Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Which epoxy for a Kialoa handle?

« on: November 25, 2012, 11:09:54 AM »

I agree hot melt does not work.  I used poly urethane glue.  Bonds with the foam in the handle.  Rough up the shaft as you would with epoxy.  I just happened to have some in the garage and it worked well.

2

SUP General / Re: What is "real" surfing

« on: November 11, 2012, 12:23:46 PM »

Lots of ways to ride a wave... surf board, SUP, knee board, body board, kite, windsurf,  kayak, surf ski, bodysurf.....  But for me, surfing is just you and a surf board.  Anything else requires a qualifier.  And I am ok with that.

3

SUP General / Re: How many long-time surfers have quit regular surfing for stand up surfing only?

« on: November 11, 2012, 12:02:53 PM »

Turned 50 this year and am in the water everyday doing something.  Been prone surfing for 2 years, SUP surfing for 6 years, kiting for 12 years and windsurfing for 25 or so before kiting.  I am going down the reverse complexity path.  If its head high or better I prone surf.  (HP LB, or 7'2 Stewart).  Otherwise I usually SUS.   In many ways I wish I started prone surfing earlier, but after reading of all the aches and pains, maybe its better I started late!  Love it all!

4

SUP General / Re: Can you simply surf a SUP w/o a paddle?

« on: October 22, 2012, 01:58:53 PM »

I started prone surfing only about a year ago.  After a month or so, and after a frustrating session of pearling my long board on a small but steep little reef break, I broke out the Naish 7'8 Hokua and tried it prone.  Schwing!

5

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: Would love some advice/suggestions.......

« on: October 14, 2012, 05:27:36 PM »

From Mass, PR is a great choice.  San Juan has breaks, hotels, and spas.  But the real surf scene is out to the NW.  We are located on Shacks Beach on the Aguadilla, Isabela border.  We have great SUP surfing right out front, and it is totally SUP friendly.   If you want more info, email me at Larry@casabonita-pr.com.

6

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: Rincon PR

« on: May 08, 2012, 03:42:36 PM »

The only reports I use on Surfline are Wilderness, which has short vid shot each morning, and the one from Jobos.  I use MSW and Swell info.  They are pretty good.  But I also live ocean front at Shacks so as far as what is going on at dawn, I rely on what I see.  If its got west in it, I go around the corner to Wildo or south, east in it I go to Surfers, here, Middles depending.

7

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: Rincon PR

« on: May 07, 2012, 02:48:20 PM »

Email me at larry@casabonita-pr.com when you are here and I can give you the north coast report.  Hope you have a great trip and glad to help.  PS Newton is right, leash breaks can take boards to the rocks here.  Buy new ones before you come!  I have learned the hard way!

8

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: Rincon PR

« on: May 05, 2012, 04:09:46 AM »

Yep, know the feeling.  Shacks is not a user friendly break.  The main peak at the point is one of the shallowest  most reefy breaks in the area.  But on a SUP, if you can make it out, you really get rewarded with super long rides with a nice wall from the peaks in the bay.  It just has to have east in it.   Lots of wind, most of the winter, so kiting is the primary sport here.

BTW, we had a couple of families from the cape rent from us this year.  They loved surfing out front.  Good guys.

9

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: Rincon PR

« on: May 04, 2012, 04:41:24 PM »

I dont live in Rincon, but do live on the NW coast of PR.  October can be very good.  Typically not windy.  Most swells at that time of year are more from the NE.  If that is the case, you will be traveling up our way to the many breaks between Ramey and Isabela.  Other than the bay here at Shacks, your best bet for NE swell on your SUP will be Surfers Beach.  Not real reefy so its a good spot.  But if the surf is on, it will be crowded with proners.  If you get some NNW swell, Marias will probably suit you fine in Rincon.  Baby Tres can be fun on SUPs if its big but not big enough for Tres Palmas to really break for prone surfing.  One of the most popular breaks is Wilderness.  It is just east of the airport BQN and works great with some west in it.   There are some really good SUPrs who ride there in all conditions.   Jose at Aquatica being one of them.  He rents gear as well.  There is also a new SUP shop that just opened outside of Ramey on the 110.  Its called Verde Azul.  They rent boards and give sup tours.  I am sure you could hire them to take you to the surf spots.

As for me, I only SUP at Shacks.  9'4 MHL custom if windy.  7'8 Naish Hokua if its clean.  I prone all the other spots.  The bay at Shacks is an ideal SUP wave.  It can have good size but is generally a bit slopey for most proners.   So SUPs dominate there.  the paddle out is no picnic once it gets overhead.  Info on all these breaks is available via surfline and many other www sources.  

Bottom line is that you will have a blast.  Dont expect to be welcomed on your SUP at the regular surf breaks, but stay off the main peaks and be respectful and it will be all good.

10

Sessions / Re: Spooked at Lanes

« on: April 16, 2012, 07:23:58 AM »

Yeah, there is some elkhorn in PR.  Our break at Shacks has the gnarliest paddle out.  No more than 12 inches of water and spots that will dry dock you.  I always stay on my knees with leash up on the deck.  I have had my leash get caught many times.  Very unnerving. 

11

SUP General / Re: what is the average of us?

« on: December 21, 2011, 04:38:10 PM »

49....started windsurfing in the 70s, kite surfing in 2002, SUP surfing in 2007, and now prone surfing in 2011. No significant injuries and now in the best shape of my life.  No matter whats happening with the conditions , we gonna be on it!

12

Gear Talk / Re: Wich Hokua?

« on: December 15, 2011, 06:42:07 AM »

You will like the 7'8 in small conditions especially if the waves have some punch!  Have fun.

13

Gear Talk / Re: Wich Hokua?

« on: December 14, 2011, 12:42:55 PM »

Big Al, hang in there.....biggest secret to catching the wave with the 7'8 is to be in full surf stance when you take off.  You need to have your back foot back there!  There are also some posts here somewhere that deal with paddle technigue for shorter boards.  You have to factor in the yaw (sp?).

14

Gear Talk / Re: Wich Hokua?

« on: December 14, 2011, 12:38:59 PM »

Need a little more info.....what are conditions like at your spot?  I am 5'10 160 lbs and have the 7'8.  Love this board in small conditions where the wave has some punch.  Stable unless there is a lot of chop.   The board loves to turn. Not crazy about it in OH + ground swell.  Its not made for that.  I would not want the 7'8 as my only board.  Need a gunnier shape (like the 8'5 and 9) for bigger, clean surf.  I have not tried the 8'5 but the 9'0 is very stable and surfs great.  So if its clean most of the time, go 8'5 if you deal with chop and wind regularly, go 9'0 for a one board quiver.  My 2 cents.

15

Gear Talk / Re: PSH Quad fins VS. Future Controller Quad fins

« on: November 22, 2011, 07:11:11 AM »

I just bought the andersen Sa 4 set and can say they work great.  Nice and loose and no slip.  The board I ride them on is a 9'4 quad fish shape that is not light.  But I only ride it when the wind is up.  I go 160lbs.