.
That's pretty good if you are side slipping and staying on.
Is that with 8.5" Skeg?
Maybe go back to the 11" Jimmy Pivot fin.
I gotta try the lead with the 9.75” Mason Dyer Jetson D-Fin too.
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If you are willing to do glass work, reducing the tail volume by about a liter should work out about the same, no? I am not really suggesting this, only offering some food for thought.
For some perspective on what I am thinking, consider the main difference between a Bing Levitator and Bing Elevator. Both boards are world class nose-riders but differ mostly in the tail width. The elevator is about an inch narrower in the tail. According to Calvani, "where the Elevator (narrow tail) is more ideal in steeper beach break style waves, the Levitator excels in mushier waves with a little more slope, like your local point or reef break."
For a more realistic suggestion, I would look to an even larger fin and dare I say it, try a Turbo-tunnel. There, I said it. ;D
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LOL Bean.....wow you said it.
Well, I actually tried my Jimmy with a 7.5" turbo tunnel.
It surfed pretty good but it was tricky paddling it because, at that size,
it is actually a pretty low volume fin, so I was swerving away from the side
I was paddling on. Small size of fin combined with soft rails of the board.
Lol, kind of embarrassing but I do also have a 9.5" TT that i've not tried.
I gotta dig it up. I'm remembering it is a lot bigger than the 7.5."
So many fins to try.
Gotta get Bing to make a noserider SUP - probably alienate them from their
constituency.
8)
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I bet Jimmy would do a custom for you and in the world of SUP, there is no better.
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I have a dream,
I have a dream where everyone is noseriding on the front of a surfboard equipped with a spent uranium and lead fin.
Free at last. ;D
I love this thread.
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I'm going to think a little about the compartment idea. My B&B has so many dings and repairs on it that hacking into it wouldn't be a major problem, i'd just want to be reasonablely sure that the idea was going to work. I know a guy around here who could do the cutting and glassing but I'd have to be able to tell him exactly what I want done. Hmmm.
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Jim: Unless I'm totally fooling myself, which is always possible, my x-stepping and n-riding skills have gotten much much better over the three days I've had the lead in the tail. Next session, I'm going to bring my old soloshot, take some vids. Or maybe I won't. Last time I did that, the results were so depressing that I nearly gave up the sport. I dunno. Maybe ignorance is bliss. :)
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It's really telling that the differences between us are what brings us together. So many are aiming for the lightest board possible, while you're hoping for a board with a bit more "junk in the trunk." I see the same solution here all the time. I surf with a guy from time to time at Doheny that has a nice big (10 foot) Blair and he shreds it up on that board, where as Sanosurf rides boards just a hair bigger than my old boogie board and does the same. Both guys are about the same size.
SUP surfing seems to be a game played in your head, and the goal is to find that purrrrfect shape, size, weight, etc... that works with your conditions. Stand Leper used to tout the virtues of his very small boards. Good for him, they'd never work for me. I think I've gotten pretty close to perfection with my last purchase, but that really only applies to me, in my current physical condition, on the waves I find myself most often riding. I may think I've "won the game" but I have to realize that it's not the same game you're playing. :) These mental gymnastics must be a windfall for SUP shapers worldwide.
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Nice post, Jim. Like you, I think I'm pretty close to personal perfection, in my case with the B&B. I got sidetracked by the sunova style but after three sessions realized it's not for me. someone else? absolutely. so, it's back to the B&B, happily (and now weightily). right now, i've got three of them, two in ri and one in CA, all the same size, since i live in fear of them going out of production or i bust one in half or whatever.
the whole weight/lead thing has been a blast. i love being able to change a board so much for so little. I mean, the bang for the buck has been tremendous. you should join us!
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Today, I used a 10" George Greenough 4A swept fin, front pin today
(hadn't been in the water for the last couple of weeks).
I'd never used a GG 4A before - I figured for noseriding it didn't have enough surface area near the tip.
Still, it is such a highly recommended fin that I thought I should try it.
And, I'm glad I did. It was very crowded so I didn't get many waves to myself but
I did get one awesome ride about shoulder high - it felt different than other noserides - hard to describe -
I was "in the Black" on the B&B, about a foot back from the tip - so no toes over - but
it felt more locked it - kind of sliding at about 45 degrees to the wave/shore - the whole board. I'm thinking
the smaller tip gives less drive and allows one to slip ("slip" might be a better word than slide - better yet
"side slip") - a bit sideways.
Loved it.
And, still using the extra weight.
Found the big ugly 9.5" black nylon T Tunnel. Maybe try that next.
Today, I went with the 4A because I figured it would have a lot less paddling drag -
that seemed to be the case. I like that - less tiring and easier to catch waves in competitive conditions.
Also, got a new-to-me (used) back-up paddle - that I used the first time, today - it is 6" overhead, my normal paddle is 7.25" overhead -
otherwise they are identical QB's. I was surprised at the different feeling - felt softer....just an inch and a quarter shorter.
I do take the paddle, in the water, around the nose, to turn sometimes and I almost fell in - I guess sometimes with the
shorter paddle, I'll have to pull it out of the water a bit around the nose. Anyway, liked the shorter one - definitely different.
Maybe I'll mix up using them.
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Interesting about the 4A. There's a lot of love for that fin. Might have to give it a try one of these days.
My current love is that longer Captain Fin Dyer brand fin. For me., it's worked great. Very pivot-y, esp with the lead on the tail. I like it as much as the Skeg, if not a little more at this point. Will have to keep experimenting.
Today, I had to go up and down a boulder-strewn hill to get to the water and the extra weight of the board nearly did me in. Funny how much difference 2.5 lbs can make!
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I do like my 9.75” Mason Dyer Jetson D-Fin - I need to try it with the added weight.
BTW, the rear edge on mine was very sharp so I dulled it down a bit.
Its a great looking fin. Gotta to try it again. So many fins to re-try with the weight.
Yesterday I used the 4A again. I did get some good pivot turns....not that I was trying
to - just kind of happened - the board just pivoted right into the right place. I was
a bit surprised given its swept profile.
I hear you with carrying it. Mostly notice it coming back up the stairs - very slowly.
Ha! I'm pretty picky with parking too - round and round to get a closer spot.
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You weightlifters need to buy a cart!
I could actually see a scenario where you have a special recessed pocket at the tail where you can drop your lead sheets in and flip over a kickpad that velcros into place, for a more refined silhouette. You've got me thinking that I could solve at least some of my tail releasing problems with softer rails and bigger fin. I doubt I'll ever add weight, mostly because I'm too lazy to bring a cart each trip with my longboard.
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That's a great idea, Jim. I'd love to be able to add and subtract weight. Must ponder how to do it. If you've got any other ideas, let's hear em!
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How about a ballast tank that you can fill/drain with water so you don't have to carry the extra weight to and from the beach? Maybe a hollow tail with a fill/drain plug? You only need a little over a quart to get your 2.5 lbs. I add 2500 lbs. of water to my wakesurf boat, once in the water; I sure wouldn't want to trailer that much extra weight. ;D
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Today, motivated by linter's video 1 for 5 to get five toes over,
I made more of a point to try to get toes over. I usually go more for
parallel stance as far up on the tip as I can but with no toes over.
I did also think a bit more about stalling and tipping the board to
get more water on the tail, but it is difficult for me because of all the
guys and gals I have to pin ball around in the water.
Today was a fabulous day at about 80 degrees and up to double overhead
(my last wave! ;D). Of course, I got better tip time riding some inside
waist to shoulder high waves during a break and after the tide went up
a bit and the wind picked up a bit.
So, I was noticing I was way up there and close enough to put some toes
over and remembered the video and discussion and got five over for
about 3 seconds before kerplunk. I guess you do have to be willing
to sacrafice a wave (or more).
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Also today, I was using a 9.75" True Ames Noserider fin that I had
stored away. I figured I get it out and see if it was up to its
name. Well, I got five toes over! I think it does
hold down the tail pretty well. The other day, there was so
much water on the tail with this fin, the nose went really high - it was very
steep trying to walk up the nose - maybe that is the time
to go for ten - don't know - got to try it next time.
I do think the extra (lead) weight kind of equalizes the big fins - I
seem to see less difference by fin with the extra weight than without
the extra weight on the tail.
Over the past several weeks I also tried a couple of other fins.
I was able to purchase a 9.75” Almond DEE-FIN at a bit of a discount.
It did seem a little more draggy - which is what I was trying for - than
the 8.5" Rainbow D-Fin and the couple of other D fins I have. Still,
I would say it wasn't that different.
And, I also picked up an old, gnarled 11" Sparky fin (Fibre Glas Fin Co).
Now, I already have a brand new one but couldn't resist - this used one is a bit
bigger at a full 11 inches. It has a cool old patina - maybe from someone
sanding it on the side or maybe just age but it shows little fiber glass
dots though the back pigment. Anyway, I cleaned it up a bit but decided
to see how it would do still roughed up somewhat. Whoa, I really liked it! Got some good
nose rides - doesn't really pivot but got some great up and down roller
coasters too. The B&B is surprising in how well it turns when you get back
on the tail - I guess it is the huge tail kick in conjunction with the kind of
pig shape and the 50/50 soft rails. I got some great rides off that fin!
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well, i took off all the weight and love how much more responsive my bnb seems to me now. otoh, it could be the new fin jimmy sent me -- an updated version of the original BnB fin, made out of something he calls honeycomb, with a much fatter foil. just super great and holds very well.
yesterday, i got 2 fives in a row (witnessed by my friend paul!!!!), then a random third, where I could feel the nose of my board beneath the crook of my foot. triple yay!
i tried the lead with the new fin but didn't like it. stripped the weight off and i'm one happy camper. think i'll be sticking with the jimmy v2 for a while.
it's great you're making progress, too! one thing that makes it much easier for me is the lack of crowds, giving me lots of time to set up. plus the waves here tend to be pretty perfect peelers. when i return to san diego for the winter and the sectiony beach break and clogged lineup at tourmaline, i'm sure i'll be backsliding right into the drink. happened to me last year, so i know it's a real possibility.
keep up the good works and i'm loving the reports!
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Congrats Linter!
You have really progressed!
I agree with the lack of crowds. I generally surf in very crowded conditions. So I'm fighting for the takeoff
and, geeze, although I'm often the first up, guys will catch to the left of me and because the break is
a "right" they have better position - rather than "first up," everyone goes by best position. Sometimes
I'll "go left, then right" - lol - that shocks 'em and lets them know its my wave but I don't do it often...usually
just when I'm taking off on the short board peak - those short boarders swarm at me - they don't care
if I'm up seconds before them. - Anyways, it can be pretty hectic, especially when the waves are big, which
has been very often this last year, and it doesn't lend itself so much to stalling and setting up the board.
Although I will say, it is a noseriding break - most of the longboarders are trying to nose ride - but I do
note I rarely see anyone get 10 over.
Yes, I was noticing how well lined up the waves were in your video. We have what I think are fantastic waves
but they aren't quite that lined up.
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Is this the fin?
(http://)
I see it, not on his U.S. site but it seems to be quoted in pounds.
They have an 11" and a 10" - you probably got the 11" - that is the size of my original one.
"This fin is a template that was used on several of the hot longboards of the mid ’60s. I’ve designed a thick foil for this fin. Preventing spin ot when you’re on the lip."
Got to search some more.
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Is this the fin?
(http://)
I see it, not on his U.S. site but on a non-U.S. site - it seems to be quoted in pounds.
They have an 11" and a 10" - you probably got the 11" - that is the size of my original one.
"This fin is a template that was used on several of the hot longboards of the mid ’60s. I’ve designed a thick foil for this fin. preventing spin out when you’re on the lip."
Got to search some more.
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that's the fin okay, but i'm not sure what size i have, as it doesn't say on the fin itself. will check w/ jimmy and let you know. yup, gots a thick foil, which i tend to think is super helpful.
wow, the crowds at your break sound worse even than the ones at tourmaline. don't envy you. ugh.
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Cool. I guess I'll have to contact or email at Jimmy's U.S. site.
Yeah, thick foil - I did think that was possibly why the Rainbow D-fin worked well.
Jimmy's new one sounds even thicker.
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Today, I took the lead off. In part to see how these other fins perform without the weight
but maybe more so because my knees have been very sore, I think from going up the stairs
at my break with the extra weight.
Whoa, quite a difference with the 2.5 pounds removed or was it 3 pounds.
Definitely easier to handle the board out of the water.
Way easier going up the stairs after the session.
Board was more responsive but had less momentum so for surfing, it just
depends what you are into.
I did also notice the board was a little harder to keep balanced
but that could have been because after two waves the wind whipped up to about 15-20 knots
and it was also pretty choppy - not a great day but with the unusual high temps, a nice way to cool off.
I got blown out of catching one wave - I was just about to head down the face and it was good size
and pretty steep but the wind just blew me back out of the wave. Time to go in.
High wind not ideal for stand up paddle surfing...at least not for me.