Messages

1

SUP General / Re: Is something wrong with my board? 😱

« on: July 14, 2020, 12:12:52 PM »

Good advice, safetyboy!

I don’t get frustrated about it or anything. Any day on the water is a good day for me. But for a minute there I was kind of  getting concerned about the board. But I think you’re right - it must be a combination of all these factors.

2

Technique / “Nordic” stroke?

« on: June 25, 2020, 05:52:45 PM »

Somehow I came across this article, and I thought it was pretty interesting: https://www.magzter.com/article/Boating-Sailing/SUP-International/Paddle-Technique-Its-Not-About-The-Hinge-Its-All-Torque

He’s proposing a different stroke technique, other than what’s commonly coached, and more like cross country double-pole skiing.

I wish the article had diagrams of some sort, because sometimes I had hard times figuring out what he’s trying to say exactly, but I think I got the general gist.

So for the last couple of days I’ve been trying it, and it’s been a pretty positive experience. I looked up a video of the skiing double pole technique, and was kind of basing it it off of that (). So instead of “reaching” and “digging in”, I focused more on dropping the upper shoulder, and using the hip hinge movement a lot more, so it ended up feeling a lot like a kettlebell swing movement.

I haven’t timed myself or anything like that, but in terms of speed it felt pretty comparable to the other way. But my lower back and bum shoulder were SIGNIFICANTLY happier doing it this way.

I wonder if anyone else came across or tried this method, or has any thoughts?

3

SUP General / Re: Is something wrong with my board? 😱

« on: June 25, 2020, 05:39:49 PM »

The only remedy under those conditions is to increase cadence considerably, shorter and faster strokes makes the board unstick sort to speak when in confused/cross current water. That has been my experience.

Interesting, I’ll try that!
Thanks, everyone!

4

SUP General / Re: Getting cuts to heal quickly

« on: June 25, 2020, 05:42:27 AM »

Oh, regarding the brand... When I first needed something like that, people were recommending the DuoDerm brand, since that’s what Doctors use. (It worked great) But since then I’ve also tried consumer brand ones, and didn’t notice a huge difference. Just make sure that the gel part is big enough to cover your entire cut.

5

SUP General / Re: Getting cuts to heal quickly

« on: June 25, 2020, 02:53:20 AM »

What you want is a Hydrocolloid type bandage. They are waterproof and promote faster healing.

6

SUP General / Re: Is something wrong with my board? 😱

« on: June 23, 2020, 08:37:39 AM »

So I took the board out today again, and it was... fine

Did the whole weigh-in before and after the paddle, and the damn thing even "lost" 0.5 lbs afterwards, haha.

Just to address a couple of points from others, the paddle and the fin are both fine.

So I think there are only 2 options left:
1) the other board has a unique advantage in specific conditions
2) it was all in our heads

So my other board errr... my "husband's" board is Bark Vapor Ghost Carbon 14' x 26". I think it has slightly more volume than Maliko, but the difference is tiny. But on the day when we were swapping boards and racing each other, we both felt that the Bark had significantly more glide.

Now, yesterday, I took the Bark and my hubby took one of the inflatables. We paddle in the ocean, as usual. There was basically no wind, and a very small northward current. So going north, I was doing literal circles around him, because of how fast Bark was. But on the way back, it was not nearly as glidey.

Can it be that Bark performs really well in very specific conditions, and on the days that I felt that Maliko was dragging, that was the reason?

And like I said, today Maliko was totally fine (both ways even).

(Or I'm going crazy, which is another distinct possibility)

7

SUP General / Re: Is something wrong with my board? 😱

« on: June 22, 2020, 06:07:39 AM »

Weighed it this morning, and it was the exact weight that Naish is listing for this board (29 lbs). Unfortunately I didn’t weigh it when I first got it. I didn’t take it this morning either, so this is 24 hours after the last use.

I guess I could try to weigh it before and after a paddle to see if there’s a difference ? 🤷‍♀️ Not sure if I trust my scale to be that precise though.

8

SUP General / Is something wrong with my board? 😱

« on: June 21, 2020, 07:38:42 PM »

Started paddling again about a month ago after a significant break.

At first everything was going great, but in the last few days it feels like something is off. I thought maybe it was maybe due to conditions, but it happened today again, and it was almost flat out today.

My board (Maliko)  feels like it’s sitting heavy in the water and kind of dragging. And I can barely keep going on it, like I’m paddling in molasses. It’s a bit subtle, so I thought maybe it’s psychosomatic or I’m tired, etc. But we switched boards with my hubby a couple of times and did some quick test races, and it does seem to be pointing to the board.

Visually it doesn’t seem to be sitting a whole lot deeper in the water than usual - maybe a bit more water on the deck than usual? (but it’s not like I measured that before). When I carry it, it doesn’t feel much heavier than usual either.

Any ideas? Or is it all in my head?

9

Downwind and Racing / Re: First downwinder attempt (weeee!)

« on: October 27, 2018, 07:12:56 PM »

Awwyeah!

10

Downwind and Racing / First downwinder attempt (weeee!)

« on: October 21, 2018, 05:00:46 PM »

Fairly new to supping here, and I recently got my first "grown-up" board (Naish Maliko) with the hopes of downwinding someday.

Today the stars aligned in East South Florida, and we had the right conditions: 15-20 kt North (along the coast). So I convinced my husband to try this downwinding thing.

By my estimate, I spent about 50% of time in the water, 30% flailing about on the board, and 20% catching short glides, but I'll be damned if it wasn't fun! Since it was our first  time, we drove up a relatively short distance (2.5 miles from the end point), so sadly the fun was over just as I started getting a feel for things.

Main takeaway: I definitely need to practice moving around on the board more, and also bracing. Also, must have more, haha!

11

Random / Re: Fear: Trump in the White House

« on: September 30, 2018, 12:27:01 PM »

Another reason to fear Trump and his cronies: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/trump-administration-sees-a-7-degree-rise-in-global-temperatures-by-2100/2018/09/27/b9c6fada-bb45-11e8-bdc0-90f81cc58c5d_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a96a22f2f779

"The analysis assumes the planet’s fate is already sealed. [...] The draft statement, issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), was written to justify President Trump’s decision to freeze federal fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light trucks built after 2020. While the proposal would increase greenhouse gas emissions, the impact statement says, that policy would add just a very small drop to a very big, hot bucket."

In other words, they're now admitting human-caused global warming, but saying "We're already screwed anyway, so let's just take the planet for one last ride".

12

Gear Talk / Re: First "grown-up" board - first impressions

« on: September 23, 2018, 11:22:24 AM »

  SoFlSupChic,
   When I'm back in town (6 wks) let's get together and do a board comparison .  I'd like to try your Maliko and you can try one of my Allstars and a Sic RS.  What width is your Maliko?

Totally! Let me know when you're back!
The Maliko is 14' x 26"

13

Gear Talk / Re: First "grown-up" board - first impressions

« on: September 21, 2018, 05:26:57 PM »

Thanks for all the comments and tips, everyone!

BTW, in terms of getting the board to the water, I have a really nice cart already, this kind: https://suspenz.com/products/double-sup-airless-cart
I can practically push it with one finger. I might have been a bit over-dramatic about a treacherous trek... I just need to remember that I can't just plop the end of the board to the asphalt, and be extra mindful of the extra length and concrete fences/curbs when maneuvering with it.

And yes - of course I'm already eyeing a Ke Nalu paddle, based on all the fandom on this forum

14

Gear Talk / First "grown-up" board - first impressions

« on: September 20, 2018, 07:23:42 PM »

Just added a 2nd board to my arsenal (is this the beginning of the end?!)
I had an inflatable, and just received my new 14' Naish Maliko and took it out for the 1st time.

Luckily, it was really flat on the ocean, with just a bit of a current.

Random first impressions:

- it's so beautiful *cries*
- damn, this thing is huge! Where do you even stand on it? I'm assuming still by the handle (at least in flat conditions)
- doesn't feel heavy at all (whew!)
- oh, I can't bang it on things anymore? My <1/2 mile walk to the beach has suddenly become the most treacherous part of the paddle
- it goes noticeably faster than the inflatable, but also feels like I need to work harder. As in I was smoked after about 5 minutes, and this is the first time I actually felt my abs while paddling. What gives?
- I think I'm going to need a smaller paddle
- it seems both less and more stable. A lot easier to rock side-to-side with small movements, but harder to actually fall off of. Maybe because the rails are so much taller, so it's harder to actually tip  over? Or maybe it doesn't flex all over the place like the inflatable...
- toes are going numb after a while; more so than on the inflatable, because the surface is harder. Any tips?

All in all, pretty excited about getting used to it And thank you all for the board advice!

15

Downwind and Racing / Re: PPG Women's vs Men's Board Sizes

« on: September 17, 2018, 02:27:22 PM »

I'm not a Pro, but this certainly is silly. They need to get with the times.

A couple of big races not too long ago made it the same policy for men and women (up to 14'), and Pro female racers seem to be applauding the decision: https://www.supthemag.com/news/two-major-sup-races-allow-allow-female-racers-pick-board-size/