This is the 'Multi Tasker' (M-T) a 10-6 x 34 x 170 liters from Blue Planet's 'Wide Surf' series. At 5-10 x 185 (84kg) with a set of physical issues that affect the mobility of my left leg, I needed a platform rather than some lip slasher. I was simply spending too much time climbing back aboard to have much fun in our local shorebreak.
I looked pretty hard at Robert's shapes. I needed nose kick to help save me in our short period waves. The 'Easy' model was very attractive as were a couple of others. Blue Planet makes it fairly easy with a graph that shows the characteristics of each model to compare with another. (I am 4,019mi from a demo.) Ultimately, the plan shape and the added width and the fact the M-T had the lowest volume sold me. I have had it with 'corky' boards - nada mas.
I like its 'surfy' outline.
I may need to add more forward traction. The trend to adding strength to the rails is good. Robert uses Kevlar.
Did I mention nose kick? It would be nice to have some of those slow, slopey waves you see in OZ, but that's not happening here.
The car approves.
I have only had one two hour test session. A few things come to memory... I love how bright white and shiny the foredeck is in the ocean; it's somehow very cheerful. (overall I love the coloring) .. the deck pad has nice cushion compared to some stiffer and thinner ones I have stood on. .. it's nice to paddle a longer board again - it actually moves .. it has 27" of flat deck for those who 'fear the dome' .. even rolling in the wind swell, it was quite stable without feeling like an immovable object. .. there were no real waves, I was the only one out.
I should mention: free shipping to a Delta freight terminal (BWI for me) and a well constructed, padded board bag is included.
My squawks are few .. even tho' there are five fin boxes, the included fins are not up to the quality of the board. Unfortunatly for me, the only Future fins I have are some 4.5 Rusty Quads. That bigass Becker fin you see on the car was pulling the tail of the board all over the place in the current out there; that's headed back to the closet. There are three places where the size is shown; I prefer the simple tradition of marking the stringer rather than the windsurf companies that BILLBOARD the tails of their boards. I'd prefer the deck pad extend a little farther north; it's too close to the handle for me. Robert's handle is a big improvement over the lift-up style. Fiddling to lift the handle while another wave is bearing down on me feels like it takes too long, even tho' just seconds. Yet, I think I am still a fan of the deep ledge. Since this 'bar' handle is technically the same (with the ability of adding a cable lock) I think it simply a matter of getting used to it. More later.
Jim
Thanks to Creek for the idea of how to photograph a board.
Nothing special, but I thought an ankle, shin or knee cam may provide a view not normally seen. (for what that's worth..)
I didn't use a box camera because I was afraid of falling on it vs. taking a side blow. This is a Panasonic HX-A1ME. At 45gr (1.5oz) it's a lot lighter than the typical box.
I made this compression/trap that works pretty well but it may need a larger diameter, center band to prevent it from exiting out the front/back in a crash.
After making this test vid, I'm thinking perhaps down quite low may provide a more dramatic view.
Freelance writer, David Wolman, who wrote 'The End of Money' (2012) and is a contributor to WIRED, among other major publications got a tagged to do 'something' on SUP.
BW is one of my favorite weeklies (circ. >900,000) because they cover a wide range of topics, in mostly short pieces compared to the Economist and some others, but I find this a letdown. Judge for yourself. Jim
One of my old kite crews friends from the early 2000s asked me if I was going to join the foil revolution. These were mostly pole-boarders who switched to kites and now a large group is adding foils. I said to her that it appears the danger is when/if the foil comes up as you are falling down. I think one of you posted a pic of a pretty nasty gash?
Her reply; "The most common injury that I'm seeing is the big slash somewhere around eye and this is with guys that are wearing helmets. I'm not feeling like I need a new drug. But they all seem to be having fun even though they're getting beat up."
And I would have thought; the kite adding a fairly constant pull would tend to drag you away from harm compared to stalling/crashing in the surf? Be safe out there...
How'z come? When I open the Zone there are typically only <10% of us looking thru this site who are also registered/posting? Moments ago there were 145 people who are seemingly interested in 'things SUP' ...but, maybe not? Which means there may be thousands daily passing thru as if they are on an internet bus, not getting off at this stop.
If they've lurked enough they may not want to talk about their new Yugo SUP board amongst those who discuss changing the clutch pedal pad on their new M3 for a softer compound. However, they should well and know there are people here (not necessarily me) who could not only save them $$ but a lot of time and newbie headaches. There are a lot of 'unknowables', even for old surfers or kayakers. I have wasted a lot of time buying inappropriate boards acting as my own counsel.
Looker.. there's a lot to know. Don't by shy; register and ask before you hand your Visa card to the first guy who gives you a great deal on a board or paddle from China.
Ask first. Have an idea of how/where you would like to paddle, what sort of short term goals you may have, but ask.
I got one as a 'winter bridge' so I don't lose what little edge I have from Nov-May. I have a bike but get home in the dark in winter and the weekends have been windy and cold all winter. I keep this at my business so I can hop on it - whenever. Jesus, is it boorrring or what?! There's no-possible-way I could/would ever spend 20min on it.
In the couple of months I have had it, even with sporadic daily use, I like it; it works. I have doubled the initial resistance settings and do simple interval stuff. 3min.. 5min... enough to make it burn. The huffing and wheezing, reminds me of scratching my way outside when I was proning. (it's only complicated when a customer calls)
The reason I am posting this is I keep looking for specific ideas on how to use it beyond the "45min fat burn" programs. And a light went off today: a YouTube fellow said something to the effect; "Go hands-free to get more core and improve your balance." BINGO! Whoa.. is that hard or what? You would have thought, someone who stands on a wobbly board would have done this already, by instinct?!
Hands-free is much more interesting and harder. I'm going over now for a few minutes.
I am the perpetual 'planner' ..I've done nearly as many away-trips in my head than got out here last Summer. (crap season) Some flights are too long - some airlines can't take a board - some airlines have no reasonable deals - some places are F'ing dangerous ..it wasn't 'till a recent post here (I think?) that PV held any interest. (the Canadians-Buy-a-Condo programs on HGTV also make it look very attractive)
I saw two problems for me: 9hrs flying time Baltimore-PV (about the same time to fricking Portugal..) and the $200 1/W board charges. Somewhere, this outfit got mentioned as a good place to rent a car. ..and there was a dead link about 'board rentals' on their home page... Hmmmm? ...I fire off an email.
Hola Jim
We have a variety of quality short and long boards available. We also have surf and cruising paddle boards. The surf boards are 100usd per week and the SUPs are 150.
We also have boogie boards available for 20 bucks for the week.
If you let us know what you are interested in we can see if we have it
Gracias Adam
Gecko Rent a Car Check out the ALL NEW Gecko Travel Guide:
"Lower back pain is one of the most frequent reasons people visit the doctor. Yet doctors are finding drugs should actually often be the last line of treatment for it. A new guideline out Tuesday from the American College of Physicians suggests doctors recommend exercise and treatments like heat wraps, yoga, and mindfulness meditation to their patients before turning to medications like opioids or even over-the-counter painkillers."
Jack's is where Surfercook's Gulliver V-Box, that he had in CR recently, came from. From the looks of it, Jack has both enviable conditions and lotsa girlfriends waiting for a dance.
Nice deal also: ~$20. delivered. https://www.xterraboards.com ..a brand not mentioned here to my memory? I know them because they make Triathlon wetsuits that are 100% smoothie with 5mm legs and thinner top rubber. Bought two when they had a great deal; 're-cut one into a Springsuit. Last week I got an email about these 'LAVA Booties'... (also avail. at SwimOutlet)
I need socks/shoes/booties to keep poor performing toes collected during a popup. I have about four kinds of sock/booties and really nice Speedo shoes. I bring these forward because I used to sew a variety of Lycra products and have messed with neoprene for a variety of uses. These are very well done. They spent the energy to seriously pattern the compound curves of the foot. I am impressed with their efforts.
The only marginal bit is the 'dots' that one would imagine as 'non-slip' are really pretty hard ..meaning they are probably there to keep the soles from turning into Angora wool. (I imagine they're fine on EVA ..'just don't expect to noseride) I'm a pretty true US 10.5 (41 Euro) and these are quite tight - but that's good! They fit great. Cheers.
Among other petty annoyances my Pop Up ..or more correctly, 'jump up' is a constant. My Yoga/Tai Chi wife can can fold like a pocket knife in a standing position - 'never in my life. I simply jump up with both feet but typically land somewhere aft of where my hands were (forward of the handle/center point), so I compensate by putting my hands too far forward ..pushing the nose of the board down ..adding to instability precisely when I need it. A recent gift from the gods is L4/5 issues which effect the nerves in my left leg evolving into a slap foot - where you loose the ability to raise your toes off the ground, meaning your ankle would prefer to hang slack as you lift your leg. A the end of a session the tops of my first few toes are rashed. Buggers!
But ..I think I found a solution demonstrated by two different training groups: Erik at PaddleWoo from Nosara, Costa Rica, the other from the Mauka Lodge SUP training folks in Portugal. They both do something that sorta resembles the Aussie Sprinter pop up for proners.
My water is too cold to test this in battle, but it seems to work on a carpet. One major advantage I find with is that I automatically assume a mostly stager-stance.
I'd sure be interested in hearing other methods if you have them.
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