Topics

16

Downwind and Racing / Live racing from Germany on NOW!!

« on: August 17, 2013, 05:27:32 AM »

Live webcast:

http://watermanleague.com/events/2013-hamburg-paddle-challenge-germany

See e.g. the new Fanatic shape in action.

Wow Annabel Anderson is FAST

17

Gear Talk / C4 Waterman V1 vs. C4 Wai Nui

« on: May 22, 2013, 06:42:57 AM »

I'm having trouble finding any information about these boards. There are some conflicting views on the web about the stability of the C4 Waterman 14ft V1 in big chop, and there seems to be almost nothing about the Wai Nui (14ft x 29.5")

Has anyone tried either of these boards, especially in difficult short period downwind and cross-chop conditions?

The Wai Nui is 36lbs...

Cheers for any info you have.

18

Gear Talk / Any production board faster than a K15 in flat water?

« on: October 26, 2012, 08:51:56 AM »

I regularly paddle with the tidal current up (or down) an estuary, with mild wind my back (10-20mph) and just small chop. I am constantly surprised how fast friends of mine who are paddling Starboard K15 boards are in those conditions compared with anything that I paddle.

These are guys I paddle with a lot in many different conditions, with us on various boards, so I know that this observation is not a freak or a one-off: it is it is that the K15 is particularly good in those conditions.

So here is a question for you all out there: Is there any production board that is generally and currently available worldwide that is faster than the K15 in those conditions?

To avoid the usual issues about differences in paddlers etc. let us say that we are talking about the paddlers being competent but not elite paddlers with average balance weighing around the 170-190lb range.

(By the way, if anyone knows if there have been any changes to the K15 board in construction - especially weight, handle, fin box - for 2013 I'd be pleased to hear that too.)

Thanks for your advice.

Let the pimp-fest begin!

19

Downwind and Racing / UK Downwinding

« on: October 03, 2012, 07:47:10 AM »

Here's a clip of Charlie Head (SUP) and Brad Symington (Kite) doing a section of my local downwind run on a small day.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/50668414

This is a small part of Charlie's epic 500 mile coastal paddle, which you can follow here:

http://www.oceansup.org/

Enjoy!

20

Gear Talk / Jimmy Lewis M-14

« on: October 17, 2011, 06:17:34 AM »

Has anyone tried this downwind board?

I'm particularly interested in knowing how stable it is in big chop, how much it weighs, and how fast it is in the flat. The rails look very hard - can you turn it against cross-winds, and surf?

There are plenty of pics of the board on the web, but I haven't yet found a review by someone who has ridden it in a variety of conditions.

Cheers for any info you have - no chance of demoing one here in the UK.