Topics

241

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Tropical travelers - a squitters drug not available in the States.

« on: January 12, 2017, 09:22:58 AM »

Interesting discussion...

http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2017/01/fda-fails-prevent-travelers-diarhea.html

242

Technique / Forward can't for balance... (damn spell checker!)

« on: December 29, 2016, 02:35:39 PM »

Emmanuel Kant, German philosopher, said in about 1765; "Bin't 'jer nees."   Actually, I'm pretty sure it was TallDude talking about Plantar fasciitis who mentioned some shoe inserts helped him with a problem -I am blessed not to have- while also helping with balance, a problem I surely do. One of the respondents to the thread (I can't find..) mentioned the forward cant of a ski boot. Eureka! 

I'm occasionally victim of a magical force that locks my knees and shoves me straight off the back when waiting for a wave: C'hit!  It just happens;  I'm not paying attention? ..seizures? ..any number of things?! The idea of the ski boot cant seems brilliant.  Luckily, I had recently bought some water shoes for a potential trip to the tropics.

If you explore the World of Shoe Inserts, it seems packed with the same sorts of people who'd lecture on buying real estate at a Holiday Inn.  When a few cents of foam becomes a few hundred dollars all the Tent revivalist and Time Share slicks seem to offer them.  Amazon had these: 2 pair for $7.  (should have been .99c, but someone has to profit off the cheapskates) 



These provide about .5" (6mm) of heel lift ..cloth covered and have a cushy, comfortable durometer.





Simply putting the new insole in made the lift just a little too much for the short back... Good news: by sewing the insole to the existing insole and cutting away its rear section, it fit perfectly.  Not only do I have a decent water shoe ..am taller ..and automatically have a can'ted stance.  (testing comes later - my local water is in the 45f.  ..'may try my other nemesis: the slack line.)

Jim

243

SUP General / You old sun dogs - make sure you visit a Dermatologist

« on: December 27, 2016, 08:05:06 AM »

Even tho' I lived most of my life on latitudes north of New York City and am of Polish/German descent (as compared to light skin Irish) I have basically never worn a hat, outside a toque in Winter.  ..nor watches, nor rings or scratchy labels: certifiable oddball. 

I was a sailor, iceboater, worked in the boating industry, kitesurfed 11yrs ...and, even though I used 'sunscreen', it wasn't until I read about regulations for US consumer sunscreens that said; just like vitamins/supplements, there is no regulation these companies need to meet certain minimum standards or prove their product includes ingredients on the label ..or claims of efficacy.  I didn't switch to Blue Lizard from OZ 'till 2015.  (Australia does not allow variable standards of protection or Bullc'hit claims)

I'm entering my third week of chemo for actinic keratosis/basal cell carcinoma.  I waited 'till winter because the area is very photosensitive during this period.  This is my second go at this; I had a similar round of this Fluorouracil creme in 2014.  The first round pretty much took care of it - at the time.  ...but, I pretty much live half my life outside and I may now be susceptible.

The reason I am taking this a little more seriously ..a friend of many years died this past fall. His cancer met'zd; it was brain/bone that killed him, but (I don't exactly know how they know..) the origin was melanoma. They figure about 1 person an hour in the States dies of meloma. Be forewarned!  ..schedule a visit ..buy a Kook Hat.  (Amazon has a decent one from FCS)

Jim

...two of the dings on the right came from working in the crawlspace at home.

244

Gear Talk / Neck entry wetsuits ..any tips?!

« on: December 19, 2016, 06:42:52 AM »

A friend sent me this note after I alerted her to the deal on Amazon Zooport kindly alerted us to..   

"I scored a 5/4 integrated hood suit that really FITs me for a change.  Half price Xcel suit.  First try was 22 minutes to put it on, 16 minutes to take it off..and I had help to get arm out.   It's been sitting here for a week and I haven't attempted trying it again..." 

I only have back zips and told her to mix up some shampoo and use Lycra socks, etc..  but she's about to return it.

Maybe you know of some tricks?  Luckily, she lives close enough to the break or bayside to be able to suit-up/disrobe at home.  I can't imagine wrestling in cold wind for 16min.  Thanks.

Jim

245

SUP General / New 'measured wave' record...

« on: December 15, 2016, 01:25:49 PM »

http://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/19-meter-wave-sets-new-record-highest-significant-wave-height-measured-buoy


But raised a question: "Wave height is defined as the distance from the crest of one wave to the trough of the next."  Which - the front or back? or an average over 10min of buoy wiggles?  Do 'faces' only occur when a wave encounters a shelf or some other land feature?

Jim

246

Random / No paddle, or water, needed

« on: December 13, 2016, 06:10:49 AM »

I suspect SUP balance would be helpful...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xKg6nKUwZo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A0qVom42NE


Jim

247

Gear Talk / Helluva bargain for roof rack crossbars...

« on: December 02, 2016, 09:15:59 AM »

Our three cars have roof racks and crossbars ..but I got a 4th set of bars because I'm scheming a trip to the Dominican. Southwest from Baltimore is one of the few airlines/airports I can get inexpensive, direct flights in/out that lessen board handling. Punta Cana seems an iffy proposition for clean waves, but it is simply the only destination that mates convenience with cost to allow for a few quick days ..add 2hr flight time; it is comprobable with trips to Florida.

Rental cars vary from $25 for teeny sedans up to $100/day for a passenger van. The only ones with standard racks are SUVs and the new CUVs like the Chevy TRAX @ ~$35/day.   (soft racks would work on most sedans..and I can make them..but I like fixed racks)  The usual suspects, Yakima and Thule, are typically ~$200.  These ones were $46. (Amazon Prime)






Here they're shown on my ACURA.  The black crossbars were Volvo's; I had to chop the extrusion to make them fit the more narrow footprint.  I also fitted these $40 bars to our Volvo wagon and MB ML-320.  When you read 'questions' in the Amazon listing, they seem to fit a very wide range of vehicles. The only rental car rails open to question are those flush-mounted ..extruded shapes but no way to get 'under' the rail.. they may, I haven't found one to test.   Notice too - for $40 they lock.  Your board is vulnerable, as always, but at least you'll get back to the airport with the racks.

Jim


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GA2HKAU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

248

Gear Talk / Pump Up deal...

« on: November 11, 2016, 02:08:53 PM »

These folks are well known for Triathlon wetsuits.. I guess they want in on SUP also.

http://www.xterraboards.com/collections/veterans-day?utm_source=XTERRA+BOARDS&utm_campaign=30498da13d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_10&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_80034ff47e-30498da13d-101196049&mc_cid=30498da13d&mc_eid=d3938090ea

Jim

249

SUP General / "Incidentally, Hobie has recently become the largest manufacturer of standup...

« on: October 14, 2016, 01:19:58 PM »

..paddleboards in the world as a result of the introduction of the Hobie Eclipse."  Really?!

This stood out in a piece about 'Surf hurt/helped growth' written by John in the Mullet.   Wasn't it about 2015 when there was last much mention of the storied HOBIE label here?

http://distressedmullet.com/2016/10/14/surf-helped-hurt-growth-sup/?mc_cid=a4b0344b95&mc_eid=181dabe9ef


Are we 'surf types' an island? ..or the ultimate market survivors?

Jim

250

Training, Diet, and Fitness / Local guy breaks neck ..makes Lemonade

« on: September 28, 2016, 06:04:11 AM »

..out of lemons.  Scott is one of those people you'd like to have your kids become.. born/raised at the beach, F-15 pilot, engineer, all-around waterman (including SUP) and perhaps the most level person you'd want to meet.  I don't remember seeing it in the video, but I heard the Doc told him this was not his first cervical fracture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSRZWCiPT6Y


Jim

251

Random / 2nd Amendment rights in a TX jail.

« on: September 24, 2016, 01:03:11 PM »

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thisisthat/prison-guns-canadian-erotic-novel-ontario-eggplant-calgary-lrt-1.3313462/honouring-2nd-amendment-rights-texas-prison-allows-inmates-to-carry-guns-1.3313464

Just below the images of guns on pegboard.. to the left is a blue 'play button'.

Jim

252

SUP General / Everybody is after GoPro customers.. now Nikon.

« on: September 22, 2016, 02:18:31 PM »

http://nofilmschool.com/2016/09/all-3-action-cams-nikons-keymission-series-are-now-available-preorder


Jim

253

Gear Talk / New, new Sunova, 8-7 Shroom ..buncha photos

« on: September 22, 2016, 11:02:50 AM »

'New' because this is my second one.  Tino at Sunova was kind enough to relieve me of the first one as I hurt my back ..just before it arrived.  Rick (supthecreek) and Tino took #1 on tour where Rick scored some nice rides in VA Beach. Shroom #2 is 8-7 x 33 x 142 liters.  It's a remarkable piece.

My unschooled eye has not seen so many design elements in one board.  Typical me, I put myself on the injured reserve list about a week ago with another session of "I can work like a kid back on the farm." ...so this Shroom will be dry for a while longer.













An additional definition of Double Concave: Top and Bottom.



I am fortunate to have a couple of Sunnova boards and my Skate XL makes for a great comparison of concepts. The  lengths and widths are about the same but tail on the Shroom is 14" wide vs 16" for the Skate.  I got to play decorator as my Skate got damaged in shipping so the top shot gives the impression/illusion the Skate's tail is more narrow. Weight for both is in the low 20lbs.






Ocean winds are all crap but I might get a little flatwater time on it soon ...and post a comparison of the Shroom and my 9-5 Speeed.  (listed in the classifieds) 

Jim

254

Classifieds / Sunnova Speeed 9-5

« on: September 06, 2016, 06:06:50 AM »

There's little to add about this very special board. All the reviews here and on Youtube/Vimeo pretty much tell its story.  Price is $1200.  Condition is excellent. 

255

Gear Talk / Three surf paddles...my test

« on: September 02, 2016, 06:35:38 AM »

Being from the school 'Better tools compensate lack of skill', I like quality boards and paddles. I broke my favorite surf paddle by falling on it, a Kialoa Methane. I have a Rivera, a Werner Grand Prix (my best flatwater stick) and had a few no-names, not worth mentioning.  I had KeNalu with a blade big blade likely designed by Catholic School nuns.  ..and heard Werner has a new surf-specific stick, the Rip Stick.  I like a small blade. I think they are quicker, easier and ding less.

KeNalu has a nice feature with hotmelt glue - pull it off glue another on.  I bought a Ho'oloa 84 blade.  Kialoa had a blem deal; I got a 'Pipes'.  And, Keith in Hatteras sold me his Rip Stick 89.  I got to the beach only to find everybody looking at it - waaay too much sideshore.  I decided to do a calm water test in the wind shadow of a bayside point. 5-10 minutes with each stick ..then a half hour with the winner.   I have no special insights, no degree in Fluid Dynamics but plenty of prejudices.  This all comes down to 'how it feels'. 

A Sunnova Speeed 9-5 is not a cross-over or flatwater consideration, but it is very quick to respond and paddles pretty straight.














(Sorry about the focus)  I'll take this by the major parts.. 

Handle:  Kialoa T-handle is the best for me. Widest at 10.5cm. I feel the pure-T gives me more R/L directional control.  The KeNalu feels unbalanced fore/aft - the grip is not as comfortable.  The ledge or cuff style of the Werner feels perfect for flatwater where you do nice clean strokes; I swat flies in the surf.

Shaft:  Kialoa shaft is a 32 x 28cm oval.  I like the feel of an oval; along with the large handle, it tells me blade angle but I hate an oval when I lay it flat on the board just before I do my jump-up. If I get little forward motion going, the blade drags to a stop!   I like the KeNaul shaft the best. The texture does not need any wax, spray or stick-ons when wet and 28cm is manly enough.  The Werner, like the Kialoa, needs help to not be slippery but is the most manly at 31cm. I have to ignore my prejudices about the handle.

Blade:  All I can tell is 'how it feels' at a given moment. You can judge all shaping and molding...  One thing - the Werner blade is set at 7 degrees ..whereas the others, I believe, set at 12. The single biggest negative of all these blades: the top end of the Werner is simply a 'paint scraper'.  I had another cheaper paddle with this 'feature'. It must be taped off or ground down.

So... I picked the Werner.  Unlike you flatwater guys who TaiChi a flow... my takeoff stroke more resembles 'escaping a shark'.  It's 3-and-go (or fail) in my Polish Mule style.  I don't like the ferrule ..I would prefer a T-handle but I find it very smooth with little/no wobble under heavy effort.  I'm looking forward to testing Werner's statement; "7 degrees is better in surf".

Jim


(Yes, that is horse C'hit next to the board... may be some in the text)