Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Tesla designs. Not really SUP friendly

« on: February 23, 2021, 11:59:20 AM »

And yes, that's the late, great Chris Economaki interviewing me. The blue car I came in second to is THE Meister Brauser Chaparral 1, probably somewhere between $5 and 10 million if you could even get the racer who owns it to sell his. Well driven with four times the horsepower of Peyote, and we finished on the same lap and I could still see him--just a blue dot, but still... Peyote punches WAY past its weight. The rest of the field was equally prestigious, and the Amazing Peyote spanked their butts. I paid $30K for this car and a trailer--it was a very nice trailer.

I'm so fucking proud to own and race this little car. If only because my late middle brother David who was a serious racing fan, came to see me race at Limerock, and was so blown away he couldn't say anything. He and Bob (Stoneaxe) helped me work on the car all weekend after the clutch came apart. We got it back together and raced the shit out of it. He kept trying to tell me what it meant to him, and he kept choking up and couldn't say anything. That was the same weekend I gave Bob my new Starboard 12' 6" because I thought it might help him with his vertigo--and a whole chapter of amazing Cape Cod Bay Challenge paddles and races began. I still can't read my brother Dave's comments at the end of this post without tearing up. Hey, I never cry. https://www.ponostyle.com/30-babcocks/

David drove up to Watkins Glen by himself a few weeks later because he just wanted to see me race Peyote on a track that he loved as a spectator, and slept in a leaky tent during a fierce rainstorm in the back of his car. Peyote got more or less destroyed (of course we rebuilt it!) in that race, but my brother and I had the best time, probably the closest and best weekend we ever had together. It was the last time I saw him. I miss him like crazy, but how lucky I am to have that burned into my memories.

https://www.ponostyle.com/punted-at-watkins-glen/

Crying here bro!

2

General Discussion / Re: I forgot how much fun it is...

« on: January 17, 2021, 07:16:57 PM »

I need to get back to it myself. I'm in terrible shape....Covid 20 anyway...and my head is back to being my own personal merry go round. Need to press the reset button.....again.

3

Random / Re: Brother Bob Was Right

« on: January 10, 2021, 08:12:40 PM »

Actually Death to 2020......
https://www.netflix.com/title/81332175

4

Random / Re: My action cam evolution

« on: January 10, 2021, 08:10:47 PM »

Great video...skillz for sure.

5

Foil SUP / Re: eFoilBoy

« on: November 30, 2020, 05:33:41 PM »

Sounds like fun. How long does the charge last?

6

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: SoCal Doldrums

« on: November 16, 2020, 04:30:22 PM »

Surfs been good here....I just can't get to it.

7

Environment / Re: Ventusky - the weather app got pretty!

« on: October 14, 2020, 11:37:42 PM »

That is cool....hadn't been on there in awhile.

8

SUP General / Re: Man cave photos

« on: September 21, 2020, 08:50:15 PM »

The twin to Bill's Speedboard is still in one piece here...... I'm having thoughts of turning it into a rowing scull though.

I'm about to completely reorganize and clean out my shop. Giving some stuff away and getting the rest of my boards racked on the ceiling. And all the bigger powertools will be consolidated onto two rolling benches. Most of what I'm doing these days is either on the CNC or hand carving so I'm setting it up to focus on that. Any tool on my workbench pegboard that I haven't used in 6 months will be stored away. I'm going for less clutter and more efficient workspace.

9

General Discussion / Re: It's official

« on: August 01, 2020, 06:45:33 AM »

I still haven't had it in a wave yet but I took it out for a 6 mile paddle to Brown's bank last week. I wouldn't call them waves but it gets so crazy with all the conflicting currents that chop was coming from 3 different directions. Frequently looks like a washing machine and is a great place for me to get some balance therapy. I worked out in it for a half hour and was gassed. Took a break on the bank and ate lunch....such an awesome place. I was sitting on my board in 6" of water without another soul within a mile. One of the folks on a local FB page said they saw me out there from their boat and were just about to call the harbor master that someone was stranded way out with the tide rising when she saw me get up and start paddling.
Lots of fish in the bay...even a small 6 foot blue shark that let me get close before she took off. I think her belly was full of fish, either that or pregnant.

10

Classifieds / Re: WTB - SUP mule

« on: August 01, 2020, 06:27:48 AM »

Hi Marta.....I responded to your PM. Not sure if you got it. I have the Mule and a bike trailer you can borrow.

11

General Discussion / Re: It's official

« on: July 30, 2020, 08:08:26 PM »

It is a great fit.
I suck more than I used too but it's still fun.
Paddling the virtual CCBC this year on it....15 miles is going to be a challenge for me this year but I can't wait to get on the water with a small crew of close friends. The route has us entering a river mouth where there is usually surf.....some very long rides if there are waves. Always fun to surf during a CCBC..... . We'll take a break at my buddy Tim's place which is on an island at the river mouth, recharge our hydration packs, etc...then paddle up the river to Levitate surf shop. Going to be a great day!

12

General Discussion / It's official

« on: July 30, 2020, 10:09:05 AM »

The sticker is on my truck.

Creek knew I was interested in a Search Point Break and when he heard about a very gently used one available he gave me a call. I've been out on it twice and love the way it feels and paddles. can't wait for some surf to get it in.

13

SUP General / Re: Mainers beware - you too Creek.

« on: July 29, 2020, 10:12:48 PM »

Tragic...sorry to hear Carib.

Our beaches were closed for awhile today, supposed sighting of a GW near the beach. Lots of bait and seals in the water.

14

Random / Re: Throwing in the towel

« on: July 17, 2020, 01:42:50 PM »

Finally finished this. I'm wondering if I should just leave it as is or put it into a coffee table or something. I'm going to do a few pieces to auction for Christopher's Haven. The CCBC is still on albeit virtual but I doubt we'll raise the usual $$'s.

I still haven't gotten over to this spot in a NE swell yet....I'm picturing a nice A-frame.....

15

Gear Talk / Re: What paddle are you using and what do you like about it ?

« on: July 07, 2020, 07:18:01 PM »

There are almost endless great paddles out there, and if anything they are even more personal than boards. I tried a lot of different ones in the early days. I'm biased of course but I haven't paddled anything but Kenalu in years. Elite Maliko 95 for surf and Konihi 94 for distance/flatwater. I like the full carbon shaft for surf for the instant response and the xTuf S for distance or I need to give my shoulders a break. Hot glue makes swapping components easy.