Messages

1006

SUP General / Re: For the San Deigo folks

« on: August 20, 2010, 10:50:15 AM »

I'm usually wearing a 3/2 full suit; I fall in a lot so the full suit is needed to keep me warm...

1007

SUP General / Re: Sometimes it's better to be on top of the water.

« on: August 04, 2010, 09:51:21 AM »

The great white in the pic above is smiling, must have just had dinner!

Or just happy in anticipation of eating the photographer!

1008

SUP General / Re: sea sick

« on: August 04, 2010, 09:33:06 AM »

I've never got seasick but I don't wear sunglasses either; I fall off too much and I'd just lose them anyway.  I do usually feel the rolling of the ocean if I stand still for a day or 2 after paddling but it doesn't make me sick...

1009

Gear Talk / Re: Paddle cover test 2010.

« on: August 02, 2010, 03:28:10 PM »

SW - you should color in all of the letters in the word "SUPERLIGHT" black except for "SUP" and charge double!!!

1010

Gear Talk / Re: Car rack?

« on: August 02, 2010, 03:26:27 PM »

I saw it all the other day - a scooter that had a rack that went over her head (it somehow secured to the front fork and the rear) and a longboard strapped to it!  And, she was just pulling off of the interstate; I just wish I was a little quicker with the camera phone because I missed a pretty good pic...

1011

Gear Talk / Re: Starboard "rail Protection" what is it?

« on: August 02, 2010, 03:23:13 PM »

I like the paddle guard myself too; the protection goes with me if I try someone else's board. 

My latest guard was at the recommendation of a local shaper.  Get some black door edge guard for a truck or van from your local auto store.  Then you wrap it along the edge of the paddle and tape the ends (I used some leftover C4 handle grip tape but you could probably use mastic tape or even super glue).  Make sure to get the truck/van edge guard - it comes in longer lengths and it's a little thicker than the car version...

1012

Gear Talk / Re: What size board?

« on: August 02, 2010, 03:14:41 PM »

Try before you buy...  hopefully some of the shops have demo or rental boards for you.  My 10'1" Joe Blair floats me with no problem because of it's volume - I weight 215 lbs...

1013

Technique / Re: Board control for a newbie

« on: July 30, 2010, 09:43:37 AM »

To go thru white waters, I don't give up my balance by shifting back.  I stay in the same stance and bash thru, force meets force, and just before the white water hits the nose I grab a handful of paddle power



I've been instinctively following Tuberider's advice - I don't step back on the tail either.  I try to time it to be on the paddle as the white water hits my board; the combination of forward momemtum and the paddle in the water help me to stay stable (usually!).

I'm still not clear on how to kick out of the white water and turn around but I'm going to practice this weekend; it's a balancing act to ride in toward the beach as far as possible and let the churn settle down before trying to turn without going to far and risking a broken fin...

1014

Technique / Board control for a newbie

« on: July 27, 2010, 06:16:36 AM »

What are some tips for controlling my board in the surf?  I'm new to paddle surfing so I wear a leash and stay away from the busy line ups.  That means that I invariably am surfing the whitewater because no one goes there.  I'm fine with that but I'm not fine with just falling off my board at the end of my ride.  Turning seems impossible in whitewater so what should I do to control the board?  Any tips or links would be appreciated... 

1015

Gear Talk / Re: Need Advice Buying First Board

« on: July 27, 2010, 05:55:11 AM »

You could also try renting a few boards to try and see what you like.  Or, try to find fellow SUPers who would let you try their boards.  If you don't know anyone you could look on meetup.com to see if there's a group in your area or you could start a group...

1016

Gear Talk / Re: 12' munoz, or laird.. Or jimmystyx

« on: July 26, 2010, 05:13:08 PM »

I thought the 11' Laird was a little tippy when I was starting out; 12' was much more stable but too expensive (nothing used was available).  I ended up with an Isle beginners classic (11'x31"x4 3/4").  The width is the key - wider is more stable.

1017

Gear Talk / Re: Need Advice Buying First Board

« on: July 26, 2010, 05:10:03 PM »

Joe Blair 10'1" x 32 3/4" x 4 7/8" - very stable and surfs great.  I'm 6'1" and 215 lbs.  Just got mine last Friday; started on an Isle 11' x 31" x 4.75" and this is just as stable but surfs better.  Price is good to - just over a grand (but no shipping for me since he's local).

http://www.jblairsurf.com/Paddle_Surfboards.html

1018

Gear Talk / Re: Need help choosing a wide SUP

« on: July 26, 2010, 11:46:15 AM »

Joe Blair 10' 1"; it's 32 3/4" wide and 4 7/8" thick.  I had an Isle 11' x 31" x 4.75" and the Blair is as stable if not more.  Plus the Blair surfs extremely well for it's size (much better than the Isle in my opinion).

http://www.jblairsurf.com/Paddle_Surfboards.html

1019

Gear Talk / Re: What's the best 10' board?

« on: July 26, 2010, 11:41:34 AM »

Joe Blair 10'1" is amazing; I got mine last Friday.  I upgraded from an Isle 11' beginner classic and the difference is noticeable.  The Blair is just as stable and it surfs so much better.  His design moves the fins further forward so it turns easier plus it transitions from a double concave in the back to flat under your feet to a single concave under the nose.  There's a good amount of rocker to so pearling is much reduced.  If you plan on using it for flatwater I'd get a longer center fin because it comes with a stock 3 fin thruster set up that is great for surfing.  I paid a little over a $1000...