Topics

16

Gear Talk / How many sup's have you owned?

« on: January 26, 2010, 03:11:53 PM »

I started with a 12'6" starboard (june 2007)and surfed it for around 6 months.  Then I bought a
Naish 10'6 which surfed a lot better but I knew I could find better so I bought in april 08 a 9'8 fish and surfed it for almost a year 1/4 and then I bought the 9' fish and because I liked it so much I though the 8'5 fish would be better and it is.

So I have 5 sup's.  The main one I ride is the 8'5 because it surfs so well.  The next one to see the most use at least lately is the 9'0 fish that I rode in the surf contest for a 9' minimum but I now mainly use it for light air wind surfing. The 9'8 is mainly a backup board or loaner and the 12'6 is my loaner to get newbies on the water or I use it for just paddling. 

I could not even remember half of the surfboards I have owned or built.  So I figure it may be a good time to go over the list.  In 5 years I might forget some of the sup's I have owned unless I keep the present trend of keeping them all.  I wish I would have done that with my surfboards. I might need a warehouse to store them, but there were some real collectables in my past.

With the new models coming out it may not be long before I add another.

How about you?

17

Random / Who plays guitar?

« on: December 16, 2009, 07:34:36 AM »

I have been playing guitar for around 15 years and enjoy it so much.  Wish I would have kept at it when I was in junior high. 

Lately I have been playing christmas carols.  Kind of cool because I hear people singing them as I play.

I find guitar is another path to the zone. For the last year or so I have been pumping nylon playing flamenco style. Been into classical, blues, finger pickin, flat pickin, surf but the latest has been flamenco.

So who plays guitar or any other musical instrument or vocals? 

18

Gear Talk / paddle shaft straight vs angled

« on: December 08, 2009, 11:30:44 AM »

Hi supers!

I made a straight shaft paddle and like it. Its 83 inches with a 9 in blade.  I don't see a big difference between it and a paddle with a 12 degree angle for the blade.

I do like how it lays on the deck when I am prone paddling it over the mackers.  I am not racing but in the surf zone I don't see any difference in feel between the two. I also like how either side of the blade can be used although I do have a specific side for normal paddling.

What are your opinions as to why a bent shaft or 12 degree blade angle is better?  Please compare to a straight blade.  Maybe you like a different degree of blade offset or prefer the bent shaft. Please tell us why.

 

19

Events / crawl surf your sup

« on: October 06, 2009, 06:30:28 AM »

Hey zoners

Our local contest had a sup surfing event, paddle race and a long board contest.  I entered all and did it on my 9' fish except for the race I used my 12'6.

For sup surfing, I took second, for the race I never trained for I took 4th and for the surfing event I missed getting into the finals as I was 4th in my semi final event.

I entered the surfing competition to see how well the sup would perform from a crawling take off position. I will admit that before the surfing competition I was talking with one of the best competitors in the area and he said the paddle is a crutch.  I may agree with him after proning it on the sup. However it is also one sweet tool to work while surfing.   

Anyway I felt that during the competition I had a paddle advantage and could also catch the insiders easier.  I used it to get out of the pack or to sprint to the peak. Had I had better strategy I would have tried to select some of the bigger waves after I had three waves under by belt but I see something to ride and I go.  I rode six in the semi final but I should have changed to wait it out for the bigger sets after my three as that would have put me over the top.

The board worked great.  I caught lots of waves and went almost to the finals on a sup.  I had many of the surfers checkin out my equipment. And I had the whiners comments but since I did not get in the finals they were not to vocal. 

It was fun although my chest still is sore from the crawling position.  I bet if I could have used a paddle I would have won the event. 

I would recommend that you try it out and see how far you go.  I think my sup qualifies as a surfboard.

20

Gear Talk / smaller is better?

« on: July 30, 2009, 07:18:39 AM »

Hey zoners have you tried a really small board for surfing yet?

I now have an 8'5 pocket rocket and have ridden it around 4 times.  I know more time will even be better but what I have noticed so far is

My wave count has maybe increased.

It is easier to punch white water.

The 8'5 makes my 9'0 stinger seem stiff and its not

The balance spot is smaller.

Waiting for waves is a little bit more work.

The board is really fast but not as fast for going around sections and the paddle gets a little more work out but it still connects.

Surfing on the smaller board is amazing, the looseness, the snap, the speed and I see bigger air time coming as it is fun to smack the lip on these.

My daughter 2nd time out on a sup (first time was my 12' 6) was able to paddle out in the surf zone on the 8'5. Hard to figure out because she makes it look so easy and maybe it is all the martial art experience or dance experience but she has the balance. I then put her on the 9' 0 and had her paddle outside but she ran out of energy. If she could do it any one could, huh.

I surfed the board without the paddle and may enter the surf contest on it without the paddle.  I will also surf the sup event on it. 

I know long winded.  I weigh around 190 and have been surfing around 45 years. 

The smaller board is worth trying. I am now riding the 8'5 as my main board.

21

Random / tax break to expire soon!

« on: July 17, 2009, 09:48:23 AM »

Ok this applies to Americans only, but for those of you who are eligible this is to good of a break to not take advantage of.

The first time home buyers credit of up to $8000 will expire Dec 1 2009.  Four 1/2 months may seem like a long time but if you haven't been searching, have not been pre-approved for financing or entered escrow the break could expire before you close escrow.

The break   $8000 to be applied to your taxes or refunded to you.  No payback obligation. You can file an amended 08 return after you close escrow to get break or you may file for break on 2009 filing.

There are rules to comply with. If you have questions, I will try to answer them for you.

Good luck!

22

Gear Talk / broken board

« on: June 15, 2009, 07:16:14 AM »

I have been riding my new board and yesterday I noticed a couple of v dents on the bottom.  When done with my session a rail has a crack on it on the edge of the dented bottom.  To me it looks like my new board is buckling.

This will be my second warranty claim with this board.  My first was a leaky hand plug and the manufacturer took care of it by sending me a replacement new board.  Two weeks after I get the replacement now the buckling.  We have had a bit of swell but nothing like I have been riding my 9 8 in. And my 9' 8 is holding up well after a year or so of use.

What is the problem? I have broken boards before but I know when and how it happened. They got stressed in major size conditions which I have not been in for a while.  Have you had boards buckle from normal surfing use?  The company makes the boards in various glass configurations.  The new board is the classic version which is supposed to be very durable but they make a sport tech version which has held up for both me and my friends.

I am thinking of just ordering the heavier version but should I expect the company to warranty this for this second claim?  I did not abuse the board, just surfed it in head high waves.  The buckle probably happened when paddling out blasting thru the zone.  I did not notice it till yesterday and then after yesterday's session the crack on the rail appeared.

Soo bummed as I have to do the waiting game again.

23

SUP General / notice your paddle skills on land

« on: May 12, 2009, 05:38:43 AM »

I have been paddle surfing a few years now and love how the paddle interacts while surfing.  It is used for turning, taking off, station keeping, and of course paddling.

I am now doing an addition to my home.  I am in the digging stages of the foundation so I am using a shovel.  It is amazing how the shovel in my hands is responding more like a paddle.  I find myself using it like a paddle while I am standing and leaning on it sort of like waiting for a wave, using the shovel to regain balance if out of balance due to footing and shoveling.  I never used the shovel consistently like this before sup.

I think everyone who works with shovels, hoes, rakes, brooms and such should give sup a try.  I bet it will increase their productivity.  I know in the surf I catch 10 time as many waves with the paddle.

24

SUP General / Paddle snapped

« on: December 08, 2008, 05:26:15 AM »

I thought my paddle was going to last forever!   Not!

My wood paddle that I have cherished since Aut 07 has snapped!  It has groaned and moaned, been beat on, spanked and so forth but yesterday in a body slam it became three chunks.  I guess better the paddle than my ribs.

Has anyone broke a carbon shaft paddle shaft with a body slam?  If so did it cut you or leave a sharp jagged edge? I have a couple carbon paddles but prefer the woody.

Now I got to get back in the shop and complete my wood paddle in the works. 

25

Events / Noll Long Board Classic includes sup

« on: July 23, 2008, 06:35:58 AM »

The 13th annual Noll Longboard /classic will be held on Oct 4th and 5th.  Due to popular demand we are ho'opihoihoi to introduce our new stand up paddle category, which we have squeezed in on Oct 3rd.

The sup category will include a paddle race and surf contest.  Contact the Noll shop for an entry form.  Their phone # 707 465-4400 or fax 707 465-3260.

Anyway hope to see you here.  The contest has always been full capacity and folks have come from So Cal, No Cal, Oregon and Washington.  We have had people from Hawaii and the East Coast.  But be prepared for competition as our area surfers are usually in the winners circle.  Expect the same in the sup category. Are you ready for the challenge?

The weather here can be nice or foul at that time of year, but most of the contests had good weather and usually some good surf.  Don't ask for to much though as our 2nd contest was 20 foot and it was a contest of how you could ride soup with head stands, dying cockroaches moves and stuff.  There is camping and motels available and food is available on the beach. 

Bev, Rhynn, Greg, Remy, Dane, Sarah, myself and most all locals hope you can make it.

   

26

Downwind and Racing / mile times and contest

« on: July 18, 2008, 06:37:17 AM »

A friend of mine and I paddled offshore around mussel rock and back.  Its around a mile offshore.  Paddling out we were in a head wind of 5 to 7 knots and we were making good time but not pushing it and it took 22 minutes to get there. 

After we made our turn I turned on the juice and paddled hard back to see what kind of time we could do it in and to be competitive.  It took 15 minutes to get back and I was stroking hard enough that he could not catch me till we both surfed in on the same wave.   

What kind of times should we be shooting for?  The distance is right at a mile offshore.  I paddled my 12'6 starboard and he had an 11' custom.

My friend Rynn told me that this paddle will be for a race event to precede the annual surfing contest he runs. He will also have a surfing event in the contest for the sup.  Plans so far are for sup's on Friday  and the surf contest Sat and Sunday for the longboarders.  I hope it happens, and if you are interested in coming, contact the Noll surf shop in Crescent City to get more info.  The contest is usually held the end of September or early October. 

27

SUP General / Surfing

« on: February 03, 2008, 10:20:16 AM »

Does anyone know where sup will end up?

Surfing saw long boards, short boards then both.  Seems like ours started out on the huge scale and now it seems like new boards are sinkers.  Where is the limit?

It also seamed that the sup was suited for smaller waves.  We could glide and catch waves that were just rolling.  With the new gear are we destined to be regulars in the lineups like at sunset or outer reefs like hammerheads and jaws? 

I know a lot of folks are pushing the limits, so where is this new way to surf headed?