Messages

31

Gear Talk / Re: Gear Redundancy

« on: May 20, 2012, 09:57:20 PM »

Not not the engine block. 

32

SUP General / Re: Paddle Storage

« on: May 20, 2012, 07:18:52 PM »

http://talic.com/cat31.php

33

Gear Talk / Re: Bark or Starboard

« on: May 13, 2012, 10:48:45 PM »

Yesterday: calm flat lake race; the Dominator came off the roof.
Today: 10 to 15 mph breeze, more catch, small white caps; the Coast Runner AST came off the roof.

Each is outstanding at what it does.  The CR get more use, the Bark gets paddled harder.

Any damage.. 

DJ

Just my slow time .  Maybe 50 grit orbital the rails for a few hrs would help me.

34

Gear Talk / Re: Bark or Starboard

« on: May 13, 2012, 09:09:48 PM »

Yesterday: calm flat lake race; the Dominator came off the roof.
Today: 10 to 15 mph breeze, more catch, small white caps; the Coast Runner AST came off the roof.

Each is outstanding at what it does.  The CR get more use, the Bark gets paddled harder.  

35

SUP General / Re: How Prepared Are You to Go Missing on your SUP?

« on: May 05, 2012, 10:37:24 PM »

1) BOATER'S WEATHER FORECAST  - check every time you paddle to calibrate your preception then watch the sky during the paddle.

leash
Water
Food
Hat
sunglasses
Compass (fog)
PLB
marine vhs radio (includes a weather frequency)
warm clothes/wetsuite to waist.
flareS, ect. -set one off next 4th of July (in US) for practice
cell phone (charged)
PFD
whistle
float plan left with responsible person
GPS

36

SUP General / Re: Whales at tamarack

« on: April 21, 2012, 09:23:26 PM »

"Mexican authorities have counted 1,198 whale calves and 523 adults, a dramatic upsurge from the 599 counted in 2011 and the 183 counted in 2010."

http://redondobeach.patch.com/articles/northbound-gray-whales-coming-while-skipper-braves-bad-weather-for-great-twilight-sand-bass

Seems like more Cetacean's reported in Puget Sound this Spring as well (Gray's, a Humpback, transient Orcas).  Plus the 6 Blues off Washington's coast this winter (only 3rd confirmed sighting in 50 yrs).

37

Gear Talk / Re: Finally!

« on: April 21, 2012, 09:10:16 PM »

Congrats

Got 50 miles on my SB Coast Runner AST this month, mostly on Puget Sound.  I like that it's almost as fast as a displacement board on smooth to small chop yet when the wind kicks up it handles bigger mixed chop and side waves/side wind plus she downwinds/catches bumps admirably.  A board that does a lot of different conditons distance stuff really well and looks about a week old after 10 months of use.

Still will end up getting a carbon full displacement board someday b-cuz i think i will get up to an extra 1/2 mph on dead flat days.  But as far as enabling me to get out often the CR was a right choice for me (Gray Whale, curious seals, & porpoises this week).

38

Environment / Re: Sharks killing off the otters

« on: April 20, 2012, 06:52:34 PM »

Huge Sea Otter population drop in the Aleutian Islands also.  As of last week some USGS biologist still suspect preditation by Orcas.

The link is from 2005
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4665067

39

SUP General / Re: If you carry a waterproof phone...

« on: February 25, 2012, 10:44:03 PM »

In a past snow incident the guy designated to bring the phone (who was also the victum) had it password protected.  Just today a person I get out w/ picked me up a used Spot (findmespot.com).  Nice for where there are no cell towers.

40

SUP General / Re: Maui SUP fatality

« on: December 27, 2011, 08:42:49 PM »

Note:   The ~4,000 drowning deaths in the US each year or 11/day (largely young males, near shore) is ~6 times more than US bicycle fatalities and  ~10% of traffic fatalities.

Demographics will change with the exponential rise in SUP accessibility.  Unlike those on this site (generally middle aged successful males w/ island vacation access who are comfortable on/in/under the water) there are lots of young, marginal swimmers who are going to be handed a paddle by a peer for the first time over the next several summers.  What percentage, of their own accord, are going to stay in roped lifeguard areas or put on a PFD if their friends don’t?

I’m all for new SUPers types, just concerned with how committed their wind & water awareness is until the first time they get scared and how little time someone unable to stay afloat in open water the first time has. 

I’ve signed enough waivers I hardly read them now.  Just sincerely advise new SUPers that unless they are strong swimmers a vest type PFD is a good idea (I’ve heard well know watermen put down PFDs but, those guys probably could swim before they could walk).  Then hope that there is no cause for someone to write laws regarding SUPers.  I’m asked frequently if it’s easy and I think I’ve mislead some people in regard to their first try.  While OEMs & retailers (tough jobs) should make their own choices I can spend preferentially based on respect for their actions.  Simple grassroots education has improved climbing and BC skiing safety w/o govt. reg.  too obvious to users.

I once counted the number of climbing & ski routes I’ve been on where someone has been killed and it’s dozens.  I don’t wish to start a paddle list.

RIP.

41

SUP General / Re: Maui SUP fatality

« on: December 27, 2011, 01:36:16 AM »

Of the eight shops I’ve rented or demo’d from most have projected little or no emphasis on personal safety; yet typically have shown some concern for the  condition of their to be returned inventory.  How many renters don’t know how use a leash or PFD let alone a paddle?

When renting I’ve been fairly focused checking around for a deal in lieu of asking about local conditions.  Odd when I clearly don’t known local water better then the shops.

Most professional enforcement (Park Rangers) and PR people I’ve interacted with have leaned heavily on of the letter of the law and seemed increasingly less open the more questions are asked.

So what then might affect my/others concern with improving safety?  Unfortunately, other then a handfull of volenteer minded people, it’s being around accounts of tragedies.

It’s sad for all that Mr. Xivbin Zeng and another from my home state have died SUPing.   I should probably converse more openly about conditions and comfort levels in the future.

42

Downwind and Racing / Re: Round The Rock

« on: September 12, 2011, 10:46:42 PM »

A thanks to the organizers & volunteers; super fun day!  And to the elites for some inspiration (or at least to the 11 yr old who won the short course).

Surprised by just how active the Seattle Police were at trying/keeping boat speed down or away from the race.  Heard bullhorns & sirens often.  I think thay (& the Seahawk game) helped however, i could always use a few more swimmers the last couple miles .  A little painful missing 3 hrs by a ~minute and not catching the girl in font of me the whole race, I may need a new board for the 4th annual (right Riviera, Perfect Wave, ect).

43

Downwind and Racing / Re: Round The Rock

« on: September 10, 2011, 08:02:56 AM »

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/bridges/sr520/default.aspx

Current wind speed for the 520 bridge on Lk Wa.

44

Gear Talk / Re: SUP "Core" Companies

« on: September 06, 2011, 09:03:45 PM »

mjd,
Glad you found Tomahawk.  I've had an Evan Lloyd board for over a year and its holding up better (looks brand new) then the Starboard I've had for 2 months (functionally new).  Evan immediately sent me a detailed response to several questions I had before buying.  Made in USA.  Highly recommend.

45

Gear Talk / Re: waterproof action cameras

« on: August 21, 2011, 10:42:40 PM »

Looks like Nikon may be concerned with GoPro's market share:
http://nikonrumors.com/2011/08/17/nikons-rugged-coolpix-camera-the-rebirth-of-the-nikonos.aspx/