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Messages - PT Woody

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1
SUP General / Re: Wardog boards Standuppaddlesports?
« on: August 13, 2020, 03:56:36 AM »
Yes Wardog closed down his Santa Barbara shop late last year and is travelling and surfing with his lovely wife. I think you might be able to twist Wardog's arm to have a custom Stoke XL made for you. Try contacting him on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/wardog.thomas

2
SUP General / Re: SUP Sports
« on: January 26, 2020, 03:28:26 AM »
Here is the retirement announcement from Wardog posted early December 2019...

2020 Vision

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu

Aloha...

After more than 20 years in the watersports industry, Deb and I have decided to retire from the day to day, nuts and bolts operations of our brick and mortar retail business at 121 Santa Barbara St., in the Funk Zone here in Santa Barbara, at the end of this year.

Going into 2020, we are very much L@@King forward to the freedom and flexibility to be more geographically independent...and, since WARDOG ® Designs utilizes digital technology and CAD software...etc...we will still be able to help facilitate making Made in USA custom SUP dreams come true for clients around the globe...along with custom fins, pads, paddles, bags, and other SUP and watersports accessories...etc...

While taking time to expand our universe with new and exciting challenges and opportunities...pursuing our love of travel and camping...hobbies of windsurfing, foiling, standup paddling, SUP surfing, horses, photography/video...etc...spending much more time paddling with our Chocolate Labs, Miranda Anne and Bella Luna...and, to fit in some more volunteerism...giving back and paying it forward...

It’s been a good long ride...many miles of smiles...heaps of grins and giggles...more fun than a chimpanzee in a banana cream pie factory...so, we would like to warmly thank the scores of great folks that have shown support for a "mom and pop" boutique small business SUP shop in the big box and cheapo online era...MAHALOS!

You all have been very good to us at our sun bleached, palm-lined, beach hut...and, it gives us a "warm fuzzy" to know that in return, we have helped make 1000's of our great customers Stoked For Life ®...
Pursuit of our passions...enjoying life and helping others enjoy healthy lifestyle watersports...including many multi-generational families, has definitely brought us great joy over the last several decades...mahalo nui loa for being part of our ohana...

As members on the younger end of the "OK, Boomer" generation spectrum...(who'd have thought?!?!...;-), we are entering this next phase of our lives with a passionate pursuit of “the road less traveled”...or perhaps, "the road not taken"...that inspired Robert Frost...and, many other intrepid travelers of this great water planet before us...because, you can't step twice on the same piece of water...trees do fall in the forest without anyone listening...

When we started SurfingSports in 1999...Carlos Santana had released the timeless "Smooth"...one of our all time favorite artists...just classic...we tried to see him in concert every year since college where Carlos chose Deb to keep the "evil spirits" off of his guitar in Redwood Bowl...true story...check out the concert DVD of that album, if interested in live music like we are...

The US Senate had acquitted Bill Clinton after his impeachment...Trump was a registered Independent, 2 years before registering as a Democrat...Columbine Tragedy happened...George W. Bush announced that he would be a presidential candidate in 2000...Y2K hype had everyone paranoid that the end of the world was near...the 3 day concert Woodstock 99 barely took place in New York 30 years after the original...apparently, missing a whole lot of the "love and peace" special sauce and mojo...;-)

Closer to home, we have been blessed to enjoy the life spans of many great dogs...Mole'...Mocha Fudge...Neslie...Anna Mae...Molly Claire...and, now Miranda Anne and Bella Luna...for perspective, we utilize our canine relationships to mark time...

Hard to believe that it's already been two years since Deb and I survived the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting...(R.I.P. 59 angels)...then came the Thomas Fire and Montecito mudslide...and, now it's been over a year since we lost our water brothers Mike Colee and John Lawrence...my how time flies...

The Labor Day Conception dive boat fire out at Santa Cruz Island that killed 34 adventurous souls in their sleep (R.I.P.), while enjoying one of the most beautiful areas on the planet, was a further reminder that every day that you wake up is a blessing...more importantly, the biggest takeaway from this reality check experience, is that life is fragile...live every day like it's going to be your last...because, one day you'll be right...IOW, every day is a gift that comes with no assumption of another...the road doesn’t go on forever...

Gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson, said it better than we ever could:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”

Come on in and check out the killer deals being made...our staff and ohana will definitely help put some stoke in your stroke!




PS. the store closed on 31st December by the looks of it.

3
Sneak Peeks, Rumors, and Wish Lists / Re: Quickblade U-V 88
« on: January 22, 2020, 02:46:44 AM »
I just discovered that Quickblade has released a U-V 82. Don't know when it came out but seriously tempted to get one.

4
Downwind and Racing / Re: 2020 SIC Bullet 14 X 30" questions.
« on: January 16, 2020, 01:25:40 AM »

I actually took one of the pushrods out of my FAST board, and it works fine. I thought it felt a little draggy with both, so I took one out and liked the feel. It's not as positive going to the side where the push/pull rod is getting pushed, but it works fine.


I only just cottoned on to this idea last weekend. I thought I was genius for having resolved an issue I've had for over a year with two separate FAST steering boards. I assumed it was the spring malfunctioning. After pulling apart both systems and checking every part, I accidentally realised that the spring was centring perfectly well when the second rod was removed. I called up a friend who was something of a pioneer with the FAST system to tell him about this breakthrough discovery. He told me he'd done exactly the same thing 2 years earlier, and then only after consulting directly with Mark Raaphorst who told him to do exactly that. To quote Adam Sandler, "Information that would have been good to know YESTERDAY!!!"

Regarding the tiller not being as positive going to the other side when the redundant rod is removed, I'm wondering how that's the case. The missing rod wasn't doing anything other than create friction. There is only one rod that is active.

5
Downwind and Racing / Re: 2020 SIC Bullet 14 X 30" questions.
« on: January 15, 2020, 04:18:40 AM »
PT Woody, thanks for the great info on the tiller on your Bullet 14; I admit that I had not thought about the tiller position, assuming that they had nailed it. We do not go out unless the wind is at least 20, and 95% of our runs are in 24-28. If I understood your post correctly, you are happy with the tiller position/stance in that wind range; correct?

It's not so much that they haven't nailed the position and more that there is no perfect position on the 14' board to place the tiller. It's a compromise wherever they put it. The other thing is the ASS tiller on my 14' Bullet has that extension that you mentioned having on your F16 but the FAST tillers don't have an extension. However, as Pono Bill mentions, the FAST tiller is much lower profile and has no batten or cables on the deck - you can stand on the tiller and walk all over it without too much inconvenience.

But yeah, the tiller position works really well for me in that 24-28 knot range.

6
On a separate note, I'm surprised they still have two prone boards in their lineup.  I don't imagine many prone surfers (who don't SUP) would even know the existence of the brand.  And any prone surfers who DO SUP would ever consider their prone boards.

I don't know how much Starboard was asking for those prone boards but imagine anyone paying typical SUP prices for a fairly bland prone surfboard.  :o

7
Downwind and Racing / Re: 2020 SIC Bullet 14 X 30" questions.
« on: January 10, 2020, 04:34:10 PM »
I haven't paddled the 2020 Bullet and haven't even seen one in the flesh (was in my local shop yesterday and it looks like they are not going to sell SIC going forward).

However, on the matter of steering on a 14' Bullet, it's certainly a debatable topic as many people argue that you just don't need steering on a 14'. Meanwhile, others argue that the positioning of the tiller on a 14' Bullet is often problematic as it has you standing too far back when you are trying to paddle onto bumps so that you miss the drop, and too far forward once you are on a bump so that you pearl into the wave in front. This is less of an issue on an F16 or a 17' Bullet/Bayonet as standing positions tend to be less critical. For that reason, you can stay on the steering the whole time on a longer board and weave around the bumps and link them up with ease. On the 14' even when you make the drop, you often need to step back off the steering to keep the nose up, and you are back to surfing off the rails like all those peasants who don't have steering.  ;D

Having acknowledged all that, I think for the reasons you outlined regarding offshore conditions and dodging around reefs, getting steering on a 14' Bullet is a good idea. I have an older model with the ASS steering and I also have a 14' Bayonet (obviously no steering). I find that the Bayonet never comes out unless it is 15-18 knots and pretty well lined up. When it is fairly weak like that and the drops are not so steep, I want to be standing a long way forward and the Bullet doesn't let me do that. Also, the lighter wind is not such a problem if it's a little offshore. Anything over 20 knots, and it is ideal for the Bullet. As the size and steepness of the bumps picks up, I am perfectly happy in the standing position enforced by the tiller. I still make the drop, and if necessary, I get to the back of the board and surf it old school. The steering becomes more of a course correction in between bumps but still good to have if the wind and waves are pushing you out to sea.

Back to the 30" wide question, I am of the opinion that you have more fun standing up than swimming, and there's definitely no joy in clenching your ties and holding on for dear life on a match stick. I chased the young punks down to 23" and then got to the point where it wasn't fun anymore - I've decided to let them keep their skinny boards. I'm going the other way too.

8
SUP General / Re: 3 nice sessions on 12 ft Sunova Point Break
« on: September 18, 2019, 04:22:13 AM »
It really does look like an ideal shape and size to be made as a 2-piece for traveling.

9
Sneak Peeks, Rumors, and Wish Lists / Re: Quickblade U-V 88
« on: March 29, 2019, 04:57:14 AM »
I bit the bullet and ordered one. Should arrive in 2-3 weeks.


Congrats!

Let us know what's the purity of the CocaCore and estimated street value :D

I noticed a shop on the other side of the country advertising a 20% off plus free shipping on everything in the store Easter clearance sale and I decided to test if they were willing to honour the discount to items they didn't even have in store yet. That should help with the profit margins, especially if I can cut the CocaCore with talcum.

10
Sneak Peeks, Rumors, and Wish Lists / Re: Quickblade U-V 88
« on: March 28, 2019, 07:53:40 PM »
I bit the bullet and ordered one. Should arrive in 2-3 weeks.

11
Sneak Peeks, Rumors, and Wish Lists / Re: Quickblade U-V 88
« on: March 24, 2019, 11:24:10 PM »
The best part about Quickblade is that they land on a well-researched design that they are happy with and they stick with it rather than tweak and change every year to make customers feel that they have to upgrade annually. It's a pity that more companies in SUP don't follow suit.

12
Sneak Peeks, Rumors, and Wish Lists / Re: Quickblade U-V 88
« on: March 23, 2019, 07:04:46 PM »
I think the 88 is the square inch size so no sub 71 yet.

13
Sneak Peeks, Rumors, and Wish Lists / Quickblade U-V 88
« on: March 23, 2019, 05:31:24 PM »
Sounds like they've updated the V-Drive. Anyone got any inside information?

This is how they are officially describing it:

The latest addition to the Quickblade family of paddles, the UV 88 is the lightest, strongest and most powerful blade they’ve ever created!


This paddle is all about more power, less effort. The signature scoop creates a stronger catch with a smaller surface area, while the new “Black Diamond Elite” shaft is the strongest and lightest carbon creation from Quickblade yet. Excess materials have been strategically removed with more being added back in just the right places to maximise strength while minimising weight!


14
SUP General / Re: SUP racing growing ? Uhm.....
« on: March 23, 2019, 04:50:45 PM »
End of PPG is sad especially as it confines surf or BoP racing from the peak level of the sport to minor status. Aside from the largely irrelevant ISA race and preceding qualification, is there a significant SUP event in the world that involves surf and buoy turns as the major defining factor?

15
SUP General / Re: SUP surfing safety considerations
« on: November 03, 2018, 08:31:21 PM »
Balin make a Storm leash that is 10mm thick. It is a monster, and it feels like you’d lose a limb before it broke.


+1 on the Balin 10mm. I put it to the test today when a rogue set came through. Felt like I was going to lose a foot as 5 monster waves landed on my head and held me down. Nearly copped a stray 14' race board to the head as well but that's a whole other story.

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