Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: VB on September 14, 2010, 01:48:13 PM
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I recently started riding my 11'6 SUP again for the hurricane swells that the East coast is experiencing. I had been riding an 8'5 SUP the last few months prior to the hurricane swells. Riding the 11'6 made me remember why I got into SUP in the first place: the ability to get on a wave really early because of the great glide a big board delivers, the relaxed feeling of taking only a few easy strokes and bam you are on the wave riding, being able to catch large rolling sets way before they break, and finally the long rides from way outside to the shore break without bogging down in the flats. Myself and many others have got caught up in the go short craze that is currently happening with SUP and have forgotten about why we started paddle boarding in the first place. You just can't get the needed glide for those big outside sets with a short SUP. Instead, you end up doing pocket surfing with a short SUP, which seems to defeat the purpose and advantage of paddle boarding. Yes a short SUP is more maneuverable, but you are having to take shorter rides and are getting really close to the long board guys when paddling for a wave. Super maneuverable short SUPs are cool, but are they worth throwing away the advantages that a bigger SUP offers to surfers? If I want to throw a board around, I'll surf my short board. Short SUPs do have their place, but I'll be riding my big SUP more now and taking advantage of it's attributes. I look forward to any other opinions on the matter.
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I agree. For me, there seems to be a big trade-off at 10 feet, over you get the glide, under you loose the glide but get the shred. I am currently very happy with my 9'6, as this is the only board I ride. If I had two wave boards they would be (maybe) an 11 foot and an 8'6.
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horses for courses
8)
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That's why even a quiver of two boards makes sense. It helps squeeze the most out of the conditions presented to you. I think 10-0 is the magic combo of glide and maneuverability. But honestly, who cares what you're riding as long as you're having a great time.
Evan
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My Gerry Lopez 9'6" & Takayama 11'0" seem to cover it all.
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But wait - I need a board dedicated to flat water paddling!
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"You just can't get the needed glide for those big outside sets with a short SUP. Instead, you end up doing pocket surfing with a short SUP, which seems to defeat the purpose and advantage of paddle boarding. "
Interesting topic, been flogged before...
I went too short (7'6"), now I am back at 8'5 by 28... (6'1+, 195)... probably gonna venrture back down to 8 x 27 for the next one.
I surf a relatively short SUP and catch the first wave of the set... and if no one is on it, the last wave of the same set...
I take closeouts sometimes because I can see the that the third wave of the set if going to have a corner... if I was fifty yards over... I use the acceleration from the kickout off the closeout to reposition, and then get schacked senseless on the distant corner that no one else could see or catch.
When I am going through the flats trying to connect to the inside bowl, I can pump and paddle for speed...
When I am on a gutless wave that has a little lip, I can use the paddle to help accelerate the initial lip contact...
When I hit the closeout floater a little too directly, I use the paddle as leverage to bring the board back under my feet so I can complete the move, and maybe hit the foam a few more times...
When I hit the frontside layback snap too hard... same thing... the paddle leverages me back onto the board...
When I am out and the tide shuts down my spot, but [name withheld] is still working, I just paddle on over and say hey to my brothers...
I never have to wear a full suit because my body is not dangling in the water...
If I get tagged by whitey, he will probably eat less of me....
I use the paddle as a pivot point to turn harder, deeper and accelerate out faster...
The paddle out to [name withheld] on huge northwest swells is ten minutes instead of a half hour...
I can splash my friends.
I can joust with my friends when waiting for sets.
I can twirl the paddle like a baton while going straight for extra points!
Whatever floats your boat.
Out,
Tim
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Hey Strand what 7'6 did you get? I'm looking for opinions on 8ft PSH, Naish, or Imagine
the 8'4 Naish looks SICK! but I'm hearing alot of positives on those bamboo PSH and my 8'6 Enigma is great but has a little too much volume for me.. Opinion are appreciated. (im 5'11 173lbs)
I understand the point you make about the longer SUP's but just like anything else we always want to see how far we can push ourselves and develop our skills,
Personally, besides the fact that I like the maneuverability of shorter SUP's, many times I feel more comfortable in the lineup with it because at least I can point out to some of the longboarders that my board is shorter than theres if I get any type of lip from them (havent had to do it yet but some peeps do ask our of curiosity)
Although, I do at times find myself going back to my 9'8 especially if im in a nose riding type mood
one other thing, I find the shorter SUPs more taxing on my body, shoulders etc,,, maybe its because I have to work harder on it to get it going and you cant really stand still for to long with it so that to me is a disadvantage of short SUBs, this could be a plus also as it encourages you to sit down and puts one on the same level as the crawlers....
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I'll always have my custom Foote 11' for fun, lessons and noseriding but I find my Foote 9'6'' paddles out quick enough and is faster in big waves when I need it to be & I use it a lot.
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Man, I understand the appeal of the bigger boards but I can't commit to riding my big board exclusively.
Got to have them all because I have such a short attention span/ADBD (attention deficit board disorder). Here's my quiver (all made by Tim Stamps):
10' x 30 x 4.25 DogPatch Dominator: Catch anything, walk the nose, take a nap, eat a sandwich... fun for any small, gutless day. I ride it from shin high to waist high.... a great board for a coastal wave poaching cruise. Like I said, good for up to waist high, after that I want to do some turns so...
9'1 x 30 x 4.25 Viking/Bump tail: Fast, loose, pivoty off the bump... perfect for our zippy little beachy. I'll paddle this board two or three miles no problem even though it's so low volume that my feet are basically in the water. Pulled nose for lower swing weight- thruster set up. Very drivey, great for covering lots of open face really quickly, goes rail to rail and up into the lip super nicely.
8'6 x 30 x 4.25 Grim Ripper (being shaped but I rode one exactly like it, frothed... and ordered one that morning... yeee haw). Very tippy, stupidly low volume, good for glassy days in one spot- extremely fast, very loose... a bigger version of my 6'4 surfboard and when coupled with a paddle, probably as loose.
12'6 x 28.5" x 6" Racer.... the board I know the least about, still trying to get her out of second gear- equipment is great, motor sucks. But fun and a great way to get into paddling shape
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Reid,
You might want to hang on for my review of the Imagine Eco Super Stealth "Nine Finger, Stand Leper is a MASSIVE KOOK" model... it is on the CAD and being refined... (seven feetish)...
I did a little bit of work for Corran, so he is making me a board... or so I hear... and he never makes what I want... he makes me what he thinks that I SHOULD want... always pushing the design envelope... gotta love the guy!
The 7'6" was a Craig... very interesting board but too wide for my taste...
The PHS 8'0" would totally work for you my friend as the 8'6" floats me like a fishing barge and I am 195.
Paddlesurf... Agreed... my quiver is ridiculous... but I have a board for EVERY occasion (except for an extreme DW, but I have never done one of those)... 1/3 from Roger Hinds, 1/3 from Imagine, 1/3 from other folks.
Thanks,
Tim
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great post-i have a C4 10-6 for the small D-Patch days-super fun-trying to learn to helicopter on it-tricky.
10' C4 BK PRO-this is a great board-thruster-pulled in nose-only 27 wide-very fast and pivoty for being 10'
Next is my new 9-0 Nectar Cinco model from Gary Mcnabb-what a great guy and great board-rode a demo for a few days and ordered one right away-super light-fast-Kevlar rails-this is my go to board now.
Final board is a 8-6 C4 Battail-glass on side bites-Futures 6.5 Cutaway-not real fun to paddle but screams on a juicy wave.
but just like my kids-they are all different-different quirks and personalaties and i love them all.
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9'6 psh & 11 JL hell yah, got it all covered
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I got a new 10 '6" this summer Only rode my 9'6" one time since ;D
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Tim
Back in San Clemente Monday and we're going to get these new boards out.
For me - a 6'11" x 26" x 3 7/8" and a 8' x 27" x 3 3/4" - based on my last little flying machine I've been on.
For Adam, it seems like he pretty much wants the same board as I'm on now.
For you... Ahhh... the leper... I mean Leaper...we need to talk about what you need... whats going to make your finger grow back!
Corran
(ever see Monty Pythons's meaning of life - in the Zulu war, and the guy looses his leg... "It'll grow back, right?")
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I'm on a 3 board rotation. 14' Ron House Surf/Race board, 11' Ron House Rhino Chaser Quad, 8'6" Ron House Quad. Some days I take turns riding each of them.
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Niiiiice photos Tom.
Which board are you on at the first pic?
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The 1st pic is my 14'. I love that board.
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nice pics Tom-recognize D-Patch-where are the bigger waves located?
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I agree with the short board thing. They are fun when conditions are just right, but there is nothing like catching rolling swells before they break on my bigger boards. As far as dedicated flat water boards, yea, I know everyone is going displacement, and yes they are faster, but I still like the look and feel of the old school somewhat surf looking board. My Naish Glide 12ft seems to be a compromise, good for flat water but still looks somewhat like a surfboard and feels like it too.
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The big waves are in San Diego. There are lots of hidden reefs that don't have defined channels that nobody wants to deal with when it is huge. I'd much rather deal with 20' of whitewater than 100 crazed surfers.
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Nice photos. Thanks Tom.
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Tom,
Gotta say that the power gouge on the DW hybrid board is so classic... that is what standup is all about... having a freaking blast, no matter the conditions!
Tim
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Couldn't agree more with VB. Its all about the glide and gettin in early.
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Corran,
Classic Monty Python scene... going to Dr. tomorrow to get weekend surf clearance...
Whatever board you make me... you KNOW how I feel about the need for razor sharp rails in the rear quarter... like my magical Cutback...
Come home and make my board!
Out for now.
Tim
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Corran, SL pics please!!! I wanna new board I feel like my 8'6 is too big now!
I'm thinking something in the 7'11-8'4 range and want it for the winter, strand if you dont like corrans creation ill take it off your hands for some cashola
Tom nice pics! I took out my 12'6 starboard pin on some micro swells a few weeks back and had a total blast, was the only one out cus it wasnt rideable for anyone else, it felt like good practice as it wasn't exactly easy to turn that boat around
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I call micro waves (<'1 - 2') "The unridden realm".
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Length is only about options and expectations:
feeling groovey? Glide with style
needing a schwack?!?!? Short baby
testing some limits?: comfort (volume) and performance
practicing your best Lemming imitation?: durability...
I agree with the multiple quiver and the other So Cal quiver fiends: PaddleSurf, SL, SoCal Supp, Tom English. Reach into the toolbox and grab the right tool for the job. Obviously it takes some insanity and cash to build a quiver. .
At 5'11 230lbs, I surf everything from a Hobie CP Stinger 10'2 for the glide down to a Hobie CP Stinger II (custom) 9'2 for the progression. Depends on wave conditions, type, location etc. If I head south to Dogpatch with SoCal, or just down the way with "The Bird" (SL), or north to HB with Rocky, or maybe even way south to catch Paddlesurf on his super Baja excursions (one of these days...), I'll pick the board and hopefully that choice will match my expectations...
No waves crap conditions = distance paddle on 14'
SL. CLearance for this weekend?!!? Nothing like right into it your first day back..
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If you have not had a chance to watch Tom surfing the 14 footer you're missing out. That board should not move the way it does...really cool!
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Length is only about options and expectations:
feeling groovey? Glide with style
needing a schwack?!?!? Short baby
testing some limits?: comfort (volume) and performance
practicing your best Lemming imitation?: durability...
I agree with the multiple quiver and the other So Cal quiver fiends: PaddleSurf, SL, SoCal Supp, Tom English. Reach into the toolbox and grab the right tool for the job. Obviously it takes some insanity and cash to build a quiver. .
At 5'11 230lbs, I surf everything from a Hobie CP Stinger 10'2 for the glide down to a Hobie CP Stinger II (custom) 9'2 for the progression. Depends on wave conditions, type, location etc. If I head south to Dogpatch with SoCal, or just down the way with "The Bird" (SL), or north to HB with Rocky, or maybe even way south to catch Paddlesurf on his super Baja excursions (one of these days...), I'll pick the board and hopefully that choice will match my expectations...
No waves crap conditions = distance paddle on 14'
SL. CLearance for this weekend?!!? Nothing like right into it your first day back..
its true WB-those of us with SUPitis-we are all one fry short of a happy meal-i need more fries!!!