Topics

1

Gear Talk / Hokua GSX 9'6" and Alana GSX 9'6" - Same board?

« on: May 24, 2019, 06:58:15 AM »

Hi, everyone.

I had a closer look to the boards specs in the Naish 2019 line, and noticed that the Hokua GSX 9'6" and the Alana GSX 9'6" have exactly the sam specs in terms of length, width, volume, etc.

Is there any difference in construction, materials, or even the shapes (like a different bottom, for example)? Or Are they basically the same board with different colours and names for two different publics? I'm asking because I've looking for a Hokua and found an Alana for a good deal. If it's the same board, I have no problem it being a "girl's board".

Thanks!

2

Gear Talk / Loving this fin setup

« on: November 16, 2016, 07:19:17 AM »

I think I found my perfect fin setup for my Laird/Pearson 10'6". Nice balance of drive, speed and tail looseness. I'm loving it, so I thought I might share the stoke.

3

Gear Talk / SIC Maui Bully 10'6"

« on: August 26, 2015, 08:48:22 AM »

Hello, everyone!

Does anybody here rides a SIC Maui Bully 10'6"? If so, what are your thoughts, how does it behave in the waves? I've been offered a good deal on this board, but the store is in Sao Paulo and as I live a long way up north, testing before buying it is not an option.
 
I'm a heavy guy (around 230 pounds), quite experienced in wave SUP. Don't really like shorter boards (by that, I mean anything below 8'8", 8'5"), something around 9' and 10'5" always seemed to work better for me. I'm looking for a surfing board mostly, but one that can also handle some heavy chop in windy days and has a good glide, since I need to paddle about 1mile (most of times against the wind) to reach the reef breaks where I usually surf. The 180 litters and 34" width in a "performance" kind of shape caught my attention, but I'd like to hear from other users before I decide to buy it or not.

Any input will be much appreciated, thanks!

4

Gear Talk / Naish Mana 9'5" - anybody tried?

« on: November 21, 2013, 05:57:01 AM »

I noticed some changes in the Naish Mana line for 2014. The noses have less area and   it looks like the tail rocker and width changed too. Seems to me the whole outline is a bit more surf performance oriented than in the previous models. Has anybody tried it? Can you point any difference between the 2014 model and the earlier ones in the surf?

Aloha!

5

Gear Talk / C4 mark Richards 9'2" model

« on: August 12, 2013, 07:08:41 AM »

Hi, guys.

I've been offered a good deal on a C4 Mark Richards 9'2" SUP board. It looks like a good wave board for me, but the board is in Rio de Janeiro and I live in Recife, which is abut 2.000 miles distant. So trying it before buying it is not an option.

I thought maybe some of you might have tried or have one of this in your quiver, so I'd like to know what you think about this board. I'm a heavy surfer (94 - 96Kg), reasonably experienced on waves,  looking for a board that is more wave oriented than the Laird 10'6" or the Naish Mana 9'5", which are the boards I'm using now. Conditions here are windy and choppy most of the year, and the reef breaks we surf are about 1 mile + from the shore. paddling out can be hard sometimes, so I'm not inclined to go anything smaller than 9'.

Your reviews and opinions will be much appreciated.

Thanks a lot and Aloha!

6

SUP General / flotation vest...

« on: January 11, 2011, 08:09:08 PM »

Hi, everyone.

Last Sunday I tried to nail a snap in a closing session, but the board slept under my feet, the foam threw it up in the air and the rail hit me right in the chin. I almost blacked out, but officially, it was a TKO, thank God.

This made me realize the true knock out power a sup board has. The breaks I surf are about a mile away from the beach, and many times I surf alone, so my question is: do you guys think a kite surf style floatation vest could help anyway in terms of safety? Has anybody tried it? By the way, I already considered that it would increase the "look even more "sissy" in the eyes of  crawlers" factor (and couldn't care less about it) But in terms of safety only, what do you think?

 

7

SUP General / Is Chuck a VH fan?

« on: March 12, 2010, 07:00:35 AM »

Hi guys,

Just out of curiosity, is anyone aware if Chuck Patterson is a Van Halen fan? Check this picture...

http://www.kialoa.com/blog/uploaded_images/Ta-Hoe-Nalu-2009-182-774919.JPG

The  paint job on Chuck's paddle blade looks just like one of Eddie's guitars!

Wish these were stock, it would be perfect for playing some "paddle guitar" after a good wave

8

Travel, Trips, Destinations / SUP in Southern France - Any tips on destinations?

« on: February 09, 2010, 07:11:27 AM »

Hi guys,

There will be no surf trip for me this year, since I'll have to go to Europe for business, sometime between April and June.

So I was thinking about taking a three or four days interval in southern France, in some place where I can rent SUBs and surf some waves. The idea is to spend some time and have fun in the water, more than catching the right swell at the right place, right time... So I would rather go to an average but constant spot, with nice cafes and hotels nearby (I'm going with my wife who's also a cheff, so there's gotta be some fun for her too)

If you have any tips or directions, they'll be more than welcome.

Thanks a lot,

RecSuppa

9

Gear Talk / 9'6" Wide Ripper - good for heavy guys?

« on: February 03, 2010, 06:13:55 AM »

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about buying a new SUB for waves. I've been using a Starboard Extremist (9'8" x 30") for some time, and I think it's great, but just seems like the nose gets a bit too much in the way when waves are a bit bigger and steeper. I've been thinking about a 9'6" Wide Ripper, from PSH.

I'm 6'2" and about 230 pounds, and I have no problem with the Extremist in terms of balance and float, thought I think I could benefit from a bit more of volume (liters) when there's wind and chop. Sometimes, I think the nose also gets in the way in these situations. Maybe if it had more rocker in the nose area, the board would glide better through the chop and I wouldn't feel like I could use more float, but I'm not sure...

Has anyone tried both boards? Could you compare them in terms of stability, glide, performance in the surf and flat conditions, etc? How does it work for heavier, bigger guys? Any tips will be appreciated.

Thanks,

RecSuppa

10

SUP General / GoPro suction cup mount - anybody using?

« on: July 15, 2009, 08:26:51 AM »

Hi all,

I recently started using a GoPro camera to take pictures and videos of my SUP sessions. It's been working fine with the stick on board base that comes with the camera, but I wanted to be able to use it in my other SUBs, as well as with shortboards and kayaks.

Does anyone here in the Zone uses the GoPro suction cup mount? Is it reliable or does using it increases the chances of loosing your gear? The GoPro website says it is strong and safe, but I would like to hear from real users. Any tips about leashes or anything to secure the camera will be appreciated too.

Mahalo,

RecSuppa