Messages

1

Gear Talk / Inflatable Boards

« on: May 07, 2020, 11:54:51 AM »

I was wondering if anyone has heard of/used the inflatable boards offered by High Society Freeride.
they are a small shop - i just happen to use the same website company as they do for my custom ski business, so i'm thinking of getting a board from them to support the small brands.
wouldn't be for any technical use - really going to be used to put on boat to have something to paddle around on in tie-ups and stuff like that.

2

Technique / Re: 5mi. Paddle Strategy

« on: June 16, 2019, 06:16:57 PM »

Thought i'd give you all an update. Made it! 
Time: 1:34.38
Goal Accomplished: NOT LAST overall.  However, 5/5 in the 18-49/12'6" group - oh well.

the others were 1:13, 1:20: 1:24, and 40mins. so not bad for the first race in 2 years, and racing a barge. Not sure about the 40mins.  the timer never showed up to the event, so a lot of the times got screwed up, everything was done manual, which they weren't prepared for.

Once i get my race board i'll be a regular speed demon.
Thanks for the suggestions.  Started out with a sprint, then got into a good strong paddle and just tried to keep the pace.  Found a person a head of me and just keep trying to catch them, and stay ahead of the people behind me. did catch myself easing up a couple of times, but then was able to drive through.

Overall great event, lots of fun and a perfect day. About 125 racers between the Elite and Rec races.

3

Technique / Re: 5mi. Paddle Strategy

« on: June 13, 2019, 09:56:19 AM »

Thanks Ichabod,
 That's sort of what i was figuring, strong consistent.
I paddle around Cockenoe and the other Norwalk Islands in the Sound, so i know what you mean about the chop when you get further out into the Sound.
race is at 10:20, so i'm expecting that boring to afternoon wind change over. 

the only other races i did were the 3mile rec paddles in the Saugatuck river - did decent both those times - 3rd and 6th (i think)

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Technique / 5mi. Paddle Strategy

« on: June 13, 2019, 07:53:11 AM »

Hey Guys, (I think this best fits in Technique, though it does have some general questions)

Looking for some fast advice for a race this weekend.
I am racing the Charles Island SUP Cup. It's a 5.5mi. elite race or a 2.5mi. Rec. race along the Connecticut coast of the Long Island Sound.  It'll be my first race in 2 years and i've only ever done 2 other races that were both 3mi. (one on a rented race board and the other on my 'barge')

Looking for a good strategy if i choose to do the 5mi. what's a good approach?  Is it an all out sprint? Sprint a mile, find a strong steady paddle for 3mi., sprint last mile.? Alternate, Sprint, Steady, Sprint, Steady, Sprint? other strategies?

Here's some info and why i'm asking.
1. I don't own a race board, instead i'm paddling a 2010 12' Bote HD. It's like racing a barge or a tug boat, whenever one else has quad engine cigarette boats.  and i'm pretty confident the other elite paddlers will all be on race boards.
2. Did a time trial last weekend, paddled about 5.25 mi against an outgoing Saugatuck River current (Westport CT, ~7' tidal change). it took me about 1hr 45mins. (incl. pauses get lap times on phone).   I checked last years race results. the slowest times were about 1:45.  So I kind of feel like i'm not going to be competitive and i'm setting myself up for failure. However, i'm also thinking do the 5mi., someone needs to come in last - may as well be ME.
3. It'll be high tide/slack tide, so little to no current, however the Long Island sound can get a little choppy from wind and boat wake, which gives me more confidence on a wider board.
4. I can normally fast paddle 3mi. in about 50/55mins on my Bote board.
5. i can do the Rec Race no problem and be competitive with the touring board. So i'm torn on what race to do. -I am trying to get my hands on a race board, if i can i'll automatically do the 5mi.
6. current physical condition and training is well below par.

Thanks for the help

Joe

5

NorthEast / Re: New Haven, CT SUP!!

« on: June 12, 2015, 05:20:44 PM »

I'd be in for meet ups

6

NorthEast / want to learn to Stand Up Surf

« on: June 12, 2015, 05:19:44 PM »

Hey all.
 I'm looking to learn to Stand Up Surf. Already Paddle.
problem is I'm in CT so the nearest beach with a break would be Misquamicut, RI, if there is even a break there, 1 1/2hrs away.  (Too Painful to travel with board to the beaches of LI)

Anyway, looking at surfline, trying to figure out if tomorrow morning would be a good day to make the hike. Looks like its going to be flat?

i'm guessing at the very least i'd get in a good ocean paddle, compared to my typical river/ long island sound paddles.

any suggestions on where a beginner surfer should venture or steer clear of?
any insight would be helpful.

Thanks
joe

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NorthEast / Re: New Haven, CT SUP!!

« on: June 03, 2015, 11:31:49 AM »

Hi Aiyah - pre-welcome to New England (and CT for that matter). i'm not sure about the New Haven area. i'm sure there is a spot or two in the area.  But if you head about 25-30 mins south (googlemaps says 45mins),  and its really not even that far, to the town of Westport. there is a shop called Downunder (www.downunderct.com).  This is where i go out most of the time.
Located on the Saugatuck River. Bunch of Paddlers out of there and a great shop. They do a lot of events and have tours and rental. They are a nice place for a quick 3-5 mile paddle, and the have great access to the Long Island Sound and the small islands at the mouth of the river.

one of their better events that they sponsor is the Soundsurfers Watermans Challenge, it used to be right out back their shop, but this year was moved to a beach in Bridgeport because its grown over the past few years (unfortunatly i missed it last weekend).

Hope it helps a little bit

Joe

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NorthEast / Re: Summer's end SUP classic in Noank CT

« on: August 13, 2014, 01:26:58 PM »

No clue, but i'd be interested in hearing more if you find anything out.
 I did the 3 mile paddle part of the Soundsufer watermans challenge in Westport this summer and had a lot of fun. 
been looking at the shorter races in hopes of working my way up to to the longer elite races.

9

NorthEast / Re: NorthEasters--- Who are you? Where are you from?

« on: July 09, 2013, 12:24:19 PM »

Joe,
 Wilton, CT. normally paddle in the Long Island Sound around Norwalk and Westport, CT, so it's mostly flat water for me. really want to learn the surfing part though.
started up about 5 years ago and still going. think its a great way to get out on the water and just enjoy.
will probably start looking into more of the races next summer, did my first one a few weeks ago, the sound surfer watermans challenge. enjoyed it enough to try some more.

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NorthEast / want to learn to surf

« on: July 09, 2013, 11:54:21 AM »

Hey NorthEast Folks,
 I would really like to learn the surfing part of paddle boarding. any suggestions on a good place to go? I'd probably prefer a place where i'd be able to go out and do my own thing and not be hassled by anyone. I seem to hear about confrontation with prone surfers, I'd prefer to not step on anyones toes while learning, however in the end i could careless what other people think. Maybe see a few other Stand Up Surfers out there.

Would possibly be interested in a lesson if it was absolutely necessary,  but I think I'm more of the mentality of getting out on the water and figuring it out for myself or have a buddy giving pointers here and there.

I live in Wilton, CT and typically paddle around the Long Island Sound out of neighboring towns Westport and Norwalk. Unfortunatly, Long Island blocks me from anything reminiscent of a wave.

I'd be willing to travel but don't want to be heading to far. day trips to Rhode Island, Long Island (probably not much past Jones Beach area), Northern New Jersey Beaches.

Would also really like to learn prone surfing. only done that a handful of times with some buddies but always seem to not be able to fully stand up. I have the sensation, just need to get out and do it more then 1hour once every 2 years.

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Fish Tales, Stand Up style / Re: Bote Ahab

« on: July 09, 2013, 11:04:18 AM »

Under normal wear and tear i would say that the finish has held up pretty well.

I ended up putting some ding tape on the rails after the last outing.  I had loaned the board to a friend, as i rented a board since they didn't want tan lines from the life vest that the rental shop required the renter to wear, because that's how nice I am.  but when we got back home it looked like my rails had been raped by the paddle, most of the marks wiped away but I thought it best to protect.

I have a 1-2 dings/cracks that i need to fix, one of those came from carelessly pulling the board towards me on a floating lake raft and then not paying attention to stopping it, the board slammed into the ladder and cracked. the other came from nosing up on a boat launch.

My complaint would be the nose of the board, i do see to have a lot of scratches from nosing up. area's i put my board in the water are not always sand and tend to be rocky. a lot of times this leads to needing to get the board into or out of the water before you yourself can pick the board up without tapping the rocks.

overall, i'm pretty happy- after all, i bought the thing to use it, a couple of marks helps build character.

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SUP General / Re: Paddle Fit

« on: June 03, 2013, 01:02:21 PM »

Thanks Brody - That actually clears up a lot for me.
-Joe

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SUP General / Re: Soundsurfer Waterman's Challenge

« on: June 03, 2013, 06:51:59 AM »

I ended up attending and paddling in the 3m fun paddle- waiting to hear back on time to compare to the actual race events.  It was a fun time, wish i could have stayed a little longer to meet people and participate in the after paddle activities.
great day - if i can figure out how to resize the few picture's took i'd be glad to post them.

14

SUP General / Re: Paddle Fit

« on: June 03, 2013, 06:27:10 AM »

FMS - I've looked into it but never done it. Downunder is my "local" area where i go to paddle.  from the description of the class i could never tell if it is just a paddle fitness class, something like a class you would see at a gym or if it is for some certification of instruction. 
if it's not a challenge, i'm not sure it is something that i'd be too interested in.  a few years ago, i did a "lesson" or two and left thinking this is sort of self-explanatory. think i mostly did the lesson so that it wasn't a solo paddle, not many people were on boards in this area then.

Did you race at all on Saturday in the Soundsurfer?  I thought it was a pretty fun event, had to bail right after i did the fun paddle.

15

SUP General / Soundsurfer Waterman's Challenge

« on: May 30, 2013, 09:23:23 AM »

Was wondering if anyone was participating in the Soundsurfer Waterman's Challenge this Saturday.   http://soundsurfer.org

not sure if i'll participate yet - haven't been bitten by the racing bug yet.
But might go to check it out or participate in the open paddle. who know's maybe it will make me want to get into racing and enter events next summer.

anyway it's local for me, so i figured i'd see if anyone was going.