Messages

856

Gear Talk / Re: Monster Traction Paint - Do you like it?

« on: May 01, 2011, 09:03:41 AM »

I put the Monster Traction on the nose of a board recently hoping to completely avoid the wax routine....when I actually got the board in the surf, I was less than thrilled with the performance of it....still seemed a bit too slippery to be comfortable on the nose for any length of time.  I think wax would still give better traction.  I applied it exactly as the directions indicated (2-3 coats).  Just wondering what everyone else thinks who has used it........

Like VersaTraction, it probably doesn't work very well if you get sunscreen on it.

857

Gear Talk / Re: Hobie 8.11 Ultimate vs PSH 9.2 AA

« on: March 08, 2011, 06:33:57 PM »

Thanks for the review!

858

SUP General / Re: Give me a place to stand....

« on: December 25, 2010, 10:11:28 AM »

Hmmmmmmmm........., depending upon how you look at it,
using a board or even just swim fins could be considered cheating!
 

859

SUP General / Re: power & balance bracelets

« on: December 22, 2010, 09:09:31 AM »

Very high gross margins!


Of course, the placebo effect can be quite real.

860

SUP General / Re: At What Point is the Ocean Too Dangerous?

« on: December 19, 2010, 10:46:35 AM »

Hi Everyone,

I am fairly new to SUP. I'm a teacher on holiday vacation with time to SUP. We are having a lot of rain and somewhat stormy conditions. I really want to go to the Ocean (Santa Cruz, CA area) to paddle. My question is how do I know when conditions are not safe? I don't mind (actually prefer) choppy water and swells. I look at surf reports but don't understand them too well. I just don't want to be caught in an ignorant, dangerous situation. Where do you draw the line? Lakes are not much of an option around here. One of my boards is a South County Turtle--super stable. Thanks for any advice. I hate to see the two weeks go by with no chance to play.

Some beaches are safer than others.  In Santa Cruz, Cowells is generally very safe, especially if the wind is toward the shore.  It is generally safe even if the swells are very large - in that case, you want to enter the water, not from the West Cliff stairway but from the parking lot barely north of the Wharf.  This will make it easier and safer to get in and out of the water if the swells are large.

You can monitor the conditions on Surfline.  

Note, best surfing at this beach is at tides 2 feet and below.  Surfline has a nice current tide chart and a tide forecaster if you click the link.

861

Gear Talk / Re: Next board gets Versatraction

« on: November 02, 2010, 06:52:39 PM »

for people finding it slippery, did you thourougly wash it before first use with detergent and a brush?
New versatraction has some product on it (I guess to not stick to machines used to make it) that makes it slippery if you do not wash it well.

Now you tell us (thank you).  I'll try scrubbing it well with detergent and see if that does the trick.  - I hope so.  

Ok, so today I bought the non-abrasive comet and scrubbed down the versatration (as the directions said - which I did not previously follow) and then went sup surfing.

The traction of the versatraction was vastly improved!!!  Still not as good as the pad, but probably good enough to nose ride.  I want to test it some more.

862

Gear Talk / Re: Next board gets Versatraction

« on: November 02, 2010, 08:42:37 AM »

for people finding it slippery, did you thourougly wash it before first use with detergent and a brush?
New versatraction has some product on it (I guess to not stick to machines used to make it) that makes it slippery if you do not wash it well.

Now you tell us (thank you).  I'll try scrubbing it well with detergent and see if that does the trick.  - I hope so. 

863

Gear Talk / Re: Next board gets Versatraction

« on: November 01, 2010, 07:00:54 PM »

My first SUP had versatraction forward of the pads and all the way to the nose section.
I found it kinda slippery, unless it was super wet.
My next board, I used Monster spray in the same area with much better results. It's clear and very light.
Bottom line? The spray is still doing it's traction thing one year later without any problems.

I found it very slippery also.
This is with bare feet.

I think if it is just wet it has decent traction, but if there is a sheen of water and you step quickly to the nose, you will hydroplane; at least, I did.

I just put it on the nose of my noserider.  The next day, I was surfing and ran up to the nose and slipped right off.  Boy was I shocked and disappointed given the time I had taken to put it on just right - and now I have to come up with something else.

Afterwards, in the water, I tested it with just my hands several times.  If just a bit wet, good traction; if a bunch of water under my hand, like in surfing conditions, under your feet, hyroplaning-slippery.

Again, I was in bare feet - no  booties. Maybe with booties it is fine.

864

Gear Talk / Re: Choosing the right paddle

« on: October 31, 2010, 08:16:57 PM »

Thanks for the summary BluePlanet.

---
You or anyone know about Hobie's paddles?
From their website they look to be very light:

Carbon Race - 7.8" / 8.5"
 Lightweight 100% carbon fiber designed exclusively for racing
•16.9 oz / 479 g ( 7.8” blade @ 78”)

Carbon Hybrid - 7.8" Carbon hybrid construction for maximum strength and performance. Designed for both racing and surfing.
•19.75 oz / 558 g @ 78”

Fiber Core - 7.8" Ultimate recreational paddle designed for all around paddling
•22.5 oz / 637 g @ 78”)

Adjustable Fiber Core - 7.8" Perfect paddle for families, excellent choice for demo or rental programs
•23.7 oz / 672 g
•Adjustable range - 70" - 82"

I'm interested in their adjustable, as it will be my first paddle.
Not much other info on their site.
I think their adjustable uses a cam and a twist method but am not sure of this.

I'm going to use it mostly for surfing but maybe some flat water paddling.

Thanks.

865

Gear Talk / Re: Hobie CM Ultimate 10'4" Noserider Vs. Surftech Laird Pearson Arrow

« on: September 28, 2010, 03:20:02 PM »

Aves,

I looked into the Coreban Icon 10' - who couldn't with those videos!

I was able to try it in flat water - so stable, very wide.  I'm sure it surfs like a dream.  However, I think the rocker is a bit much for the mushy break I plan on surfing and also for much flat water paddling,/touring that I would like to do when there's no surf or just to see the coast from the water, tooling around.  Maybe it will be my second board.  Also, the quality seemed top notch.

----
Anyone know anything about the Hobie?

Or any other suggestions.  The 10' Mana also looks kind of interesting.

866

Gear Talk / Hobie CM Ultimate 10'4" Noserider Vs. Surftech Laird Pearson Arrow

« on: September 28, 2010, 08:36:56 AM »

I've read several comments on how good a Surftech Laird Pearson is, but its pretty expensive at over $1,700.  - But I haven't seen anything on the Hobie Collin Mcphillips Ultimate noserider, which seems to me should be another good alternative.

I've supped just a bit.  I demo'ed lots of boards including the Laird but just on flat water - it was very stable.   - I was able to surf a wide sup for a couple of hours and caught a bunch of small waves - I was amazed at how many I caught verses if I had been surfing.  I'm a longboard crawler and want to get into SUP, especially nose riding; thus, those two boards.

I'm pretty sure the Laird would be fine for me - either the 10' or the 10'6" - the longest one that will fit in the van.  I'm 54, 5'9" and about 185 pounds (like to be 175) but I'd like to check out the Hobie or any other recommendations.

If anyone has any comments on the Hobie and/or can compare the two (or another board), it would help me out.

It seemed the Laird has a pretty flat rocker so it would be decent on the flats - not sure on the Hobie.  While I definitely will be surfing it - mostly on a mushy, slow wave, I want  to be able to tour the coast a bit.

Also, the way the boards are made.  I know the surftechs are very hard and durable - not sure about the Hobie construction - seems it is fiberglass on the outer surface - I'm not sure if that is an issue or not.

Thanks for any help.

867

SUP General / Re: newport wedge???

« on: August 17, 2010, 07:14:37 PM »

oh yeah-still a nice mix of body surfers-spongers and some local shortboarders-now toss in a few SUPs and it is liquid carnage circus at its finest!

Now days you also often have Skim Boarders who skim up into the small wave and into the corner and onto the big wave.  They often seem to get the best rides with the lowest risk, because, kind of like a sup, they are already almost up to speed before they actually catch the wave.

868

Technique / Re: Turning on a dime

« on: August 16, 2010, 09:26:52 AM »

The technique i like to use for surf pivot turns, is to start off on the inside facing the incoming waves.  Pick out your wave and paddle out towards the peak. As you approach the wave, gage the distance to the peak and before it breaks, drop you rear foot back as far back on the tail as possible and unweight your front foot. As the tail starts to sink, take quick strokes while applying presure on the rail side you want to turn.  As you perfect the turn you should be able to turn the board with just a couple of strokes. To me this is the most important move you should learn to master in paddle surfing, besides the kick out.   Have fun.

Nice description on the turn.
How about the "kick out?"
Thanks

869

Gear Talk / Re: New Sevylor Somoa w/ Paddle & Free Shipping - $389.99 @ costco.com

« on: August 03, 2010, 12:26:32 PM »

Will it surf?

870

Gear Talk / Re: Jimmy Styks vs. Hulakai SUP boards

« on: July 26, 2010, 12:28:36 PM »

I will most likely be picking up a Hulakai 10' SUP soon. I was told that the fiberglass paddles are pretty nice (just a notch down from the carbon fiber paddles). It is true that they lack a handle but you could always carry it on your head. I do not know much about paddle boards to provide a comprehensive review but I can try and share my experience if I end up picking on up. If anyone else has any input it would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, definitely share.  I'm interested in the boards, the paddles, the handhold, the experience, etc.

I guess no one else has heard of these brands.