Topics

1

Events / Essex River Race, in Glorious Essex, MASS

« on: May 13, 2015, 04:43:00 AM »

Hey New England SUP racers! This Saturday is the Essex River Race, in Essex, MA, just north of Boston. It's one of the nicest courses to paddle on the entire east coast! It's 5.5 miles of tidal river, complete with current changes, wind (likely) and maybe some rain (am showers in the forecast). It should be a pretty good day. If you are interested, check out the link:
http://www.blackburnchallenge.com/ERR_Race_Info.html
Also, if you are in need of a 12'6 or 14' race/tour board, PM me, and I'll have a few at the event if you want to borrow.
Hope to see some Zoners down there this weekend!
Paddleoha~!

2

Sessions / Aaahhhhh, that's nice

« on: April 22, 2015, 08:17:19 AM »

Woke up to sunny, head high surf. Wind was sideshore, so instead of going to the few overcrowded points, I went all the way down the coast to the best south wind spot I could think of. The tide was waaaaay out, there was not another surfer anywhere to be seen, and the surf was clean.
I was in my 4/3, booties, and no gloves or hood. April in New Hampsha is so rejuvenating. That feeling of a good session with no one out in head high surf...
Aaaahhhh, that's nice

3

Events / Run of the Charles, Beantown

« on: April 15, 2015, 06:19:59 AM »

Any Massholes and New Englandahs racing the Charles on April 26? Details here:

http://www.crwa.org/run-of-the-charles

SUPS are allowed on the 19, 9 and 6 mile races. I've done all 3, and the 6 miler is the only one with NO portages.

I'm planning to do the 6 miler again this year. Who's with me?!

Additionally, I am going to have a few race boards for people to try out (Boga Tsunami 12'6 and 14, Coreban Dart 14', and a few others...pm me if you are interested...

Hope to see some of the #CCBC crew on this one!

4

SUP General / Bittersweet Midwinter Blues

« on: February 13, 2015, 01:15:59 PM »

Not looking for sympathy here (unless you can relate), but here's my story...
On the first Thursday in January (5ish weeks ago), I was working out at the the gym, doing Burpees, and all of a sudden, pop goes the knee. I ended up tearing the meniscus of my right knee, had surgery 2 weeks later, and here I sit 3 weeks post op catching up on some zone time.
I live in NH, and this particular winter has been going off as far as surf goes. And all my Northeast compadres will attest to the ridiculous amount of snow- it's been one blizzard after another, with over 6' of snow that pretty much started the day after my surgery. So, with PT 2x a week, and 8 days of snow days (I'm a teacher, so we don't go when it snows big), I have had a lot of time to work out the PT exercises, and even began light lifting again this week. I'm up to 80% recovered, but surfing, sup, skiing and high impact cardio is still on hold for another 2-3 weeks.
Now despite the amazing and consistent surf we've had the last month and a half, it's come with bitterly cold air. In fact, the surf was head high+ with offshore winds today, but air temp was 5degF, with -15def windchill. So, I'm not really bummed out to not be able to surf. But I'm starting to see the light at the end of this recovery tunnel. It's not fun being sidelined no matter what sport, what season.
With the dedication to recovery and strengthening my legs, I'm hoping I return with more strength and power than before. I just need to get over this hump, and appreciate the Zone for the free-venting. Missing out on 2 months of consistent, albeit cold as fahk surf is frustrating. But, the cold and my recovery will soon be a thing of the past. And my trip to Sand Diego in May will hopefully deliver some warm waves and sunshine.
Oh, and in case you didn't hear, Boston is getting another 1-2' Blizzard this weekend. Jeesh!

5

Travel, Trips, Destinations / San Diego first of April

« on: January 24, 2015, 06:07:20 AM »

Sup Zoners! I am heading from NH to San Diego for an education conference at High Tech High School fromMarch 31-April 4. I'm gonna have a good chunk of time off while I'm there, and hoping to get access to a sup and some surf. I'm staying at the Courtyard Marriott, about 3 miles from Sunset Cliffs. I'm not sure if I'll have a car, so does anyone have any suggestions for how I can get some surf time in?
Is there a better place for sup surfing than others?
If anyone has interest in providing a board and guided tour, I will repay you in beers and stories of epic winter surfing in NH
Aloha!
~Shawn

6

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Scotland Edinbro, Skye

« on: January 07, 2015, 09:39:39 AM »

Hey mates, I'll be heading to Scotland over the last week of May for a wedding. Flying to Edinbro  then renting a Fiat and driving up to Skye. The wedding is in Portree.
I'd love to connect with any zoners from over there to eat some hagus, sip some singlemalt, and sup some lochs. And would love to surf if there are any waves that time of the year. Not sure how much out of the way I'd need to go for surf, but might be able to if there's swell.
I live in New Hampshire, and deal with the cold all year round, but am not traveling with gear, so would have to borrow/rent.
ANy and all suggestions are greatly appreciateD!
Thanks you

7

Sessions / spring surf in NH

« on: May 23, 2014, 05:51:28 AM »

Scored some nice waves on my bday! Here's my gopro edit (all Boga boards have an FCS plug on the nose of the board for the GoPro!) If you have not surfed your long sup in a while, go grab it next time there's waves! It's so much fun to be on a giant board that can surf!

8

NorthEast / Chuck Patterson is coming to Cinnamon Rainbows, in Hampton NH on Tuesday June 10

« on: May 21, 2014, 10:11:42 AM »

I'm stoked to meet this guy:

9

Events / Soundsurfer Waterman's Challenge- WPA event in CT

« on: April 02, 2014, 08:35:32 AM »

I plan to be there with some of the Boga race crew:
http://www.soundsurfer.org/

10

Travel, Trips, Destinations / LA in mid-April

« on: December 12, 2013, 08:34:37 AM »

Wassup! I am heading to LA to visit my sis in April. I'm only going for 5 days, and was wondering if I should bring a board or not. And was wondering if there is usually good swell during that time in the Malibu to South Bay area. Any and all beta is much appreciated.
Thank you!

11

Sessions / Paddling Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

« on: September 13, 2013, 05:57:55 AM »

Here's a link to my write up on paddling Cape Breton this past summer:
http://sawyerstoryblog.blogspot.com/

Anyone been up there?

12

Events / CCBC Crossing Reflection

« on: August 29, 2013, 05:02:26 PM »

Thought I'd share my reflectin of 11.5 hours of paddling  enjoy:)
http://sawyerstoryblog.blogspot.com/

13

Gear Talk / I'm in love...Coreban Dart

« on: June 21, 2013, 08:08:45 AM »

I am so stoked on my new board: 14' Coreban Dart in carbon/kevlar construction. I'm 5'10, 200lbs, and paddle a lot. I got this board specifically for the CCBC, and to broaden my distance and downwinding capabilities.
First off, the board looks amazing. It's a head turner and it's pretty light (25-26lbs). The carbon fiber is the same product Ferrari uses (so I'm told), and it is a $3000 board, making it one of the higher end boards on the market.
But it's ability to charge through chop, paddle up wind and get to the destination is nothing short of excellent. Ya, it's 29.5" wide, and ya, it's not as fast in flat water glass than my displacement hull, BUT, after paddling 3 miles upwind and then coming back around with the wind, the board gave me insta-permagrin:)
Oh, and once I got within 3-400yards of the beach, the onshore thigh-waist high mushbergers were setting up, and I was able to snag everything and ride comfortably on the wave. Bottom turn, paddle/pump, and glide. Wow! Surfing a 14' board is interesting to say the least. I bet this board can handle big waves, so long as there's an escape route to avoid closeouts;)
This board is like driving a Cadillac. It's ridiculously stable, and it tracks exceptionally well. I have not been on too many boards where I can balance on one foot, walk around and still feel stable. This board can do it. It's the ultimate touring and downwind board. I love it
I'm looking forwardto the 34 miles across Cape Cod Bay this summer. If we get West winds, it might just be the most amazing downwinder of my life:) Ping me if you are interested in more beta on the board. And if you are near the Granite State, I'll be happy to let you try it. Aloha and Happy Summer!!!!!

14

Events / Cape Cod Bay Challenge 2013. Save the Date!

« on: May 02, 2013, 06:03:49 AM »

August 17, 2013
Be there or be square! Let the training begin:)

15

SUP General / High School SUP Race team in Massachusetts

« on: March 04, 2013, 10:03:19 AM »

It looks like I'll officially be getting the HS SUP team started for next fall, provided funding goes through for equipment.
STOKED!
It did not take much convincing to my Superintendent, HS Principal and AD, as they are all pumped on making our district World Class, and view SUP racing as a legit competitive offering.
So, as I write grants, training programs, and coordinate race events with other schools, I'd love to get any and all suggestions you all might have (especially if you have race official experience, high school kids who race, etc).
The good thing is we have waterfront access to the Merrimack River, and I have the green light to get it modestly developed to get boards in and out of the water. We'll also have a container that can store the gear adjacent to the put in.
As I've been looking to other local schools with crew teams for support/suggestions, one of the common denominators is that crew team coaches either (1) have no idea what SUP racing is, (2) think there is no cross-training benefit to rowing crew and SUP, and (3) just like when snowboarding was "invading" skiing, SUP may very well take the top crew athletes off their butts and stand them up facing forward!

If anyone has crew racing experience, do you agree/disagree with my findings? I'm only seeking advice from them because of the similarities of being on the water, coaching youth, and maintaining a level of safety is paramount.

And if anyone on here is on the north shore of MASS/southern NH and has ties to local HS and wants to get something going, please let me know. I'm hoping this gets big enough to actually have a competitive league.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you Zoners, I appreciate all support/stoke/suggestions.
Shawn