Messages

1

Downwind and Racing / Re: Cheap Racing Board?

« on: September 15, 2017, 03:21:21 PM »

It'll probably be fine. I don't know anything about that board or the brand though. It's a touring board with a displacement nose, 12'6 though. There will be a big difference between any of the boards you're considering and a surf sup. I'd still recommend the glide. That's the first board I raced, did fine. My brother just bought his first sup and that's the board I convinced him to buy. For 950.00 I don't think it can really be beat, all things considered.

Given your storage requirements, weight, and desire to have fun in races, I agree with warmuth that this is a great board that you won't regret. A versatile board with 250L of volume that works for just about every kind of water, is stable, and maintains its value.

I've been using a free android app called Geo tracker to give me some data on my surf vs. race boards, and I have to say that the average speed isn't very different for me when paddling more than a mile. Another thing you will want to consider is your paddle size. At 210lbs smaller blades don't grab enough water, but it depends on your stroke/style. I prefer a 95-100 sq in paddle blade that allows me to take long, slow strokes instead of shorter, faster strokes. It makes a difference in speed vs. effort for me, all other things being equal, but again it's a matter of preference & paddling style.

Last, think of the weight of the paddle you use to race. Every ounce you save in the paddle equals pounds of extra work saved just in one minute of steady paddling. 40 strokes per minute x 4 fewer ounces = 10lbs of weight you DON'T have to lift per minute x 15 minutes (~1mile) = 150 fewer pounds of work. Something to consider as you spend money

Have fun, and good luck!

2

SUP General / Re: little off the top

« on: September 11, 2017, 09:43:59 AM »

Damn, so simple! Thanks for pointing this out, I've been having a helluva time trying to figure out why it feels so funky and unresponsive. I need a surf trip now

3

Downwind and Racing / Re: New unlimited designs

« on: September 10, 2017, 02:13:13 PM »

That was a very interesting read, thanks for sharing it! I volunteer to be a test paddler comparing all the boards against each other, like they do in golf magazines - 20 or so golfers that represent all handicap levels spend time smacking balls with clubs from most manufacturers, and they give their opinions good and bad. All the stats are compared using the same standard criteria so it's an even playing field.

Take that concept and apply it to unlimited boards, let's see what veteran and rookie paddlers of varying weight and gender experience on those boards in all conditions possible. The more I think of this and describe it, the more surprised I am that no one is doing this as far as I have seen.

Imagine this applied to demos at major races where all us normal folk get to play on the newest & best equipment, like they do at PPG, but with more boards from all the vendors, and paddlers are asked to rate the boards using universal criteria. This would really be amazing information for consumers at all levels, and all classes.

There's the dream, now we just need to make it happen

4

Gear Talk / Re: Best Tie Down Straps?

« on: September 09, 2017, 11:43:20 PM »

I just finished my first year with my cheapo Amazon straps. They are supple, cams only barely showing corrosion. I agree that straps should last 3-4 yrs, like my old nrs kayak straps did.

I'm digging the rope idea from Pono and Creek, then I wouldn't have to worry about having to twist the straps to quiet them, much cheaper and simpler. Imma give it a try for sure!

5

SUP Advocacy / Re: Wipe Your Own A$$

« on: September 09, 2017, 03:04:50 PM »

"No, I don't want the Coast Guard to be out there looking for me, I'd rather die alone in the cold dark water than loose the freedom I fought for. If you don't agree with that DON'T DO IT."

I agree with the whole taking responsibility part but there is no way you really believe you would rather die should you find yourself in the predicament than have the CG rescue you?  The freedom I fought for and get off my lawn
 and blah blah blah.  Seriously, just stop.

**Laugh** ok surf, but at least keep what I said straight. Your twist on what I said is pretty silly. I'd rather be a dead lion than a live hyena any day.

6

SUP Advocacy / Wipe Your Own A$$

« on: September 08, 2017, 01:53:10 PM »

**rant start** For those not familiar with the term, it means take responsibility for your actions and decisions, and if you make a mess, clean it up! I bet there are lots of rants about this, but I'm new to all the rules and regs that are being thrown around, and I'm shocked at what I'm discovering - people don't have to wipe their own asses anymore.

"But what happens when people get together for a race and don't understand the risks involved and someone DIES?" See the title - if I don't know what I'm doing and don't contemplate the risks involved, I deserve whatever happens.

"But what if it's your KID?" See the title - My kids have got to learn how to take responsibility for their own actions and decisions, too, and no agency relieves me of that most basic responsibility to teach that to my children.

"But what if your wife/husband is frantic because you're missing at the end of the day?" See the title - Even if I do stuff "right", it's a dangerous sport at times, and I choose to do it. No, I don't want the Coast Guard to be out there looking for me, I'd rather die alone in the cold dark water than loose the freedom I fought for. If you don't agree with that DON'T DO IT.

We Americans aren't allowed to do things without protecting ourselves in accordance with the federal government, the state government, the city police, the state police, the FBI, the Coast Guard, medical and insurance companies, etc. etc. - and when things go wrong, we still aren't protected from being hurt or dying, nor from someone who decided we didn't do "enough" to keep everyone else safe. Wipe your own ass!

If I want to join paddlers in a set distance paddle, someone has to organize it, and thereby take responsibility for my safety. So now low key (read: no big sponsors) events can't afford the liability, because we are no longer allowed to assemble peacefully and do a physical event together without someone being forced to take responsibility for everyone else's decisions, actions, and personal safety? Wipe you own ass!

If I go to the water with extra gear and lend someone gear to paddle with FOR FREE, I'm liable if they hurt themselves even if I make them sign something. So even if I want to help anyone and everyone find joy on the water (and that's what I love doing) they can sue me for everything I have and more if they get hurt, or die, or if they just feel like it? Wipe your own ass!

If I want to paddle without a leash or PFD, I can be fined, or worse. What if I don't like the way the officer is talking to me, and tell him to fuck off the way I would tell anyone else getting in my business? Yeah, I'll be arrested, detained, fined, and whatever else they want to do, instead of him being allowed to say "Whatever dude - wipe your own ass!"

I'm sure folks who are heavy into events, or politics, or law, or corporate business have a lot of complicated explanations why this is so, but if it can't be explained in simple terms & words, it's a bunch of BS. Wipe your own ass.

We are all responsible for our own decisions and actions, and no government or agency can take that away unless we let them. We are giving up freedom for what we are being told is safety, and it's just plain wrong no matter how you slice it. **rant complete**

7

Downwind and Racing / Re: Cheap Racing Board?

« on: September 08, 2017, 09:51:08 AM »

Im down to 210lbs now so that should help a little.  I love riviera (have the pink plaid paddle).  For storage reason i would have to get a 12'6 board.  I live in tampa bay  but craigslist has no real deals on there, most of it is just shops advertising their new boards.  I see riviera has that same board in 12'6.  Is the volume about the same as the weight limit?  They have the 1500 board with a volume of 265 but an 1100 prone board with a volume of 200 which i assume is too low for me?

I'm down to 215, so I feel your pain. Sounds like you don't have a lot of time on the water, so consider that your paddling will change as you spend more time doing it. Nothing you buy right now is going to be the "right" board for your paddling a year from now, so don't get lost in details too much. Like PonoBill says, there's a lot that determines your speed.

I bought a used Starboard 12'6" x 30 touring board for $500 last year that worked extremely well, I absolutely loved that board. I weighed around 250 then, and paddled it into 50mph winds (don't do this without a helmet  ), surfed it on downwinders, and I used it to paddle flat water, all with great success. I now train on another used starboard I found for $500, the 14'x28" Coast Runner, and I really like the way it handles chop. It's too long for your storage, I know, but I'm trying to show you that with a little patience and looking around you can find a great board at a great price.

I advise that you stay away from prone boards, and consider that your weight in lbs is roughly equal to the litres of volume you need, with the weight of the board and gear added to that. Id est, you weigh 215, your board weighs 25, your paddle & gear weighs another 5 = 245lbs = around 245 litres of displacement needed. This changes depending on LOTS of factors, but it's proved to be a decent go-by guesstimation for me.

8

Downwind and Racing / Re: Long Distance, multi-day

« on: September 08, 2017, 09:35:34 AM »

Thanks, Luc! I looked at his site, and you aren't exaggerating - wow! I'll hit him up and see what he has to say, he has several courses available.

I found an Android GPS tracking app yesterday called Geo Tracker that gives me a google map showing my session, and some cool info with lots of details. I only used it for a short portion yesterday when the water was mostly flat, slack tide with virtually no wind. Paddling steadily but not hard on my 14x28 coast runner I managed a top speed of 4.97mph, and an average speed of 3.44mph over 4.5 miles.

I've never looked at or considered speed, I don't race and I don't like the whole race scene, but I figure this is a great way for me to track my paddles, compare boards & paddles, and get a reasonable idea of how fast/far I'm able to paddle over the winter. My engineer brain is all geeked out over this part, spreadsheets beckon

And still with the agony of da-feet - My feet were in varying states of numb paddling non-stop for over an hour. I move them around while paddling, but it surprises me how hard my feet work, and that they need to train up for the task as much as any other part of my body. Must be because they transmit all the pressure from my stroke to the board to create movement, so the harder you paddle the harder they work. I'll learn to move around more on my board as time goes by, and that'll help too, I'm sure.

One thing I am considering is using a board with a steering system of some kind, because even with little to no wind, and slack tide, I still ended up having to paddle considerably more on one side than the other. That's gonna really suck with gear on board and paddling for hours on end, so looks like a new unlimited board might be in my future...or maybe I build a steering system for my 16' board...hmmm. This gets more fun and interesting the more I do with it!

9

Share the Stoke / Re: Beginning SUP Season 2 - About the Om

« on: September 08, 2017, 08:40:11 AM »

What a year it's been so far! I've grown my quiver a bit, paddled a lot, and I'm now considering paddles that I never would have before. I use the wind app to help me determine longer paddles - Thanks for the great advice, sup'!

I never stop for winter because I enjoy my most serene sessions in mid winter. If you pick your conditions, you will find a soulful solitude that is unmatched.and yeah...... wear your leash.... EVERY time! I feel naked without mine.

I spend enough time battling chop when I surf, so I like my flat-water... "flat"! Every paddle tour I do, begins with a close look at the wind charts, searching for the place that will give me the calm water I crave. ( I use "Predict Wind" app.... the arrows help!) Something about pure glass that soothes my soul in so many ways. Even in blizzards.

I've tried this flat water thing like you described, and...it's not very exciting **chuckle** After paddling on some lakes, and going after flat water on the Salish, I decided I'll take my flat water when it comes, and enjoy it - but I'm also really psyched about paddling all winter long in conditions I used to describe as "shitty"!

Welcome back.. sounds like you spent winter well... achieving a higher level of being and all that 

Makes me want to add a sleeping board to the quiver...

Yeah Dusk, you can't go wrong with a sleeping board! I added one myself in the form of an old custom 16'x33" monster that I'm repairing/restoring right now  I'm actually thinking I might use that beast for a ~100mi paddle around the San Juan islands that I'm planning for next year, and sleeping on the board might be required **laugh**

So, I have a year in the sport now, over 200 hours on the water in that year on many boards in many conditions, and I don't think I qualify as "beginner" for the average Joe/Jane - even though compared to the old fogeys on this board I'm still spankin' new **laugh**

I hope the information everyone has posted in response to these two threads helps folks looking to get into the sport, I know it sure has for me. Mahalo nui loa to you all, it's wonderful to be a part of this community, and I hope to meet y'all out there!

10

SUP General / Re: Shark Eyes Deterrent Stickers

« on: September 08, 2017, 07:46:55 AM »

I read the article on them, what an interesting idea! Luckily for me I live in an area where there are no sharks known to have ever harmed humans (Puget Sound/Salish Sea, WA State), but if I bring a board South of WA State, I'll put these on it for sure!

About the Orca sounds, them big cetaceans are everywhere up here, and I'd hate to use the wrong sounds, like a mating call or something - be careful what you wish for, stoneaxe

11

Random / Re: Aurora

« on: September 07, 2017, 10:43:48 AM »

Be on the lookout tonight no matter where you are! Our sun just had the 15th strongest X-class flare in recorded history yesterday morning, and the wave of particles is going to hit our magnetosphere tonight, which could cause aurora at ANY latitude - seriously. Have fun, and watch out for power/interweb failures

12

Classifieds / Re: 18'-8" Unlimited Richmond race board

« on: September 07, 2017, 09:47:01 AM »

Dammit, I know better than to look at classifieds - I just made a mess in my pants! What a beautiful, sexy board - I wish I could drive down the coast and grab it right meow!

13

Downwind and Racing / Long Distance, multi-day

« on: September 06, 2017, 12:20:52 PM »

I'm planning a ~100 mile paddle around the San Juan Islands next year, and dream of making it an event if I find it do-able after my first attempt.  I have started training by building up my ability to just paddle for 4-6 hours on the Salish Sea, but I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on how long I should be prepared to paddle per day.

I'm thinking if I paddle 8hrs a day and can maintain 3mph average speed, I can cover 80-100 miles in 4 days if everything goes right...assuming I'm not carrying ALL the food, water, and gear I need for camping along the way.

I'm guessing I would need at least one re-supply along the way, that I'll need to find spots I can stop & camp that are within 5 miles of that 8hr distance, and that I'll need to carry enough food/water/gear for those assumptions. That's still a lot of fresh water I need to carry.

What say you? Is 8hrs per day for 4 days a "reasonable" goal, or should I be looking at 10? Is 3mph a reasonable speed assuming I'm carrying myself and 40lbs of gear? I'm planning to use my 14x28 coast runner because it is a known quantity for long distance events, and the volume is great for 260#.

If any of you have actually done a multi-day event like this, I'd sure love to hear about your lessons learned, and any advice you have. Thanks!

14

Gear Talk / Re: Heat Shrink Tape Vs. Electrical Tape

« on: September 06, 2017, 11:40:51 AM »

I am a licensed electrician and an electrical engineer who works in petrochemical refining, and I use Scotch 33+ tape exclusively because it stretches uniformly, has superior adhesion, and is relatively inexpensive.

I use several layers on the edge of my blades, and overlapping layers on the blade/shaft joint. The trick with any electrical tape is that you must stretch it as you apply it to allow it to adhere properly. I don't use it on the base of my handle because it starts to come off with friction, and I like using enough epoxy to make sure the joint is sealed

15

Downwind and Racing / Re: What Allwater/Downwind shapes are most competitive in flat water?

« on: May 02, 2017, 08:03:48 AM »

You might as well stay on dry land and ask the competitors to rub a cheese-grater over their genitals for as long as they can tolerate. The same people would win.

I have nothing to add to the original subject matter, but that is damn funny! It's a good description of why I gravitate more towards sleeping & meditating on my boards, rather than racing them