Messages

31

Downwind and Racing / Re: Naples Downbreezer

« on: February 25, 2018, 07:12:22 PM »

Gzasinets. Not sure how I missed this video, but you nailed it! Awesome stuff. Great tunes and great glides  . When I was in Sydney, Australia downwinding in Sept 2016, the seriously good people were on Fanatic Falcons, where it seems to be the downwinding board of choice (before dug outs became the norm last year) so it is good to hear your experience. The conditions in your vid look a lot like ours in Hong Kong. Nice

32

Flatwater and Touring / Re: You'll love this !

« on: February 25, 2018, 06:54:46 PM »

Thank you photofr. I've an 2017 ACE 14 x 27" and wear 7mm booties. Having moved from temperate Hong Kong where we paddled year round and only ever had to don 3mm booties for Dec - Mar, it has been a shock to the system moving to the NE of the US. So your idea to plug the holes is a good one and something that I will do next year, as the worst has passed...i hope...

33

Downwind and Racing / F7 on an F14 - Downwinding Vid

« on: February 25, 2018, 06:43:51 PM »

Before I finally made the move to the US, I managed to get in a few more downwinders in Hong Kong at the beginning of this year, and we had some epic runs, including this one where winds were gusting Force 7 (28-33 knots, 50-61 kph, 25-31mph) but having packed up all my boards to be shipped to the US, I had to borrow a friends SIC F14 which at 30" wide is a little harder to get on the plane, but in winds like this, is a huge amount of fun...


GoPro Hero 5 Black - Headmounted

34

Foil SUP / Re: Learning to Foil: The Kai, Maliko, Iwa and Maliko 200 Foils with Video

« on: February 11, 2018, 06:10:53 PM »

Inspiring man! And looks like a whole lotta fun too! Thanks for sharing

35

Downwind and Racing / Re: Golden afternoons

« on: January 26, 2018, 02:01:48 AM »

Very Nice DK! Like seeing the white water appearing left screen in places!

36

Downwind and Racing / Re: More downwinding participation in SW FL + 14x23 Allstar

« on: January 05, 2018, 07:07:02 AM »

I agree that downwinding with a tribe is way more fun than racing! Good to see Burchas getting his new board out and downwinding with you Florida folk! Looking forward to seeing the result after it is dialed in fin-wise

37

Downwind and Racing / Re: DWing with some friends - video

« on: January 05, 2018, 07:03:33 AM »

Great to see this. I'd be curious to know what you think the main differences to downwinding a 19' board vs a 14' one are?

38

Downwind and Racing / Getting into a narrow harbor / harbour entrance after a downwinder - vid

« on: December 10, 2017, 08:17:59 PM »

This past week we had a great run on the 11.25 mile / 18km H2O downwind run (Havens Beach, Sag Harbor, to Orient Point, Long Island, USA) which ended in this tricky harbor entry at the end with lots of backwash. A "little" challenging after 2 hours of paddling... I'd be interesting to hear about any challenging end of the run landings..


GoPro Hero 5 Black - Headmounted

39

SUP General / Re: Sunova Search - video of my sessions

« on: December 02, 2017, 12:36:55 PM »

Wonderful!!! I can't wait for my first paddle in the snow.... Don't think I'd even contemplate it without having watched your vids...

40

SUP Safety / Re: PLBs. Personal Location Beacons - A cautionary tale

« on: December 02, 2017, 12:22:24 PM »

Here is the conclusion from the article from which I quote..

“"But I already own a PLB”[/u]

For those paddlers who own a PLB, I make the following recommendations:

-Make sure you read the manual and you understand the implications of those “Safety Notes”.
-Make sure you understand that the satellites may only pick up your signal up to an hour after you activate the unit.  And even then, your position might not have been communicated.
-Test the thing regularly.
-Whatever you do, don’t think your PLB automatically makes you safe.  Make sure you have other plans in place (like, for example, a phone with a tracker app like SafeTRX installed).

Safety in General

And of course, a communications device is not the only safety equipment you should have anyway.  Some things you can do to keep safe are (in approximate order of importance):

-Know your limitations and don’t go out in weather that’s too extreme for your capability and fitness.  Practise remounting.  If you’re worried about remounting – in any conditions – you should not be out on a big downwind.
-Make sure someone on shore knows where you’re going and what your ETA is.  Make sure they know who to call if you don’t arrive.
-Leave a good margin between your ETA and sunset.  Factor in the time needed for the Search and Rescue people to activate, launch and search for you.
-Don’t paddle alone.
-Wear a PFD.  On that PFD should be a whistle.
-Leash yourself to your ski. (More about this to follow).
-Take a phone in a waterproof pouch with a tracking app like SafeTRX running.  Be aware that it’s difficult to use a phone in a pouch (but not impossible – try it).  But a tracker app is invaluable for the SR team looking for you.
-Take flares – either a smoke flare or pencil flares (both have their advantages and disadvantages).  Make sure they’re waterproof and not expired.
-Take a VHF radio – but be aware that the range between you in the water and a boat with a 4m aerial is only about 7km.  It’s very useful when you can see your rescuers but they can’t see you.
-By all means take a PLB.  You never know, it might work.

PLBs into the future

Cospas-Sarsat is in the process of upgrading its satellite system and in the not too distant future (2 years) the network will be in a position to offer near instantaneous communication of distress signals.

Of course the caveats about the beacon having to be held upright, out of the water and so on will probably still apply."

One of the recommendations they have is

"SPOT
A possible alternative to the PLB is the SPOT Satellite Messenger (www.findmespot.com).  The system also works with satellites, is not reliant on cellular networks, and also claims a rapid response time.  It’s expensive: $150 for the unit plus $150 annual subscription fee.  But then – what’s your life worth?"

This is currently on offer for 50% off until end of year at USD75 but the subscription seems to be USD199 per year... Is anyone using this?

41

SUP Safety / PLBs. Personal Location Beacons - A cautionary tale

« on: December 02, 2017, 12:00:37 PM »

A surfskiing friend send me this story about a Surfskier activating their PLB on the world famous Millers Downwind Run near Cape Town, South Africa.

“A couple of weeks ago, here in Cape Town, a paddler found himself in trouble on the famous (notorious?) Miller’s Run downwind route.  Some 2km offshore, he fell off and after a number of attempts was unable to remount his surfski.  He activated his McMurdo FastFind 220 Personal Locator Beacon.  An hour and half later he was pulled from the water having swum his ski almost all the way to safety. A happy ending - but not because of the PLB.”

If like me you own, have registered and carry a PLB when paddling in the ocean and in high wind or extreme conditions, this is a must read.. I had no idea that they were so sensitive to positioning, being exposed to water once activated and that satellites that pick their signals up may only pass overhead once an hour...

https://www.surfski.info/latest-news/story/1608/personal-locator-beacons-and-surfski-paddlers.html

I actually have the McMundo FastFind PLB in this story which I registered in the US. My other PLB is the ACCUSAT Pocket Series 408/121.5 MHz PLB which is registered in Hong Kong... This one is bigger that the FastFind...

42

SUP General / Electric Foiling.... bikes ?!?

« on: December 01, 2017, 10:21:45 AM »

43

SUP General / Re: Need Rack Advice

« on: November 30, 2017, 05:36:12 AM »

This is the one I bought from www.Storeyourboard.com.

Well made, easy to assemble and not too pricey. Wall mount for 3 boards is USD99, and floor mount (which I bought) is $259.99 for 6 boards with free shipping..

44

Gear Talk / Re: Battle of the clogs

« on: November 28, 2017, 07:10:12 AM »

Not sure how I missed this. I have the SB Ace 14 x 27 and love it as an all round board for everyday use. I chose the wider 27” for the very reason I didn’t want to struggle with balance and the potential of falling on my ribs or shins. I don’t use it above 20knots as I find a surf style board better fun and easier to get back on than the Ace. I also started using a full pfd which protects the rib area.

So if you are going in bigger downwind or surf conditions you may want to avoid the clog or if you buy go wider.

As Burchas says these hybrid clog-surf designs might be a good compromise as a one only board option but if you can afford it I think having one of each is better.

I recently raced a borrowed 2017 NSP 14 x 24.5 Sonic in ocean downbreeze conditions and was amazed I could balance in it well. However I’d never take that one out downwinding or offshore cruising.

45

Downwind and Racing / Re: "Missiles" Downwinder - Crossing State lines NY - NJ - Vid

« on: November 27, 2017, 08:04:50 PM »

I see that your racks on the Tacoma are working with your 16' board. Probably don't need the hitch mount after all.

Laszlo.. Hah! You are right. The racks on the roof work well, mainly because it means the boards don't stick out over the end of the truck and I can get them in my garage and manoeuvre without worrying about crushing them into a wall or something! Although for long distance at speed and multiple boards the hitch mount seems the better bet as boards are more secures so I'm keeping it.