Topics

46

Downwind and Racing / Thinking about getting into Downwinding - Questions

« on: March 16, 2017, 08:48:35 AM »

I'm thinking about from a fitness and paddling improvement standpoint about getting into downwinding and more flatwater paddling. Here's where I'm at and my questions:

-I'm purely into SUS right now, love it, can't get enough. I'll occasionally take my longboard style SUP out in flatwater just to get some water time in.
-Anytime the wind goes over 13 knots or so - I'm kiteboarding
-I'm at the gym 5 days a week depending on surf/wind - basically I do something everyday, and a lot of times twice a day (hour in gym, hour kiting or surfing)
-I'm 36 years old, 170 lbs. and in fairly good shape

Here's my questions:
-For anyone who's purely into surf, how does downwinding compare from a fun standpoint? I know it's not surfing, but I'm sure there's people out there that either said hey I tried this and hated it, or I loved it and didn't think I would, etc.

-Paddle size/shapes - I'm sure there's plenty of info out there for this, so I'll do some research. Right now I have a single paddle - Kenalu Ho'oloa at forehead level, 95 sq in.

-Board - No clue on volume/length or what would work well, etc.Probably need to demo.
 

-

47

Technique / Foot Placement - Getting back on the board

« on: October 28, 2016, 08:40:03 AM »

Ok, so I know this one has been beat to death, but I wanted to check a few things I'm noticing. I'm on a 8'8 Naish Hokua X32 and a 10'1 JL B&B. After watching video of myself, I've noticed I can easily pivot turn the B&B, but when it comes to getting my foot back far enough on the Hokua, I'm failing.

I ride with a staggered stance, and laterally my foot placement looks solid, front foot in the middle of the stringer, back foot on a rail. The issue is that my back foot is probably a few inches above my front fins (quad setup) and my front foot is in front of the handle.

So, here are my questions:

1. For the people who are getting their foot back to the stomp pad - where are you feet as you start to paddle for the wave. Is your front foot above, even, or behind the handle?
2. Can you get your foot all the way back in slow, sluggish waves or do you need a certain amount of power to get going?
3. Does dropping down in volume and maybe going from a slowish/stable board (my 8'8" hokua X32) to something a bit quicker and less volume help with this process?

48

Gear Talk / Upgrade from Hokua X32? Suggestions?

« on: October 15, 2016, 07:59:58 PM »

I've had my 8'8" Hokua X32 LE for about a year, coming from a 9'2" Fanatic Allwave, I love the more tucked in nose, smaller overall shape and how comfortable I am on it stability wise. It was a nice step-up from the AW in my opinion. Now, of course, I'm looking at other boards just for fun, but if I can trade/sell the Hokua X32 I would definitely entertain the idea. Here's some stats:

I'm 175 lbs. I have a 10'1 JL Black and Blue for small surf/nose riding, this board will be for anything over waist high in general. I'm on the EC, so the waves are typically pretty weak, but I do make annual pilgrimages to Costa Rica and take a board with me. I SUP surf probably 100 days a year. I've tried a few smaller boards and been comfortable (one was a Boardworks Special 8'4" 110L.

My thought is that I would like to get thinner on the rails, less volume, and thinner for quicker rail to rail speed while still keep some stability. A few boards I've thought about:

Jimmy Lewis 8'5" Worldwide
Sunova Flow 8'7"
?

The other thing is that i find it pretty difficult to get my foot all the way back to the stomp pad on the X32, it's probably just me, but it feels like it loses a good bit of speed if I move back too far. I have no problem riding a surfboard with a kite with my foot all the way back, but for some reason with the X32 it's a struggle. I can see this from GoPro video from the paddle view - generally my front foot is right above the handle and my back foot about 1/3 away from the back of the board.

Any suggestions/thoughts? Anyone else made this same move? Anyone interested in a trade?

49

Classifieds / 8'8" Naish Hokua X32LE For Sale/Trade

« on: October 12, 2016, 06:59:25 AM »

I'm mainly looking to go smaller/less volume possibly. I like this board, but I think at this point in progression I could step down to something in the 8'5" 120L range, etc.

PM me if you are looking to trade or make an offer, in Charleston, SC.

50

Gear Talk / KeNalu - Water getting in Shaft

« on: October 03, 2016, 07:40:07 AM »

Ok, so I've cut down and re-glued my KeNalu numerous times, love that I can adjust it as I go.

After this last time - I've gotten water into the shaft, I heated the handle up and removed it to get the water out, then re-glued with the electrical tape as I always have - same thing.

Any ideas? Should I do the same on the paddle end?

51

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Laguna Beach - Recommendations

« on: March 22, 2016, 05:00:52 AM »

My wife has a class in Laguna Beach May 20 - 22 or something like that. Looking for board rental recommendations and spots to go that are SUP friendly. I'll have a vehicle, figured San Onofre and wherever else you guys recommend. Board rental wise - I ride a 8'8" Naish Hokua X32 and JL Black and Blue 10', would like something based on wave size/shape, if there are some nice longboard type waves, would love to try out some different longboard shapes.

52

Gear Talk / Naish Hokua Vent Plug

« on: February 23, 2016, 04:41:44 PM »

Yeah, I lost mine coming back from Costa Rica. It's the black plastic one with a single slot, is there anywhere to get one other than from Naish?

53

Gear Talk / Stock Fins vs GL-1 fins, SUP vs regular fins

« on: December 31, 2015, 10:58:01 AM »

How much of a difference do better fins have on SUP surfing performance? I'm wondering if it's worth buying a set of FCS GL-1 quad fins vs the stock FCS fins on my Hokua X32. I'm guessing it's worth the upgrade, so the next question is what's the difference between SUP-specific fins and regular surfing ones? I'm guessing size, but just wanted to check.

Last question, since my sidebites on the thruster setup are cheapo ones, can I use the smaller GL-1 fins as my thruster fins, so I don't have to buy a set of thruster ones too?

54

Technique / Foot Placement

« on: December 30, 2015, 04:27:13 AM »

I keep noticing in videos that my feet are in the middle of the board, are there any tips on getting to the back of the board to turn and keeping speed. I know this sounds pretty self-explanatory, but for some reason in my mind I can't do it.

I do get back on my JL Black and Blue 10'1", but on my Allwave and Hokua that I ride mostly now, no luck, always turning from the middle of the board.

It looks like my front foot should be roughly near the handle, and back foot right off the back pad. Any tips?

55

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Avellanas/Tamarindo Breaks

« on: December 07, 2015, 01:05:09 PM »

I went last March to Avellanas and Nosara, and caught it during one of the larger south swells of the year it seems as it was well overhead and closing out/double overhead and larger at Nosara. I rode the whole time at Avellanas near Lola's and found the waves on the beachbreaks in front of Lola's and down the beach to be pretty quick for a SUP/my skill level.

So, I'm thinking of going back first week in February where I heard it's smaller typically. I think I've progressed quite a bit this year and I've moved to a smaller board which has helped a lot (8'8" Hokua vs. the 9'6" Mana I rented last year). That combined with smaller size I'm hoping will make it fun.

My question is - are the waves always that quick, or did the larger swell play into it? Are there slower, more SUP-friendly breaks nearby?

56

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Dominical/Uvita - SUP Rental?

« on: October 18, 2015, 05:42:43 PM »

May have a place to stay, truck, etc. down in Dominical, CR. Problem is it takes two flights to get there (which would cost a small fortune to get a board down there and back for a week).

Anyone know of any decent rentals for surf down in that area? Uvita, etc.?

I searched on here and online and last one I saw was from 2012 from a SUP/kite company down in Dominical.

57

Gear Talk / 8'8" Hokua G32 LE Review

« on: October 04, 2015, 04:35:43 PM »

Bought this off Craigslist, great condition, great deal, the guy just had too many tools and rode a shortboard more than a SUP. I've been on a Fanatic Allwave 9'2" for two years as my main SUP for surfing. I recently bought a 10'1 JL B&B for smallish surf (which I love) and wanted to go a bit smaller for my other board for bigger surf and something that I can turn a bit quicker, more responsive, etc. I also lost some weight since I bought the AW, and now I'm around 175.

Anyways - I love this board, it's a perfect mix of stability and responsiveness. I had it out the last few days in chest to head, with 3' overhead sets and it has made a noticeable difference in my riding. In the past, on the AW, on quicker waves, I would make a bottom turn and then not have enough speed to make sections a lot of times. This board I had no issues, even got a little covered up for the first time on a SUP.

All in all - great board, light, and really feels like you are surfing instead of riding.

I'm a little concerned that I can feel heel dents in it where i stand, but no big deal.

If anyone has any questions or is thinking about getting this board, go for it.

58

SUP General / Top SUS Waves in the World

« on: September 07, 2015, 05:25:05 PM »

Just wondering what are some of the best travel spots for waves suitable for SUS, some of the criteria I'm thinking would be attitude in the water, crowds, mellow takeoffs, slower waves, etc.

Any thoughts?

I've traveled a good bit of the Caribbean kiteboarding, and just went to Costa Rica to SUS, some of the waves worked, some were too steep/fast. Just looking for some new trip ideas.

59

SoCal / South LA - Rental

« on: July 07, 2015, 03:36:53 AM »

I'm headed to Long Beach next week for work, and would like to get a few surf sessions in in the AM if possible. I'm comfortable in up to head high surf, and I currently ride a Fanatic Allwave 9'2". Last time I was in town I stated in Santa Monica and went to Sunset which was really fun.

Any suggestions on a rental either in HB or Seal Beach, or wherever there are decent waves that are SUP-friendly or at least allowed.

Also, can I get away with a 1mil top and boardshorts?

60

Travel, Trips, Destinations / SUP Surf Rental near Long Beach, CA

« on: July 06, 2015, 01:08:47 PM »

I'll be in Long Beach for work next week (July 13-16). Any recommendations for a SUP rental/area to go get some surf? All of the posts I have seen are for flatwater, looking to get an early surf in the AM if possible. I should be able to get a SUV for a car rental, so transport isn't an issue.