Topics

1

SUP General / I look at water differently now

« on: December 20, 2010, 08:33:38 PM »

Driving down to a surf spot in Southern Baja and I pass this vista in Bahia Concepcion:



Made me wish I'd scheduled a couple extra paddling days on the way down... there are SO many flatwater paddling opportunities on this peninsula! Back before stand up paddling I'd just zoom by stuff like this, jonesing for the surf I knew was waiting for me- now I want to set aside a few hours to cruise that glass. I look at water differently now... anybody else feel the same?

2

Downwind and Racing / Surfing snob tries racing... and likes it.

« on: September 12, 2010, 08:43:39 PM »

Yep, that's me, stando surfing snob- we'd say racing is for jocks and get back to hitting the lip and wrapping roundos. Dumb jocks.

So I don't know what got into me when I signed up for our little local race here in South San Diego. It's called the Chainsaw Massacre and it's a 6.5 mile run out to Point Loma and back. I borrowed a 12'6 race board (which I realize may have been on the small size for my 230lbs since I saw all the guys my size on 14' and bigger raceboards) paddled it a couple times (super corky compared to my low volume surf stando) and figured I was good to go.

Well I didn't come in last but it did take me an hour and thirty three minutes to do the whole thing- man was that tough!

I think I blew it in a couple of areas- let me know if you agree:

1. I used my surf paddle, Kialoa Methane. Not only is the blade really small but I cut it so that it's only four inches over my head- perfect for surfing but, seemingly, not so hot for going fast.

2. I didn't get enough time on that board to figure out how she moved- so instead of being able to crank on the paddle going down wind, I had to spend a lot of time staying on top of the board... the wobbles- I think they rob you of speed.

Other that that- it was super fun! Getting excited for the Hennessey's race coming up in a couple of weeks.

Oh- and no longer a surfing snob but too soft to be jock. 

3

Gear Talk / Rumor has it.... Aussie Invasion (hide your vegimite and your women)

« on: August 04, 2010, 05:22:42 PM »

Well it's not a rumor..... the Aussies are here! Super reliable source just got a look at the first Simon Anderson (yep, that Simon Anderson) stand up boards to hit U.S. shores as well as standos from Luke Short, LSD designs- the guy who shapes Julian Wilson's boards... Funny, all the anti-sup carping and here are the heavy, heavies all stoked on the stando.... I'll post pics if/when I get 'em.

4

Sessions / June Gloom 2010

« on: July 03, 2010, 05:34:53 PM »

Not ripping as hard as the Dogman and his pack but having fun anyways 

5

Sessions / Pulling in on 6'6" stand-o...

« on: June 27, 2010, 09:19:55 PM »

Here's a couple shots of Sean Poynter surfing this morning... this kid rips this little stand-o... no pokey, flippy/flap turns either, we're talking serious backfooted carving:

6

Events / Stand-o Round Up: Interesting Race Board...

« on: May 23, 2010, 11:12:15 PM »

Kiwi told me these guys do America's Cup race boats and that this hull was tank tested etc. A weird stand-o for sure, reverse bow, top looks like it should be the bottom. Check it:

7

Gear Talk / Who paddlesurfs without a pad?

« on: May 22, 2010, 12:34:34 PM »

Been mulling this one for awhile- then I shot Kristy surfing without a pad and I'm pretty convinced that's the way I'm going to go- just wondered: Does anybody here paddlesurf without a deck pad? She told me that it starts to hurt your feet but it saves her some weight on the board.

Any experience with it?

8

Sessions / Video: Sweet Cross-stepping...

« on: May 21, 2010, 12:43:09 PM »

Here's a local girl surfing really nicely. Perfect day for Stand-o!

9

Gear Talk / Quickblade Sweeper: Video Clip and review...

« on: May 20, 2010, 04:59:45 PM »

Hey guys- I hope I'm putting this in the correct place. If I'm in the wrong spot please move this post.

A while ago I posted that I was trying out a beginners paddle for Quickblade called the Sweeper. I didn't get a chance to give you my impressions about it then- I'm ready to now.

The Sweeper is pretty much a beginner's/rental/lesson paddle. If you are doing lessons then you know that your rails get torn up by sharp CF or fiberglass blades- if you ever loan your board and paddle out you probably have the same concerns. I like this paddle because of it's plastic blade - I don't have to worry about learners destroying the board or cutting themselves with it. It's also light and it looks pretty slick- I have the light blue aquaglide paddles (adustable) and they work but they look like pool sweeper tools- don't they?

Pros:

Cheap

Light

Durable (I've been cranking on that thing for a month or two now and it's held up pretty well).

Safe

Cons:

This isn't a high perf. surf paddle- and it wasn't meant to be. The cupped blade can grab at the water on cutbacks and it sometimes sticks instead of planing.

I'm not sure how long the aluminum shaft will remain true in the face of severe cranking- again, I think I was using this outside of the scope of what it's really meant for (tourists just learning, beginners dabbing around) and I'm pretty thick too.

This is definitely a paddle to consider if you're doing rentals and lessons- it will save your boards. Here's a clip I did:

10

Random / Spam Fried Rice Video....

« on: May 15, 2010, 04:28:13 PM »

Um, I don't know why:

11

Wind Powered / Did something killer the other day....

« on: May 10, 2010, 05:56:35 PM »

Pretty funky and windy.... decided to dig through my deck pad and stick an old beater rig onto the Sean Ordonez Big Red that I bought three years ago. I'm hooked- putting around on that big old board was soooo fun. Now, we're planning a Punta San Carlos sup/wave sail trip in July.... and we've never wave sailed before.... can't wait to see the look on the paying guests faces when we come charging down the line! 

12

Sessions / Southern San Diego: 2 hours, 2 different spots, 1 video camera, 1 clip

« on: April 04, 2010, 05:48:47 PM »

So cool how you can shoot some video, edit it over a cup of coffee and post it up that afternoon. Here's a little clip from a surf we did yesterday morning:

13

Sessions / Mariachis y Olas

« on: March 18, 2010, 05:59:53 PM »

Cool, looks like I successfully embedded one... finally.

Scrapped a bunch of clips together- threw in some new stuff and voila... out popped a video. Enjoy!

14

Gear Talk / Like weird fins? Check these out...

« on: February 02, 2010, 11:03:37 PM »

Once again I'm getting sucked into the fin vortex. These ones came in a box with a note: "Don't lend these to anybody, they won't give them back to you...". So here they are: Future Fins Elevon Prop Fins in Carbon/Kevlar...

15

Sessions / Southern Baja Stand Up Paddle: A little clip

« on: January 10, 2010, 10:04:41 AM »

Had a GREAT trip down south. Here's a little clip I put together last night- limited footage because, guess what? Everyone wanted to surf- thankfully my wife patient with me and shot some video for me. You'll see Tom English on his Ron House and Matt Wilson on his Big Red 12' Sean Ordonez- I'm on the green and white 9'4 Tim Stamps.

Enjoy: http://www.ipaddlesurf.com/video/down-south-09

Sorry, not sure how to put the clip right here on the 'zone- let me know and I'll put it up.