Topics

1

Random / Travel to the Gorge this summer?

« on: April 23, 2020, 06:50:36 PM »

I am wondering about the chances of my annual July trip. What is the level of the lock down in Oregon?

My city was one of the first to lock down but it was never REALLY locked down. Lots of movement, lots of exemptions. Relative freedom. But I know other places have been much more strict.

I am sure things will be more relaxed by then, but just trying to get a feel for how strict Oregon has been.

2

Downwind and Racing / Finally getting to Hood River - Tips?

« on: June 30, 2017, 11:08:05 AM »

After missing a chance last summer, I am finally getting to Hood River in July!  I have paddled Lake Michigan for a few years but really want to try downwinding.  I am a bit intimidated by some of the photos of huge swells but I assume those are the extreme days and there are medium days or medium runs for a guy to learn on. Anyway, can't be much more difficult than the huge wakes from 50 and 60 foot boats I deal with every day here. Am also happy to be in the fresh water I am used to.

I will take the Big Winds Downwind class. Any other tips? I assume I won't need a wet suit of any kind in July?  I plan to rent a board...I paddle an inflatable SIC Air Glide 14 Bullet at home. It is ok. I am sure nothing like a real Bullet. I am looking forward to renting a hard board. I am 6'2" 225. Middle age guy.

If the shops there don't have great rental selection, is it common there for guys to rent out their back-up boards? In Wilmington, NC I looked for used boards for sale and asked to rent for a few days and it worked out great.

Just so happens that I am there in the few days running up to the Downwind championships so should be some good extracurricular things going on. I am also hoping to test some great paddles to replace the Ebay special I use.

3

SUP General / SUP Business on THE PROFIT this Tuesday

« on: June 11, 2017, 09:59:55 PM »

I have been very curious about the business of SUP/Surf shops. I took note when West Coast Paddle Sports in SD was up for sale recently but I was not in position to look at it in depth. I have been curious if a SUP/Surf shop is a good business to be in. The popularity is increasing but I wondered if the easy money had already been made but I wasn't sure.

I might have my answer coming up. About 2 weeks ago I walked into my local Paddle Sports store in Chicago called Windward Sports to look at the SUP paddles they had in stock. I had bought a paddle from them previously but never a board. They have a store in the city and one in the North Shore suburbs and have been around about 20+ years. They used to be big in windsurfing stuff (hence the name) but had transitioned to more SUP in the past several years.

I was shocked to walk in and see no boards of any kind. No paddles, no wetsuits. I didn't even see skateboards which they were known for but looking at their website they are still carrying skateboards and snowboards. It was all surf/skate style clothes. The whole store. I asked and they said no more SUP at either store. I didn't even bother to look around but I really didn't notice the GoPros they used to have or any of the other products I remembered. Just apparel. I guess Chicago isn't the hottest SUP market but they had no other competition outside of West Marine, and we do have a big lake and a big boating market. Over the years, I had been frustrated that they never really ran demo days or held races or evening group paddles, or made it easy to try boards or paddles. I always thought they could have done well with those. Maybe, maybe not.

Anyway, I thought it was weird. I remembered that they had closed for "remodeling" for a time over the winter but hadn't thought that very unusual. I knew they had gotten new ownership several years ago from the original windsurfing guy. Then I saw an ad on CNBC that Windward Sports was the subject on the next episode of THE PROFIT and I realized what had happened. Marcus on the show is famous for going in and wiping out low margin products and pushing high margin items....so I kind of got my answer I guess on the economics of selling SUP's. Anyway, I am looking forward to the episode to learn more but am kind of bummed out at losing my local shop.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/originals/ct-bsi-profit-windward-marcus-lemonis-20170607-story.html

4

SUP General / Celebrity Paddleboarders

« on: May 22, 2017, 09:40:25 AM »

http://www.eonline.com/photos/20753/celebrity-paddleboarders/763592

5

Downwind and Racing / Hood river trip

« on: August 29, 2016, 08:29:24 PM »

2nd year paddler. Mostly flat water. Have done some down breezing but really want to get into downwinding.
Have the chance to go to hood river in a month. I am not looking for nuke conditions but good learning conditions.
Is this a good idea or too much too soon?
Any other tips?

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

6

Downwind and Racing / Downwinding lake Michigan near Chicago?

« on: August 09, 2016, 07:29:51 PM »

Any tips on proper conditions and decent location for downwinding near Chicago?
My experience has been that the sea walls in the city create too much cross chop and there is just not enough wind except in a storm.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

7

SUP General / Tips on shipping new board from Canada to US

« on: July 26, 2016, 12:15:58 PM »

Buying a new board (inflatable) and could only find it available in Ottawa Canada.

They can't ship direct to the US so I need to use some kind of package forwarding service. My understanding is that some charge a lot of extra customs brokerage fees.

Anyone done this before and has any tips?

Looks like I was planning to ship it to a UPS store in Canada and have them ship to me.

Thanks

8

SUP General / Trying to find a 2016 Starboard Astro Racer 14x28

« on: June 01, 2016, 01:34:43 PM »

I am hearing they are completely sold out, seems hard to believe.