Topics

1

Gear Talk / Redesigned 2022 Starboard Sprint Looks Similar to the Waterline

« on: January 01, 2022, 10:22:55 AM »

Happy New Year everyone,

I noticed the 2022 Sprint is redesigned with a new hull shape: https://sup.star-board.com/paddle-board/hard-paddle-board/sprint/

It now looks awfully similar to the Waterline! https://sup.star-board.com/paddle-board/hard-paddle-board/waterline/

I wonder if the folks at Starboard realized that the 2021 Waterline was indeed faster than the 2021 Sprint for most paddlers?

2

Gear Talk / Talk to me about Fin Boxes

« on: May 11, 2021, 07:03:12 AM »

I want to install a new fin on my 2020 NSP Ninja. The fin included with the board is a FCS compatible fin. Does this mean all the "futures" fins won't work with my board?

3

Gear Talk / Replacement Neoprene Rail Handle (for NSP Ninja)

« on: March 20, 2021, 12:43:37 PM »

I need a replacement Neoprene Rail Handle for my new Ninja, problem is, its not for sale on the NSP USA Webshop. I contacted NSP directly and they said "maybe" it could be ordered but would take 45+ days. 

Question, are these rail handles 'universal' or custom to the board? I'll purchase a similar Starboard or similar brand handle if that's a viable option.

Thanks guys,
Dave

4

SUP General / Dugout filling with water...is the normal?

« on: March 20, 2021, 12:35:08 PM »

My 2020 NSP Ninja has 4 drain holes that "immediately expel excess water from the dugout"; however, I think its doing the opposite, and actually filling the dugout with water. Is this normal?

5

Technique / Rut row...going from a 28" wide to 22" wide SUP is a HUGE difference!

« on: March 11, 2021, 06:34:41 PM »

I got a great deal on a 14x22 Ninja. Problem is...I've been on a 14x28 raft (RS AirGlide) and the difference is quite shocking. I learned the hard way that March water temps are not ideal for learning to paddle a narrow board!

6

Gear Talk / Volume Question for 85kg paddler

« on: March 04, 2021, 02:28:13 AM »

The 2020 NSP Ninja (14'0x22) has an advertised volume of 250.6 Liters. I see that all the online volume calculators tell me that I should be fine but I'm wondering from experienced paddlers...will this volume (~ 250L) to weight (85kg/187lbs.) work out for me? My weight fluctuates 5kg (80-85) depending on the season, so I'm currently at my max weight.

7

Technique / Can Crossbow Turns Replace Buoy Turns Completely?

« on: January 03, 2021, 06:53:03 AM »

I've just completed by first 6-months of SUP. I'm hooked! Nevertheless, still a lot to learn. I never mastered the buoy turn (never really got the courage to try and now the water is too cold) but I did get fairly proficient at crossbow turns to the point where I can change direction rapidly with usually one or two strokes. My question is...for racing, will this single turning capability be enough? Are there times when a racer must have an effective buoy turn in their quiver?

8

SUP General / Anyone in Mid-Atlantic Still Paddling?

« on: December 20, 2020, 06:03:40 PM »

Tomorrow, Dec 21, is forecasted to be 47 F with light winds. I'm thinking about heading out. Most of the 4-5 inches that fell in Northern VA has melted so I'm excited to get some sun and good strokes.

9

SUP General / Lessons Learned from my 1st 100K week...

« on: September 05, 2020, 04:30:25 AM »

With the pandemic cancelling my planned 3-week trip to Italy, I decided to spend a week paddling Virginia's waterways to include the Potomac, Occoquan, James, Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean in Va. Beach. In total, 105 km of paddling over 7-days...here's what I learned.

(1) The ocean takes what it wants - no exceptions! (i.e., I was 'loosely' holding my fin trying to wash sand off and a wave swept it away, gone forever.)
(2) A sandy beach is not a good place to deflate your iSUP...especially when wet 
(3) When paddling in a 'high fall zone', wear cheap sunglasses. Another casualty from my first ocean paddle...lol.
(4) Know your river/ocean currents and think thru any out and back scenarios where you may be paddling back against the current and against a headwind! 
(5) Overuse injuries in SUP are a real thing. My shoulders feel like I a pitched a triple-header and I never knew I could injury ribcage muscles. 

10

Gear Talk / 2020 NSP Ninja vs Naish Javelin

« on: September 03, 2020, 04:33:08 AM »

The 2020 model boards are starting to get discounted and I'm curious if anyone has a review to offer for the following two boards (14 x 24):

NSP Ninja
Naish Javelin

The appear to be quite similar...right down to their weight. I'll be using the boards on a flat lake that can get a bit bumpy and is suspect able to crosswinds.

11

SUP General / Lesson Learned...Go with Smaller Fin in Unchartered Territory...LOL

« on: August 25, 2020, 06:04:36 PM »

My 2019 SIC Air Glide RS comes standard with a rather large 9 inch fin. I can understand why - paddling inflatables on a straight course is challenging and I'm guessing that's why SIC went with the largest fin possible. However, when paddling unfamiliar rivers of unknown depth - a super long fin can be a big problem. Case and point, approaching the dock on the Potomac River in Sterling, VA, I came in too shallow and my fin grabbed a rock or log which send me flying.  The Potomac gets super shallow in these parts and there were several times when i thought for certain my fin was going to drag, eventually it caught up with me...LOL.

12

Gear Talk / Unlimited vs 14 ft in Flat Water...Which is Faster?

« on: August 22, 2020, 01:37:54 PM »

I keep reading that unlimited boards are the fastest; however, they seem to always be geared towards open water racing. So my question to the group is which is faster in flat water conditions...a 'planing' unlimited board (i.e., SIC Bayonet) or a displacement 14' board (i.e., NSP Ninja, Starboard Sprint, SIC RS, etc.)?

13

Gear Talk / Let's Talk Paddles..Shafts and Handles

« on: August 15, 2020, 02:19:33 PM »

I'm thinking about upgrading my paddle but curious about fellow SUPer thoughts on shaft shapes and handles? I'll be mostly paddling long distances in flat water.  I'm wondering from a feathering perspective - would an oval shaft be better/easier compared to a traditional round shaft?

Also, about handle types - is there a preference between oval, t-shaped and t-shaped/curved?

14

Gear Talk / Anyone Paddle the Starboard Waterline?

« on: July 26, 2020, 12:14:56 PM »

Online reviews of this board are hard to find. Has anyone paddled this board? I’m curious how it could work for a flatwater racer? Also curious if you all think the 5 pound difference is worth $900 for the Carbon construction? Would the wood/carbon Sprint 24x14 be a better, albeit tippier, value?

15

Technique / Feet Placement on Board (fore and aft)?

« on: July 19, 2020, 08:37:27 AM »

Curious from the forum what the consensus is about feet placement on the board (and I'm not talking about width, i.e., shoulder width stance, etc). The center handle is generally considered the balancing point so I've read online this is where to align your feet...but is that 100% the best location? My SIC Air Glide has a nose that tips up - I've noticed on mirror-flat mornings, if I place my feet slightly towards the stern (nose) from the center handle that I get a bit more glide. On the other hand, when I place my feet slightly behind the center handle I feel more stable; however, my blade is going in where the board widens.

So, is center handle always the best feet location or are other slight deviations better?