Topics

31

Gear Talk / Cutting down Epoxy Paddle

« on: April 04, 2018, 05:31:03 AM »

I've asked a few people, but I just want to get a consensus to make sure I don't ruin a pretty expensive paddle. I want to cut down my Hippostick paddle 2 inches. The general thought is to use a hair dryer/boiling water to heat up the epoxy to pull the handle off. Cut, and re-epoxy with epoxy from the hardware store.

Any issues? 

32

Downwind and Racing / Thinking about a Race Board, what should I get?

« on: March 17, 2018, 05:40:02 PM »

I may have posted this before, but I'm pondering getting a race board just for one more option to get on the water. I'm in an area (Charleston, SC) that has a pretty solid racing scene, and I could see maybe doing some comps later on just for fun.

I'm not looking to downwind, if it's windy, I'm kiting, if there's surf, I'm SUS, this will take a backseat to those 2 disciplines.

Some background info:
Weight: around 175 lbs
I'm getting more comfortable on lower volume boards, I'm down to 112L right now (8'8" SuperTech) and will probably move down more soon, so I could stand to go pretty skinny.

I have a creek that at +/- 2 hours of high tide I can get out on from my backyard, but I'm also thinking about storage issues if I go with a 14' board my garage walls are full of boards (I have 3 SUP already and 2 kiteboards). So, any ideas regarding exterior storage (not worried about someone stealing it, just want to protect it).

I'd also probably have to get either a new shaft for my backup paddle (KeNalu Ho'oloa 95) to make it longer, as it's cut right now to head high.

33

Technique / Video Assist with Technique - SUP Surf Foot Placement

« on: February 13, 2018, 06:22:28 PM »

This is a bit long winded, but here goes:

I had a bit of a breakthrough in the last few days and wanted to share a bit of it. A little background first - I've been SUP surfing for 3 years and have worked down in board size/volume and will continue to do so, although my primary board right now is a 8'8" Jimmy Lewis SuperTech, 108L. I went with a bit of extra length (I've had 8'4" and smaller boards as well) because our waves are typically slow, and I wanted a lower volume, thinned out rail with enough stability to stand on.

In any case, I went on an once in a lifetime trip to Tavarua (I won the trip) and was not sure how I would fair with Cloudbreak. It ended up being a blast, and unforgettable. Waves were chest - overhead, with solid power, but it was doable, although certainly more power than I've experienced at home, Costa Rica, or California.

I only used the GoPro for half of one session, just because I was the only SUP and I wanted to focus on riding and sometimes the GoPro throws me off. In any case, attachment #1 is a screen grab off a video at Cloudbreak, cool wave, beautiful reef underneath, and all I can notice is how off my foot placement is. I thought it was just because I was setting up quickly and not having time to reset my feet from staggered surf stance paddling in to a proper stance.

So - fast forward to back at home and we actually have waves. I used the GoPro and noticed I did the same thing at home. Front foot is not on the stringer, back foot is nowhere close to the traction pad.

The last two days I've been determined to place my feet back and correctly located. Today - we had decent waist-chest waves with some power, I was able to really set my feet back and wow, what a difference it makes turning and pivoting the board with your back foot over the fins. I know this feeling from kiteboarding with a surfboard, but just thought it was our waves being too weak to get far enough back. It's not, it was just poor form. Anyways, I'm going to continue to work on it but the GoPro video today validated what I could feel (2nd pic).

The back foot set over the front fins really makes turning fun and more powerful.

34

SoCal / Meetup - Doheny or San Onofre (January 23-26)

« on: January 08, 2018, 04:19:08 PM »

I'm going to be staying in Dana Point for a few days if anyone wants to meet up or could advise some spots to go to? I went to Doheny last time and had fun, planning on exploring around in San Clemente/San Onofre this time.

35

SUP General / Travelling/Board Bag Question

« on: January 01, 2018, 12:36:35 PM »

I have a bit of a dilemma, I went with a 8'6" Riviera bag because it was a nice travel bag and the next size up they had was 10'6". The problem is my primary board is 8'8", it fits, and I asked if it would fit before ordering, but there's not a ton of room, basically just enough to put a pool noodle around the rails/nose/tail.

Two questions -

1. Can i trust this board being fit that tightly on multiple flights? I would have gone with the 10'6", but Delta can be weird about length/size of bags, that and 8'8" will be the largest board I ever travel with.

2. The bag has a paddle holder, I've typically just took apart my KeNalu paddle and put it inside the bag with the board (which I'll do on this trip - it will be my backup paddle), but is it ok and will it travel ok to have my primary paddle on the outside as shown on the attached pic?

36

Gear Talk / Riviera Board Bag?

« on: October 16, 2017, 05:22:44 PM »

Any thoughts on the Riviera board bag, they are on sale right now (since they are going out of business I'm guessing), looking at getting one for travel.

37

Gear Talk / Wax vs. Deckpad - knees

« on: September 27, 2017, 06:44:48 AM »

I've got a new board (and yes this is like the 4th new board/trade in the last two years). In any case, it comes without a deckpad, which I have no problems riding/standing on wax versus deckpad. My main problem comes from popping to my knees and then feet, it's tearing my knees up.

I'll be in a wetsuit in another month or so, but I'm not sure long term my knees can take it. It's literally only a few times a session I'm on my knees, mainly when I'm hopping up out of white water. If I'm sitting, i generally pop straight to my feet, but somehow after two quick sessions my knees are rubbed raw.

Any suggestions?

38

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Hippostick AL Pro 7.5

« on: September 18, 2017, 12:17:25 PM »

I've really enjoyed my Kenalu Ho'oloa 95 for awhile, but I was looking to go down in blade size and increase cadence for surfing. Carolina Paddleboard let me try a few different paddles back to back in comparsion with my Ho'oloa. I ended up with the Hippostick Al Pro 7.5 (82 sq in), here are some initial thoughts:

Weight: Very similar to my Ho'oloa, the Kenalu might be a smidge lighter (I need to weigh them, it's not noticeable)

Grip/Shaft: I prefer the more curved grip of the Hippostick, however, the shaft is very slick and needs wax. The Kenalu has a nice pattern to it. The Hippostick shaft also feels slightly bigger around.

Catch/Paddle: This is where the Hippostick excels, I'm not sure technically why I prefer it, but for whatever reason it feels smoother in/out of the water. I do not feel like i really lose a ton of power with the smaller blade and it's much quicker in/out of the water.

Functionality: I really like the modular aspect of KeNalu and being able to take it apart and change out paddles, grips, etc. I'm not sure why more companies don't go this route, but I have had issues with the grip coming unglued or leaking water inside, so there are pros and cons.

 

39

Classifieds / 8'5" Jimmy Lewis Worldwide - $950

« on: September 18, 2017, 04:33:59 AM »

I bought this board 6 months ago from JL and it looks perfect, no blemishes, dents, etc. I'm basically selling it to go down in volume, no other reason, it rides great, very stable, just progressing downward and I've lost a bit more weight (around 165 lbs). Comes with factory 5 fin set.

Located in Charleston, SC.

40

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Tavarua

« on: June 20, 2017, 02:36:55 PM »

So, I just found out that after breaking a foot this week skateboarding, I somehow lucked into an all expenses paid trip to Tavarua from Trace (the surf/kite/SUP tracker). I'm pretty excited, but now I'm wondering are there any breaks that won't kill be in Tavarua? I'd probably go in their smaller season (in January or February), and I'm pretty comfortable in overhead EC waves, and Costa Rica waves, but when I think Tavarua I think crazy, heavy waves over reef.

Let me know what I should know - if there are any kiters out there - same question.

41

Training, Diet, and Fitness / Broken 5th Metatarsal - Dancers Fracture

« on: June 19, 2017, 10:15:09 AM »

So, yeah, I'm 36, never broken a bone until now. I'm pretty good shape, so the orthopedist said probably 8 weeks before any water activities (I kite as well as SUP surf), maybe 12 weeks. This is a tough blow, but it could have been a Jones Fracture which requires complete demobilization and no weight bearing for 6 to 8 weeks, luckily I'm in an air boot and can weight bear.

My question is - has anyone had this and how was the recovery, etc.

42

Foil SUP / Questions - probably semi-stupid ones, but here goes

« on: May 01, 2017, 07:23:22 AM »

Ok, so I've done a bit of research, but I must say I haven't fully embraced and scoured the internet looking for every detail regarding SUP foil yet. I am very interested in the possibility as it looks like a great niche to fill in some of the days that I would otherwise not be on the water. I'm a pretty competent kiteboarder, and a lot of people have moved to kite foiling, I am however quite hesitant, as I don't see the return on investment of time/money with a kite. I can pretty much kite with a surfboard in any wind that will keep a kite up (over 10 knots). Anything below that, I'll SUP.

So, with regard to SUP foiling, here are my questions:

1. Can you gain enough speed with a slight tail wind to get up and foiling without a wave?
2. My area rarely has small, long period waves, if it's small, it's generally local wind chop. Can you get up and foiling on basically knee high bumps?
3. How heavy/cumbersome is it to carry a distance (say 1/10 of a mile). One of the spots we have that may possibly work is a bit of a walk.
4. Is there anyone on the east coast using them on a consistent basis yet?

Thanks

43

SoCal / Memorial Day - SoCal

« on: April 16, 2017, 04:24:48 PM »

So, I have a bit of a moral dilemma - my wife has a conference she wants to go to in Hollywood - nice writeoff, etc. The only issue - it's for some god awful reason on Memorial Day weekend.

She wants me to tag along, so.........I obviously want to stay on the beach and SUP surf somewhere. My questions are:

I'd have to drop her off at 9 each morning and pickup at 5. I'm thinking maybe go surf at sunrise for a hour, come back take her, and then hope that the wind hasn't picked up so much that I can go back around 10. Thoughts on where to stay?

How crowded and insane will traffic/beaches be?

Is there anywhere in the afternoon I can go that would be not insanely crowded and decent?

Any suggestions on where to rent from?

I'll probably stay somewhere near Manhattan Beach or towards Malibu/Santa Monica.

44

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Jimmy Lewis Worldwide - 8'5"

« on: March 29, 2017, 12:36:05 PM »

I debated this purchase for quite awhile - so here's some background. I kiteboard quite a bit as well and have surfed before when I was younger.

I've been SUP surfing for 3 years now - started at around 185 lbs, down to roughly 170 now, 35 years old, riding east coast waves with annual trips to CR and occasionally California.

Here's my progression through boards:
First 6 months: 10'1" Palm Head (POS - but it got me in the water)
Next Year: 9'2" Fanatic Allwave - broke it in half
Another year: 8'8" Naish Hokua X32 - good board to progress on, but eventually I found I could go smaller and wanted thinner rails
At the same time I bought a 10'1" JL Black and Blue for longboard/noseriding - definitely my favorite board in my quiver, love it.
I also bought a used 7'11" x 29" F-One Madeiro, 104L, which I love on the wave, but stability wise it's still a challenge in any chop.

So.........I went with Jimmy Lewis because I really like how responsive both Jimmy and Marlon are, and I love the Black and Blue (and I've ridden some of his kite-specific surfboards and like them). I feel like you really can't go wrong with anything Jimmy designs.

Construction

First thoughts - I went with the classic construction, and it's really light, here's a comparison:
10'1" B&B, 160 L - 19.5 LB
7'11" F-One Madeiro 104 L - 17.5 lbs
8'5 JL WW, 127 L - 16.3 lbs

My Hokua X32 LE with carbon was around 18 lbs. Construction wise- pretty solid, nice handle, love the full-length deck pad.

Ride

I've ridden it in mixed up waist to chest high waves mostly with one clean session this morning. The flat nose rocker makes it easier to catch waves compared to the 8'8" Hokua, so I get in a lot sooner and I've found the board keeps it's speed better. This translates into being able to make sections i couldn't on the Hokua.

I also found that instantly i could get a good cutback where the tail really slices around, and then keep enough speed to continue back down the wave and make another section. I could not do this on the Hokua. I have a Rip Curl Secure GPS watch and I can tell by the speed/length of waves that I'm getting a nice bump in both as compared to similar sessions/waves on the Hokua X32.

The one thing I am a bit surprised with is how well the WW handles weaker, slow surf. I've had it out on days where I would only bring my B&B and not even think about riding anything smaller, and it has excelled. I think the flatter profile in front and quad fin setup (I tried the thruster for 2 sessions, quad is better) helps it maintain speed well.

The WW seems to fall in between the Hokua and F-One. The F-One is really easy to get into waves (when I'm not falling) and easy to snap around. No surprise there as it's obviously a big jump from the Hokua. The WW is just as stable as the Hokua, feels like there's less nose to tail bump.

Conclusion/Miscellaneous


I'm really happy with my purchase, I wanted to progress to riding the 7'11" Madeiro but I was sacrificing too many really good days where there was a bit of a bump and struggling to stay upright long enough to catch a wave. Even when I could, the constant balancing act wore me out quickly. The WW gives me a nice all-around board that I feel confident in big surf, choppy surf, and frankly it surprised me in how well it handled weak surf.

I'm a bit concerned with the white rails as I have a tendency to bang rails quite a bit. I may invest in some rail tape soon. Other than that, I really haven't had any construction issues with the B&B and don't foresee any with the WW.

45

Classifieds / 7'11" F-One Madeiro For Sale/Trade - $750

« on: March 24, 2017, 05:49:40 AM »

I'm a bit torn on selling this board, on one hand, it's perfect once on a wave. It's just a bit wobbly for my size/skill level in any sort of chop (which we typically have some sort of current/chop). I may be willing to trade for a tomo/flat nose (Speed, JP Slate, Raptor, etc.).

I'm in Charleston, SC.