Topics

871

Sessions / Paddling with penguins.

« on: April 08, 2008, 06:00:57 AM »

Today we had a day beautiful here in Melbourne (Oz)....I went for my daily paddle and was looking forward to trying my new soft paddle T grip...btw..It was great.

On my way back after a couple of hours paddling around the pier and marina at St Kilda beach I came across something splashing in the water up ahead.

I paddled across to it and it was a fairy penguin..btw..There are about 1000 of them that live along the breakwater wall but they are not often seen during the day.

I could see that the penguin was having fish for lunch..He had a school of tiny fish and was herding them..I was right above watching when heaps of little fish would jump out of the water trying to get away from the hungry little penguin.

Every now and then he would dart through the center of the school and comp away..I followed along for a few minutes enjoying the show..It was warm and sunny and the water was clear and like glass.

I was right above when I realized that I had my camera..I stopped and tryed to get it out of it's waterproof case to take a pic while standing..I almost fell as I leaned over to take a shot..I was on my 10'6".

I then kneeled down..Put the camera in movie mode and started to film it..But the bugger had now swam away with its fish and was about 20 feet away..It was hardly worth filming but I filmed anyway..Seagulls swooped down as they enjoyed a free feed from the herded fish.

Bummer that I never got a better vid of it.

Here's my vid..It looked nice and clear at first..but once downloaded onto Youtube that quality went crap..I will delete it off soon so anyone interested click here before it's gone..

Warning...It's not much so don't come asking for your 51 seconds back..[]

DJ

872

Gear Talk / Soft T grip.

« on: March 31, 2008, 04:48:50 AM »

Does anyone know who makes these soft grip T handles....or who sells them?

DJ

873

Sessions / Just checkin' out the boats.

« on: March 28, 2008, 03:20:19 PM »

I've had my Naish 10'6" for a while now and the other day I bought the big Naish 11'6" for my daughter and friends to use..as well as me for those long flat water paddles that I often do.

Yesterday I put it in the water for the first time..Fist paddle on a new board is always exciting..I had a perfect day for just cruising around and checking out the boats in the marina.

Our long hot Summer weather is coming to an end and the last couple of days were cold wet and windy..I was keen to get my new board in the water no matter what..btw..Summer is Dec, Jan and Feb in Oz.

It was a cold overcast morning and it looked like rain..but once at the beach the sky started to clear..Jeez the big Naish 11'6" is HUGE..perfect for some mates to try because they're BIG boys..



The waves were about head high......for a mouse.. ...It was looking glassy.



My new Naish has the new mast base screw hole instead of the old mast track..and the hand hole is now further back (in the right spot)..I have not stuck my deck pad on so the crocs were on..



I first paddled across to the big black boat..and the next pic shows the beach that I started from in the distance..and the Melbourne city skyline behind.





I just paddled around the marina for a while and took some pics of boats anchored there..I didn't have a waterproof camera but how could you fall with such a big stable board and conditions like this.









I came across this odd boat..I'm not sure what it does.













I then headed for St Kilda pier kiosk...It's bit of a famous Melbourne land mark..btw..It burned down a few years back and the re built it...Here's a nice pic if it (not mine..and taken from the other side)







On the other side of the kiosk there's a little beach..only a few feet long..and there's some old locals that are there every day that I have got to know...I hear a "G'day Dave"..as Fred calls out to me.







I noticed this odd looking jelly-fish.



I guess that's the problem with city beaches that are located near redlight areas.



Signs of Autumn weather...and the end of Summer....Bugger!!.



There is often half a dozen old guys at this pier that are here every day..rain, hail or shine...I've got to know them and they are great guys..and become good friends..they're in their eighties.

This is Harry and Martin...and above is Fred in the wheelchair.





Here's a pic of the guys that I took a while back when I stopped off to see them while on my bike.



After a bit of relaxing in the sun and a cool drink it was time to paddle back..I'm headed for the beach in the far left horizon in this pic.



Once back..a few hours later..a breeze is just starting to pic up..Perfect timming...Hope you like my pics...btw...the new board was great..

DJ

874

Gear Talk / Two new Naish boards.

« on: March 22, 2008, 04:25:30 AM »

Currently Naish have only two sup boards..The big 11'6" and the smaller 10'6"..Those who have used both know there is a big difference between the two boards....btw..both are great boards..imo.

Naish will soon have a new board that fills the gap between these two.. It's a new 11'4" tri fin board..It's thiner than the 11'6" and 30" wide....It will also have a hand/hole and mast base screw hole.

Note...It is not a replacement for the old 11'6"......Here's a couple of pictures.







Also there is a new Fish style short board..It will be 9'6" long and will be a quad fin...Here's a few pictures.

DJ

875

Sessions / Paddling between the flags.

« on: March 11, 2008, 12:38:08 PM »

The other day I went for my daily flat water paddle and took my camera along with me.

I started at Mentone beach lifesaving club and thought I would paddle to the next beach a few kilometers away (about a mile or so)..It was a beautiful day with a warm North wind blowing offshore.



.

I had been paddling for about half an hour and saw some pelicans in the water up ahead so I stopped and got my camera out for some pics.



.

I was now sitting on my board drifting towards the pelicans and I noticed an odd looking sea bird amongst the seagull on the rocks..See it here on the bottom left of this pic..

It was much bigger than the other birds and grey in color.



.

I took another pic of the pelicans and hadn't noticed that the grey bird had flown away..but later spotted it in the air in this shot..Upper left corner..(all blurred)



.

I thought seeing I'm sitting down I'll have a bit to eat..I had some bread with me..I tossed a little bread in the water ahead..and the seagulls did what seagulls do.

Here's a couple of shots of them frozen in the air.





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These are Cormerants..another common local seabird here..Everytime I paddle near them they sh*t into the water before flying off..It's like they try and make themselves as light as poss before take-off.



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The sun on the green sea-weed looked almost fluro green through my polarized sunglasses..and not quite as bright colored in the photos.



.

My shadow...byw my little camera was not waterproof so I was getting brave taking pics while standing..but brave could suddenly turn to stupid if I had fallen in.



I had my Crocs on because of all the rocks and shallow water..Some water was so shallow that I often expected my fin to touch.



.

Mmmm..carbon..mmmm...I love the look of the sun on my carbon fiber paddle.







.

Once I got around the point I cold see all the people swimming at Beaumaris beach..and the flags that they should swim between..It is patrolled by Beaumaris life saving club.





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The lifesavers paddle boards were very similar to my 10'6" Naish.







.

It was time to relax before my paddle back and I had brought a nice cold drink for the trip....Cheers.







.

Heading back I stopped for a few more water shots..I liked this second pic with the shine on the water (bottom left) looking like diamonds in the water.





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I stayed close to the cliffs to keep out of the howling north wind...and there where more diamonds in the water ahead.

You would not think there were white caps further out.



.

There were also lots of boats parked in the sheltered water..I stopped and chatted to a few people on boats as I paddled past..

Some offered me cold drinks..Most were curious about the board and this strange thing that I was doing.



.

I am now back at Mentone beach..and those red and yellow flags on the beach are for the Mentone life saving club.

BTW all life savers patrolling the beaches down under are volenteers...They do a great job...and they are always telling people to.."Swim between the flags".



Hope you liked my pictures...Sorry if there are too many...They may not be as exciting as those that Blane posts (jeez I love his pics)...but many of us don't get many waves like some of you lucky buggers do.

DJ

876

Gear Talk / Gain a few inches..to your Naish alloy paddle.

« on: March 11, 2008, 01:59:55 AM »

The Naish alloy paddle is a great middle of the road paddle...IMO

The only problem is that they are a bit short for us tall guys that paddle a lot on flat water.

I believe that a good measure of correct paddle length is to turn the paddle upside down..Place the T grip on the ground..and where the blade comes out from the shaft should be about eye level.

This pic shows my old home made paddle at the length that I like...Then the Naish carbon and Naish alloy.





I don't mind my carbon paddle being a little short..but the alloy paddle is just way too short for me.

Here's what I did with mine...First I cut the original T grip off.



Next I made a new top with a plastic T grip and one size larger alloy tube.





It's a bit hard to see in this pic but I used a windsurfer boom spring pin.



Job done...Adgustable paddle for short arse hobbits..to lanky bean poles..

Just what I need for teaching friends how to SUP.

DJ

877

Sessions / Girls just wanna have fun.

« on: March 08, 2008, 03:51:50 AM »

Today we had a beautiful young guest from Hawaii doing an introduction to SUP for girls at our local beach.

Tatiana is on the Naish team and is traveling the world promoting our sport..this is here site.. http://www.tatianahoward.com/



This her ad that was handed out in the local surf shops.



The local sup shop was asked by Naish if they could help her out with some demo boards..and I was asked if I could give her a hand..setting up and all that stuff.

I checked out her site and thought...Sure..no worries.. ...I'll be in that...My plan was to help her with the boards..and perve from the side..er..I mean watch from the side..

I meet Tatiana this morning for the first time..Jeeez..What a cutie.. ...I helped with the boards and putting up some sponsors banners..Mostly Naish and DaKine.

The weather was a bit overcast at first..but warm and still...Glassy still....Perfect...Here she is..always smilling...btw..the day did clear up to a nice sunny day.



Soon girls started turning up...Some had Dads there also to do deed ( looking after the kids) while they had fun.



The girls had perfect conditions for cruising around..For some it was their first time on a SUP...and non fell in..(that I saw)..Tatiana had the sink tail turns down pat...She was looking good.



Some others there were looking good also..



It was smiles all around..Because..Girls just wanna have fun..



I took the Kalama out for a paddle...It's funny how if I'm paddling with mates..I like to lead or be up the front...But paddling with the girls I was quit happy to be at the rear.....Funny about that..

Check out how glassy it was..



Tatiana found a little starfish that she wanted to take home with her.





Once back on shore it was still girls having fun...and she had gifts to hand out...nice.



This little guy was enough lucky to get a lay.



It's a tough job..but somebody has to do it....Hope you liked my pictures...Thanks Tatiana for a great day.

DJ

878

SUP General / I SUP'ed for a TV show.

« on: March 05, 2008, 02:07:41 PM »

I had a great day yesterday.

I was asked to help with the filming of a 'Totally Wild' ( http://ten.com.au/totallywild ) TV show about SUP'ing.

It's a kids TV show that screens daily here on channel TEN between 4-4.30pm.

We had perfect weather for it..I knew I was at the right place when I saw TV camera's being set up.



Lucky for us the wind was starting to die off...Normally at this timeof day it would be getting stronger..Waa-Hoo!

Four of us paddled around in front of the camera's for hours.

It was ok guys..race out that way..Now race back..Now go slow..Now fall in... ....Now paddle past one at a time..Now paddle past all together...All that sort of stuff.

A couple of the guys had lines to learn and wore mics...and after a few takes (and fluffs)..they go it right...I'm glad I didn't have to speak.

They filmed dogs on the SUP's...Kid's on the SUP's...and lot's of us just mucking around.

There was one time when they were asking Luke and Paul things on the beach about SUP'ing..and I went to a paddle way out into the bay by myself...and what did I come across...Dolfins..About 5-6 big dolphins cruising past right were I was paddling...I yelled back to shore..and they got it on film...Lucky they had a big lens on the camera.

Here's a few pics...Shhhh!...Quiet on the set.



This is Paul getting ready to talk about SUP'ing gear...



This is a leg rope...



This is a paddle...



During filming I did a few trick moves..I rode my paddle like a horse (between my legs) and said..This is the 'Witchy-poo'..

Played my paddle like it was a guitar..and said..This is the 'Stevie Ray'..

All good fun at the time..They thought it was great..and now after I'm a bit embarressed...

It was a great day..They filmed us from about 10am till about 1.30pm..It should screen in a few weeks..They'll probably cut it down to about 10-15 minutes..(Just guessin')..

Who knows what they will end up showing after all the editing.

I used the big Naish 11'6"...What a great board for mucking around like this.

DJ

879

SUP General / New Robby Naish SUP vid

« on: February 26, 2008, 05:25:58 AM »

Check it out...Interesting board..and H U G E wave that he takes off on a Jaws..also good words that he says at the end.

Click here... http://www.naish.tv/

DJ

880

SUP General / SUP racing Aussie style.

« on: February 11, 2008, 01:41:38 AM »

Yesterday in Melbourne (Oz) we had our very first SUP comp for this part of the world...It was a SUP race.

The local windsurfing/kitesurfing/snowboarding/and now SUP shop put on the event..The shop's called SHQ (sailboard headquarters)..

It's Melbourne biggest surf shop..(imo)..and good on them for getting behind this new sport.





SHQ have a great set up with the main shop on the hwy..and a kiosk type clubhouse down on the nearby beach.



Downstairs was the cafe/kiosk..and upstairs a sort of clubroom and telly (maybe even watch the cricket if you're into that. )



I had no idea what the turn up was going to be like because although I never see anyone also doing it myself I knew they were out there somewhere..and I guess we had between 15-20 enter the event.

There was everything from old windsurfers to new C4 boards.



Down on the beach Mike (the shop owner) told us all the rules for the race...Basicly..'no cheating' and have fun.. 





The idea was to put you board on the sand next to the water..and walk back about 100 yards/meters to the edge of the sand and when he says "go"..you run to your board and paddle like hell..

The beaches in Melbourne are only bay beaches..so there's no real swell..just wind swell..and the wind was picking up..Bugger!!..and it's a head wind..Double bugger!!..

We had to paddle around a yellow pole about two hundred yards/meters out from the shore..and head to the point in the far distance..round another similar yellow pole..and then race back...Sounds easy.



We're off and racing..I think I'm still on the sand jogging to my board..I wasn't keen to run...Saving energy was my plan.



By the time I got my board in the water..rinsed out the shells etc out of my crocs..and got going they were almost all already around the yellow pole..I thought "I'll catch em"

I got into a nice rhythm and decided to head out wide as the main pack kept closer to the shore..and I was catching..slowly..and passing some..slowly...I could see the first three up ahead and was aiming at getting on the tail of third..I paddled hard...but...they must have been paddling harder..I was loosing ground on third...I tried paddling harder but started to get cramp type pain in my upper stomic..It was either my 50yr old abs begging for mercy..or the greasy McDonalds that I had for breakie.

I had to back off...but I was getting closer to the rounding pole and two guys on my left were racing to beat me around it...We were heading for a collision..I backed off and let them through..The guy in front of the two fell in and slowed them up...I tried not to laugh out loud..but couldn't help grinning from ear to ear.

I here behind me the guy that fell is says to his mate.."That was nice and cool..You should try it"..I thought yeah right...but to my surprise the two were back on my tail..and gaining..It was about the 40 minute mark and I was feeling like I was going to die..I've race Mt bikes and it was like riding up a big hill and you know you will go into the red if you don't back off.

I decide to back off slightly and the two behind passed me...I thought I would just have to go into survival mode..The stomach pain was passing..but my mouth was so dry..The sun was burning on my face (even with glasses and peak) and I had a sweat drip on the end of my nose and chin..I pushed on.

I was almost at the rounding pole to head back to the beach and this guy in red shorts came from nowhere to pass me..I thought "no you don't"..and dug deap..I got a better line around the pole..and beat him to the beach...I felt like a winner..I asked someone.."did I win?"..just kidding.

I'm not sure where I finished..about seventh I think..I knew I had done my best so I was a happy-chappy.

Matt had won...and good on him I thought.



Big Dave (the C4 man) was second.



Wes (Aussie Laird) was third.



This is me..and feeling like a winner..



After the race it was time for the kids to have some fun.



Next it was back to the barbie (BBQ)



Mmmmm!!!



Time to relax.



Matt was the deserving winner.





Mike said there was ten prizes to give out so the top ten would go into a lucky draw.





There was smiles all round as prizes were given out..some guys got paddles..some got board bags, deck grip...heaps of great stuff...Not bad for a ten dollar entry fee.



I even finished in the top ten and got a great prize...Waa-Hoo!



I was asked to give a small talk about SUP'ing...I though "here's the blind leading the blind".. ..That's me in the grey shirt...it all went well...Wes (Aussie Laird) gave a talk about SUP'ing in the waves.



All in all it was a great day..We all had fun..It was perfect weather..and I can't wait for the next one.

DJ

After doing all this I just realized maybe I should have posted this in the sessions section..ooops.

881

Gear Talk / Happy as a pig in mud.

« on: February 09, 2008, 12:16:37 AM »

After SUP'ing for more than two years and getting by with an old NSP surfboard..I finally got myself a real SUP....Waa-Hoo!!...I bought a Naish 10'6" and I'm as happy as a pig in mud..

When I bought my NSP there was nothing else (here) and although I've got used to the tippyness of it after test riding a few boards I didn't realize just what I was missing.

Here's my old NSP next to my friends new C4...It really looks like just a surfboard doesn't it..I thought a 10'6" would be a good all-rounder.



Here's my new baby...Sorry about all the pics...Yeah I'm just a bit excited..I could just look at it all day.







I couldn't wait to get it in the water and have a go..I had not even test ridden a 10'6" so I didn't know what to expect.

The best I could do today was a couple of hours paddling around the local marina on flat water to test it out.

I still don't have deck grip but my crocs grip the gloss surface real good..I'm looking at getting a C4 deck pad.



I was lucky to get one of the new Naish boards without the mast track..Just a small hole to screw a mast base into.

The early ones had a big track on the deck and made it feel like you were paddling a sailboard.

Here's a pic of the older style Naish board with a mast track.



I took a few more pics around the marina.







I was in such a hurry to get it wet I haven't even put the side fins in.



Yes I'm a happy-chappy.. ....Now I can't wait to get in some waves and really test it out.

DJ

882

Sessions / SUP'ing with my daughter.

« on: January 29, 2008, 02:36:06 AM »

The Great Australia day duck race was held here in Melbourne today.

Although Australia day was on Saturday 26th..today (Monday 28th) was the public holiday.

To raise money for Clean Up Australia and Life Saving Victoria they have a duck race down the Yarra river that flows through the city of Melbourne.

You can buy a duck for five dollars and be in the running to win a new car.

Here's a link.. http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/Donate/adopt-a-duck.html

To avoid the crowds and parking problems my daughter Claire and I paddled up the river to where the race was held.

We had a great day..Here's some pics..This is Claire..btw she's now 14 yrs old..and almost as tall as her Dad.



Claire has not been SUP'ing for long and although she was a bit shaky she didn't fall in.







This is my friend Nic (closest to the camera) and me cruising up the side of the duck race coarse.



Here I am thinking..Are you taking a pic of me?



Claire is trained well..Cold drinks..and a good pozzie to watch the race..You can see the yellow ducks in the distance about to start.



The crowd is cheering..The ducks are racing...It's all very exiting...(sorta).



Our duck was number 2648..and Claire had called it Rosie (after her cat)..and she was yelling.. "Come on Rosie".

And the winner is...2888...Bugger!...Oh well it was all good fun.



After the duck race we headed into the city for lunch.



Here is Claire with the Melbourne city buildings behind her.



DJ

Here's a short vid of the duck race.. http://publish.vx.roo.com/heraldsun/videoplayer/?Channel=Herald+Sun+News&ClipId=1396_ducks&bitrate=300&Format=wmp

883

Gear Talk / The C4 Waterman 11'6" vs the Kalama 11'6"

« on: January 26, 2008, 03:28:39 AM »

With the expertize on this forum and all the talk about 9'4', 8'6" and even 7'10" boards I feel a bit odd doing a comparo on these big battle ships.. ...But there may be some that are interested.

Yesterday I got to ride both boards back to back...btw..I'm no expert..Well maybe around my way I might be..Only because no one else is doning it..SUP'ing is just starting to take off here.

I only got to use these boards on flat water so I can't comment on how they would go in the surf..I'm sure both would go well in the waves..They're learning boards..and most learners would be on flat water.

The Dave Kalama board is the board that I wanted to buy a few months ago..I'm a huge fan of Laird and Dave..and I got to know Dave when he sailed at the Mambo Wave Classic..years ago (before kites came onto the scene so it was many years ago) Dave is such a great guy..and was a brilliant wavesailer.He also started doing the stand-Up thing with Laid in the very beginning..and is still one of the best SUP'ers out there.

When I first saw the Kalama board there was only the big Naish, the big Starboard and the Mistral to choose from..IMO the Kalama looked the most like a big mal surfboard..I liked it.

I had heard that the quality is not the best and I think that put me off a bit..I heard the rails chip up easy and the deck pad comes unstuck so I was keen to see what condition this DEMO Kalama was in..and sure enough those things were happening on it..Maybe more-so from demo abuse.

I have some pics but I just want to say..that I'm not in the industry..and I don't like knocking other peoples products..but the pictures do speak for themselves.



Notice that although the rails are very bashed..they are not dinged..It seems like just the paint or skin is chipping..but the board underneath is still ok.

The great looking full deck pad was also lifting..but nothing a little glue couldn't fix.



The Kalama also comes with a nice carbon looking paddle (I think it may be fiberglass)..The blade face is slightly domed..but doesn't have a dihedral like the C4 to help it track straight..and so it flutters/wobbles a bit when pushed hard..Paddling a bit softer it was fine.



The board would be a great first board..It's very stable..When you tip a rail in sinks a little and then stops suddenly..a bit like the big Naish and 12'6" Starboard.

I took Nic's wife Libby out for her first go at sup on this board..She did great..Didn't even fall in..[]

Here I am doing the "Bend the knees, Lean forward more, keep your chin up" instructions while sup'ing alongside..The board is very stable and very floaty.



The deck is very flat..and from the top view the board looks very flat..I would imagine downwinding and when the tail lifts up in small waves the nose might not have enough rocker..I'd love to use it in the surf one day to check that out.

The other board is probably the Ferrari of SUP boards..(imo)..The C4 Waterman.

Nic's board is just beautiful to look at..and by far the best looking sup that I've seen...The quality is superb..as it should be for a brand new board..and the price..It would have been good to also have a bashed demo C4 to make a more fair comparison so I don't know how this board will handle demo type abuse.



At first glance the two boards look very similar..Same length and width..The C4 is a little more domed in the deck..btw..Nic's board came with the 3/4 deck pad and tail pad..I'm not sure if that cost him extra.

It's not till you flip the two boards over that you see how different the rocker is.



The C4 has a more tail lift and a lot more nose lift.

This is the C4 next to my NSP.



Here's a nice side view of it again showing the rocker.



The C4 felt very stable and very floaty..but when tipping a rail it was a bit softer when it stopped..not as sudden as the Kalama..I think because the rails are not as boxey..The C4 seemed much faster to paddle..It was like the nose would lift slightly and the board wanted to plane on the smaller area of the tail.

When stepping back on the tail to do a sink tail turn the Kalama felt a little more stable..But I'm sure the C4 would turn on the waves better..and with the extra nose lift it shouldn't pearl so easy.

The Kalama comes with a paddle..The C4 does not (down under)..The Kalama is a few hunded dollars cheaper..but IMO..If you can afford it..I'd defiantly go the C4.

DJ

884

SUP General / What a great flick.

« on: January 19, 2008, 04:51:15 AM »

I just finished watching 'One California Day'...Wow!...What a great film.

Great story..Fantastic music..and absolutely brilliant photography...Two thumbs up from me.

Click here for the trailer.. http://www.onecaliforniaday.com/trailer.php

Also great to see some SUPing in it...If you've not seen it..do your self a favor..and check it out.

I know it did the rounds in the US on the big screen...That would have been great..Did anyone see it?

DJ

885

Gear Talk / Making a cheap paddle.

« on: January 05, 2008, 09:22:48 PM »

If you want to make yourself a cheap paddle for yourself, or so a friend can have a go, or even for the kids..This is how I make mine.

When I first started sup'ing a couple of years ago there were no stand up paddles available down under..or at least not where I live..So I had no choice but to make my own.

I went down to a local Canoe & Kayak shop near where I live and bought the bits that I need..They had some plastic paddle blades, also plastic T grips, and they even had black anodized aluminum tube for the shaft.

All up cost was $50.

The alloy tube is 32mm or 1 1/4" outside diameter..and about 1.5mm or 1/16th" wall thichness...I get it 2 meters or about 6' long and then cut it to the length that I want.

You can also buy this alloy tube for most aluminum stores..it's a common size...I used to also make my own windsurfer booms out of it years ago...Getting it anodized might be a little harder.



The paddle blades that they had were symetrical..no scoop..the same both sides..and about 18" long and 8" wide...and looks very oar shaped.

The T piece grip was for a typical outrigger paddle..and has a nice ergo shape.



I also made a paddle for my 13yr old daughter..(She uses my old plastic windsurfer that I started on)..and also tried a few different shapes to see what they were like.

Every few weeks I'd be back the the shop and they'd say..Here he is again..He's making another paddle..They were very nice guys and very willing to help...btw the other day they said they could order me a Werner Spanker sup paddle if I want one.

These are the shapes that I tried.



The blades are very thick (about 1/4")..and very stuff and strong....I would not even consider using one of those soft bendy types that you sometimes see with very cheap canoes.

I tried one once and it wobbled and fluttered all over the place..I'm not sure if the TUFF brand ones that I use are just an Aussie brand or available anywhere...Just see what your local canoe shop has.

I used a hack saw to cut the blade to the shape that I want..I'm using the two on the right..They work the best.



I then give the blade a sand with a soft sanding block around the edges.



I noticed that the 'Stand Up Paddle Surfing' site down under offers a similar cheap type paddle for $50..for those not able to make you own.. http://standuppaddlesurf.com.au/content/blogcategory/21/56/



I also made an adjustable paddle for friends to use if they want to have a go..I'm 6'4" so my paddles would be way to long for most of them.

For my adjustable paddle I glued on some old windsurfer boom grip the I had laying around..but it's not necessary.



I also had some alloy tube that saw just the right size to slid inside the 32mm tube..I'm sure you can also buy that from any Aluminum shop.

I drilled some holes about 2" apart..and used an old windsurfing boom spring pin..I'm sure any good windsurfing shop will have these..I also put a small rubber o ring on the spring pin so it does not protrude out too far..and my hand can slide past and over without catching on it.



I have also noticed that Starboard now have an adjustable paddle on their site..But I'm not sure how much they cost...  http://www.star-board-sup.com/2008/products/paddle.php

 http://www.star-board-sup.com/2008/products/paddles/paddlesAlloyadjs.jpg

I hope all this helps those that want to have a go and make their own.

cheers

DJ