Topics

1

Downwind and Racing / Hi all, - could you help me fill in a quick survey about your SUP race board ?

« on: February 20, 2020, 05:50:21 AM »

Hi all,

I'm currently doing a huge research project into how athletes and sportspeople engage with their equipment. I've been doing this across a range of sports and the outcomes will hopefully allow us to develop more engaging and successful products in the future. I'm looking at SUP racing now. If you have the time, could you complete the survey here ? - it only takes around 5 minutes:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlVi6QQ936rQEnA3Tk8QTb5Ws2IXJM_SvvAgfBef8__MULKw/viewform

I'm hoping to get the biggest sample I can at all levels of the sport so if you race (or have raced in the past), please fill in the quick survey - I'd love to get your input.

Thanks all.

2

Sneak Peeks, Rumors, and Wish Lists / New 2020 Naish Javelin

« on: June 14, 2019, 04:39:59 AM »

If you haven't seen it yet, the Naish Javelin has been resurrected (I thought it was dead for good). Images on Seabreeze here:

https://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Naish-2020-Race-Program?page=1

3

SUP General / SUP racing growing ? Uhm.....

« on: March 21, 2019, 02:32:05 PM »

Not good news:

http://www.supracer.com/2019-pacific-paddle-games-cancelled/?fbclid=IwAR1HD0tNAUmw6ufNxem8wqepXLCP27nBgm-C-luV-oa3wsvH4EIXK9AAM1U

4

Gear Talk / Toothpick, ultra narrow tippy race boards. What would you want to know ?

« on: August 03, 2018, 01:12:02 AM »

I've been asked to put together a video of my experiences testing/paddling a 21.5 width race board. Knowing how much is relative when it comes to paddling any board, what sort of things would you like discussed when reviewing such a board ?

5

Sneak Peeks, Rumors, and Wish Lists / It’s that time of year - 2018 Race Board Gossip ?

« on: May 10, 2018, 08:30:00 AM »

So, this is the time of year when we start to hear whispers about what is coming from the brands for next season. Anyone heard anyone yet ? Unusually, I haven’t heard anything yet.

6

Downwind and Racing / Longstanding SUP race results - do you know any ?

« on: November 14, 2017, 12:50:13 PM »

I’m doing some performance analysis work on sup races and I’m trying to locate events that have been around for a few years that have been run over the same course and same distance each time. I can find a few for the uk and stuff like the chattajack. However are there any others you know that I could look for (and that have results available that are going back at least 4 years).

7

Downwind and Racing / My 2018 board ? What did I go for ?

« on: September 13, 2017, 07:40:22 AM »

So anyway, I decided to step back from being a sponsored rider for next year. It was my call and my last sponsor (Naish) had been absolutely fantastic and I had been well supported over the last 2 years. I'd also received a couple of very generous team offers for 2018 but, for a variety of reasons, I decided that I needed more flexibility in what I was doing next year as far as SUP went. As a result (and I hope you're watching this Eagle), after trying loads of racing boards I opted for.............

..............a secondhand 2017 full carbon Starboard Allstar in a 24.5 width. It's going to be receiving a full Allison fin install shortly too.

I tried a 23 but (at my size) it didn't have the volume and after I started smashing out PB's on a loaner board of this model, I realised very quickly that with the races I wanted to do, it was a good fit for me and allowed me to get down to a decent width whilst still cranking out full power. I've been really impressed with the design. I'm very excited about trying the Allison system in particular too and I'll be doing some testing of that with some hardcore science as soon as I get the board back from its install. For me now, its about finding racing innovation wherever I can find it !

8

Gear Talk / 2018 Raceboard rumours ?

« on: April 12, 2017, 07:46:47 AM »

I'm starting to hear whispers that in 2018 a couple of brands may well be moving even further towards focusing on all conditions boards and away (or even ditching) condition specific board specializations. Anyone else heard anything yet ? We've got Lost Mills next month so that might shed some light on what's coming.

9

Gear Talk / Race boards, prescribed paddle weights and volume.

« on: March 21, 2017, 01:42:10 AM »

I'm a little confused when I read the proposed paddlers weights with race boards. The volume of the board doesn't often seem to tie up with the suggested paddler weight ranges. If i had my scientists head on I would guess that this is due to a boards intended waterline hydrodynamic profile being lost if the paddler is too heavy - despite the amount of foam on offer. However, most brands really don't seem to be that scientific in their design. With that in mind, why the discrepancies ?

10

Gear Talk / Starboard K15 Still a fast board ?

« on: March 10, 2017, 01:04:41 AM »

One of us pesky brits has been racing a cut down K15 for a few years to great success. I was wondering how this (now old) displacement design would hold up when compared to 2017 technology ? Does anyone who has paddled a K15/14 have any views ?

11

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Quickblade 'Smart Paddle'. Discuss.

« on: January 24, 2017, 12:04:45 AM »

On their facebook page - looks like they've taken the Motionize technology and built it into a paddle. Could be useful.

Discuss.....

12

Training, Diet, and Fitness / Are paddling drills worthwhile with the time you have ?

« on: July 26, 2016, 12:53:31 AM »

The use of technique drills is pretty well used in sports like swimming and there are plenty of practitioners online like Larry Cain who advocate use of them. However, our paddling time is likely constrained by normal day to day life so I was wondering if any 'normal' paddlers do drills regularly and know whether they have proven beneficial ?

13

Gear Talk / Flatwater Racing Paddle Testing 101

« on: July 22, 2016, 05:41:17 AM »

Here you go guys - a link to my latest testing exploits - this time with paddles. Again, it shows that if you're careful, you can field test and obtain low margin of errors.


https://www.supboardermag.com/2016/07/22/sup-technical-how-to-find-out-what-race-paddle-is-fastest-for-yo/


(My conflicts of interest have been listed in the text)

14

SUP General / Race Board Volume - pro's and cons

« on: July 09, 2016, 02:30:28 PM »

I'm looking at race board volume for a new purchase next season. I'm 94kg. What are the issues surrounding too low a volume (I assume increased drag/reduced glide) ? Are there any known ways to calculate what is appropriate ?

15

Gear Talk / Scientific Flatwater Board Testing 101

« on: June 21, 2016, 01:28:55 AM »

Hi guys,

Here's something for you to chew over when you're on your lunchbreak. A roadmap for a bit of scientific testing for race boards.

https://www.supboardermag.com/2016/06/21/board-testing-101-how-to-find-out-what-board-is-fastest-for-yo/