Messages

6571

Gear Talk / Re: Paddle length?

« on: January 15, 2008, 02:46:38 PM »

I agree about the half dipping thing..and I'm sure most of the time it's a too short paddle thing.

But maybe not always...I thinks it's also a technique thing.

I had a guy contact me the other day and said he had seen me on the water..read my posts..and contacted me through a forum.

He was very keen to get into SUP..and have a go for his first time..He asked if he could have a go on mine.

I met him down at the beach the next day (yesterday) and I brought along my old plastic windsurfer that I had used to SUP on.

We had perfect conditions for learning..and I had a paddle that I had made for my daughter that was just the right length..imo..(at least 10" above his head height)

Even with a long paddle he was still only half dipping most of the time..towards the end of a couple of hours on the water he started to get it right..and maybe his paddle could even be a touch longer.

He's told me so many times since that he had the 'best day' and can not wait to get his own board..btw..towards the end of our time together he had a go on my NSP and found it no fun at all.

Here's a pic that I took of my new friend Nic on his first day on an SUP...and notice the paddle not fully dipped...and I use a paddle that's 13" above my height..see bottom pic.

DJ

6572

Technique / Re: how deep to paddle

« on: January 15, 2008, 02:44:38 AM »

Thanks for you tips WindJunkie..much appreciated..

Just wondering what you mean by 'windmilling'

Also..at the point were I bring the paddle out of the water should the bottom hand swing out leaving the top hand still or visaversa...or a bit of both.

Yes..I have had a little shoulder pain..but from an old injury I think..(ceiling painting can be a bugger)..and I know how painful rotator cuff problems can be...I've never really got back to 100%.

This is why I want to get the right technique and not do any more harm.

I often paddle daily on flat water and get to the surf when I can..My daily routine is about 2-3 hours and I often have to battle headwinds and work it really hard...It's all good training for the surf..and for fitness.

Re the Crocs...They are very soft..cumee and grippy..and great for long flat water paddles.

When I first got my NSP board (that was all I could buy at the time down under) I could not buy deck pads and I was not keen on wax..so I gave the crocs a go..It really surprised me how well they grip to a slick smooth surface..almost too grippy.

I used my crocs for more than 6 months until I stuck on a yoga mat..(that was the best I could do)..Deck pads have only just become available here in the last few months..and jeez are they expensive..

Crocs grip almost too well for use in the surf..and I have wiped out and come up to find a croc floating nearby.. ..so the do come off..But there are new ones out now with a draw string around the ankle.

I still use them now even with my yoga mat on if I have to walk a fair way carrying my board..or if where I'm paddling is rocky..Falling in shallow water on rocks is not much fun..ether are foot cuts.

cheers..and thanks again for your info.

DJ



 

6573

Gear Talk / Re: Paddle length?

« on: January 15, 2008, 01:54:10 AM »

Check out the new alloy adjustable paddle from Starboard...They may be well priced.

 http://www.star-board-sup.com/2008/products/paddle.php

 

Also check out this thread.. http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=677.0


DJ

6574

SUP General / Re: Helicopter Session

« on: January 14, 2008, 05:51:40 AM »

Great stuff....Shame about the guy in the budgie smugglers..

DJ

6575

SUP General / Re: How about we change the name: SUP is lame

« on: January 13, 2008, 08:37:00 PM »

It could be worse...Like..'Stand Up Goat Boat'...

DJ

6576

Technique / Re: how deep to paddle

« on: January 10, 2008, 06:54:08 PM »

Bugger!...I knew I should have taken my Crocs off first.. ..but jeeez..they're so comfee.. ..

I have to carry my board to the beach..btw..that's one good thing about a 25" wide board..It fits under my arm to carry.. http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic3136.JPG

DJ

6577

Technique / Re: how deep to paddle

« on: January 10, 2008, 01:34:28 PM »

Thanks srfnff...That's a great interview.

Today I did a couple of little front-on and forward and back paddling vids.

I just sat my little camera on the pier..it's nothing flash..and just flat water.. but it might show paddling errors better from this angle.

They are only short vids..so you may have to hit the stop/start to slow things down to see it better.

Vid one here... 

and vid two here...

It's interesting seeing yourself..and how knowing there's a camera on you gives you the shakes.. ..

I often only fall in on flat water when I hear someone say "Look at that guy..Take a picture"...then Splash!..

Any coments on my technique.

DJ

6578

Technique / Re: Goofy going regular

« on: January 09, 2008, 04:51:30 AM »

My old thread got some new energy. Well what happened since I started the thread is that I have become very much more of a switch foot. I go regular on the rights and goofy on the lefts.

So...What leg do you put your leash on?..

DJ

6579

Technique / Re: how deep to paddle

« on: January 08, 2008, 12:40:42 AM »

It does help...Thanks heaps.

I was paddling today and thinking the same thing....A vid from front on would show more..How the right hand is over the left rail..and how the paddle releases from the water.

I am using my shorter (2" shorter) and smaller blade paddle now..and it seems to be working better.

I'll do a straight on vid one day soon...btw when I'm paddling hard I do use more torso and I can feel the extra power from it.

Cheers

DJ

6580

SUP General / Re: Nice Pictures

« on: January 06, 2008, 12:33:51 PM »

It did work for me before..But not anymore...They must have pulled the plug on it..Bummer!

DJ

6581

Gear Talk / Re: Making a cheap paddle.

« on: January 06, 2008, 12:25:51 PM »

Thanks for your comments guys...btw..I still look forward to buying myself a nice carbon paddle soon.

This new Youtube vid shows that these cheap paddles still work don't lessen the fun factor..

The windsurfer boom grip is good..but I even find the plain alloy ok..untill it gets wet..then it's a bit slippery.

I just bought a cricket bat handle grip..and it should work good also because it's nice and thin..I'll let you now how it goes.

Here's me and my paddle..and me doin' the Ned Flanders..

DJ

6582

SUP General / Re: Is 30 really the magic number?

« on: January 05, 2008, 10:40:38 PM »

Happy Birthday PonoBill.. ..and hope you have a good one.

Thanks for everyones reply's...and keep them coming.

DJ

6583

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

6584

SUP General / Is 30 really the magic number?

« on: January 05, 2008, 04:46:55 AM »

The surf shops near where I live sell mostly Naish and Starboards..and they are both 30" wide.

The salesmen say 30" is the magic number..and if I buy a new board it should be 30" wide.

I just smile to myself..and think..Yeah right.. ..btw..I like the look of the new 11' Laird and it's 27" wide.

I've been using an NSP at only 25 1/5" wide..and sure it's a bit tippy in rough water..but those 30" wide boards look like a barge to me.

Is there any downside in wider boards..or is it all good..I'd like to surf bigger waves and not bounce around on bottom turns.

Just wondering what you guys think about this.

Cheers

DJ

6585

Technique / Re: how deep to paddle

« on: January 05, 2008, 04:17:22 AM »

Davidjohn,

Disclaimer... I'm handyman illiterate but thought i might try building a paddle similar to yours.  Even looking at your pictures I think i need a little more verbal explanation if you would be willing to share.  I'll try to lay out what i think i know and maybe you can fill in the gaps for me.

Paddle Blade

• Did you just purchase a cheap kayak paddle and cut it down some with an exacto knife?

Aluminum Shaft

• Where did you get the aluminum?  A home building store?

 

• What diameter?

• What do you wrap it with so it has a better feel?

Handle

• This looks like a prebuilt unit?  Or did you attach the handle to the upper shaft yourself?  (third picture you posted)

• Where do you get the metal gromets or clasps(sorry... don't know what these are calleds) to make it adjustable

I think i'm leaving out some things but any info you can give me to get started may get me going on something like this.  I already have a paddle but would like to have some for other people to use.

Thanks for any help you can offer.
Shane

Yeah sure..No probs..but I'll post it in the Gear Talk section under Making a cheap paddle..and post some pics for you...Cool?

DJ