Topics

166

Downwind and Racing / HELP!- how to avoid cramping?

« on: July 22, 2011, 12:28:42 AM »

The Molokai to Oahu race is coming up on July 31st, in 9 days.  
In last years race I was suffering with awful cramps starting about half way through the channel, despite regular hydration and nutrition.  I have been training a bunch, including a 28 mile training run last Sunday at close to race pace and never cramp when training or in regular races.  I am now "tapering"- which is not for me.

Anyway, I am terrified of cramping again and have been doing research online to see what I can do to prevent it.
It seems like cramping is not all that well understood and there are many different things that work for different people including stretching, yoga, salt pills, electrolytes, mustard, vinegar...
If any of you have experience with cramping and how to avoid it, or stop it, please share it, thank you in advance.

167

Gear Talk / New SIC models- Tech Sheets

« on: July 13, 2011, 02:36:51 PM »

SIC is receiving new production models next week, they are arriving on Oahu on July 20th before going to Maui.  We are getting two 17'4" Bullets and one F-16 and will be selling them at Blue Planet Surf Shop in Honolulu.  Two of the boards are already reserved and we currently have one Bullet available, just in time for the Molokai race.
I'm attaching the spec sheets of the available models:

12'6" - X-12
Available in Fiberglass construction only: $1,995.00

14'0" - Bullet
Available in carbon construction only: $3,100.00

16'0" - F-16
Available in carbon construction only: $3,295.00

17'4" - Bullet
Available in carbon construction only: $3,495.00

168

Downwind and Racing / Downwind coaching video

« on: July 08, 2011, 01:02:52 AM »

I shot this video with a headmount gopro cam this morning on a downwind coaching run from Hawaii Kai to Kahala with two students, Sean and Dalbert.  I did a voiceover and think this is a helpful video to watch for anyone new to downwind paddling.

169

Events / This Sunday: Race tips and technique clinic for 4th of July paddleboard race

« on: June 29, 2011, 10:35:11 AM »

If you are planning to race in the 4th of July North Shore paddleboard race, we will have a free clinic with race tips the day before on Sunday July 3rd at 9am as part of our free monthly SUP clinics.

Here is a video of our last clinic on June 5th



Dear Friends,
This is just a reminder that our free monthly SUP clinic is coming up this Sunday, July 3rd at Ala Moana 8 am to 10 am.
Have fun and get in shape at the same time.
Please show up in time for the safety briefing and instructions for beginners and remember to bring your I.D. and sign the liability waiver.
We are expecting a big turnout and are limiting board demos to 10 minutes per board so everyone has a chance to try many different boards.
Hosted by Blue Planet Surf Shop and Wet Feet.

For a video of last months clinic and more details, please visit:
http://www.getupstanduphawaii.com/Free_monthly_SUP_clinics.html

This clinic will be captured on camera and video again, so please smile for the cameras and watch for the new video to be posted after the event.
Please help us spread the word about the free clinic by inviting your friends that are interested in stand up paddleboarding.

This clinic will feature race tips by Robert Stehlik at 9 am for those attending the 4th of July race on the North Shore the following day.
For more information on Da Hui paddleboard race on the 4th of July, please visit:
http://www.dahui.com/events/33rd-annual-hui-o-hee-nalu-independence-day-paddleboard-sup-race/

We wish you all a great 4th of July weekend and hope to see you on the Water.

Aloha from the Blue Planet Surf crew.

170

Gear Talk / Paddle weights compared

« on: June 24, 2011, 09:32:30 PM »

Paddle weights, just like the board weights claimed by manufacturers are often not very accurate (and manufacturers don't include the weight of the handle).  We have a reasonably accurate postal scale at the shop and I asked our two summer interns to weigh all the paddles (un cut and with the handle) and make a spreadsheet sorting them from lightest to heaviest paddle and our retail price.
I did not confirm the weights and it's possible that there are some mistakes but overall they seem pretty accurate.  Some paddles, like the Quickblades, come with different size blades and the girls did not specify the size weighed.  Also, some paddles had a plastic bag and/or hangtag which adds a little weight and some un-cut paddles are shorter than others.  Depending on how much shaft is cut off, the cut paddle will be a little lighter but then you have to add a little for the epoxy glue used.
Anyway, I think this many zoners will find this interesting.
So, here is the spreadsheet:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Au9qxAnW7ZMddEl5T2ppUHpmanFPYklsYm9MdHBMa2c&hl=en_US

171

Gear Talk / Fine tuning the rudder

« on: June 11, 2011, 01:47:17 AM »

For the pictures that go with this post, please visit:
http://zenwaterman.blogspot.com/2011/06/fine-tuning-rudder-by-robert-stehlik.html

Fine Tuning the Rudder

I like racing on unlimited boards with rudders.   The rudder makes these long, straight tracking boards surprisingly nimble and fun in the bumps.  I avoid using the rudder when trying to catch a bump as it creates extra drag.  Once planing on the bump though, using the rudder can help to follow the bumps or change direction without noticeably slowing the glide.  You can step back with one foot to lift the nose of the board while keeping the front foot on the rudder.  On steeper bumps you want to step further back with both feet off the rudder to reduce the wetted surface and allow higher speeds.   With both feet off the rudder, you can surf the bump off the tail by using the rails like when surfing.  When the front foot is off the rudder, it goes to "neutral",  the straight position that the rudder is supposed to return to when the pedal is released.  To minimize drag from steering, the rudder should be in "neutral" most of the time with most steering being small adjustments from the straight position.  Doing a downwinder on an unlimited board with the rudder not straight in neutral is awful, it's like trying to play nice music on a guitar that's out of tune.  I'm surprised how many people suffer through downwind runs on boards that cost thousands of dollars with their rudder systems completely out of tune, or worse, dropping out of a race because their screws got loose (I won't mention any names here).
If you live on Oahu and would like to have your rudder system tuned professionally, bring it to Blue Planet Surf Shop, for everyone else here is a do it yourself guide to fine tuning your rudder system.  The pictures are of a SIC Bullet that my friend Evan Leong (standuppaddlesurf.net) is kindly letting me use in a race tomorrow.  The basic concept can be used on any board, all rudder systems allow for a way to adjust and fix the neutral position.

Guide to tuning the rudder system

The SIC system is notorious for the adjustment screws getting loose and out of tune.  I don't like to tune the rudder on a regular basis, so I put some loctite (red) on the screws before making the adjustments for a semi-permanent fixed setting that should not get loose or need any more adjustments for at least a season or longer.  While you are at it, also put loctite on the screw in the center that holds down the pedal, I have heard of those coming loose as well.

Cable tension
The cables should be snug but not overtightened.

This picture shows about the correct amount of tension, you should be able to pull the cables together an inch or so, if you can pull more, the cable tension is too loose, which makes the steering sloppy.  Tighter cables will make the system more responsive but if they are too tight the tension can put too much strain on the system.  You want to avoid having loose parts or play in the system.

Lining up the Rudder
A friend asked me how I can tell if the rudder is really straight.  It takes a good eye to line up the curved sides of the rudder with the curved bottom of the board.  You can line up the tail or nose of the board with the rudder and see if it slants to one side or the other.  If you don't have that eagle eye, it helps to have a center line reference to line up the back tip of the rudder with. 


Because this board does not have a visible centerline, I used a floodlight and lined up the board so the shadow of the fin made a centerline on the board.


I then centered the back tip of the rudder in the shadow, playing around with the tension until I have a good amount of tension with the rudder perfectly straight in neutral.  Wiggle the rudder back and forth and make sure it keeps returning to neutral.  If it gets stuck in different settings you should check if all parts move smoothly without getting stuck and/or create more tension pulling the rudder into the neutral position.  The SIC system uses a fiberglass batten, other systems use rubber bands that may need to be tightened or replaced to pull the rudder into the neutral position.

Let the Loctite cure overnight, then get on the water  and most importantly, have FUN.

172

Downwind and Racing / Downwind Clinic videos

« on: May 17, 2011, 10:44:40 AM »

I posted some videos of the Blue Planet downwind clinic held on cinco de mayo with good downwind paddling and Hawaii Kai run tips from Nicole Madosik, Jared Vargas, Morgan Hoesterey, and Kainoa Beaupre:
http://zenwaterman.blogspot.com/2011/05/downwind-clinic-video-with-nicole.html

173

Technique / Danny Ching reveals his training secrets

« on: May 11, 2011, 11:15:57 PM »

174

Gear Talk / Pictures of new Starboard 12'6 and 14' race boards

« on: May 09, 2011, 10:28:36 PM »

We just go a shipment of Starboards, including these fast looking boards:

12'6" x 29.5" SUP Race AST white
12'6" x 27" SUP ACE Brushed Carbon
14'0" x 25" SUP ACE Glass epoxy custom
14'0" x 27" SUP ACE Brushed Carbon

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/spo/2372322686.html

175

Gear Talk / Some thoughts on water flowing over a paddle

« on: April 30, 2011, 01:09:58 AM »

New post on the ZenWaterman blog:

Quickblade's Jim Terrell recently came out with an excellent video breaking down the SUP stroke with high tech video analysis.   If you have not seen it, watch it in the window below (double click for full screen view).
The video analysis clearly shows that good paddlers plant the paddle and move past it.  It shows Rob Rojas in slow motion pulling the blade out in front of the spot he planted it.  Once the blade is planted, the water is compressed against the face of the blade and there is very little "slippage" or backward movement.  This made me think more about how a paddle blade moves through the water.  I'm not a scientist or paddle designer but just want to share some of my thoughts.
When people talk about paddle blade design they usually explain how the shape and design of the blade moves through the water, visualizing how the blade face gets pulled backward through the water.
In reality, there is very little movement of the blade once it is planted.  The water is compressed against the face of the blade and if the force is applied at the right time in the right dosage, there is very little slippage or movement of the blade backwards, it is effectively planted in the water, not moving through the water.
So, most of the movement of the blade through the water occurs when the blade is sliced into the water during the catch and when it is pulled out of the water during the release.  In both cases, the paddle moves sideways, edge first with water rushing past both sides of the blade.
When you think of it this way, most of the water flowing over the paddle is not flowing over or past the face of the blade but moving sideways, during the catch and release.  When designing a paddle the concern should be to make the sideways movement during catch and release as smooth and efficient as possible as this is the way the paddle travels through the water the most: sideways.
Instead of looking at the face of the blade, look at the edge and side profile of the paddle as that is the direction the blade moves through the water mostly.  It seems to me that a thin, flat blade should be most efficient slicing through the water sideways, while paddles with big spines, concaves, curves or other features designed to "catch" more water will only disrupt a clean sideways entry and exit.
It also means that it does not matter wether you put a sticker on the face or back of the blade, the sticker edge might cause a tiny bit more friction on either side during catch and release, but should not make a difference during the power phase.
So what's up with those "magic" golf ball dimples on the face of the Quickblade elite racer blades?
Some people seem to think they are designed to "hold" more water.

According to the Quickblade website FAQ section:
Q -
What is the difference between the Elite racer and the Magic?

A -The Magic paddle is identical to the Elite racer with the difference of the blade surface.

Q -What is the special feature on the QB Magic paddle?

A -The QB Magic paddle has dimples on the backside of the blade similar to a golf ball. This has proven to be most effective for very strong powerful paddles that can drive it with force.

I'm kind of puzzled by this.  The dimples are on the face of the blade, not the backside (I guess it depends how you look at it).  I think they mean to say it works well for powerful paddlers. I would think that the dimples would be most effective at reducing friction when the paddle is moving through the water sideways, much like dimples in a golf ball make it travel farther with less friction(I think that's why they have dimples anyways, correct me if I'm wrong).  Do they work?  I can't tell the difference and neither can anyone I talked to that tried both but it's one of those things that if you believe in it, it works.  It's called the placebo effect.  At $10 more than the non-dimpled elite race paddle the dimples are cheaper than a holographic power band bracelet and might actually do something.
Just don't put a fat paddle edge guard on a Magic blade, that would just be silly.

If the purpose of the dimples really is to reduce friction during catch and release, the dimples really should be on both sides of the blade, not just on the face of the blade, as the water rushes past both sides equally.

176

Regional / Free SUP clinic and board demo this Sunday 4/10 at Ala Moana

« on: April 07, 2011, 10:15:18 AM »

For more information and map, please visit:
http://www.getupstanduphawaii.com/Free_monthly_SUP_clinics.php

Free Blue Planet Stand Up Paddle clinics and board demos:

Blue Planet Surf brings you free clinics and board demos with safety, board design, advanced paddle technique clinics for intermediate and advanced paddlers and a introduction to SUP for first timers.  Try our demo fleet for free, learn beginner and advanced paddle technique at the clinics and get advice on equipment. 
Demo boards by Starboards, Aquaglide, C4 Waterman, Paddle Surf Hawaii, Dennis Pang, Everpaddle, and more, including SUP race boards.
Hosted by Blue Planet Surf Shop and Wet Feet.

upcoming demo date schedule:

Sunday, April 10th
Sunday, May 8th

The clinics will be held from 8 am to 10 am only at the Ewa end of Ala Moana Beach park, close to the shower at the West end of the beach park, see map below. Just look for the Blue Planet tent and boards lined up on the beach.

Schedule:

8:00-8:30am- Sign up, safety briefing and basic instructions for entry level paddlers (please bring ID and show up on time).  Dr. Dan Rodrigues: Health and Fitness benefits of Stand Up Paddling.  Demos are limited to 10 minutes per board only to give everyone a chance to try different boards.

9:00-9:30am - Advanced paddle technique clinic with Robert Stehlik, Jared Vargas, and Jeff Chang.

10:00- time to pack up, all boards need to be out of the water by 10 am.  If you can, please help us wash off and carry boards to the cars. You are welcome to bring your own paddle and board to the free clinics.

Valid ID required to sign up for demo. For more information, please call Blue Planet - Ward at 808 596 7755 or vist
www.getupstanduphawaii.com

The map below shows the location of the signup tent and Blue Planet Surf Shop on Ward Ave.  The red lines are the area of the board demo, please stay within this area only when demoing boards.


Demo participants must be good swimmers, participation is at own risk.  Valid drivers license or ID required for liability waiver, must be over 18 yrs or supervised by adult.  Please help us pick up trash while enjoying the beach.

177

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Half price SUP rental offer/ Surfrider Foundation fundraiser

« on: March 25, 2011, 02:45:50 PM »

If you are interested in renting a SUP in Honolulu, please visit this Kanu Values link to get half off a 24 hr. SUP rental (just $24, good for two years) and $5 of that will go to Surfrider Foundation "Rise above Plastic" campaign (this offer expires in two days)

http://www.kanuvalues.com/deal/get-half-off-on-stand-up-paddle-or-surfboard-rentals-and-help-surfrider-foundation-rise-above-plastics/

178

Events / Free Blue Planet SUP clinic/ demo tomorrow at Ala Moana 8-10am

« on: March 12, 2011, 01:09:29 PM »

Dear friends,
I just wanted to remind you that our next SUP clinic/ demo is this coming Sunday.
I hope you can make it, please help us spread the word.
Thank you!

Free Blue Planet Stand Up Paddle clinics and board demos:
Blue Planet Surf and Wat Feet bring you free clinics and board demos with safety, board design, advanced paddle technique clinics for intermediate and advanced paddlers and a introduction to SUP for first timers.  Try our demo fleet for free, learn at the clinics and get advice.  Demo boards by Starboards, Aquaglide, C4 Waterman, Paddle Surf Hawaii, Dennis Pang, Everpaddle, and more, including SUP race boards. Hosted by Blue Planet Surf Shop and Wet Feet.

upcoming demo date schedule:
Sunday, March 13th
Sunday, Arpril 10th
Sunday, May 8th

The clinics will be held from 8 am to 10 am only at the Ewa end of Ala Moana Beach park, close to the shower at the West end of the beach park.

8:00-8:15am sign up, safety briefing and basic instrutions for entry level paddlers (please bring ID)

9:00 am advanced paddle technique clinic with Robert Stehlik, Jared Vargas, and Jeff Chang followed by Dr. Dan Rodrigues: Health and Fitness benefits of Stand Up Paddling

You are welcome to bring your own paddle and board to the free clinics.

Look for the tent at the east end of Ala Moana to sign up.  Valid ID required to sign up for demo.
For more information, please call Blue Planet - Ward at 808 596 7755
or vist www.boardworkshi.com

179

Training, Diet, and Fitness / Interesting: Indoor SUP fitness classes in Italy by RRD

« on: March 07, 2011, 10:35:25 AM »

Check this out

180

Technique / Reach and Catch technique post

« on: March 01, 2011, 12:53:40 AM »

I'm still gathering information for the post on breathing but the more I learn about it, the more overwhelmed I feel about the topic.
So in the meantime, I wrote a technique post on the Reach and Catch phase of the stroke, hope you enjoy it:
http://zenwaterman.blogspot.com/2011/02/paddle-technique-part-4-reach-and-catch.html