Topics

1

Travel, Trips, Destinations / On the rocks in Rosarito.

« on: November 23, 2021, 10:05:14 PM »

My brother and I are on a surfing trip to Baja California.  On a beach near la Mission we've been out pretty much every day.  A few days ago I had a great paddle out, magically finding my way outside with little hindrance. 

Once outside I found myself surrounded by dolphins...  Que tranquilo.  I watched them a few minutes and then they went on their way.  Looking up I see the wave I want.  I paddled hard, dropped in, cut back and looked up to find I'd drifted to close to the rocks at the point - should have looked up first.  I got caught in the break and quickly tired fighting my fate.  Realizing the inevitable, I got on top of a big wave and let it deposit me unceremoniously on the rocks. 

I lay there with a few lacerations on my right hand limp as a jellyfish washed up on the sand for about 10 minutes.  Then I sat and breathed for another 10.  Finally I trudged back to the beach.  Once there my brother pointed out a ding in my nose and I noticed aa worse ding in the nose of my board.  If your board gets damaged down here, head out to Roberts k38 motel and ask for Poncho. He does great work at great price and had it ready for me the next morning. 

Unfortunately my rib wasn't ready but that gave me time to get some dental work done that I'd been avoiding during COVID.  Should be out tomorrow with any luck at all.

2

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Genration Kanga 9'6" x 33 - first impressions

« on: June 15, 2021, 03:35:49 PM »

DHL just delivered my new Kanga.  I'm pretty stoked as I've been waiting a couple of months for it to be built and ship.  DHL had said it would be 12 days but got it here in 6, which was a nice surprise.

Unpacking was a bit of work as it was very well protected in a double layer of cardboard with bubble wrap and padding, but I was pretty motivated and got that out of the way quickly.  Then I got the fins set up in quad, called my brother, and we went for a bit of a paddle out in the breezy chop.  It was a bit different from other boards I've paddled with the stepped rails, but once you get used to it you might find it feels more stable.  The chop tends to roll over the board instead of lifting it.  When it releases off the wave it corks up a bit.  This is almost the opposite of what I'm used to but even in a short paddle out in the 15 knot wind it didn't take long to adjust to.

I'm looking forward to heading over to the West side of the Island soon to see how it surfs.  I guess this gives me time to put the traction pad and rail tape on.

3

Sessions / 3 days in Tofino

« on: June 04, 2021, 07:44:01 PM »

My brother and I (and his on and off common law) went to Tofino for three days for some SUP surf action this week.  We got in a couple of sessions a day at various beaches.  It was pretty typical Tofino action - primary swell would be great on it's own, but there were at least two secondaries that occasionally would come at almost 40 degree angles to each other and things would get weird.  Some chop on the middle day (Wed) added to that.  Despite the not entirely ideal conditions, everyone caught a ton of waves and great fun was had by all.  At times we were getting a wave every few minutes.  As a bonus (at least for us) the travel restrictions in BC meant that the campgrounds were half empty and the beaches weren't crowded.  At one point on Chesterman beach I had the whole beach to myself for an hour - just at the point when the swells got themselves sorted out and made things more fun.  I'm just going to sit on that feeling as it won't happen there again for a while I'm sure.

Next on my wish list for the surf gods is the whole beach to myself and perfect swells in a few spots I know in Mexico.

4

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Genration A95 Paddle - quick review

« on: June 04, 2021, 11:55:24 AM »

Executive summary: Good carbon fibre paddle at a good price.

As part of an order for a Genration Kanga, I added an A95 Paddle.  The 'extras' on the order all came in quite early and I got a chance to check the paddle out this past week on a three day surfing and camping trip to Tofino.

The paddle came with a carrying case, which at first I thought would be useless, but discovered is quite useful when schlepping gear on longer trails out to the beach.  Just sling it over your shoulder and free up your hands.  Who knew (well, probably a lot of you, but I sure didn't)?

As to the paddle, it's a huge upgrade for me.  I've had a cheap fiberglass/plastic paddle for a few years now and figured it was fine.  My brother had been telling me I needed a better paddle and I kept thinking it would be a waste of $$.  I do 80% surfing with my boards and paddles and the rest is toodling about.  Right off the bat I noticed the weight - this paddle was about half the weight of my old one.  Out in the water it wasn't long until I noticed I had quicker acceleration and best of all faster turning.  Anyway, not a lot to say.  It's a pretty solid price for a carbon paddle that performs well.

I don't have a ton of other paddles to compare with - this is just my third and I've tried a couple of my brother's paddles.  This one is better than any of them for me.

5

Sessions / Jordan River Vancouver Island

« on: March 30, 2021, 04:58:20 PM »

When people think surfing on Vancouver Island, 99% of the time they are thinking of the beach breaks between Ucluelet and Tofino.  There is, however, one more break that's pretty well known and accessible (probably too well known so it's not like talking about it here's going to ruin it).  Jordan River, which is 1-1.5 hours from Victoria occasionally has a decent wave.  Most of the year the Olympic peninsula shelters it too much and there's no decent swells that reach it.  Once in a while though, often after a storm, you get the perfect conditions for the production of some pretty sweet waves.  On those days, it's way better than driving out to Tofino.

Yesterday was one such day.  I'd been monitoring the surf forecast for days and thinking Monday was going to be the day for me.  There was a big wind storm Sunday night and the nearest buoys were reading some pretty big swells.  Neither Magic Seaweed nor Surf-forecast give accurate predictions for Jordan River.  One was predicting 3 foot waves, the other was predicting 12 foot.  Dawn patrol looked to be possibly epic, but my sleep schedule had a different plan and I got out there at noon.  As I looked out over the fairly crowded surf, I saw something rarely seen on the Island; a wave that actually broke down the line with minimal close outs!  I slapped on a wet suit and paddled out.  It was a glorious few hours paddling out only to be greeted by a wave too good to pass up, riding it in, turning around thinking maybe this time I'll rest up only to be greeted by another too good to pass up.  The waves worth surfing were waist to shoulder high and clean.  The wind storm of the previous night had brought the swell directly from the west creating perfect conditions (well, as perfect as it gets around here).  For me it was also a nice breakthrough day.  The conditions allowed me to turn my big SUP down the line and almost look like I knew what I was doing out there.  Unfortunately, my official photographer had slept in and wasn't along for the ride.

Eventually I needed to make a decision - rest on shore for a bit or head back to Victoria to help my wife with some renovations at our son's house.  I turned and caught one last epic wave and thought to myself "this is the perfect way to end this session".

6

Gear Talk / Anything out there similar to the Hammer?

« on: August 10, 2020, 12:38:13 PM »

I had been planning to buy a Supsports Hammer from Wardog as my next upgrade in the next year or two.  He seems to have retired from the business which leaves me looking for a new plan.  I'm 6'1" and about 210 lbs.  I'm looking for a wider board - around 32" - and liked the design of the Hammer a lot.  Volume wise I'd like to keep it over 150L.  I currently ride a 10'5" wide point.  I tried a whopper once down in Mexico and loved it.  I consider myself a beginner to intermediate sup surfer.

What I think I want in a new board is shorter with a bit broader tail.  I find the wide point 'locks in' to a path and, at least for me, it's hard to get far enough back to get it to turn fast enough.  Whether that's board or rider is another question, I guess.

7

Gear Talk / Looking to buy my 2nd board for paddle surfing

« on: January 25, 2017, 10:23:05 AM »

Hello everyone.  I've been paddle surfing for a couple of years now off and on.  I live on Vancouver Island, but sadly on the East Coast so no waves here, it takes a good drive out to Tofino for some good waves.

Anyway, I've been learning on my brother's old Jimmy Styks Strider, which is a nice big stable boat, but has some challenges when catching waves.  What I like about it is it's incredible stability, even for a bigger guy like me.  I'm currently just over 6' and weigh 210, although I'm working on getting under 200 in the next couple of months.  I'd like to get a new (best would be 'new to me') board that would allow me a better wave riding experience.  The Strider has it's draw backs, mostly the tendency to pearl unless you REALLY stomp on the tail and the other being maneuverability - it doesn't turn well at all.  I still have a lot of fun on it, but I think it's time for a new board.  I've tried my brother's 10'6" wide point and it's ok, but I wouldn't mind something a little shorter and wider.  I've been considering something like the 10' whopper which I think might have the stability with that 34" width and a bit easier turning with it's 10' length.  I also like the looks and discussion I've read of the Hammer, but it's a long drive down to SoCal to try one out and I don't know exactly which size would be a good fit.

Of course, I could always go with a shorter or narrower board and just do a ton of flat water training here on the east coast until I was ready to hit the waves - the ocean is just across the street from my house.  I'd love to know if any of you have suggestions or feedback on this topic.  I figure at my age (53) I'll probably buy one or two more boards - one maybe now and one just before I retire - so I want to make the right purchase.  I'm hoping to retire at 55 or 56 and will be spending a lot of time on beaches for the next 10 years or so - mostly the Big Island and South and Central America.