Messages

16

Flatwater and Touring / Re: I have been paddling distance so here are some random current pictures

« on: September 06, 2022, 08:14:18 PM »

It's such a great, almost no impact workout. I need to do more of it myself. Sure beats the gym... I haven't been to a gym in 20 years

Getting the stop and go treatment Pono? Sound's exciting! Like forgetting to shut the main breaker off and grabbing the hot while grounded. Should be interesting. I bet you'll be sore.

17

Flatwater and Touring / Re: I have been paddling distance so here are some random current pictures

« on: September 05, 2022, 06:33:44 PM »

And finally the 'Magic Hour' that is just the most beautiful and amazing time to paddle....

18

Flatwater and Touring / Re: I have been paddling distance so here are some random current pictures

« on: September 05, 2022, 06:26:18 PM »

The custom flat water racing 18' unlimited that I shaped and glassed myself was the culmination of a lot of different boards I've owned and paddled. I love paddling it in the harbor just doing a couple of 2 mile loops around the island. Usually in the evenings when the wind dies and everyone leaves. It glides amazing and has almost no wake. Quite and fast. There is a perfection to it's glide...<===/===>....

19

Flatwater and Touring / Re: I have been paddling distance so here are some random current pictures

« on: September 05, 2022, 06:08:43 PM »

Here are some open ocean distance paddles outside of Dana Point Harbor on my custom Hobie 18' unlimited.

20

Flatwater and Touring / I have been paddling distance so here are some random current pictures

« on: September 05, 2022, 05:54:39 PM »

Deepmud motivated me to share a bulk of my distance paddling over the past year. I did actually do one race and surf at least once a week if not more, but I don't take pictures of that stuff. Anyway, I do carry my phone when I distance paddle so I take some pictures. Back at you Erik!

I'll start with daughter the engineer/ artist. She visited us this summer and wanted to paint one of my older Hobie 14' boards that I had recently repaired. She had a plan, and carried it out in record time. Made all the stencils herself. She even found some time to paddle with her dear old dad

21

Flatwater and Touring / Re: Alaska - More from last winter. And this year.

« on: September 05, 2022, 05:04:16 PM »

Great pictures and narration Erik. Good to see you out on the Bark Unlimited. That's the real deal. I'm still doing some distance paddling, but it's mostly laps in the harbor in the evenings at sunset. It's the magic hour. Plus my flat water unlimited is so smooth and fast (and narrow) that it's my favorite distance board to paddle. My open water Hobie unlimited is better in the open ocean, but it's a total dog in flat water. I too did some paddling with my daughter when she visited us this summer. That is always special time.

Thanks for sharing as always. Love it.

22

Technique / Re: SUP Barrel technique anyone?

« on: August 23, 2022, 01:50:01 PM »

Find big hollow waves on the perfect break. That's the technique. 

23

The Shape Shack / Re: GLASSING QUESTION: Can I overlap 2 short pieces of cloth when laminating deck?

« on: July 10, 2022, 10:32:37 AM »

I've done so many different layups I really don't think you would ever notice. If it was two layers of 5oz CF, then you would notice, but 4oz E-glass? I really doubt it would have any effect on flex or wear it might break. For example, my green machine 9' ripper was just 4 / 6 top and bottom with and extra patch of 6 in the standing area. I kept cutting / chopping the rails with my paddle (bad habit I broke with a narrower paddle). So I added two more rail wraps of 6oz. (this was pre-rail saver era). I eventually had enough more rail chops to warrant another two layers of 6oz along the rails. The flex characteristics didn't change but the board did get a little heavier. If you break a board in half and repair it (stringer-less), you will notice the flex pattern change after the repair. Usually it's not for the better. They usually break near the middle which effects the flex pattern the most. Maybe make two laps with one closer to the nose and one closer to  the tail. That rule generally applies to all structural composite applications beyond fiberglass and carbon fiber.

24

The Shape Shack / Re: GLASSING QUESTION: Can I overlap 2 short pieces of cloth when laminating deck?

« on: July 08, 2022, 09:40:17 PM »

Use it up. That's fine. The issue you will run into is getting wrinkles when wetting it out where they lap. Have to be careful when you squeegee it. Pinning it down with a finger or second squeegee while you drag the excess epoxy off usually works.   

25

Sessions / Re: EPIC summer swell June 25 Cape Cod

« on: June 28, 2022, 10:33:40 PM »

Great stuff guys. Creek still ripp'n it hard. Nice video. I like that 8'-8" length too:) We are in full trunk it mode her as well. 70 deg water, 70 deg air. 

26

Sessions / Re: Adios Spring 2022

« on: June 18, 2022, 07:30:08 PM »

Really nice Cookie. I'm jealous. We've had swell but the frick'n south wind will not let up. It just wonks it out to the point the point of "I'll pass". So evening distance paddleboard loops in the harbor is all my water time. The two days we had no wind, the surf was <1'  :'(
I shouldn't complain, the weather is nice, summer is here, and I live a few blocks from the ocean. What else could you want! 

27

Random / Re: Throwing in the towel

« on: June 10, 2022, 12:05:48 AM »

You are very talented Bob. You have definitely found your creative medium and stride. Go with the flow. It really is beautiful work.   

28

SUP General / Re: Is Kenalu still in business?

« on: May 13, 2022, 09:41:07 AM »

Lots of sources for replacement / alternate shafts. Kenalu have a smaller than normal shaft diameter.

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/45021 

Bill could probably confirm the inner and outer, but this is about what my Kenalu shaft measures.

For standard SUP paddles, this is what they recommend.

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/45530

29

SUP General / Re: Help on picking next board for big guy SUP Surfing on mushy waves

« on: May 06, 2022, 07:36:07 PM »

Perfect
You are going to learn to love that board. I'll wait with you

30

General Discussion / Re: Have any of you experienced vertigo?

« on: April 26, 2022, 11:57:38 PM »

I've had it mild a few times and was able to do the Dix-Hallpike maneuver to correct it. Not sure what caused it? The most recent time I had a very scary moment. I had had an inflamed inner ear which happened soon after having my teeth cleaned. Sometimes when they are poking around in your mouth some bacteria can follow the Eustachian tube into your inner ear. It felt like my ear hadn't popped like when driving down a mountain. Went to an ENT who said I had swelling in my inner ear. He said oral steroids' for a couple weeks will eventually reduce the swelling, or he can stick a needle through my ear drum and inject a steroid and I will have immediate relief.
But, he has to put a hole in my ear drum 3 different times 3 weeks apart. I opted for immediate relief. They warm the steroid so when it enters my inner ear it's almost my bodies temperature. He said " because of the difference in steroid temperature and my bodies temperature, I'm going to spin until my body heats the steroid to my bodies temperature. One ear being a different temperature than the other causes the spinning. " Spin I did, like a sick amusement park ride. The spinning stopped after about 30 seconds.  Fast forward 2 months, and I'm heading to Hawaii to see family and surf. The ENT pressure tested my ear and said I'm good to surf, but wanted me to wear ear plugs. I've never worn ear plugs surfing.
 Last day surfing Tonggs I got caught inside and took a few on the head. After the two or three waves I came up, opened my eyes and everything was sideways. I thought this is how people drown. I closed my eyes, grabbed my board and bear hugged it as another wave hit me. I rode it towards the shore which was only about a 500 yards away. Once I was clear of the waves (reef break) I remembered what the doctor had said about a difference in ear temperature will cause you to spin. I felt my ears and noticed that one of my ear plus had come out. So I pulled the other one out and opened my eyes and the vertigo was gone. Haven't had that issue since. I will never wear ear plugs surfing again.