Messages

1681

Downwind and Racing / Re: Downwind coaching video

« on: July 09, 2011, 02:38:33 PM »

Thanks DJ, yes the gopro makes the bumps look smaller but we took an inside line and conditions were pretty mellow.
Ken, I have been using the double bend paddle for training and racing as it causes less strain on my elbow.  For more thoughts on the double bend paddle, check the update on the bottom of this post:
http://zenwaterman.blogspot.com/2010/10/paddle-technique-part-1-choosing-right.html

1682

Downwind and Racing / Re: Slippery Paddles

« on: July 09, 2011, 02:15:23 PM »

Some good advice here.
I have tried pretty much everything and find I like a lightly sanded finish works best for me.
I don't understand why anyone makes paddle shafts with a shiny, glossy finish.  Even if you put wax on it, it quickly wears off right where you grip it and makes a mess.  Padded grips make the grip diameter bigger, which makes it harder to grip, not easier.  I just use fine wetsand paper to give glossy shafts a lightly sanded finish, that's it.  If its sanded too rough, it can cause blisters.
Washing any sunscreen or oils off hands with soap really makes a difference and rubbing hands and paddle with sand works well, too.

1683

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.

1684

Technique / Re: Paddling straight

« on: July 04, 2011, 09:57:17 AM »

Going sideways to the wind is hard.  You can try to keep the nose pointed straight into the wind so you don't have to paddle on one side the whole time.  
For some good tips on paddle steering, check this post by my friend Jeff Chang:
http://wetfeethawaii.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/paddle-steering/

1685

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.

1686

Gear Talk / Re: Kialoa Paddle Selection

« on: June 28, 2011, 08:42:38 AM »

Kialoa just came out with a new racing paddle, the Toro.
It's not it in stock just yet, but I saw a prototype and it looks and feels really nice.
For flat water, this would be my first choice out of the Kialoas:
http://www.kialoa.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=170

1687

Gear Talk / Re: Paddle weights compared

« on: June 27, 2011, 11:46:33 AM »

Mike, I put aside a nice IHE carbon race paddle for you.  We also have a Aquaglide carbon and C4 carbon rental paddle in that size range (they are all about 85").
The Quickblade elite racer paddles have a pre-pregnated (the fiber comes pre-pregnated with just the right amount of epoxy resin) carbon shaft which is the lightest, stiffest material available.  The layup of the blade is also slightly lighter than on the full carbon Kanaha paddle. which is why it is not recommended for use in the surf.
Jonathan, the Starboard Vision paddle we weighed has the 8'5" wide Vision blade and premium carbon shaft.
I also just added some more paddles to the list, we just got a new IHE ultralight paddle that is almost as light as the Elite racer.

1688

Gear Talk / Re: Paddle weights compared

« on: June 25, 2011, 12:52:17 PM »

Thanks for the feedback.  Jonathan, I'll check the Starboard vision blade size on Monday, I believe we have 3 different sizes of the vision blade and I'm not sure which one was weighed. 

1689

Gear Talk / Re: Roll bar mount for GoPro?

« on: June 25, 2011, 12:15:02 AM »

This video has some paddle mount go pro footage.  The first part is all windsurfing, the paddle mount footage is around 3:20.

1690

Gear Talk / Re: Paddle weights compared

« on: June 25, 2011, 12:04:36 AM »

Thanks for pointing that out.  I changed the spelling and will double check the Kialoa weights on Monday.  I think one may have the shorter shaft, the other with the longer shaft, which may affect the weight more than the size of the blade.  The Methane is 97 sq.in., the Shaka Puu 100 sq.in., so very close in size.

1691

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

1692

Gear Talk / Re: Roll bar mount for GoPro?

« on: June 24, 2011, 08:56:06 PM »

I use the roll bar mount, works fine on a paddle and on my race car.

Yup, verified this today. Here is a pic of my coworkers go pro on my paddle. It fits great.


]

I would use the seat post mount, those long screw ends sticking out on the roll bar mount could be dangerous in the surf.

1693

Gear Talk / Re: Roll bar mount for GoPro?

« on: June 23, 2011, 10:17:52 AM »

yes, the seat post mount works well on a paddle shaft or windsurfing boom.  The roll bar mount diameter is too big for a paddle but works well on a windsurfing mast.

1694

Gear Talk / Re: carbon flex technology from hockey sticks

« on: June 20, 2011, 11:03:51 PM »

Interesting, I'm not sure more flex at the base of a paddle would help but it would be fun to experiment with different flex patterns.

1695

SUP General / Re: ****STOLEN BOARD ALERT****

« on: June 14, 2011, 12:29:52 AM »

These boards really were Gerry's personal boards, he used them at the BOP Hawaii and he was letting my friend Herbie use them.  They were locked with Steelcore straps and the boards, bags and straps were all gone.  This really sucks- we need to get the word out and bust the crooks.
At our shop, we have been getting multiple reports of stolen boards and canoes on Oahu lately.  We just launched a website where you can post stolen boards and check for stolen boards before buying used.  If you are the victim of theft, please report the stolen board here:
www.stolensurfboard.com

Please also check this page before buying a used board.