Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Shaft flex

« on: February 08, 2021, 01:23:50 PM »

I prefer some flex in my paddle schaft. As PonoBill mentioned, a stiff shaft puts a lot of stress on the shoulder (and neck). I made the mistake of buying a paddle with an oval shaft which was telephone pole stiff. Never again. It took me quite some time to recover from a neck / shoulder injury I got from that paddle. The large blade didn’t help.. I’d like to try that x-tuff shaft though. For now I prefer a softer shaft and a smaller blade.

2

General Discussion / Re: Fun glass off surf till dark...Then can't get into my car! sad...

« on: January 11, 2021, 11:02:56 AM »

Here is my solution for the carkey: put the key in a balloon, balloon into a cheap Tribord pouch. Works like a charm, with me it spends a lot of time underwater lol.  On some beaches I do not feel comfortable using the keypod. I have a Northcore keypod and I've heard it can fail at times. That would suck when in the middle of nowhere.

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Gear Talk / Re: Winter wetsuit question

« on: October 05, 2020, 01:55:29 AM »

Hi Maarten!

I hate mittens... can't work the paddle. I gave away a pair of O'neill Mitts after one session.

Here's what works for me all winter in New England with temps down to -12c
The key for me is the fire fleece lining.


Same goes for a wetsuit... I would wear my lined 3/2 all winter in your conditions.
One trick I use:
NO built in hood
that way, I can wear a heavy rash guard with attached hood under my wetsuit....
the thick rashguard effectively adds another MM to whatever suit... without the restrictive nature.

Acknowledging that I am fat and considered stupid harty by most.... I think a 5/4 firefleece lined suit with above setup would be fine
and... like cowboys said:
New suits are sooo much better now!

Enjoy your winter!!
ps... for paddling flat-water, the gear is entirely different
I'll post a winter paddle gear thread in little while!

Hi Rick,
I managed to get my hands on the RC Flashbomb gloves. I also have the vest with hood. Bring on the cold :-)
Regards, Maarten

4

Gear Talk / Re: Winter wetsuit question

« on: October 05, 2020, 01:52:58 AM »

Hoi Maarten.  The winter down here has similar air temps early morning, water a few degrees warmer. I make it through fine with a 3/4 so I imagine your 4/5 will do.
The key is the extremities. The hoodie is a big help on the colder and windier moments.

Hoi, Good to hear that 5/4 should do it. Thnx

5

Gear Talk / Re: Winter wetsuit question

« on: October 05, 2020, 01:51:34 AM »

The other benefit of lined suits is taking them off--they peel off easily. by comparison, my O'Neil TB3 3/4 is nearly impossible. Halfway through getting it off, I start looking for a knife.

Lol :-)

6

Gear Talk / Re: Winter wetsuit question

« on: August 29, 2020, 12:58:51 PM »

I'm straight over the North Sea from you, so same conditions.  I use 5/4, some of the guys use 6/5/4.  In mid-winter boots need to be 5 or 7mm, and gloves 3 or 5mm.  I prefer a  suit without hood as it gives more options - on a cruise I'll wear a ski-hat, small waves a neoprene skull-cap, and if the surf is up, a vest with integrated hood (one of the best things I've bought).  Hope that helps

Thanks. I was looking at a ripcurl flash bomb vest with hood to wear under my suit. That should work and give me some options. Like you I also have a neo beanie.

7

Gear Talk / Re: Winter wetsuit question

« on: August 29, 2020, 12:54:11 PM »

I hate thick wetsuits--can't move in them. I have ridiculous wetsuits for NW scuba diving that I despised from day one. even my drysuits were 5mm neoprene--lightweight drysuits are a good way to die in cold water. One more reason I don't dive anymore. I have a new O'Neil 4/5 technobutter 3 that I climb into through the neck with a pullover neck gasket or hood. Getting it on and off requires serious contortions but I love the flexibility that zipperless offers and the zip-on hood is great. I think the shouders and neck area stay warmer than back zip suits because of the thin extra neoprene flaps that pull the suit together across the back. It can be switched out to a collar in warmer weather. If I start getting cold I add an inner fleece intended for that use--smooth outer skin, fuzzy inside. It kicks the warmth up to 5/6 level without the stiff feeling. I add split-toe booties and gloves when it gets seriously cold and I'm good for about anywhere.

Thanks PonoBill
My 5/4 suit has a pullover neck gasket as well. Not too much water gets in. A 6mm suit would make it harder to move I recon. That was one my concerns. Thanks for confirming that.

8

Gear Talk / Re: Winter wetsuit question

« on: August 29, 2020, 12:00:44 AM »

I always point out that every time you buy a new suit, the tech has advanced. I’m down to wearing a 3/2 (from a 4/3) in winter. I’m hoping in a year or two that neoprene gets to where I can wear a 2mm down to 57°-60° mark around here.

It’s getting there.

True. Wetsuit tech is certainly advancing. I have used my 3/2 suit in fairly cold conditions and was still comfortable.

9

Gear Talk / Re: Winter wetsuit question

« on: August 28, 2020, 11:55:58 PM »

I surf the UK all year round in an O'Neill 5/4 with separate hood, boots and gloves. The water here goes down to 4C but the windchill cools it down a lot more than that. Some people manage without gloves and then complain that their hands hurt when they've gone blue. I cant see the point of that.

Thanks Area,
Good to hear that an experienced surfer in similar conditions uses a 5/4. I have 6mm Ion Plasma boots and will definitely get good gloves.
Regards, Maarten

10

Gear Talk / Winter wetsuit question

« on: August 28, 2020, 10:55:02 AM »

Hi All,
So summer is coming to an end in my neck of the woods ( The Netherlands ) and I’m looking forward to empty beaches and winter swell. My question is: What kind of wetsuit do you use in winter conditions in surf. Is 5/4 mm (my current suit) with a separate hood warm enough or should I go 6/5 with a fixed hood? I’ll go out in temps down to about 7 C / 44 F. Maybe less depending on the wind. Much below that my hands get too cold. Seawater temp also goes down to a minimum of about 6C/ 42F over here.

Thanks, Maarten

11

Gear Talk / Re: Second Hardboard

« on: March 09, 2020, 02:14:12 PM »

@ PonoBill
Thanks for sharing your opinion and knowledge.

I like that sentence at the end "You don't improve by getting a board more suited to your conditions, you improve by adapting to the conditions with whatever equipment you want to use.  What keeps you up is you".

I should put up a sign with that quote :-)

Regards, Maarten

12

Gear Talk / Re: Second Hardboard

« on: March 08, 2020, 11:24:02 PM »

Thanks Surfsupla, BigZ and the other contributors.
I'll give the The One a go on a mellow day and report back.
Regards, Maarten

13

Gear Talk / Re: Second Hardboard

« on: March 08, 2020, 02:26:01 PM »

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the reply and words of encouragement.
Yes I enjoy the The One tremendously and I get a smile on my face everytime I go out.
The other day I could pick up bumps on a river with the current going against the wind creating some waves. That was fun.
It is probably a good idea and it won't hurt to take the 9'5"out on a glassy day on the coast first before I decide on another board.
I'll probably swim a lot 
Like I tell my kids we learn more from our failures than from our succes ;-)

Regards, Maarten

14

Gear Talk / Re: Second Hardboard

« on: March 08, 2020, 11:46:49 AM »

Night Wing thanks for all your help and info. Thumbs up, Maarten

15

Gear Talk / Re: Second Hardboard

« on: March 08, 2020, 07:12:41 AM »

Night Wing thanks for taking the time to post your elaborate reply.
I checked out the webcam link and the waves over there look exactly like what we have over here!
For surf and messy conditions your reply confirms my thoughts.

Thanks again and best regards, Maarten