Messages

2656

SUP General / Re: MASSIVE lefts at Nazare, Portugal as entrant to the XXL Big Wave Awards

« on: December 16, 2014, 05:23:40 PM »

You just have to be prepared to go down hard.

2657

SUP General / Re: MASSIVE lefts at Nazare, Portugal as entrant to the XXL Big Wave Awards

« on: December 16, 2014, 05:20:09 PM »

I also wonder if Mavericks allows standup surfers?

When things get big there are some that claim the prone surfers can't keep up with the SUP'ers.  More on that later.  Jeff may be Yoda but Haley is Obi Wan and Ian Luke Skywalker.  I am just a padawan.

2658

SUP General / Re: Mavericks Winter Storm Session

« on: December 15, 2014, 02:49:37 PM »

Why do big wave riders often drop so low on the wave?  Is there some factor that makes it physically impossible to take a higher line?   Why don't I see more guys sticking to a higher line to better make a section?

Simple answer 'They're too good.'

There is a whole ecosystem out there.  Some guys complain its too crowded and Jeff Clark would say "If you want it go over there, to the bowl, and catch it."  When you are out there you start to understand there are only 3 guys who really want it even when there are 25 guys in the line up.  Everyone else fades further and further away from the center of the sun driven by the yin & yang of fear and confidence.

Watch the video at 2:51 and you will see the guy with the green striped board doing exactly what you are describing.  He is very accomplished but still rode that wave high.  I make my living doing that.  The best guys are taking off with an air drop, vertical and landing like cats.  That's where all the skill comes in.  We (SUP's) have the huge advantage of board speed and being on our feet.  I was also warned by Ian not to take off too sideways or you can get pitched and roll down the face.  'You have to commit' he would say.  Yeah Right!  I am not afraid to ride high.

PS: At the end of the wave I caught going right, off camera, was this viscous Teahupoo looking beast.  I was at speed but it was setting up like a bow wave in front of me.  To continue I would have had to turn left, and fight to go deeper just to get down and then come under what looked like a 15ft square ledge.  I kicked out having never witnessed such horror.

I mentioned the alien formation and the proners just blew me off as a whacky SUP guy.  Then Frank (same as above) caught one and paddled back out saying he saw it and kicked out claiming the inside wave was unlike anything he'd seen & bigger and scarier than the outside one that he had caught.  Cool stuff.

2659

SUP General / Re: Mavericks Winter Storm Session

« on: December 15, 2014, 12:28:50 PM »

It was small enough on Saturday to make catching waves hard.  The take off spot was pretty tight.  The most impressive thing might have been the picture perfect drop of 60 something Christie Davis.  He has been catching waves there for 24 years.

I did catch one right before I found my new friend the uncrowded left 

I haven't buddied up to the Powerlines guys for the high-resolution stuff but here is a Sasquatch quality video from the cliff while I try to flesh out my entourage.

2660

SUP General / Re: Mavericks Winter Storm Session

« on: December 15, 2014, 12:28:15 PM »

As usual I rode my magic carpet to the beach.  It may look goofy but it sure is effective.

2661

SUP General / Mavericks Winter Storm Session

« on: December 15, 2014, 12:27:47 PM »

Kudos to SUP standouts Ian (orange board) and Haley (getting steam rolled @ 1:50) for holding their own with the proners.

It was much cleaner on Friday and again Saturday.  Was out with just 5 guys on Saturday.  Everyone must have been worn out.

2662

Gear Talk / Re: Ding Repair?

« on: December 05, 2014, 04:59:59 PM »

I have had the best results using Resin Research epoxy from Fiberglass Supply.  NEVER any bubble problems.

The fast cure is pretty slow.  Never make a patch without glass.  2 layers of 6 oz topped with a layer of 2 oz cloth leaves a finish that virtually needs no sanding.  The key is the top layer of 2 oz.  Its silky thin.  If you add your pigment to the epoxy its a one stop shop.  No multiple batches just getting the job done all at once.

http://fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/Epoxy/epoxy.html

The last magic ingredient is a gram scale that can go to the 1 /100 th of a gram.  This way you can actually make really small batches of epoxy.  Like 3 grams. 

2663

SUP General / Re: Biggest wave you have personally SUS'd?

« on: November 25, 2014, 02:23:37 PM »

But it's more fun with friends

2664

SUP General / Re: Biggest wave you have personally SUS'd?

« on: November 25, 2014, 02:21:54 PM »

Sometimes I go at it alone.

2665

SUP General / Te Tainui: SUP and Kiter Love . . . Awesome Videography

« on: October 31, 2014, 11:49:20 AM »

Makes me realize that when I am 50 I need to take up kiting (again).

SUP and Kiting are just more evolved forms of surfing and windsurfing.  Enjoy:

2666

SUP General / Re: An Epic journey...700 miles on the Ganges as the last act of your life.

« on: October 31, 2014, 09:37:57 AM »

Agree with Pono.  Breaking all the norms.  Overwhelmed by the melancholy.  Maybe we should all turn our paddles around.

2667

SUP General / Re: Surfers Journal made a video of Cape Cod surf

« on: August 15, 2014, 07:41:32 AM »

Super cool Creek!

Reminded me of windsurfing in the 80's. 

There was stoke everywhere, but still a small intimate crew.  On the Cape when the wind blew people would come out of the woodwork and gather to pay homage at Kalmus beach . . . .

But I agree SUP has reignited the flame 

2668

Gear Talk / Re: Dual Leash Plugs

« on: May 17, 2014, 12:10:31 PM »

You can easily pull a car by attaching a line to the towhook, attach the other end to a tree and apply as much tension as you can. Then pull in the middle of the rope and the car moves easily.

PonoBill is usually right.  No exception here.  I believe this concept is called "tailing" and is a good way to assist line into a winch on a sailboat.

Having seen it all single leash plugs pulled out, double leash plugs pulled out, back half of the board ripped off . . . I have observed that there will always be a weak link.

Eventually it will be your knee or ankle.  I have been advocating for Waist Leashes for a while.  I have been having good luck with:

1) Long leashes ~ 20ft or more
2) Wearing flotation
3) Waist leashes

This winter I took some serious beatings, up to 20ft, and didn't have a single separation from my gear.  Separations should be avoided at all cost because they could be life threatening.  Your board is the best flotation device out there.  A lost board puts you, your board and the lineup at risk. 

2669

SUP General / Re: Do you use your "nice" paddle for surfing?

« on: May 16, 2014, 11:04:14 PM »

Best Paddle all time for Surfing:  KeNalu Molokai.

Kialoa's are nice, but basically 10 year old technology.   KeNalus are better (5 year old technology).  Lighter with more power. 

I switched off today with a neighbor my Kenalu with his Methane.  Felt like it had a gopro attached to the end it was so heavy, like a plank from Home Depot.  Wore me out with its weight, and very little catch. 

After getting a KeNalu, and another I sold my methane.  I think that people should only be qualified to speak who have tried both more than 10 times.  My first paddle was a methane.  Had it for 2 years.  KeNalus now for 2+ years.  Broke one Kenalu shaft when it hit the board.  Warrantied, swapped out the shaft net cost = $0.   

PS:  "Can you Dig It?"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcOFKaWPyDQ

PSS: Attached weight comparison and me doing my best Oompa Loompa ooompity do. . . .

2670

Fish Tales, Stand Up style / Re: SUP Fishing with Dog

« on: April 25, 2014, 11:34:13 PM »

It's family time on the East Coast. 

This is "Ladies night" fishing.  My 10 year old daughter has the record and stated I am not allowed to teach  my (future) grandchildren because she has caught a bigger fish than me. 

This video is my 9 year old acting as first mate with my 9 year old niece:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be99NCX68wI