Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: surf SUP volume

« on: March 24, 2024, 04:54:32 PM »

At 210 pounds these days, I am super comfortable on Jimmy Lewis HP 9x29x120l. This is now my one board quiver (too many foil boards aside  ) for anything from waste to overhead. Amazing board.

2

The Shape Shack / Re: Maximum Displacement Hull Speed

« on: March 20, 2023, 08:40:24 PM »

The bottom line. If you have stamina and technique you can flat water start on any foil and any board.  .

Check this clip. Way before we had all this advanced equipment ... To summarize. You get on the board (prone sinker by the way) and than you paddle really fast ... 

https://youtu.be/diljo6EGDdQ?t=278

I could only comment on this from experience after todays 1st Flatwater Paddle up.

I had been getting enough advice so after my foil session I went to the harbor and DID IT!  I confirmed what people have been saying.  4 phases

1) Initial Displacement Phase - Slowly paddle and get rhythm @ 50% power

2) Start the bob, or the porpoising, still @ 50%

3) Increase power and cadence stroking @ 70% with rhythmic Bob start semi-skipping

4) Increase to 90% Wait until you feel the Foil.  Then go another 4 strokes.  Don't pop too early or you crash down.

Each of these phases take advantage of the hulls shape.
1) Displacement
2) Nose Rocker, tail shape and Chines
3) Flati-sh bottom and chines allowing for skip and release
4) Final takeoff - Again Flat bottom for skip and chines for release

Sailfish Board @ 128 liters, 7' 9" x 21" wide, Axis 1300, 450P tail, 75 cm mast.

James Casey compared:
PNG 1310 [area 2080] 8 strokes (5 displacement / 3 bob)
PNG 1150 [area 1788] 11 strokes (4 displacement / 7 bob)
PNG 1300 [area 1712] 9 strokes (4 displacement / 5 bob)
HPS 1050 [area 1502] 16 strokes (4 displacement / 12 bob)
HPS 880 [area 1122] 19 strokes (6 displacement / 13 bob)
ART 1099 [area 1144] 14 strokes (4 displacement / 10 bob)

3

General Discussion / Re: Naish Factory & GTW Construction - Good Choice?

« on: January 12, 2023, 06:28:28 PM »

I had both 2019 GTW 9'0 and 9'6. Amazing shapes. 9'6 was the board I learned SUP surfing on. I "graduated" to 9'0 and it was one of the best shapes I have had. For reference, I am 240 pounds.

Unfortunately, I cannot say anything good about the construction. 9'6 delaminated rather quickly and needed to be warranted. 9'0 looked like it was just about to delaminate the same way so I got rid of it.

So my experience - amazing shapes, garbage construction - at least  2019 models.

 

4

Gear Talk / Re: New Board, Kalama 9'2" x 30" any experience?

« on: August 26, 2022, 05:54:55 PM »

This board is super stable. I am 240.

I'm interested in this board because of the relatively low 126L volume (for a 9'2).

How's the real life stability?

My lowest volume board to date was a 122L Starboard Longboard SUP. Which was totally fine for hanging out on, but it was 10' x 29". It did make me look kinda nooby sometimes, so not great for the ego, but I never fell off (non-wave time).

I'm curious if this Kalama's volume/shape combo is comfortable or does it require you to pay attention?    btw I'm 190lb-ish

5

Gear Talk / Re: New Board, Kalama 9'2" x 30" any experience?

« on: August 25, 2022, 08:11:33 PM »

No. The handle is pretty shallow. At least on mine.

@BigZ is the handle on the Kalama as deep as the handle on the JL Destroyer? I’m really hoping so. Jimmy uses the best handle in the game - you can fit your whole hand in there. If this is one of those finger tip handles I’m gonna be bummed.

6

Gear Talk / Re: New Board, Kalama 9'2" x 30" any experience?

« on: August 24, 2022, 05:14:19 PM »

Just pulled the trigger on a 9'2 x 30" in orange. I'm 85kg with solid intermediate skills. I've been primarily surfing the Jimmy Lewis Destroyer MP 8'5 x 30" 130L for the past two years and absolutely love it, but I'm excited to be on something a bit longer as sometimes the foreward/backward balance is tricky on the 8'5. Hopefully it's the perfect all around board for me!

I've always preferred a thruster setup... I've only ridden one board with quads - a Jimmy Lewis Super Frank 8'6 x 32" and found the setup fast and fun but slippery / skatey on head-high waves. But per Dave, the man himself, it sounds like this board should be ridden quad so I'll give it a go. Any suggestions on affordable quad fcs fins? All my fins are futures. I'm also curious what fin sizes y'all have tried on this? Cheers!

I use Quobba in an improvised quad. Large fronts, medium center. Waiting for Quobba's proper quad. Have the same set up My other board is 8'5x30 Destroyer. Use large thruster Quobba on the Destroyer. 106Kg.

7

Gear Talk / Re: Everyday new board help

« on: June 12, 2022, 06:12:15 PM »

I don't think that you will find an "all-around" board that will satisfy you since you already have SOTA specialized boards - e.g. JL Destroyer. I think that a better investment would be a good rack for your track. 

8

SUP General / Re: Kalama Ez2 vs E3 SUP

« on: April 30, 2022, 07:46:52 PM »

I have exactly the same board -9’2x30 with 5 FCSII boxes. I use it with the thruster fin setup - Black Project Bernd. Works perfectly fine. When you mentioned the quad, I may try it. In fact, I ordered 5 FCS setup on purpose. More thruster options.

9

Gear Talk / Re: New Board, Kalama 9'2" x 30" any experience?

« on: April 24, 2022, 08:39:11 PM »

I have this board. I am 240 pounds. Great board for a heavy rider. Very stable and easy to ride. I use it mostly in small surf up to shoulder hight or so. It is a perfect “longboardish” shape for a heavyweight in these conditions. Turns really well if you move to the back. You can nose ride it too although a 10x28 would be better for “true” longboard style.

Construction is virtually the same as production Infinity. Both brands are made in the same factory.

The bottom line, , a great, fun board for a heavyweight. Seems to to work perfect at 1.1-1.2 Guild factor due to inherent stability.

10

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Winger's Knees - not abrasion

« on: April 21, 2022, 10:41:58 AM »

I destroyed my knees completely skiing, when young and stupid. Multiple surgeries - no cartridge left. I do knee starts but only thanks to rigorous stretching and exercise routine. Damage knees require a lot of nurture so suplement your water sports with regular exercise

11

Gear Talk / Re: New longboard in my future

« on: March 28, 2022, 02:28:19 PM »

Unless you are already a skilled longboarder nothing beats a $99 Costco softboard as a starter board. You would be surprised how much mileage and performance you can get from this board. It was shaped by Gerry Lopez.

12

Gear Talk / Re: longboard Sup options...

« on: February 01, 2022, 10:22:38 AM »

That is my new favorite. Same bullet proof construction as Infinity New deal.

https://kalamaperformance.com/product/kalama-ez2-stand-up-paddleboard/

13

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Best board leash for winging in waves

« on: January 10, 2022, 02:30:31 PM »

This is what I use:

https://balin.com.au/products/01-supdw

6 feet coil calf leash.

14

General Discussion / Re: SUP surfboard for a 250 lb person

« on: December 28, 2021, 08:57:05 AM »

I learned SUP surfing on a longboard style SUP - JL Hanalei - 10'8x29x160l - also in Santa Barbara - at Leadbetter, Campus and Deveraux. At that time I was around 255 pounds. The Mistral board you could give to your friend should work. The breaks I referenced get many days with smooth conditions and small but rideable waves,  so perfect for learning and you can learn on a relatively small board. Unless you can get Avanti or a similar XXL board really cheap it would be a rather expensive transitional board - he will not use it for a long time.

Most breaks in Santa Barbara are longboard breaks - check what surfers are using. So I am a big fun of longboard SUP shapes for our conditions. He could start on your board and after a few sessions get a higher volume 10 footer that he would keep in his quiver for a long time.

15

Gear Talk / Re: Infinity RNB PPVC

« on: November 13, 2021, 07:58:19 PM »

I bought an 8'8 RNB (carbon... not the pvc I originally was aking about) off craigslist a few hours ago, immediately got it wet since there were chest-high waves here today, and I have to say... I'm unsure. It's a GORGEOUS board. So solidly built and very lightweight - I'd guess around 17lbs and it feels bombproof. It was ridiculously stable, which was really nice as there was a bit of a side chop. But I struggled with the takeoff and bottom turn because of that wide split tail. All of my current and previous boards were rounded pins and I really love that tail shape because it doesn't get pushed by the wave at takeoff, can bottom turn super easily, and can turn from the middle of the board. It seems like I'm going to have to really work on my foot positioning throughout the entire wave because of this tail. I finally had better luck on takeoff if I got in surf stance as soon as the wave had me gliding and put my rear foot way back. But I definitely wasn't confident with my bottom turn by the end of the session... I'm used to takeoff and turn, but with this board I wasn't quite getting it there and ended up missing the pocket on most waves. Any tips from those who ride wide split tails after coming from a rounded pin?

The other thing I didn't love was the handle. Even though the board is light, the handle isn't deep enough. You can just get your fingertips curled. I love my Jimmy Lewis handles where you can get your whole finger in there. It makes a huge different when you have to walk a lot.

And the reason is that 8’8 is way too big for you. As pointed out before, RNBs are high performance shapes that should be ridden as small as possible. At your weight you should be on 8’2x29x115.  I would even argue that if you don’t mind some effort you could be on 7’11. 8’8 would be a great board for a rider in 260+ pounds range.

Shapes like RNB, Blurr, Starboard Pro, JP Pro, etc should be ridden at 1.0-1.2 Guild factor. 1.3 at most. If you need (or think you need) more buoyancy you should be on a different board.