Standup Zone Forum

Stand Up Paddle => Share the Stoke => Topic started by: Remickulous on April 26, 2017, 11:44:14 AM

Title: Beginning SUP Season 2 - About the Om
Post by: Remickulous on April 26, 2017, 11:44:14 AM
It has been one helluva winter working through lots of internal stuff - re-evaluating life, the universe, and everything. I stopped paddling in December, started again in March, and have been out almost every day since. I replaced the 12'6"x30" Starboard Touring with a 14'x28" Coast Runner "Race" board, and I'm still rocking the big Universal board. I hit over 100hrs on the water last year and stopped counting because it seems irrelevant now, but maybe that's a good marker for folks reading this that are brand new to the sport - get 100+ hours on the water, and the way you view Stand Up Paddling will change in ways you might not expect.

So, here's some fun things that I've experienced since starting again this year:

I'll leave it there for now, but if you are coming into this sport and feel overwhelmed with choices and decisions, I hope this eases your mind a bit, and maybe even sparks something for you - the only mistake you might make is not paddling every chance you can :P
Title: Re: Beginning SUP Season 2
Post by: Dusk Patrol on April 26, 2017, 12:21:54 PM
Welcome back.. sounds like you spent winter well... achieving a higher level of being and all that  ;D

Makes me want to add a sleeping board to the quiver...
Title: Re: Beginning SUP Season 2 - About the Om
Post by: Ichabod Spoonbill on April 26, 2017, 04:45:10 PM
Funny, I never thought about meditating on my board. That's a good idea. I just need to find a place to moor. Of course, I would run into the problem of all the concerned boaters being responsible and checking up on something weird going on.
Title: Re: Beginning SUP Season 2 - About the Om
Post by: supthecreek on May 11, 2017, 04:49:24 AM
Hi Remickulous, good take on a multi faceted sport!
There is sooooo much living to gain from time on the water.

I never stop for winter because I enjoy my most serene sessions in mid winter.
If you pick your conditions, you will find a soulful solitude that is unmatched.
and yeah...... wear your leash.... EVERY time! I feel naked without mine.

I spend enough time battling chop when I surf, so I like my flat-water... "flat"!
Every paddle tour I do, begins with a close look at the wind charts, searching for the place that will give me the calm water I crave. ( I use "Predict Wind" app.... the arrows help!)
Something about pure glass that soothes my soul in so many ways. Even in blizzards.


If I found your area right.... I think you have plenty of options for "Flat" water nearby, or many if you are willing to drive 1/2 hour.
Drayton Harbor offers an option... or drive a bit. No need to wobble around on chop... unless you chose to.

The area around the Lummi Reservation has a ton of options to be protected from the wind and chop.
It looks like an amazing area, with tons of paddle paradise to explore.
I love to change up my paddle locations.... to keep it fresh!

Some graphics to show your options to consider (if my search correctly found your bay)

and thanks for the nice comment.... but I don't "stand" as easily as you might think.... I fall over a lot on my little boards.... remember, my videos are edited  ;D

Keep posting the stoke....we all love this kind of story!
Title: Re: Beginning SUP Season 2 - About the Om
Post by: FRP on June 13, 2017, 09:58:32 PM
Thanks Remickulous

Great post! Looking forward to having a nap on my board.......what a fantastic idea.

Bob
Title: Re: Beginning SUP Season 2 - About the Om
Post by: Remickulous on September 08, 2017, 08:40:11 AM
What a year it's been so far! I've grown my quiver a bit, paddled a lot, and I'm now considering paddles that I never would have before. I use the wind app to help me determine longer paddles - Thanks for the great advice, sup'!

I never stop for winter because I enjoy my most serene sessions in mid winter. If you pick your conditions, you will find a soulful solitude that is unmatched.and yeah...... wear your leash.... EVERY time! I feel naked without mine.

I spend enough time battling chop when I surf, so I like my flat-water... "flat"! Every paddle tour I do, begins with a close look at the wind charts, searching for the place that will give me the calm water I crave. ( I use "Predict Wind" app.... the arrows help!) Something about pure glass that soothes my soul in so many ways. Even in blizzards.

I've tried this flat water thing like you described, and...it's not very exciting **chuckle** After paddling on some lakes, and going after flat water on the Salish, I decided I'll take my flat water when it comes, and enjoy it - but I'm also really psyched about paddling all winter long in conditions I used to describe as "shitty"!

Welcome back.. sounds like you spent winter well... achieving a higher level of being and all that  ;D

Makes me want to add a sleeping board to the quiver...

Yeah Dusk, you can't go wrong with a sleeping board! I added one myself in the form of an old custom 16'x33" monster that I'm repairing/restoring right now  :o I'm actually thinking I might use that beast for a ~100mi paddle around the San Juan islands that I'm planning for next year, and sleeping on the board might be required **laugh**

So, I have a year in the sport now, over 200 hours on the water in that year on many boards in many conditions, and I don't think I qualify as "beginner" for the average Joe/Jane - even though compared to the old fogeys on this board I'm still spankin' new **laugh**

I hope the information everyone has posted in response to these two threads helps folks looking to get into the sport, I know it sure has for me. Mahalo nui loa to you all, it's wonderful to be a part of this community, and I hope to meet y'all out there!

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal