Messages

31

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

« on: June 26, 2019, 09:05:32 AM »

The yellow thing sounds like a myth to me.  What makes more sense as an attraction is the contrast of white legs and arms against the water (for swimmers).  If a shark bit my leg, it would have a tasty morsel.

32

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Re: Blue Planet "Duke" 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 liters

« on: June 25, 2019, 12:11:13 PM »

A quick paddle question:  do you know of any structural differences between the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Alana paddles?  Thanks!

I only know of the 2017 Alana paddles. I can't speak for any structural changes in the 2018 and 2019 models in comparison to the 2017 models.

I now have two 2017 Alana 75 Vario RDS paddles. I can give you a picture of both of my Alana paddles side by side if you want. Just say the word and I'll get my wife and her iPad to take a picture of them together.

Since I did a flat water lake paddling session with my new Duke early this morning, I can post a picture of both of my Alana paddles in the Sessions forum in a new topic which I just made if you want to see them.

The 2017’s are on sale for a cheaper price than the 2018’s, so if they work for you, they’re good enough for me.  I’m thinking an adjustable (and a smaller blade) is the way to go.

33

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Re: Blue Planet "Duke" 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 liters

« on: June 25, 2019, 10:57:44 AM »

A quick paddle question:  do you know of any structural differences between the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Alana paddles?  Thanks!

34

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Re: Blue Planet "Duke" 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 liters

« on: June 23, 2019, 07:33:32 PM »

Awesome deal for $1400!

35

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Re: Blue Planet "Duke" 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 liters

« on: June 23, 2019, 04:22:46 PM »

Really cool graphics, too.  Is yours stock?  How much was shipping?

36

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Re: Blue Planet "Duke" 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 liters

« on: June 23, 2019, 04:20:55 PM »

Your new board is beautiful!  I’m really glad, and kind of surprised, that it wasn’t damaged, based on the condition of the box.  What a great board.
I think Wetstuff has one like it.

37

SUP General / Re: HOT Chicks on Stand Up Paddle Boards!

« on: June 19, 2019, 03:56:03 PM »

Vintage Sup 1954

I like this one.

38

SUP General / Re: Bummed with North Carolina Surfing

« on: June 16, 2019, 03:30:49 PM »

Have you biked pisgah, bent creek, or tsali yet?

Not yet, but those are on my to do list.  Since I live at Col Beatty, I mostly hop on my bike and make a lap or two there.   I've ridden Sherman Branch, Whitewater Center, Anne Springs and other local Charlotte trails, but I am looking forward to going to the mountains for some more intense action.  I'm actually not a very good mountain biker.

Neither am I, as I currently don’t have a bike.  I’m not familiar with those Charlotte trails—-are they hilly?  Lots of variety here in WNC, so you can build up to the crazy Pisgah trails.
Also, from Charlotte it should only be around 5 1/2 - 6 hours to the OBX.  I can get there from Asheville in 7.5 if I push it.  But, since you’d want to go further down Hatteras to get the waves, I guess it would take 45 minutes or so longer.

39

SUP General / Re: Bummed with North Carolina Surfing

« on: June 16, 2019, 12:54:17 PM »

Have you biked pisgah, bent creek, or tsali yet?

40

Random / Goggles and masks?

« on: June 12, 2019, 04:15:03 PM »

Can anyone suggest good goggles or masks for ocean use?  Next time I’m at the beach, I want to do some underwater exploration.  Polarized would be a big plus.
Thanks!

41

SUP General / Re: Another shark bite in NC

« on: June 11, 2019, 01:53:36 PM »

Hey Spirit, on the face of it (cheesy pun intended) it does sound a little cruel, but in fact, the hook will usually rust it's way out pretty quickly.  Maybe better than risking limbs and creating a larger exit wound.

Right, I guess don’t give up an arm to retrieve the hook.  👍

42

SUP General / Re: Another shark bite in NC

« on: June 11, 2019, 10:07:12 AM »

Are Bull Sharks "even" good to eat?

I've only had Mako, but stopped years ago in hopes of a mutual understanding.  So far, so good...

Most sharks are good to eat with a major caveat about cleaning very quickly because they urinate through their skin. A lot of sharks are protected here (in NC). Pretty much all the large pelagic sharks are off limits, but you can keep any size of coastal sharks and I forget if there is even a limit on them. I release them. Sometimes I let them keep the hook and a few feet of line as a souvenir.

That seems a little cruel, right?  Maybe keep the hook and line?

43

Random / Re: Throwing in the towel

« on: June 09, 2019, 09:15:57 AM »

Wow!  You’ve got a great talent!

44

Random / Re: Maui Shark Fatality

« on: June 05, 2019, 07:09:15 AM »

https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/05/us/shark-bite-north-carolina-paige-winter-surgeries/index.html

45

Random / Re: Maui Shark Fatality

« on: June 04, 2019, 07:46:31 AM »

This is to Pono,
I understand statistics a little, and I think that you could spend every day in the water in Hawaii and Oregon and not get hit.  However, the east coast of the U.S. is different.  The locals know there are bull sharks in the water and they generally do not wade in very deep.  I think if you spent every day swimming for an hour outside of the surf zone in the Carolinas or Georgia you would not last long.

It surprises me that diving the wrecks and artificial reefs is as popular as it is here in NC. It's not crazy popular, but there are a few dive shops and people that go regularly. There are even a few spear fishermen; if that's not asking for trouble, I am not sure what is. We just had a near shore attack the other day. But there are people who swim out past the breakers pretty much daily. It only increases the odds from essentially zero to almost zero.

Are you at the Outer Banks?  Are you talking about the Atlantic Beach incident?  If I were a diver, I’d dive the wrecks for sure, just because it would be so cool.  Whenever I go to the beach from WNC, I’m always afraid of sharks.  I get in, but I don’t go out far and I don’t splash around a lot.  I know that not doing those things really guarantees nothing. 
It’s interesting that the last three “attacks” (I don’t like calling shark incidents attacks) that I know of in NC were teens.  The one on Sunday, and two in 16 or 17.
There are probably more that I don’t know about.