Topics

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SUP General / sup on a softop? (catchsurf log?)

« on: April 06, 2018, 05:18:24 AM »

Has anyone tried to SUP on one of these?

https://catchsurf.com/collections/boards/products/log-90

9.0” x 24.0” x 3.5” (98 Liters)

seems doable...and could be pretty fun. 24" wide is tough, but maybe not impossible at that length. anyone know of a softtop that's wider (but still not a SUP softop)?

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SUP General / Advice on Volume for those on low volume boards

« on: April 04, 2018, 01:26:11 AM »

Hey all, looking for some advice on volume for all those riding at or near their buoyancy limit (e.g. riding a board that won't float them)

How difference is the stability in riding a board slightly above your weight, exactly neutrally buoyant vs below?

i.e. I'm 77 kg.

Comparing the stability of say, a 90L, a 78L and a 73L board...

Standard philosophy would say higher volume = more stable, but I've also heard people say that once you go down to say, neutrally buoyant, you get more stability as the board is under water and thus not affected by chop.

Assuming all other dimensions are the same...does being under water actually help?

Thoughts?

3

SUP General / SUP Surf Manly?

« on: January 15, 2018, 03:48:20 AM »

Planning a trip to Sydney in February. Was going to stay near Manly. Any good SUP surf spots around there? suggestions on places to go to that's friendly for SUP?

I'd consider myself experienced / advanced, ride a 7'7"x27, comfortable in crowds, but prefer to avoid them :-)

Thanks!

4

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Starboard 7'7" 2015 pro review

« on: April 13, 2015, 10:34:22 AM »

So, just picked up my new Starboard 7'7"x27" pro (95L) and wanted to write a quick review.  These boards are hard to come by, I know I was desperate to read a review (as I had to order it without even so much as a demo), so figured I'd pay it forward.

I'm about 175 lbs wet (with wetsuit), 5'10". Also have a 7'10"x30" 97L Airborn.

Overall, super happy with it. I'm happy to say I CAN stand on it, even in punchy beach break, and don't even need to keep moving. At 95L it floats me fine.

1. Stability : It's less stable than the Airborn (obviously), but not dramatically so. I can still stand on it just fine. I'd say stability is similar to the 2012 8'0x28" pro I used to have (which had a domed deck, hence it was less stable). It's handy to keep it moving a bit, but honestly stability is just fine. The balance point on the board is pretty small, but once you find it, it's really no problem, standing around waiting for waves, or punching through whitewash.

2. Speed : It's crazy how much faster it is than my Airborn. Not surprising it's faster on the wave, but surprising how much faster it is paddling into waves or just paddling in a straight line. The narrow width really makes a big difference in speed. it's a shorter board, but has a lot more glide.

3. Wave performance : it rocks. Not sure this is a surprise to anyone. There's a trend lately toward either wider shorter boards, or narrower vanguard shapes...the wider shorter boards (like my Airborn) are fantastic for stability and are super fun to rip, but don't do so well when the waves are fast or big. The narrower vanguard shapes are cool too, but I really wanted something with a narrow tail that I could really get vertical on my turns. I love that the 7'7" pro has a small tail, really is comfortable when the waves have some size. It's incredible how much more stable the 7'7" pro is on the wave compared to bigger boards. I feel much more in control and comfortable when I've got a smaller tail that I can stomp on to handle turns.

4. Traction: riding it with just the star-touch right now, but bought the FCS dimple pad which should arrive today (will add to my review if folks are interested). my feet are all bloody from the star-touch, so looking forward to getting the pad. The startouch traction is great, but rough on wet skin.

5. Other: the new handle is awesome. It's soft rubber, very comfortable. New traction pad on the back is good too. No complaints there. They still insist on shipping it as a 2+1 fin (2 side fins and one larger middle fin) which seems dumb, because all the pros take out the big middle fin and converts it to a true thruster....waiting on that converter box to arrive too.

Cheers!

Disclaimers: nothing. I'm not sponsored or anything. I tend to stick with Starboard because it's hard to demo gear here, and I've been happy with their stuff when I've ordered it. Plus, I hate doing repairs, so the bomber durability of the carbon is fantastic :-)

OH! and if you're looking for a board bag for small SUPs, check out Dakine or any company making windsurf bags. I've now got a dakine windsurf bag that fits the 7'7" pro PERFECTLY. Much better, as most SUP bags are in the 8' and bigger range.

5

SUP General / Center fin (longboard box) thruster setup

« on: February 12, 2015, 05:41:05 PM »

Having a hell of a time finding a fin...

looking for a center fin that fits in a standard longboard box, but is small enough to make it a true thruster setup. I feel like a lot of folks are riding this setup on smaller boards, yet for some reason the SUP companies still ship them as a 2+1.

Anyway, only fin I can find that fits my needs is this:
http://www.surffcs.com/shop/surf-longboard/fcs-pc-5-longboard-centre

but I swear there are others out there no?

6

Gear Talk / Starboard 7'7" pro demo in California

« on: December 20, 2014, 02:15:17 PM »

Does any shop (or any one, perhaps a rep?) have a 7'7" pro that I can demo in California?

Thinking I want one, but don't want to take the leap without at least making sure I can stand on it first...

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SUP General / Small board demos

« on: October 07, 2014, 07:29:08 PM »

Up here in nor-cal / SF Bay, I've noticed it's nearly impossible to demo small, high performance shapes. With these smaller boards (like the SB 7'7" pro) everyone talks about how awesome they are, but without a demo, it's too big of a risk to just order one

I might be able to get a few small boards in as a demo (I'm thinking 8' and smaller). Are there any people interested in getting together for a few demo days to try out a variety?

Stuff on my list:
Fanatic 7'11"x26.5
Naish 7'8"x27.75
SB 7'7"x27
SB 8'0"x28
SB 8'0"x29
SB 7'10x30

We don't need to limit it to little boards, so can grab some bigger boards too, but the point of this is to help those who are committed to riding a smaller SUP to give them a chance to actually demo the smaller stuff.

anyway, respond or PM me if you're interested.

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Gear Talk / who makes this traction pad?

« on: January 04, 2014, 10:05:46 AM »

I like the look of this pad, but for the life of me, can't figure out the brand. anyone know?

http://www.star-board-sup.com/2014/products/boards/shape_overview/data/surf_fish/mb_00.jpg?1

it's got three triangles...(see the front and back)...in white

9

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Starboard 7'10"x30" Air Born review and question

« on: September 30, 2013, 02:04:45 PM »

Been riding the new air born in brushed carbon. sick, sick board. The low volume (97L) really makes the board lively and fun. A few notes:

1. A lot more stable than my 8'0" pro. I'm around 175 lbs in a wetsuit, and I have plenty, if not tons of stability. I almost wish it was 29" wide, but the extra stability is nice for choppy water and making it over whitewash.

2. it paddles faster, catches waves easier than my 8'0" pro. I think it's got a bit less rocker, either way, it's trivial for catching waves. which is surprising given that it's wider and shorter

3. it feels rock solid down the line. I actually think it has too much fin, which gets me to my question...

I'm coming from my 8'0" pro, which I converted to a true thruster, to this, which is a quad, and this feels really, really tough to get a tight turn in on.  

Am I better off converting this to a thruster or should I get a smaller quad set? Looking for a bit looser feel, it's hard to get a good sharp turn in with the current setup. It tracks great, but want something a bit easier to slide the fins out on, and something I can get a bit more vertical after a bottom turn.

thoughts?

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Travel, Trips, Destinations / bocas del toro, panama

« on: September 29, 2013, 01:43:15 PM »

thinking of going to bocas del toro, panama this winter. Any suggestions on places to stay?

I'd prefer just to rent boards to keep the travel easy, so, are SUP rentals common enough?

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SUP General / fun chill surf spots in monterey or carmel?

« on: June 01, 2013, 11:13:54 AM »

gotta go down that way (from SF) for a work thing. Was thinking of bringing my SUP for some surfing in the morning. Any suggestions for spots to check out?

I usually surf OB in SF...but would be stoked to find a place with some relaxing little waves to mess around on and hopefully not too many crowds...

send me a PM if you don't to advertise your secret spot. I'm only gonna be down there for a day, I promise I won't tell 

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SUP General / epic whitewater SUP

« on: February 05, 2013, 08:35:30 AM »

mostly a kayak film, but some insane SUP in there too...mostly just, paddle off the water fall and jump...but, figured you guys might enjoy it.

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SUP General / starboard 2013?

« on: September 24, 2012, 02:26:36 PM »

anyone know when the 2013 stuff from starboard is coming out?

I talked to a shop in Hawaii who said they'd have stuff in October. He even had the brochure with all the new boards. But I can't seem to find anything online about it (other than a few interviews from surf expo).

supposedly some big changes in the pro line...

anybody have any news?

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SUP General / president's day weekend trip in california?

« on: February 12, 2012, 03:58:02 PM »

considering doing a road trip for some standup surfing. Gonna go with my girlfriend (who has only been out in the waves on a SUP once before). Any suggestions for fun beachy towns with some easy forgiving beginner waves? Santa Barbara? San Luis Obispo? San Diego?

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Travel, Trips, Destinations / SUP rental El Salvador?

« on: January 24, 2012, 02:43:32 PM »

Thinking of doing a quick trip to El Salvador. I have a SUP, but would like to just rent while I'm down there to maximize my flexibility.

SO, does anyone know where we can rent SUPs in El Salvador? (preferably with some advanced, shorter shapes?)