Messages

1

Downwind and Racing / Re: Capetown downwinders

« on: November 01, 2018, 03:41:42 AM »

A couple of options (and you should try both).

On the False Bay side (Millers Point to Fish hoek), there is a Taxi (called the Millers tax run by Vinnie - he takes surfski's and SUP's). He's on facebook and will get you on whattsapp. He run's regulary over summer (3-4 times per day I reackon in Dec). Good option and a great run.

On the Milnerton side (Milnerton to Big Bay in Blouberg), also will be regular runs with Sup Fanatics (Adrian Van Varik run's it) over this period and you can get added to the whattsapp group when you are there.

Re: Downwind board hire- speak to Gary or Ty or Tarryn from Xpressions on the Beach. They will have a lot options on Downwind boards and can also help you on helping you organising.

PM me if you want emails - you'll have fun and a good time to be in Cape Town for downwinds

2

Gear Talk / Has anyone replaced the grab handle on a SIC Bullet 17.4 or other board

« on: September 01, 2018, 04:14:52 AM »

My Bullet unlimited is about 4 years old and I see no reason to get rid of it for downwinding as still one of the best board out there.  Unfortunately I have one of the old handles and I am thinking of getting one of the local SUP repair shops to replace the handle with a better one.

Coming out the water tired from a downwinder and then having to use the awful grip is really difficult.

I am assuming they would be able to router it out, insert a new handle and then also repair or replace part of the deck grip.

Has anyone tried to replace a handle neatly and with success?

3

SUP General / Where can you find Downwind shuttle services

« on: February 09, 2018, 11:30:27 PM »

I downwind whenever I can in Cape Town and we are fortunate to have two great runs on both the Atlantic side (Milnerton Run) and False Bay (Millers Run) which are 30 minutes drive from where I work in either direction. Both have shuttles operating so it is pretty easy to organise a downwind. It makes life easy especially as one can grab an after-work session with very little planning.

I surfski when the wind is not to strong, so I also keep track of the surfski side of the sport, and they have recently put together an article on the Miller’s Run taxi which has been operating the past year or so (https://www.surfski.info/latest-news/story/1631/miller-s-taxi-conquers-the-miller-s-run.html). It got me thinking where else in the world are there shuttle services. I would not mind travelling to an area where there are shuttles as it means more chance I can hire a board and do a couple of downwinders without needing all the infrastructure. To me a shuttle could also indicate consistent conditions and a good community of fanatics.
I am only aware of the following places that have shuttles:
-   Cape Town
-   Maui
-   Hood River

Yet I know there are good downwind conditions in other places i.e Lanzorette Island/Canary Islands, Portugal (Porto), Greece (Artemida Bay I believe).
I would love a list of places in the world with shuttle services and I am hoping there are more than three places (and unfortunately Maui and Hood River are pretty far away from my perspective) where one can be a DW tourist/junkie.
Are there any other places?

4

Flatwater and Touring / Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race

« on: February 05, 2018, 03:15:34 AM »

Agree on all of the above photofr and double emphasis on BAN ON STYROFOAM. I have struggled on the concept of loving the sea, seeing how plastic pollution every time I paddle in amazing pristine conditions, and then knowing that my collection of SUP's will in 5 years be breaking up and adding to that collection even if it ends in a landfill.

My Think Evo (surfski) was close to 10 years (I think) when I got rid of it. Still perfect to use for another 10 years with less scratches than my two year SUP's, and only made fibreglass. Hopefully SUP industry learns as I think you can come up with some amazing designs which are very tough. To me surfski's seem so much better value that smaller SUP's.

Hopefully more to follow from other manufacturers as industry matures and becomes more responsible to the environment

5

Foil SUP / Can mere mortals SUP Foil downwind

« on: November 10, 2017, 05:29:04 AM »

This week in the local (Cape Town, South Africa) Tuesday downwind series Nathan van Vuuren won the race outright with an average speed of 18.05kph (11.2mph) over 10km (6miles). He also managed to beat both the surfski and SUP record time in doing this.

I understand that this was only Nathan's 9th time doing a downwind on a SUP and I am sure there is even more speed to come.

There is a link below with some footage (I am not sure how to embed it)




Nathan's pretty talented so even though he makes it look really easy I am not sure how often people are consistently foiling downwind. So far I am only seeing lightweight super talented kids who are shredding the downwind sup foil thing, or the David Kalama's of the world - does anyone know of normal weighted mid level guys on a SUP managing to get the SUP downwind foil skill set? My thinking is I will wait another year before attempting in the hope that someone has a foil and setup perfectly for a 80-90kg (175-200 pounds)

6

Flatwater and Touring / Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race

« on: May 17, 2017, 11:10:28 AM »

I'm hoping it succeeds. Nelo are a good company and if they design a K1 in a certain way, it is because it makes sense to.

The Chalupsky/Nelo Surfski focus has been interesting and I think they will grow from strength to strength in this regard where speed in all conditions is a requirement - I have not been on their surfski's yet but they look like they will succeed and have brought some nice innovations that are practical.

I SUP (downwind and wannabe surfer) and surfski and can't wait for the surfski construction to find its way to SUP. Surfskiers will complain about carbon boards being fragile, but they have no idea how tough the construction is compared to the epoxy/foam SUP construction. An 18-19ft ski weighs 10kg in carbon, and I suspect even with extra internals for the deck a 14ft SUP would be <10kg and stronger than the normal epoxy/foam (can't even compare it to carbon epoxy construction).

7

Gear Talk / Re: 2013 14 Naish Glide vs Boardworks Eradicator.

« on: March 30, 2017, 11:19:18 AM »

that particular glide (white carbon v1 model) is a wonderful board. Correct on all comments and that its sweet spot is 18 knots plus. It was my first 14 footer and I still regret getting rid of it as it warms up the stronger the wind gets and has a nice is very surfy feel.

Its not as light as the newer carbon boards but very well constructed (I don't think the manufacturers build them like that now - this board has good skin toughness and does not seem to worry about UV).

True in flat conditions it is slower but really not a big deal and for sea conditions it is fin - cannot go wrong with it.

8

SUP General / Re: The fun of unlimited boards

« on: May 12, 2016, 12:01:49 PM »

I have both a unlimited (SIC 17'4") and a 14 ft downwind board. I agree that the unlimited are just fun for downwinding - the glide is incredible whether light downbreezer or heavy 25knot+, even short or long period, etc etc.

I think when one heads for 10mile + downwinding, then unlimited are in a class of their own.

For me its not a storage issue, or transport, but because they are such expensive boards vs the 14ft, I tend to baby it (it needs to have 2x the life of my 14ft), and still only use it 30% of the time for downwinders. So during the week, I prefer leaving the 14ft on the roof rack.

I certainly hope more manufacturers or local shapers have a go at unlimited but with SIC dominating, and Hawaii the only place unlimited have taken off it may take time

9

Downwind and Racing / Re: Downwind in France, Brittany coast

« on: March 14, 2016, 10:49:43 PM »

Thanks for the comments - I am buys plotting my route (I really just plan to stay at 2 towns for the 7 - 8 days) will be by car.

Photofr, hope you don't mind if I contact you directly in the next couple of weeks?

10

Downwind and Racing / Re: Downwind in France, Brittany coast

« on: March 11, 2016, 06:07:48 AM »

Wow. That does look amazing.

I am on a 14ft and Sic Bullet unlimited. Much prefer downwinding (I live in Cape Town) where I think we have strong average winds (20knot+)  and at times big swells. Hard to compare with rest of the world but think at times amazingly easy, other times tough work. Water is cold on the atlantic side (12-13 degrees) and warm on the False Bay side (Millers-Fish Hoek run is 19 degrees).


But I would be happy on a smaller board if that is what is available. Just happy to get into the ocean.

11

Downwind and Racing / Re: Downwind in France, Brittany coast

« on: March 10, 2016, 11:39:04 PM »

Thanks for the feedback.
Right now, I am still deciding exactly where I will be going (but it is very sea focused) - I had just over a week spare and thought a road trip is in order (needed to be reasonably close to my temp base in the Netherlands). If Lorient is the only place where I could hire kit reasonably easily, I will add it to the itinerary.

12

Downwind and Racing / Re: Downwind in France, Brittany coast

« on: March 09, 2016, 11:55:29 PM »

I did think of starting a new thread as lightly off top but thought it was better to add on as it is about downwinding  and general paddling in Brittany.

I will be in the Brittany region for a week or two mid June to end June and though the intention is not paddling, I will definitely like to paddle (and downwind preferably). Looks like I will need a wetsuit which I will bring, and maybe a paddle (as I am particular) and I was hoping to get a referral if there are any shops or groups where I could occasional hire a board (preferably a 14footer).

Photofr or others would you be able to make any suggestions if there are any towns in the region where this is possible?
Thanks

13

Downwind and Racing / Re: Top Downwind Destinations as a Tourist

« on: September 22, 2015, 12:27:40 AM »

Thanks Yugi,
Madly I have been to the Leucate area and plan to be there again. Just goes to show - I had no idea that there was downwinding there though the abundance of wind turbines in the area certainly should have been an indication.

I hope Canary islands take off as it is also a relatively easy area to get to. 

14

Downwind and Racing / Top Downwind Destinations as a Tourist

« on: September 15, 2015, 12:45:06 PM »

I have the advantage/disadvantage of travelling a fair bit, for the past number of years I tend to fly in and out as quickly as possible (my base is Cape Town, South Africa). Lately, with a bit more time, I want to start becoming more of a downwind tourist but have found it next to impossible to organise. The Gorge and Hawaii are high on my list, but require a bit more planning so I am hoping to find a couple of other locations around the world.

I have pretty much given up on Canary Islands/Fuerteventura which is a pity as it would seem to have good downwind conditions. I think trying to organise a worthwhile Downwind trip there made me realise how easy it is to downwind frequently in Cape Town which has shuttles, a 6 month epic season and easy board hire.

There has been this thread - Top 5 Downwinding places in the world ( http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,25113.0.html) but I would appreciate feedback on destinations that have the following 3 conditions:
1) Consistent downwind season
2) shuttle type service, or a strong downwind community of regulars which effectively make shuttle service not needed
3) Easy board hire

I would travel to a location with less wind if I can organise lifts and boards ahead of an epic windy location  where there is no way of organising a downwinder.

So far, the list that would be as follows:
1) South Africa, Cape Town (Southern Hemisphere Summer)
2) Hawaii - Maliko run (Northern Hemisphere Summer)
3) Australia - Perth region, Melbourne region, other? (Southern Hemisphere Spring/Summer)
4) US - Hood river/The Gorge (Northern Hemisphere Summer))

Thats it - its surprisingly small.  Lake Garda, Tarifa, Canary Islands, Mauritius, Tahiti (and I am sure many other places) seem to have good conditions but do not seem to have the infrastructure.

I would be interested to hear of other options which would be a good downwind tourist location that fits this description

15

Regional / Re: Canary Island SUP Downwinding Trip: any options

« on: August 30, 2015, 12:21:29 PM »

Thanks for the feedback. Must say I tried this (northern hemisphere) summer but though I suspect there are some great runs, pretty much impossible to organise. Made me appreciate the Cape (if it ain't a downwinder normally means it's a surf), though I am going to try again next summer as only matter of time I suspect for downwinding in the Canary's.

Winds are up again down south (africa), and summer is on its way. Today was a 25knot average Millers-Fish Hoek run, skim past a pair of ginormous souther right whales heading directly in the wind, and plenty of amazing runs. Season is most definitely starting again.