Messages

46

Gear Talk / SUP Surfboard Construction: Carbon vs pvc vs...

« on: April 01, 2017, 09:14:15 AM »

Curious about the pro's and con's of the different construction types. I heard JP Australia reference they don't use Carbon in their standup surfboards because it's to stiff. I know Carbon is lighter and stiffer but from what I have found it only drops the weight of a 9ft and under board about 1/2pound as compared the pvc or some other form of construction. Is Carbon not worth the extra money in a sup surfboard and besides swing weight, does it provide any performance advantage?

Thanks in advance.

47

SUP General / Re: SUP at San Clemente

« on: March 04, 2017, 03:52:55 PM »

You can SUP there. Might not be super friendly. I would recommend sup surfing north of the pier where the walking bridge is. Not as crowded, just watch for the boulders on low tide.

48

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for 3/2 wetsuit suggestions

« on: August 01, 2016, 08:03:48 AM »

I used Oneill forever then switched to Xcel a few years back. I have been very happy with the switch. I recently purchased a 3/2 Rip Curl Flash Bomb. It's an awesome suit. Lots of stretch, drys fast, easy in and out... A Rip Curl outlet is near my house so I will probably start using Rip Curl suits more because of the price although I do really like my Xcel suits.
Like yourself, I surf and sup surf. When I need to wear a wet suit while SUP surfing, 99% of the time I wear my 2mm Xcel short sleeve full suit.

49

Gear Talk / 14ft all around SUP

« on: July 31, 2016, 09:32:22 AM »

Good morning SUPers,

I know there isn't the perfect board for all conditions we encounter on the water. With that being said, I'm in the market for a new 14ft sup. Dana Point is my home area so I mainly paddle in the area of Dana Point, San Clemente, and Laguna. I usually head out of the harbor and head north or south depending on the conditions. The only time I stay in the harbor is when I have my son on my board or when I paddle before work and it's dark/grey light.
Below is the list of boards that have caught my interest but they are not in any particular order of preference.

JP Australia Race/Downwind
Bark Vapor Pro-elite
SIC FX Pro
SIC Bullet V2
Starboard Allstar
Niash Javelin Maliko
Coreban Dart Pro

Interested to hear comments / suggestions if you have ridden any of these boards and if you prefer one over the other. Also, the durability of the board/manufacturer. Since boards are so darn expensive, I prefer to have something that's going to last for awhile.

Thanks in advance!

50

SUP General / Re: Got pulled over for no PFD

« on: April 27, 2016, 08:20:09 AM »

Lame! Let an adult assume their own safety liability. A manually inflatable lifevest will not do a thing for you if you KO yourself or have some type of medical emergency which inhibits you from inflating the PFD. If you can't swim a long distance, you shouldn't go far away from shore. Same thing goes for surfing. If my leash breaks on a big day, I don't rely on lifeguards to come help me.

51

Gear Talk / Coreban Platinum 8'5" or ...

« on: March 18, 2016, 12:28:43 PM »

Was wondering if anyone has experience riding the Coreban Platinum series line? I'm looking into selling my Surftech Channel Islands 9'1" to get something a little smaller with more performance. I have ridden an 8'10" Laird Surrator which I liked. Just curious about the Coreban board as far as speed, performance, durability...

Thank you in advance!

52

Gear Talk / Re: Demoed Laird Surrator and Tom Carroll Loose Leaf

« on: September 20, 2015, 09:08:13 PM »

Stoneaxe,

I didn't really notice any difference with the Surrator rails but I also wasn't surfing anything of substantial size. I was a little skeptical of the rails but it does carry good speed even on smaller waves. I hope to hop on the board again when it's overhead to see how it does. Will post an update if I get the chance.

53

Gear Talk / Demoed Laird Surrator and Tom Carroll Loose Leaf

« on: September 20, 2015, 02:22:43 PM »

SUP'd dog patch at SanO the other day. Unfortunately the swell wasn't that great, 2-3ft but the water was warm and conditions were great.
In the market for a new board so I have been researching and demoing when I can. I'm 6' 172lbs and consider myself an intermediate SUP surfer. Hopped on the Laird Surrator 8'10" first. The board paddled surprisingly well for being a smaller board. Once into the wave, the board had a lot of speed, and turned with ease. After putting some time in with the 8'10" I jumped onto the 9'4". Besides being longer, the tail is wider which makes the board noticeably more stable than the 8'10".. The 9'4" was easy to paddle but required a little more effort to make some sharp turns. This was expected because of the wider tail. Both boards tracked very well on the face of the wave and carried enough speed to make some of the waves that sectioned off. Both boards were the carbon edition and seemed to be constructed very well. Of the two, I preferred the 8'10" because of the maneuverability.
After those two, I tried the Tom Carroll Loose Leaf 9'6". I was hoping to try the 8'8" or 9' but those boards were unavailable for demo. The board seemed to track a little when paddling because of the v on the nose of the double concave. The board has beveled rails which made it flow and carve nice going rail to rail. Like both Laird boards, it had a rounded tail which helps with turning. Although I enjoyed the board, it wouldn't be my top pick. This might be because it was a little long for my liking.
I currently ride a Channel Islands Caddie 9'1". I would keep riding my current board over the Loose Leaf but would probably give it up for the Surrator.
Hope this little review helps someone.

54

SoCal / Re: San Onofre

« on: November 02, 2013, 08:32:24 AM »

You can SUP the south portion of SanO, where the OK/KO signs are, or up at churches. If it isn't crowded at SanO surf wherever, you will probably have grown men crying like babies if you are past the KO sign but who cares. Have fun!

55

SoCal / Re: Doheny surf Breaks "rules" for SUP

« on: October 21, 2013, 02:46:16 PM »

I try to stay around the jetty when SUS at DoHo, not because of the rule but there is usually less people to the south. SUP DISCO BAY shared so interesting info about the coast guard ruling. It will be interesting to see if the lifeguards at DoHo and SanO still enforce the no SUP areas. I'm lucky to live near the waves so I surf, both long and shortboard, bodysurf, SUS, and regular sup on the race board. I think it hilarious when people get all agro when a SUS is in the lineup. I enjoy SUS the outside reef at DoHo on a good day, it totally pisses off the prone surfers. Some idiot will try to yell at me, I ask what is the difference if I'm out here on my SUP or longboard and the dumb @$$ will not have a response. I feel bad for people who are so close minded.
If you really want to see people spin themselves into a whirlpool about SUS, paddle over to Old Man's at SanO   

56

Gear Talk / Re: strongest leash?

« on: February 17, 2013, 07:47:32 PM »

DaKine. I have had my DaKine leash for 4 years, surf 12ft+ waves with my sup, wiped out plenty of times and it hasn't failed me yet.

57

Gear Talk / Surftech Al Merrick Caddie 9'1"

« on: February 15, 2013, 02:24:05 PM »

Figured I would post this under Gear Talk instead of Sessions.
I bought the Surftech Al Merrick Caddie 9'1" yesterday and was able to get out for 1 1/2hrs to get acquainted with the board. I surfed Old Man's at SanO, waves were about knee to chest and a little sloppy because of the NW wind. Was a fun session because there were only a few people out and nobody was a nazi telling me to go back to the SUP area (not like I would have listened anyway).
The board paddled, caught waves and tracked straighter than I was expecting for a 9ft board. It was very responsive on both front and back side turns and floated off the lip very well. The stability wasn't bad either. It gets up to speed quick and carries it well through the flat sections. This was all in sloppy conditions, can't wait for a clean overhead day! I was debating over the 9'1" or 9'7" but I'm glad I got the 9'1" after riding it. I didn't throw any wax on the nose so I wasn't able to walk the board to test the nose riding capability, that will have to be next session. Anyways, I would recommend this board if you are considering buying one.

Rider:
6ft
165 lbs

Board:
9'1" x 29.5 mid x 4.25 thick
136.6L

58

Gear Talk / Re: Looking for new SUP surfboard

« on: February 03, 2013, 06:25:55 PM »

I'm 6ft, 165lbs. I wish Stewart made custom SUP's, I ride their Redline 11. It's a 9'0" longboard, best board I have ever ridden. Fast, turns awesome, and nose rides great. That's basically what I want in a SUP. I don't need a flat water board, I have a 12'6" Bark competitor for distance.

59

Gear Talk / Looking for new SUP surfboard

« on: February 02, 2013, 06:29:54 PM »

I just sold my Pearson Arrow Laird 10'6". I liked the board but wanted to go with something a little shorter. I'm thinking somewhere between 8'6" to 10' performance sup surfboard. I would consider my skill level advanced. I'm looking for recommendations on boards to look at or try out. The Al Merrick Caddie 9'1" caught my eye but I haven't gone to look at one in person yet. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance!

60

Sessions / Re: Dude…no SUPs

« on: December 25, 2012, 08:24:53 PM »

Lame! I SUP, longboard, shortboard and could care less if I'm shortboarding and someone wants to SUP next to me. I was out a few weeks back at SanO, conditions were not that great and there were only a few people at old mans. I paddled over (out of the ok/ko zone) and SUP'd old mans for an hour or so. I got some dirty looks but it was fun.