Topics

1

SUP General / South Park goes Standup

« on: October 19, 2012, 08:28:23 AM »

Here is the link.  SUP shows up at 13:33.  Funny stuff.

http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s16e11-going-native

2

Gear Talk / New boards from Tomahawk

« on: April 28, 2011, 10:43:48 AM »

You don't here a lot about Tomahawk in the Zone, but man are they coming out with some cool shapes.  Evan just let me demo his new 10-0 and it was crazy.  It's a bit big for me, but I can see this as being something to get my wife.  They also have a 7-4 XL that looks like it rips.  Evan said they are making their stuff in the US now.  That alone is refreshing. 

Rick

3

Gear Talk / Tomahawk Gun. Anyone try one?

« on: November 15, 2010, 09:25:36 AM »

This board looks sick. I wonder how it does in 6-8 foot surf. The outline looks fast. Has anyone tried this board?  Any feedback?

http://www.tomahawksurf.com/Tomahawk_Stand_Up_Paddle_SUP/Blog/Entries/2010/11/15_Wade_Lawson_Talks_About_%22The_Gun%22.html

4

SUP General / Any of you been following this?

« on: September 16, 2010, 01:57:37 PM »

Looks like tomorrow is going to be god with some bigger sets coming in.

http://www.hurley.com/hurleypro/live.cfm

5

SUP General / I thought this kid rode for C4..I mean PSH... I mean Surftech?

« on: August 06, 2010, 09:40:09 AM »

Slater Trout is getting passed around like the village bicycle. 
http://www.supsurfmag.com/features-stand-up-paddle/news/laird-joins-surftech-at-outdoor-retailer-20100803971/

Maybe Naish will get him next.

6

SUP General / Ouch. It hurts to see this.

« on: June 08, 2010, 09:18:22 PM »

Not cool.

7

SUP General / Made in the USA... Do you even care?

« on: May 19, 2010, 10:54:05 AM »

Forgive me if this post is a bit of a rant. I've been reading a lot of posts here lately about this factory and that factory.  People having their shapes ripped off, or at least "referenced".  There was a post where two companies were bad mouthing each other, even though their boards were made by the same factory. My question is, why is it that the SUP industry is so accepting of Chinese/Thailand/Taiwan mass produced surfboards? Our short board brethren cry bloody murder if you are riding a pop out, but here it is considered the opposite.  In SUP, if you inquire about a hand shaped, hand glassed, made in the USA paddleboard you are met with, "I wouldn't trust a custom, they don't have the same resale value.  Or "Popouts are the result of hundreds of prototypes.  They are a safer bet then a custom."  Are you kidding me?  Since when did a mass produced SUP that looks more like a windsurfer then a surfboard become the standard?  Since when did we need to start painting over our glass jobs to hide all the crap that lies underneath?  Why is it that a shop is more likely to sell a popout made over seas than a board made in the US?  Is it all about money?  Is that the deal? 

I want to know from all of you, if your favorite SUP manufacturer said, "We are only going to make boards in the US (or their country or origin) and our prices are going to have to increase to do it", would you still support them?  Would you pay more for something made in America, or would you rather have the lower price?  I've seen it work in other industries,  where companies have insisted on keeping their manufacturing here in the US.  Most are respected for it.  Jackson Kayak comes to mind.  They make everything just outside of Nashville TN.  They are idolized by the white water industry.  Nearly all of Jackson's competition is produced overseas.  Yet they have made it not only work, but Jackson is number one in US market share.  I wonder if C4 or Naish or Starboard or any of the other companies did the same thing, if they could still be profitable.  Would you buy their products at a higher price? 

If this was any other industry, I wouldn't be bothered about this so much. But this is surfing and it doesn't make sense to me that surfboards are being made in big factories in China, by people who have never even surfed.  This isn't even an issue of American made.  I'd be stoked to ride a board made in Brazil or France, or Australia.  If it is shaped well, made with quality materials, by people who surf, I would support that company. I could get behind a company like that a lot easier than someone who shipped their shapes over seas to have them mass produced by factory workers.  That's not what surfing is about IMHO.  There are some companies doing it right.  Tim Stamps and Infinity are both made in CA and they appear to be doing very well.  Again the question is do you even care?

I look forward to your input.  Sorry if I came off like a idealistic hippy.   
Rick

8

Gear Talk / C4 Paddle Fin

« on: March 30, 2009, 06:37:24 PM »

The C4 paddle fin has been out for a while now, and I was wondering if any of you have tried it and what your opinions are?  The concepts is intriguing to say the least.  Do you think it's worth the $20.

Thanks in advance

9

Events / Santa Cruz Surf Festival Roll call?

« on: March 11, 2009, 12:56:23 PM »

Just checking to see how many Zoners will be there.  Are we going to take over a kayak event?  Should be interesting.

10

SUP General / Surfing a splash (Unreal footage)

« on: February 23, 2009, 12:45:56 PM »

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-slab21-2009feb21,0,3114691,full.story

11

Gear Talk / Complex SUP Graphics

« on: February 09, 2009, 12:00:25 PM »

What do you guys think of the custom Ron House boards that have the artwork on the nose?  It reminds me of 70s-80s skate art.  I think it's cool to see something different on the nose besides a company logo.  What do you guys think?

12

SUP General / Long Distance Paddlers in CA

« on: February 04, 2009, 12:32:40 PM »

I'm looking for some paddlers in the Bay Area who are interested in doing some long distance stuff.  I have a friend who is an endurance athlete and he wants to train with some paddlers.  He has ideas of paddling to Catalina and back, paddling for 24+ hours straight, Ultra Marathon type stuff.  He has competed it Ultra Marathon races as well as Road and Mountain Bike races that push the limits of the body.  Now he is hooked on SUP and wants to do some crazy stuff on the water.  I'm too fat and unmotivated to try any of that, but I told him I'd spread the word.  If any of you are masochistic and want to do some extreme paddling, I'll forward you his info.

Thanks

13

Gear Talk / SUP's under 9'. Fad or Future?

« on: January 29, 2009, 01:14:49 PM »

I've been seeing more and more SUPs coming out that are in the 8-6 to 8-10 range.  Some are 30" or even 32" inches wide and well over 4" thick.  Although I have not had the opportunity to try one, they are very intriguing.  My question is, how do these boards perform?  I'm sure they surf great, but can you stand on the them. At 220lbs, I have a hard enough time on a 10-3.  After watching the video on the Blair site, I'm wondering if it is possible for big guys to ride little boards.  What are your thoughts?  Is this the way SUP is going, or is it a few people trying to push the envelope. 

Thanks

14

SUP General / Laird on Today Show promoting his book.

« on: January 08, 2009, 04:48:47 PM »

Man his wife is tall. 

http://www.wptv.com/content/weather/coastal/story/Big-wave-surfer-Laird-Hamilton-on-the-Today-Show/1aIx663VREimqrwO26HYiQ.cspx

15

The Shape Shack / My first Wood Paddle

« on: January 01, 2009, 07:09:14 PM »

After reading posts here on in the Zone, I was inspired to make a paddle.  It took about 6 hours to glue and shape.  Next I'll glass the blade and seal the shaft.  I'm stoked on how it turned out. I have zero experience with this stuff.  The best part is, all the wood was recycled. The dark wood is from the cabinet doors of my childhood house, and the light is from the hand rails of the staircase.  The house was gutted and is being remodeled.  I look forward to making more.  Thanks everyone for sharing your tips.  I couldn't have done it without you.