Messages

1

General Discussion / Tesla designs. Not really SUP friendly

« on: February 12, 2021, 07:37:23 PM »

So I’m looking to get a electric vehicle and one of the options would be a Tesla. I really like the model X. Not that I can afford it  but one can dream. After looking at it I began to think that the design is kina stupid. You can’t even put a roof rack on because of the bat wing doors. I did see a model 3 with a roof rack but the car is too small for me. Next in line would be e Cybertruck which I would love to buy but I keep asking myself how the heck I would carry a 14’ SUP on that thing. This brings me to the question, is Tesla just not designing their cars SUP friendly?
On a different note... the VW Buzz looks awesome. Could see myself in one of those.

Rob

2

Gear Talk / SUS kook needs fin advice after hilariously disastrous session

« on: September 22, 2019, 07:13:52 AM »

So yesterday I finally got out to do some sup surfing. Getting out is kinda hard these days with a 5 month old at home. Anyway, I headed to Narraganset town beach in RI. In the afternoon. I was the only guy out on a SUP. (No worries for the local SUS community. I patiently waited for my turn and stayed away from the surfers as much as possible.) I caught a couple of waves when this happened: After catching a wave I was trying to get back out. First I got hit by a wave and my prescription sunglasses were gone. Of course they didn’t have a floatie because I thought the strap was tight enough. Lesson 1: no sunglasses straps are ever tight enough. Then while searching for my glasses a wave grabbed my board and hit me in the ass with it. The hit was so hard that one of the thrusters fell off. Needless to say that was gone too, though I’m pretty sure I tightened the thing pretty good. No worries though my ass is ok and still has just one hole (may be tmi for some, sorry). With this awesome performance I bow in front of you and just imagine that applause keeps coming. 😂😂
So now I need some new thrusters. I have a 8’11” fanatic allwave and my skill level is beginnerish when it somes to SUS. I get out surfing a hand full of times a year and mostly paddle lakes and do SUP races in the NE area. I’m looking for some setup that would help improve my skill level. Thank you.

3

Gear Talk / Re: Paddle size for down river, down wind race

« on: August 09, 2019, 01:51:58 PM »

It’s a 9 mile race. The current is usually 2mph.

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Gear Talk / Paddle size for down river, down wind race

« on: August 08, 2019, 03:13:08 PM »

Was wondering what your guys opinion is for paddle size for a down wind down river race. I have a 84 and a 95 KeNalu Kohini. Thanks.

Rob.

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SUP General / Re: Come Surf the Outer Banks and bring your yellow board

« on: July 25, 2019, 05:07:44 PM »

I’m wondering why we don’t see more boards with the bottom side painted with a Orca pattern. Sharks see orcas, they pee their fins and bail.
 

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Gear Talk / Re: starboard 2020

« on: July 24, 2019, 03:28:25 AM »

I’m still trying to figure out what’s going through his head when he’s stroking the rail in the AllStar video. The look on his face is priceless 😁.

7

Gear Talk / Re: Optimal working bandwidth in paddles

« on: July 23, 2019, 06:06:49 PM »

I've become used to the demands of the 84 Konihi, in fact, I can't use anything else for downwinding. The 95 is too big, the Mana doesn't have the immediate catch that lets me take a few quick, short strokes to get on a bump. I like the V-drive, and I agree that it's very forgiving, but its catch comes a little slower as well. The 84 Konihi requires that you push down as you stroke. If you do that you can be a little sloppy with everything else. The reward is early catch, which is too hard on my shoulders with the 95. but perfect with the 84.

Like Luc, I tend to be slower at the end when I start forgetting to bury the blade, but it's become so automatic that it doesn't happen until I'm tired or distracted.

I agree with the tired or distracted statement. I tried a new pair of earbuds the other day and was surprised how slow I was. Today I went out without the distractions and had a 0.3mph higher average over 6 miles than the other day in comparable conditions. Even with falling in once. I managed to find the only 1 sq ft shallow spot of this lake with my fin. 🤣. I got sloppy towards the end but when I concentrated on my stroke I was able to get the same speed as at the beginning of the workout.

8

Gear Talk / Re: Optimal working bandwidth in paddles

« on: July 23, 2019, 03:06:13 AM »

I think you'll find the Quickblade V-Drive as the paddle with the most bandwidth, very forgiving technic wise not so much on the physical side.

Things do get messier if you choose blade size beyond your ability, though
it's not unique to this blade design, just more pronounced.

As for Trifecta, I'll agree with you that it's noise feedback is not as pronounced
as with other blades but if you'll tell me that you haven't noticed speed difference, I'll say you never took a good stroke with it.

The ups and downs of this blade couldn't be more apart. The only place this
blade is forgiving is on the physical aspect (shoulder load) IMO

You may be right about the trifecta. It’s been quite a while since I tested it and it was just for a lap around the local lake.
Regarding blade sizes, I started with 100 sq in blades, even bought a 110 qb before going down in size years ago. I have to correct myself by the way. The two KeNalus I’m using are 84 and 95. Just packed them into the car for today. I did try the v-drive a while back too. Probably not long enough either but can’t remember much of a difference to the KeNalu. Any other recommendations? How do Hipposticks or Black Project Hydro compare? Sometimes I think a ~90 sq in paddle would be ideal. I have a qb elite 90 but cut it way short for my 5’ tall wife 😁. I’m 5’10”.

Rob

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Gear Talk / Re: Black Project Lava vs. QuickBlade Trifecta FG/CA

« on: July 22, 2019, 04:22:25 PM »

IMO paddle development has gotten a lil crazy, everybody's looking for the next gimmick design, Hippostick keeps it simple ;

Looks very interesting. Has anyone tried these?

10

Gear Talk / Optimal working bandwidth in paddles

« on: July 22, 2019, 04:07:15 PM »

Just wanted to share something I noticed a while back and see if you guys notice a difference in working bandwidth in paddles. Or if there even is such a thing.
I’ve been paddling the 84 and the 90 sq in Ke Nalu elite paddles for quite a while now. I love the paddles but I’ve noticed they have a very narrow optimal functioning bandwidth. What I mean by that is that the paddle is the fastest when it’s quiet and there are no swirls or any water noises for that matter. Once you hear any noise with this paddle your speed will go down quite a bit. I like it because it lets you know right away if your technique is off and forces you to correct your stroke. A while back I’ve tried a qb trifecta and it seemed like it didn’t get that feedback. The paddle was much more quiet even if my stroke was off a bit and the speed didn’t seem to suffer too much. In my opinion the paddles were quite comparable in speed even though there are other reviews on here saying something different. The main difference was in how forgiving they were.
That makes me wonder if you guys noticed any drastic differences in the optimal working bandwidths of paddles. This becomes quite important in distance races where fatigue will slowly impact your paddle technique and a paddle with a narrower working bandwidth will cost you more time in the end. Would love to read your opinions and see what the most forgiving paddle is in your opinion.

Cheers! Rob.

11

Gear Talk / Bluetooth ear buds for paddling

« on: June 03, 2019, 03:46:03 AM »

Hi guys. Was wondering what earbuds you can recommend for paddling. I used to have a cheap set from amazon that worked well but had mediocre sound. They recently had an unfortunate encounter with my tile saw  so I’m on the market for a new set. Thank you.

Rob

12

SUP General / Is SUP ready for the Olympics yet? The battle begins...

« on: June 17, 2017, 07:53:05 AM »

Found this interesting NY Times article so I figured I start a discussion here. What do you guys think, has the sport evolved enough to go Olympic? What should the rules be, what competitions..... Share your ideas.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/16/sports/olympics/stand-up-paddleboarding-surfing-canoeing.html?_r=0

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Downwind and Racing / Re: What apps are you gout using to track your workouts.

« on: June 02, 2017, 06:05:29 PM »

So sports tracker added stand up paddling as one of the sports just recently. Here is today's workout and pretty much every other workout I ever tracked (which is a lot). Love this app especially since it has SUP now. Not sure why it shows in metric units on the web page but you can choose metric or imperial on the app.
https://www.sports-tracker.com/workout/ctsurfer811/5931edb2c3d63948ff7dfa43 Today's workout was on my 2014 14 x 25.5 SB AllStar in somewhat windy conditions.

Rob

14

Downwind and Racing / Re: What apps are you gout using to track your workouts.

« on: April 23, 2017, 03:58:34 PM »

I'm trying to figure out what you were trying to type that spellcheck turned to nonsense. Guys maybe?

I've used a lot of different devices and systems over the years, none with any degree of consistency.

Aw crap! Yes, I meant to type guys. Sorry. Can't figure out how to edit the title. 

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Downwind and Racing / What apps are you gout using to track your workouts.

« on: April 23, 2017, 11:29:59 AM »

Hey guys. I was wondering what apps you guys are using to track and share your workouts. I've been using sports tracker for years and logged hundreds of workouts but besides me and my friend it seems like there is no one else here using it. I think it's a great motivator to see how fast other people are going. Thanks.

Rob