Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Technique => Topic started by: Takeo on February 08, 2010, 04:20:14 PM
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I'm an SUP newbie, never even surfed a day in my life. I have years of skateboard experience and some kayaking but no surfing. I'm 5'7" and 185 lbs.
I just purchased a 10' C4 subvector, probably not the best beginner board, but it sure was pretty, ha! Seriously though, took it out the other day for the first time in flat conditions with gentle winds. Paddling sitting and on knees was a breeze, but when I tried to stand, that's when all pride went out the window. I could barely stay standing for more than 30 seconds. With the board being rated for beginner up to 190, I thought perhaps, I'd at least be able to stand and paddle 100 yds or so without falling. I'm determined to get it down, but would be open to any advice from those who have been in this situation before.
Thanks in advance!
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You'll be twice as stable each time out, so get out there and enjoy. It's no big deal. I learned in the ocean too and fell hundreds of times. It was a blast.
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What size is your center fin? Is it setup as a quad? A quad can be very unstable for a first board also because you have no center fin support. What I usually do on an unfamilair SUB is run a longer center fin for stability and once you get comfortable try a different center fin one size smaller down size in 1" increments. A bigger center fin will cause the SUB to go rail to rail less often when paddling but surfing performance will decrease. Its a give or take thing stability or surfabilty.
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Yeah, that sounds about right. I think everyone else has been in the same place you are. I'm only a few months ahead of you on a PSH 10-3 AA. Every time out on the water, though, I got more and more comfortable. Something that helped me, in the begining, was sticking to really flat spots on windless days. It's hard to get more comfortable standing on your board if you spend too much time in the water.
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Thanks for the quick replies guys, I really appreciate it.
I bought the board setup as a quad, no center fin. The advice on the large center fin, at least to get standing, makes a lot of sense. I'm sure the rail to rail rocking was my lack of experience and balancing, but if I center fin will help, I'll quickly change to that for now. I can't even think of surfing it, if I can't stand up on it, ha!
I'll try to get out on flat water and windless days. I didn't expect it to be that difficult, but any little bump sends me in the water.
I hope to return to the forum with my progress. I guess I just needed to hear others say that they had the same difficulty. I see folks jumping on 11'6"-12' boards 30-32" wide and paddling without even getting wet but I didn't want to spend $1500 on a board like that when I ultimately want a board that surfs well.
I'll go buy a center fin today. BTW, I also ordered a Balance360 for at home workouts.
Thanks for the support!
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As mentioned...don't sweat the falling. I didn't think I'd be able to do it for a couple of months and then it suddenly clicked, and I was on a big board (12-6 x 30). I'd mix up your flatwater runs with some chop too though. It will suck at first but forces a faster progression. Have fun.
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Takeo,
That's a great board. I recently purchased the 9-6 sub vector and absolutely love it. I am 170 pounds and only find it very stable because I learned on a C4 10-6. It just takes time in the water as the others had mentioned. As well, you gotta go with a center fin. My came with an 8 inch center fin and so far works well even though I'm gonna change it up. Don't worry about it, it will get easier every time. When you are standing on the board, try to find the sweet spot for better balance and don't focus on the nose of the board...look out at the horizon instead. At least that helps me.
Have fun!
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I found learning that it helps a lot to relax and not be so nervous about falling. Somehow, as you spend more time on the board and feel more relaxed, your muscles and mind start to work together and before long it will be no big deal, just keep at it. Hope this helps.
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Maybe you could rent a larger board for a day or two, then return to the subvector. I think it will be a good board for you soon, but maybe not right out of the gate.
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Thanks for all the great suggestions. I got a center fin, but it's a 6" cutaway, too small?
You guys are right about the "worry about falling" and the "relaxing" part. I paddled out on my knees and that was quite relaxing and the board was faster than I expected, however, when I began to stand and the board started tipping rail to rail, that's when my legs tightened up and standing was impossible.
I'll try to get on a bigger board. I didn't mention earlier, but I recently purchased an SIC F14 and went out a few times so far, still falling, but able to paddle 50-100 yds or so on flat water on the first try.
As you can see, I'm jumping right into the sport. I love the support on the forum, great community. Mahalo!
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I wouldn't worry too much about the size of the board. Yeah, 9'3" isn't long in the SUB world, but that board is super stable for it's length. It just takes practice. Also, it's my experience that looking at the horizon and not down at your feet/board makes the biggest difference in stability.
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6" cutaway is kind of small. You should use at least an 8" fin or 9" if you don't have sidebites.
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Diesel,
I just added the 6" cutaway to the stock Vector sidebites. Would a bigger single fin be more stable versus the 2+1 setup? I just want to stand in flatwater and will adjust for surfing once I'm at that level.
Funny that many of you mention the tip about looking at the horizon. I guess a common newbie mistake is to look at where my feet are placed, or to watch the board rock side-to-side. So many questions going through my head and before you know it, I'm in the drink!
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>sticking to really flat spots on windless days
>look out at the horizon
>feel more relaxed, your muscles and mind start to work together
>6" cutaway is kind of small
This is all really good advice. keep pushing yourself. The first few paddles are always super wobbly, especially with a (relatively) small board like yours. Try keeping your shoulders square and absorb all the board movement from below your hips. If you feel getting off balance stick your paddle blade in the water. Its surprisingly effective as a crutch
Also every SUP will be more unstable when it is stationary. Get on there and paddle hard, as the board picks up speed the fin will bite and stability will increase by an order of magnitude.
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Diesel,
I just added the 6" cutaway to the stock Vector sidebites. Would a bigger single fin be more stable versus the 2+1 setup? I just want to stand in flatwater and will adjust for surfing once I'm at that level.
Funny that many of you mention the tip about looking at the horizon. I guess a common newbie mistake is to look at where my feet are placed, or to watch the board rock side-to-side. So many questions going through my head and before you know it, I'm in the drink!
I thought you were using the 6" by itself. the 6" cutaway should be good with the stock sidebites.
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takeo
like you i am a newby with no surf experience but i do have other boardsport experience.
my wife gave me a 9'3' subvector for xmas- my first SUP ! and i weigh 225lbs!
I have spent about 15 hours on it and i am enjoying the learning curve and the challenge.
I am mostly trying out techniques on flat water and where i dont seem to be falling in. i have ventured out in the gulf of mexico 3 times and had my ass handed to me 2 of the 3 times...ah well, back to flat water to get confidence back.
my advice to you is thesame as other guys mentioned : put in your water time, paddle paddle splash and paddle some more!
enjoy the challenge.
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i rode a 10'6 then went to the sub it was hard on me somedays still is. but i ride it as quad, with a big 3rd fin in it will be easier. but take that out when u get the hang of it quad is the way to go 100%....
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Diesel,
I just added the 6" cutaway to the stock Vector sidebites. Would a bigger single fin be more stable versus the 2+1 setup? I just want to stand in flatwater and will adjust for surfing once I'm at that level.
Funny that many of you mention the tip about looking at the horizon. I guess a common newbie mistake is to look at where my feet are placed, or to watch the board rock side-to-side. So many questions going through my head and before you know it, I'm in the drink!
The bigger the middle fin, the more stability it will have. I bet you would be surprised how much stability having a big fin in the center of the board will have. And a 6" center fin, and a cutaway at that, will not provide that much paddling stability.
The sidebites do not affect paddling stability (or do so only marginally). So a single fin set up versus a 2+1 is not what matters, its the size of the middle fin.
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Bra hit me up i have an 8 and 8"1/2 you could try. Lmk
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Thanks everyone for your kind and helpful advice. Haven't gotten back in the water yet, I will soon though.
PureAdrenaline, thanks for your offer, but I'm in Hilo. I'll find a bigger fin, even if I have to buy one. Anyone want to sell me a big fin they don't need?
The support on this forum has been awesome, makes me even more excited about the sport, so much so that I just sold one of my custom ukuleles to free up some $$, ha! In the ukulele world, there is UAS, Ukulele Aquisition Syndrome! From what I'm feeling, I bet there is SUPAS? Am I right? Aloha!!
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Been a bit busy to get out in the water, but had a chance to get out this weekend. Since my last outing, I added an 8" center fin and have been on the Indo Board and Balance 360 board daily. I didn't spend a lot of time on the Subvector as I had friends who were riding it also but at least I'm now able to stand up on the dang board.
I'm sure one of my biggest challenges is my own pride, falling off the board time and time again is very humbling as paddlers pass me by on their 11'6" 33" wide boards.
Txkiter, how ya doin on your 9'3"?
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Got out on some flat water today and happy to report that no more falling. I think it was a combination of a few things, the 8" center fin, a week on the Indo Board, and mental confidence. Thanks for all the advice, can't wait to get back on the water!
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Great to hear things are working for you on the subvector. Did you get the flat round cushion with your indo board? Thats the most realistic way to train for SUP because you have that side to side front to back motion compared to the round cylinder.
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Great to hear things are working for you on the subvector. Did you get the flat round cushion with your indo board? Thats the most realistic way to train for SUP because you have that side to side front to back motion compared to the round cylinder.
I didn't get the cushion..yet, but I also have the Balance360 with the ball, that one is pretty tough. I got a long way to go before I can actually surf it. Appreciate all the encouragement, feedback, and advice! Mahalo and Aloha!