Topics

16

SUP General / Was followed by seal today

« on: February 01, 2020, 08:14:23 PM »

 I finally found some time to paddle near the new place, first time after the move. It was a very calm day no wind or any waves, and for about mile, I was followed by a seal.  Is this common? He/she kept the distance about 10-15 yards, checked me multiple times before taking off. it was pretty strange, I've seen them before while paddling and I've seen them closer but I've never been followed. Are they territorial? I was paddling mostly along the shoreline, just scouting spots for fishing in spring and wonder if I "trespassed". Hope it was accidental as I want to go fishing in the area..

 

17

Gear Talk / Strange bulge on new iSUP, is this normal?

« on: January 11, 2020, 05:43:49 PM »

Happy New Year Zoners,

I recently purchased brand new iGo Starboard in 10'8". When I inflated it for the first time I noticed that there is a bulge next to the inflating valve and the valve has a bigger gap between the valve and the material it welded into - just on one side. It looks like a defect to me (my few years old SIC doesn't show anything like that). I was even afraid to inflate the board to max allowed pressure and stopped as 15 psi (18 max). Not sure what to do at this point. I like the board, but concern about the possibility of a valve and decking material separation.

Here are a few pics. Not sure how serious it looks in pics...

18

Gear Talk / Is Astro Whopper Delux Inflatable good as all-around travel board?

« on: December 11, 2019, 03:51:49 PM »

  After several family trips with SIC Air Glide I began thinking if I want a smaller more universal board. We mostly stay at resorts with beach breaks and  I realized that I only take it out in calm conditions. When it windy and there are some mushy waves  I don't go as I would be fighting it most of the time. Not to mention that even rolled board is big and heavy in travel.
 So I started to look for shorter, wider board and ran across few years old Starboard Whopper Delux.  10 ft long, 35 'wide. 6 in thick. Is anyone familiar with this board? Is this boar even suitable for surfing in small waves, beach break?  It looks very flat to me and I cannot find any reviews. videos to verify..

On another hand, if anyone has a suggestion for a travel board for 200+ lbs paddler that could be used to be the first board  - I still hope to put my wife on board someday. I'm primarily looking at higher-end used boards vs lower-end new. 

p.s. any good deals around ? any special for zoners?

Thanks
 

19

SUP General / To fix or not to fix -That is the question... Broken iSup pump - fix? replace?

« on: December 10, 2019, 05:50:21 PM »

During my last trip, the upper o-ring purged out its place and made the pump not operable.  I called local SIC distributor and they have no parts available. I could try to fing matching o-ring but I'm honestly don't really wanna do it. Just ran across Red Paddle Titan pump. Wondering if someone used it and is it really make a huge difference vs dual action pump? 

https://paddling.com/gear/titan-pump/

20

SouthEast / Hilton Head Island, SC - should I bring SUP

« on: August 13, 2019, 08:47:19 AM »

We are heading to Hilton Head Island for some time and I'm debating if I should bring an iSUP. We are staying in place on the ocean side so water access should not be a problem... The weather forecast shows thunderstorms daily for our entire stay...  Any suggestions?

21

SUP General / Surfboard Leash String - what to use?

« on: May 13, 2019, 08:05:04 PM »

What do you guys use for a leash string? I had one failed on me a few years ago and I bought a few the same day, just realized I'm out of those. Thought I prob could make them myself.
Thanks

22

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Any hints for Montreal trip?

« on: May 05, 2019, 05:37:21 PM »

We are entertaining an idea to spend a few days in Montreal and I'm thinking to bring my iSUP. Does anyone have experience with paddling in Montreal? I see there are a lot of waterways around city, so I.sm sure there are plenty of opportunities, still some insight info would be cool. 

I've run across pretty cool river surfing video but I'm not ready for this yet. Just sharing:

23

Gear Talk / Infinity Downtown is on sale

« on: May 01, 2019, 09:12:36 AM »

Not sure if it's old news, but I just noticed it and decided to share. Perhaps someone could use it.
actually, looks like other boards as well

https://infinity-sup.com/collections/all-boards

24

Random / Domain and site lost to squatters

« on: March 20, 2019, 07:16:17 PM »

My wife's uncle is a somewhat known artist and book illustrator lost his website to some Chinese cybersquatters. I wonder what would be a proper steps to try to secure or rather reclaim a website name.

25

SUP General / Advice needed on travel with large iSUP bag

« on: February 17, 2019, 12:34:33 PM »

  As I'm getting ready to travel by air with iSUP, I'm wondering if I should do any extra precautions steps. New to me SIC Air Glide Bullet came with a large carrying bag. Question is: is it travel bag? I'm planning to check it in;  and worry about all these bells and whistles (shoulder straps, waist strap, bungee etc ) would be damaged/torn/etc. I've seen people use stretch wrap on luggage while traveling, but I think it looks awful...
  I also wonder if should pack my belongings in the same bag and make it more stuffed as it has a lot of "space ". But I don't wanna make it too heavy and made handles tear off easier... At the same time, I don't wanna make it looks too big..

I remember someone suggested to use regular luggage. I this case I'm not sure how I'm gonna carry the board from the room to the landing spot (hopefully I can launch right off the hopel's beach, but it's not guaranteed). There is no way I'm going to the beach with large Samsonite on a daily basis (already giggling as I'm typing it)   

Bag in question image attached. 


Almost forgot: should I stick 3 piece travel paddle in the same bag or I have to take it with me as carry-on item? Problem is, I also have travel rod in hard case..    //tooManyToys

26

SUP General / Muscle cramps in calves - are you affected? is there a way to reduce it?

« on: February 13, 2019, 07:37:57 PM »

Hey there,

 Went out to play in cold water and in an hour both legs began giving me troubles with cramps in calves. It was pretty disorganized surf and I spent most of the time sitting and on my knees, so it's not like legs were overworked. I think it's more connected to water temperature.  It was not worsted I ever experienced, but it made me wonder if it's "normal" because of water temp (but I wasn't really cold), or lack of regular training is the reason. I drunk plenty of fluid before going it, had a banana and still got these pesky charlie horse spasms... Or is it a medical condition?

27

SouthEast / Vacation week Feb 19-26 Hallandale/Hollywood - anyone up to paddle?

« on: January 15, 2019, 02:00:35 PM »

Hi there,

We are going to stay in that area and I'm planning to bring my AirBullet if everything goes accordingly to the plan. Is anyone interested in paddling together? If not - can someone who knows the area give me some pointers? like where could I land for paddling on "canals' or whatever they called?  is it safe waters for iSUP? etc.

thank you!

28

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / New to me SIC Air-Glide Bullet 14 ft, first impression and questions

« on: December 18, 2018, 08:54:32 AM »

Hi there,

 As I  found myself getting into stand up more and more I decided to add a travel inflatable and purchased used Bullet off the distressedM.  I'm a 3rd owner after it's been BigWinds rental and later one other person. The board itself appears to be in pretty good shape and came with all accessories. Finally had a chance to try it yesterday in waist-thigh choppy and windy surf.  It was my first attempt on inflatables and after some rough time in the beginning, I managed to score few decent (for conditions and my skills lol) rides.  First impression: it's quite different from hard boards. Being inflatable it sits "on the water" and more affected by a strong side wind. At the same time I feel like it was easier to get it going from the standstill and had couple waves when I was able to make the wave at the last moment with just a few short strokes. It was more difficult to pop the nose after it pearl - even if I move back the board flexes and keeps nose under water.  I also noticed if I didn't get the board exactly perpendicular to the wave on the launch there is a very good chance it would go sideways and flipped. But it could be attributed to the pintail shape and fin selection (which is my first question). The board came with SIC weedless 9'. My thought was it's probably not a good fin for conditions and I used 4A 9.75' fin. Does it make sense?  I'm planning to bring the board to FL this winter and thinking to take these 2 fins. One for - long distance paddling,  and other for waves...

My second question is - what the best way to store the board to prolong its life? Keeping it in the bag will make creases more permanent and thus more prone to failure I guess? Partially inflated?

And here is a mandatory pic with my pump master.


   

29

Random / Any ice skaters? Thin ice fun

« on: November 15, 2018, 05:44:54 AM »

Just ran across and decide to share. When I was ice fishing I was always told you should not go on the ice that under 8 cm / 3" ..

30

Random / Oregon: "Hundreds of witches pick paddles over broomsticks to paddleboards..."

« on: October 30, 2018, 07:08:42 PM »

Just ran across this posted on the fishing forum :
https://www.oregonlive.com/expo/life-and-culture/erry-2018/10/a6e688dc885752/hundreds-of-witches-pick-paddl.html