Messages

16

Gear Talk / Re: Starboard 7'7" pro demo in California

« on: December 24, 2014, 08:03:16 AM »

i'm based in SF Bay, but was considering a road trip at some point. Availability of a demo might factor into my decision of where to go.

Do you have one available?

17

Gear Talk / Starboard 7'7" pro demo in California

« on: December 20, 2014, 02:15:17 PM »

Does any shop (or any one, perhaps a rep?) have a 7'7" pro that I can demo in California?

Thinking I want one, but don't want to take the leap without at least making sure I can stand on it first...

18

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: Panama- best sup spot?

« on: October 31, 2014, 08:34:59 AM »

spent 10 days in Panama (Bocas del Toro) last christmas for the express purpose of SUP surfing.  Waves and breaks everywhere, rights, lefts, beach break, point break, reef break. You have to take a water taxi to any break (don't plan on finding a place to stay on the beach where you can surf from), but there are so many taxis going back and forth it's easy (just tell the dude to pick you up in 2 hours and he'll come back).

biggest issue? no good SUPs to rent. I spent several hours trying to find some. Most places rent Foam sups (terrible for surfing), this one place had some reallly nice surf sups, but refused to rent them (only for sale). They had some other more cruising sups, but refused to let you use them in the surf. Ended up using the SUP from our hotel, an 11' Laird which was fun, but in steep shallow reef-break, it would have been nice to have something more maneuverable (my every day board is a 7'10").

So, if you bring your own SUP, you'll have an epic time. There are no big resorts in bocas, only small little hotels. fun times tho.

19

SUP General / Small board demos

« on: October 07, 2014, 07:29:08 PM »

Up here in nor-cal / SF Bay, I've noticed it's nearly impossible to demo small, high performance shapes. With these smaller boards (like the SB 7'7" pro) everyone talks about how awesome they are, but without a demo, it's too big of a risk to just order one

I might be able to get a few small boards in as a demo (I'm thinking 8' and smaller). Are there any people interested in getting together for a few demo days to try out a variety?

Stuff on my list:
Fanatic 7'11"x26.5
Naish 7'8"x27.75
SB 7'7"x27
SB 8'0"x28
SB 8'0"x29
SB 7'10x30

We don't need to limit it to little boards, so can grab some bigger boards too, but the point of this is to help those who are committed to riding a smaller SUP to give them a chance to actually demo the smaller stuff.

anyway, respond or PM me if you're interested.

20

Gear Talk / Re: Waterproof Watches

« on: May 26, 2014, 02:09:05 AM »

I always go to Target, and buy the cheapest watch I can find that is "Water resist 100M". Generally ends up being a Casio.

Costs me around $25. When I lose the watch, or it gets clogged with saltwater, I buy a new one.  I've never had a watch die due to water-ingress. I generally go through a watch every 4-5 years (usually because it gets lost)

Don't really see the point in buying an expensive watch that's going to get soaked in the ocean several times a week, especially when the cheap ones work so well.

21

Gear Talk / Re: how far down in size?

« on: May 26, 2014, 02:04:23 AM »

The Hero is a fantastic board. Stable, but surfs really well in the steeper stuff. It's got quite a bit of rocker, so not the best gliding / point break board, but really excels in beach break when it's steep and messy. Handles plenty of size too due to the rocker...

I've got three friends who have them...they range from maybe 200 lbs to 260 lbs. I've ridden it too, was surprised at how agile it was, the 33" width is great for stability, but the board itself doesn't seem overly wide.

It's generally the board I recommend for people who are either heavy, or just want a nice stable platform. If you're under 200 lbs, I might recommend something smaller.

22

SUP General / Re: Surfing the coast north of santa cruz

« on: February 13, 2014, 06:10:32 PM »

i surf those spots all the time.

Pacifica is mellow, if you aren't bothered by the terrible waves and the hordes of beginners.

I personally think OB is super mellow if you pick the right day. OB is by far the best wave outside of santa cruz if you pick a good day.

The Jetty at HMB is somewhat sheltered? Or you could go up to Bolinas too.

23

Gear Talk / Re: Why not rack on edge?

« on: February 11, 2014, 05:53:34 PM »

Ah, funny. I was considering the exact same implementation once. I had a thule box and wanted to put my SUP next to it. Did a TON of research, ended up deciding that it wasn't worth it.

Ended up with a far better solution IMHO.

Using round Yakima racks, you can go to the hardware store and buy some pipe that fits inside the rack crossbar perfectly. Drill out a hole for a cotter pin, and now you have telescoping racks! I moved my cargo box all the way to the side, and when i want to transport my sup, i extend my rack out a bit and put my SUP on there. Works perfectly!

Sure, the SUP hangs out a bit to the side, but it's still not wider than my door mirrors. If you're curious, i could probably dig up some photos.

24

Gear Talk / Re: deck pads

« on: January 26, 2014, 02:14:49 PM »

yah, just got some hydroturf. I didn't clean my board well the first time I tried to stick it on...came right off after a few wipeouts on a 12 foot day.

make sure to really clean it with alcohol.

It's a bit thicker than I'd like, but it's pretty comfy and grippy.

If you're worried about it taking on water, just spray it with some neverwet

( NeverWet Arrives - Hands-On Product Demonstration )

25

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: Panama...Costa Rica ..or Nicaragua ..."Oh, the choices..."

« on: January 19, 2014, 04:41:27 PM »

I just got back from Bocas del Toro in Panama. Point breaks and reef breaks everywhere, lefts, rights, beach breaks too. I surfed every day, a 10 min paddle from my B&B on a beautiful point break that was maybe 6-7 foot and I was the only surfer. Literally, I had to convince another guy to join me because I was lonely.

Tons of breaks, lots of options (easily 50 different breaks within $2 boat ride), pretty easy to find a completely empty break, especially for a SUP.

other big advantage is there's TONS to do for a non surfer, lots to explore on the islands.

big negative: no quality rental boards. I was riding an 11'6" Laird. Bring your own gear...

another option is to perhaps bring a board, and line up a buyer before you go, as it's difficult for shops to get boards in.

26

Gear Talk / Re: who makes this traction pad?

« on: January 09, 2014, 05:13:07 PM »

yep. that's the tail pad...but I was wondering about the deck pad....

Agreed, my second choice option is just to get some material and do cutouts...but curious what this one was.

I like the idea of doing cutouts to save weight.

27

Gear Talk / Re: who makes this traction pad?

« on: January 09, 2014, 02:27:25 AM »

any word?

28

Gear Talk / Re: who makes this traction pad?

« on: January 04, 2014, 10:44:19 AM »

yep. i figure if I get the same pad, I'll be able to do that air reverse too. that's how it works right?

29

Gear Talk / who makes this traction pad?

« on: January 04, 2014, 10:05:46 AM »

I like the look of this pad, but for the life of me, can't figure out the brand. anyone know?

http://www.star-board-sup.com/2014/products/boards/shape_overview/data/surf_fish/mb_00.jpg?1

it's got three triangles...(see the front and back)...in white

30

Technique / Re: Getting Out of a wave

« on: December 09, 2013, 05:39:04 PM »

if the waves were steep and barreling like you said, why not just tuck into the barrel? sure, you might not make it out, but if you're gonna fall anyway, might as well fall inside of the barrel.  the wipeout doesn't really even hurt as you can just fall into the wave and out the back.

The other day, it was super steep and closeout city. Stopped trying to do turns, and just focused on getting tubed. no hope of making it out, but man, it was fun!