Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Pump/blower

« on: May 09, 2019, 10:23:13 AM »

Max PSI is just under 2. I've used them for years, they're great for inflating rafts and other low-volume stuff. nothing else I've used is anywhere near as fast of a volume fill. not much good for SUP, though.

2

Gear Talk / Re: Portable, Electric Pump for iSUP (for air travel)

« on: December 05, 2017, 04:06:01 PM »

I've been using this one for a while & been pretty happy with it. just let it cool off between boards:
https://www.outdoorplay.com/Airhead-Super-High-Pressure-Air-Pump

and for a manual pump, Red's Titan does a great job. I've travelled with this rolled up in my board more than any other pump:
https://www.outdoorplay.com/Red-Paddle-Co-Titan-SUP-Pump

3

Whitewater and River SUP / Re: Body armor

« on: October 31, 2017, 04:00:22 PM »

I use a drysuit with the shorts and an impact shirt (I think Shock Doctor) as my baselayer with fleece over them. Then the drysuit, and then hard pads over the suit.

For warmer weather I still use them as my baselayer. I don't use a full wetsuit, but separate tops & bottoms with thin stretchy neoprene. The the hard pads on top once again.
https://sweetprotection.com/sp_no/whitewater/paddle-wear/shambala-shorts-5840
https://www.outdoorplay.com/Stohlquist-Mens-1mm-Core-Heater-Shirt

Are you wearing a wetsuit and if so are the crash pad shorts under or over the wetsuit?  Thanks for your help.

4

Whitewater and River SUP / Re: Body armor

« on: October 31, 2017, 10:51:50 AM »

I've been using these as a baselayer for the last season or so & been happy with them:
http://www.crash-pads.com/product/pro-short-with-tail-shield-2500/

For outer pads I've been very happy with my Animas knee/shin guards. They do a great job of absorbing impacts and stay in place well:
https://www.outdoorplay.com/WRSI-Animas-Knee-Shin-Pads

5

Gear Talk / Re: Calling all Inflatables!!! Longevity AND to roll or not to

« on: August 11, 2017, 01:59:56 PM »

Good to hear on the Red!!
How long have you had the Hala and Yampa?

My Hoss is a couple of seasons old. Sold it to my cousin in the spring. She's been paddling it a couple times a week since, not sure how she stores it

My Yampa 9 been inflated since I got it last September. think I topped it off once this winter. The Yampa 10 I'm riding now I've had since April. It's been stored inflated & rolled.

And unsolicited, highly biased advice on inflatables:
Boards from quality manufacturers tend to last longer, as well as have better designs that make on-water time more enjoyable. With Red, Hala, KPO and quality brands I know the company, the paddlers, and how the boards are designed/made. I can't speak directly to Isle & Peak, but in looking at their selection they appear to be generic cookie-cutter boards that they're slapping logos on. They serve a purpose in the world, but they're not likely to be things we'd carry in our shop, or I'd own myself unless I learned something new & different about them.

6

Gear Talk / Re: Calling all Inflatables!!! Longevity AND to roll or not to

« on: August 11, 2017, 11:01:55 AM »

I've got a Red Elite 14 & an Imagine Connector that have been inflated for 2+ years with no issues. I reduce pressure when I know I'm not paddling for a bit, but they spend a good bit of the time at full inflation.

Also a KPO Yampa that's been at full pressure since September. still going strong.

My Hala boards have spent periods inflated, periods rolled, and plenty of use & abuse. All still going strong

7

Whitewater and River SUP / Re: Hala Rado, Fame vs Starboard stream crossover.

« on: May 16, 2017, 11:10:39 AM »

The Grand's an incredible place. This was a winter time trip, launching right before new year's. Two weeks of paddling & getting my ass kicked. So much fun, and a humbling place on all levels. If you ever get the chance, go.



As big as the water is, it's the big wall views in the flats that get me every time. The scenery changes constantly, and on winter trip, it's a constant chase for the sunny spots as the river winds around

I paddled the Fame down the Grand Canyon last year.

Wow!  I think we need to see/hear more about that.

Yeah, I want to hear more about that too. And see pictures!

8

Whitewater and River SUP / Re: Hala Rado, Fame vs Starboard stream crossover.

« on: May 16, 2017, 09:53:38 AM »

The Hala pump is alright, and I appreciate the electric fill pump they include as well. I mostly use a Red Titan pump for all my inflatable boards. Takes less time & strokes than any of my other pump. I came in right around 300 on the Rado, and about 6 minutes.

Stomp box is a handy feature, although I've gotten pretty used to running without  a center fin. For runs where you're combining flatwater stretches with whitewater, it's nice. What I was referring to were Hala's low-profile river fins. They're about and inch or so tall, great for running rocky NW Rivers. The 4.5" fins hit a lot, and they're glued on so not easy to remove. Also, I noticed with the stompbox fin & the quad 4-inch fins hanging down, the board had a slight tendency to want to turn stern-first downriver, particurly in flatwater when not being paddled.

my lo-pro fins have held in well so far, although I've lost a few. It's part of the game for any board. I always keep a few spares in my rig bag.

Thanks for the feedback. What do you think of the pump that comes with Hala boards? Do you like the stomp box with the retractable fin, and is this what you were referring to with liking the lo pro river fins? I read about people losing the small fins on the starboard stream as well.

9

Whitewater and River SUP / Re: Hala Rado, Fame vs Starboard stream crossover.

« on: May 15, 2017, 09:40:47 AM »

I paddled the Fame down the Grand Canyon last year. Big stable board and can handle a lot of weight. In smaller river it steamrolled right through most rapids. I"m not a huge fan of the fixed fins, but in deeper rivers not an issue. I also used the side d-rings to create more grab handles.

Just spent the weekend on the Rado. It's an updated version of the Hala Hoss, which was my main board for the last year or so. It's a great all-around platform. Stability is close to the Fame, but much more nimble. My only real complaint on the Rado is losing the removeable side-bit fins. Hala's lo-pro river fins are awesome. Otherwise, it's still my board of choice.

10

Flatwater and Touring / Re: Let's see pics of your favorite flatwater places

« on: October 10, 2016, 02:55:46 PM »

paddle with the salmon before the rains came back & muddied the waters:

11

Whitewater and River SUP / Re: Whitewater/River SUP Shoes

« on: September 13, 2016, 12:02:48 PM »

So far I've used NRS Attacks & Freestyles, Teva Sunkosi (generation before the Gnarkosi), FiveTen Water Tennies, and Astral Brewers and Hiyaks. My hands-down favorite have been the Astral Hiyaks. Great traction on and off the board. Low profile for great feel underneath, but enough support for walking/hiking. Lacing system is also good, the velcro overwrap keeps them from coming undone. I've used these throughout the Northwest, and for 2 weeks straight on a Grand trip, and am still happy with them.

12

SUP General / Re: iSUP River work...

« on: August 19, 2016, 12:13:21 PM »

the board will be fine. have fun.

13

Downwind and Racing / Re: Long distance races

« on: May 24, 2016, 12:04:26 PM »

California 100 is coming up

http://www.riversforchange.org/california-100/

14

Gear Talk / Re: SUP Paddle Recommendation - 3 pieces

« on: October 13, 2015, 03:21:49 PM »

I still love my 3-piece Werner Nitro, now known as the Trance 95.

15

Gear Talk / Re: Red Paddle 14' Elite

« on: August 11, 2015, 09:19:40 AM »

haven't paddled any SIC boards (yet), but I've had my Red Elite 14 for almost a year now and love it. Speed is comparable to other 14' boards I've paddled (I'm slow no matter what), and it rolls up and goes inside my Kia. No racks needed. It's also been fun for downwinders, and is a much more forgiving ride in choppier water than a hard board.