Messages

31

Random / Re: Cellulose, Energy, Sugar, Plastic

« on: January 09, 2019, 08:38:19 AM »

Most people who passed high school biology know cellulose is a polysacharide that is broken down by digestive systems in lots of organisms, but not people. Not being aware of biomass/biofuels research is more a sympton of the current age of people who think they know "technology", but just know web aps and social media.

Sorry not meaning to offend anyone.  It's possible to have patents for processes that absolutely do not work, and for processes that are simple modifications of exisitng ideas.   I'm an inventor on ~ 35 issued patents, so the word "patent" does not make say  "ooooh  ahhhh, amazing."

My issue is with due diligence of the news reporters in looking into  other methods of extracting glucose from cellulose, fermentation and chemical methods have been known since the middle ages and earlier.  Biomass/biofuels research was a very big area until the recent hostile administration.   If you google for "extracting glucose from cellulose" you'll find enough background reading to keep you busy for a few weeks. I notice in the google list there is a review by a scientist at Stanford that is a pretty good starting place.

32

Random / Re: Cellulose, Energy, Sugar, Plastic

« on: January 08, 2019, 12:34:21 PM »

Calm down,  60 minutes needed to do some peer review of the claims about novelty and lack of succes of other methods.

Science reporting in the modern world absolutely sucks. 

 

33

Foil SUP / Re: Possible foiling banned in the U.S.

« on: November 28, 2018, 10:19:15 AM »

I've only seen 3 people foiling in Lajolla.  I did not see it happen but heard the lifeguards kicked some out at LJshores. Was not a crowded day.   I don't doubt this as the lifeguards used to kick out kayakers, and SUPs there too about 8 years ago. 

I haven't surfed at San O for years but we all know the locals banded together to get kayaks and waveskis banned, and eventually led to the OK /KO rule and exile to Old Mans, last I was there that applied to anybody with a paddle; i don't doubt some influential prone boardies are unhappy with newbies flying cutting tools through the breaks. So I could certainly see it happening in California.   Likely  they could  be regulated out of major surf breaks if anything happens.

34

SUP Safety / Re: Drowning in N. County San Diego

« on: November 27, 2018, 08:22:05 PM »

It looks a bit like they really were not aware of the danger there.  The tide flows out of those lagoons can be really impressive.  I used to kayak surf on some of the lagoon out flows along the coast there at Ponto and Tamarack and  they make huge standing waves at the point  of highest tide flow.   She likely got sucked into that current flow and into the  barrier and did not have enough experience in getting out of a current or getting the leash off under severe conditions.  I know from kayak surfing the outflows that the current at highest tide flow can pull you in within seconds so strongly you can not outpaddle it in a surf kayak.

My son who was about 15 at the time and I were surfing at South Ponto a long time ago on a very large day and he accidently  got caught in an inward flow into Batiquitos lagoon Jetty.  Even though we knew not to get caught in the current, I tried to help him but  it was powerful and pulled us in so the large waves pounded us into the jetty, we finally just went with the flow and got sucked up into the jetty channel, but there were a few minutes where it was extremely sketchy in the huge waves, current and rocks at the jetty point.

35

SUP General / Re: Inflatable vs composite boards especially as it relates to safety?

« on: November 25, 2018, 01:25:03 PM »

It may sound counter intuitive but I would feel much safer in heavy surf on a much lower volume composite board.  Inflatables tend to be very floaty and with the large volume  when huge waves hit them your leash will have to deal with a lot more power and stress trying to drag you with the heavy wave and foam.  With lower volume boards you can grab the tail bury the nose and ride out a huge hit in the water.  If you are worried about the solid board hitting you, you need to learn how to tuck and position your paddle so the board does not hit you if you dive off to the side or back.  Learning how to wipeout in big surf is much more important than board size.  You can also look into getting a decent surf helmet.  In heavy winter surf I use Gath Gedi helmet.  I had a serious head injury once (not surf related) and know  that a helmet gives you a lot of protection in the surf.  Head injuries can change your life forever, so I think it's worth looking like a kook.  Part of feeling safer in the water is getting confidence in bigger surf.  Start small and go out on bigger and bigger days as you learn your limitations and learn how to deal with issues like broken leashes and nasty swims.

36

SUP General / Re: Tips needed for discretely fitting in the line up.

« on: November 24, 2018, 08:54:13 AM »

Where in California are you surfing?   California has more than 850 miles of Coastline.   It's hard to believe there are only two spots to surf where you  live.  Two famous named breaks with crowds I believe, but the beauty of the paddle is it lets you go anywhere on the coast efficiently.  If you have to paddle out on your belly and pretend you don't have a paddle, just skip and do the lay-down/proner thing.  Windandsea, Steamer Lane, etc ...  Some breaks you are not going to fit in no matter what, it just doesn't matter, there are more good spots than where the herds congregate.  The herds formed years ago based on public parking availability.  The best breaks that you have to hike or paddle to in California, you won't get any stink eye when you show up.  If you show up at your local break  both when it's bad and when it's good and people know you surf in control and don't hog waves, or paddle for waves you are not going to get,  you won't have much of a problem. 

37

Random / Re: Rant — SUPing With Kayakers

« on: November 23, 2018, 10:57:39 PM »

Sounds like you have fallen in with a bunch of BCU / ACA "Seakayakers"   (who hardly ever actually go to sea).

You have recognized that if you aren't very skilled in kayak and tip over in rough conditions you can be in big trouble in cold water. So there is a lot of emphasis on paddling together / getting certifications like merit badges etc.    When I rented a kayak in UK once I had to prove I could roll, so I whipped off about 20 rolls in a minute  for the gentleman giving the test. He let me rent the kayak.

It's funny but two of the best BCU coaches I know in the US paddle all the time with SUPs and paddle SUPs themselves.

There are plenty of whitewaterkayakers and surf kayakers who will paddle with SUPers. I know some on the East coast in MA, VA and FL mostly.  If you are ever in San Diego I'll certainly go out with you on the bay, cove or surfing and introduce you to kayakers who both kayak and SUS.

38

Technique / Re: On your knees, or on your feet?

« on: November 14, 2018, 09:14:30 PM »

The video appears to be in the Solana Beach / Cardiff Area,  at first I thought it was just south of Swammy's.  There aren't any surfers out which leads me to think they picked a really bad spot/day to paddle out.  There are two spots within about a half mile of  where the video was filmed where it is much easier to paddle out on a NW or  W  swell even with chop or huge swell. So it kind of seems moot about feet or knees and more a question of them choosing a bad spot and a bad strategy at the spot they chose.  And yes it looks like they don't know what they are doing. 

 If you try to paddle out on your knees in big surf/ foam piles  and aim directly for the waves at 90 degrees you are likely to think paddling on your knees doesn't work.  Paddlers who come to SUP who have strong kayak surfing or whitewater  paddling techniques know how to quarter the wave, sweep the bow using the foam, pivot on the wave crest  and edge the board to use rocker and the wave to keep upright... you can't do that standing up.  I guess my point is that a lot of people who say paddling on knees doesn't work, don't know how  to do it, and don't have good ability to sink the rails while kneeling.  I think it's best to know both standing and kneeling and use what fits the waves, winds and chop.

39

SUP General / Re: Wavepool produces 2,400 waves per hour.

« on: November 12, 2018, 08:45:48 PM »

2400 waves per hour . Really?.   Did I miss something in the video, it's a single point source wave generator that produces a circular wave from a pump agitator. Is the pump going up and down at 40 RPM?  It looks slower in the video so wondering where they get the 2400 figure.   I heard they are saying it affects 5 different breaks so maybe divide that 40 RPM by 5 and you get  8 waves per minute or a period of  7.5 seconds.  Meh.

40

Gear Talk / Re: What length is your surf paddle?

« on: November 06, 2018, 09:53:40 PM »

I'm 5' 8" Tall.  Current Favorite Paddle is ~ 66.5 "

41

Technique / Re: revisiting the reverse duck dive

« on: October 24, 2018, 08:12:44 PM »

" As the wave approaches and breaks in front of me, I jump off next to the board and go straight down feet first, and let the wave go over my head. "   

 Don't try that in Hawaii or by any rocky reef or shoreline.  You can also hit bottom pretty hard on a sandy beach and injure your feet .... especially in stingray season.

 The best places to surf usually have nasty things under the water that make the waves break.  Fall flat or flat dive to the side or over .  You can sweep your paddle as you go over to stay above the foam.

42

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: Ireland.....Wow! Had I known....

« on: October 11, 2018, 05:13:24 PM »

My experience on heading to UK in Scotland for surf trips is that yes indeed in the far north the water is freaking cold  and conditions deteriorate in a hurry.  Have you ever surfed with 18 inches of sea foam on the water?  Timing is critical if you want to head back and surf.  Good news is there are plenty of other things to do if the ocean is a blown out mess.   I did a trip to Iceland this summer.  No surfing.

43

SUP General / Re: Shoulder issues/Paddle Craft Type

« on: October 11, 2018, 05:07:30 PM »

As Bean mentioned above, your shoulder issues are very specific to your body structure, what's true for someone else may not apply at all to your body mechanics.  How you paddle and how your bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments move and stress determine if you are going to have problems.

My experience is that recreational stand up paddle boarding is a lot less strenuous on my shoulders and back than competition in kayaks for racing and surfing.  I don't race SUP, and I surf a lot.   I have no pain  issues with my shoulders.  My shoulder problems came from a dislocation in a violent wipe out in a surf kayak.

Getting older means you have to pay attention to what your body is telling you. This is sometimes hard to do,  but joints and bones do wear out and competition level stress may not be a good thing. Women also have hormonal changes that will effect bone density, healing and muscle strength differently than all the guys who post here, so find a PT who deals with older patients who want to do active sports. 

Using a shorter paddle, with small blade and shaft that is  fairly stiff, and learning to finesse the paddle instead of force it works  best to me.  Paddle stiffness advice varies,  but my opinion is that a very flexible paddle leads to bad technique that leads to more  forced pushing and pulling  on the paddle.

As mentioned finding a good physical therapist and doing the exercises will be the fastest way to recovery.  And with old shoulders it might take a good long while to where you feel normal.

44

SUP General / Re: Another SoCal Shark Attack - 9/29/18

« on: September 30, 2018, 05:59:48 PM »

Beacons is the break nearest my house.  The bite sounded serious, but I think was probably a mistake, or else the kid would be dead. The shark sounds like it was a big juvenile.    I'm wondering if the kayak fishermen were the reason he got bit. Last summer  of Avenida De La Playa,  kayak fishermen were letting fish bleed out tied to their kayaks paddling in from outside the Marine Preserve - they had hammerheads following them into the Lajolla Shores boat ramp. I've seen the same thing happen kayaking off Catalina Island.     The article said the shark was following their kayak after they helped the boy in. It sounds like it has learned an unusual behavior.    This is just a few miles north of the spot where a swimmer was killed abou ten years ago between Solana Beach and Tabletops by a great white shark.

45

SUP General / Re: Take every wave. Have you seen it?

« on: September 13, 2018, 02:49:54 PM »

Yes, the gnarly stuff is gnarly, but I've always like Laird's subtle stuff, in many ways it shows more talent than balls. 

In the mid-2000s my son and I took a surf trip to Kauai just before he had to go back to college.  Our first night there we were sitting on the outside watching the waves roll in and surfing a break that some local guys told us would be OK , but to avoid an area about 100 yards over because the locals might get testy.  The light was golden and there was this guy that looked like a cross between a Greek God and a ballerina really ripping it up on an SUP, using the paddle, moving all over the board, 360s, re-entry after rentry on a big board.  I had seen one or two people try to surf an SUP in Lajolla before that, my son hadn't and said "WTF is that?", one o  the locals in the water said "That would be Laird"   I think he has earned the right to be an insufferable egomaniac if he wants to be,  unfortunately sooner or later age and the new kids on the block will catch up.