Messages

1051

The Shape Shack / Re: Wooden SUP

« on: August 08, 2008, 04:48:09 AM »

That's a sweet board...I'm a sucker for natural materials.  How much would that board weigh when all is said and done?

I have a SurfTech longboard (not a SUB) 9'6" Johnny Rice design that has a wood laminate finish.  It's very pretty and wweighs very little.  Superlight for its size.

1052

SUP General / Leash placement - calf or ankle?

« on: August 04, 2008, 05:47:59 PM »

I'm just curious what people prefer as far as their leash placement:  calf or ankle?  I'm assuming it would always be on your back leg (most of the time back).

I am used to a leash on my ankle.  I have tried it on the calf and it's fine.  Is there a functional difference?  A safety difference?  I have been bashed with the big SUB once in the face but I know that's an assumed risk.

Any input is appreciated.

1053

Gear Talk / Re: Boards for bigger guys..starboard 12x30?

« on: July 31, 2008, 04:27:54 AM »

Nobody has commented yet on what a bada** Stoneaxe is.  I hadn't been aware of that history and really respect that.  I have not faced such a challenge.

I hope you do well at the C ape Cod Challenge!

1054

Gear Talk / Re: Free Naish board bags.

« on: July 31, 2008, 04:16:33 AM »

Did that board come with that fin?  That's a sweet fin.  The shape looks very functional and I like anything with a wood accent.

1055

SUP General / Re: New Board and Paddle Showcase Features on Ke Nalu

« on: July 31, 2008, 04:13:54 AM »

Hey PonoBill -- I just checked out the reviews and they (and the website as a whole look great).  I reviewed the Whiskey Jack paddle. My first web publication!

I don't know, though, if you got my info for the rash guard.  I'm an XL.  I do think my email went through if you need it.

1056

Technique / Re: Hit and switch or corrections?

« on: July 29, 2008, 08:58:10 AM »

Good discussion so far...river's comment on keeping your padle vertical is important.  And I've learned in the last few days out that the bow draw is basically the essential stroke.

I'm planning to experiment with where I stand on the board.  I'm wondering if standing just front of center will slow me down.  Maybe the tradeoff is worth it because I won't be correcting as much.

They're calling fro waist to shoulder high waves tonight and tomorrow morning so I'll be playing in the surf, not distance paddling.

1057

Downwind and Racing / Re: Pictures from our island crossing.

« on: July 27, 2008, 06:18:07 AM »

Great post!  I'm interested in your friend's ideas of using the velcro straps and finding too much drag...

I am planning an overnight circumnavigation of North Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.  It's 22 miles overall if I take the ferry to the island, otherwise I'll have to add 8 miles there and back.  I have done it before in a big water decked canoe and found the currents between the islands to be tricky.  Also there is some solid exposure to the big lake and waves can get chest high and above.  On my canoe trip I actually ended up surf paddling the west side of the island.

My challenge is figuring out how to secure some minimal gear.  I was going to somehow fasten a dry bag to my SUB using some velcro straps.  What do you think you would have done differently if you really needed to bring the gear?

1058

Gear Talk / Re: Naish vs Starboard vs Jimmy Lewis vs Oxbow

« on: July 26, 2008, 04:34:33 AM »

Thanks Steve for a thorough response.  I am real interested in the 11'2" Starboard.  I had kind of been sold on the Naish but you mentioned a couple things that are key for me:  lack of glide, and the need to continually paddle to stay with the wave.

My shop won't have Starboards in for a couple weeks.  I'll look forward to checking them out.

1059

Gear Talk / Re: Naish vs Starboard vs Jimmy Lewis vs Oxbow

« on: July 25, 2008, 03:34:31 PM »

We had a real good surf day today onb the Great lakes (3-5 footers) and I had a chance to try out the Jimmy Lewis 11' in the surf.  I found it to surf well but I actually felt it was a little slow to turn.  In the great lakes we run the surf in for a hundred yard surf and then have to do a 180 and paddle right back out.  The 180 turn is done in the midst of beach break and you really have to dig hard with the paddle and monitor your weight on the rail so you can make that turn without too many waves breaking under you.

The Jimmy Lewis was a good start.  But I'm not sold yet.  I'd really like to try the Naish.  I hope I get more insight as to others' experiences.

I do wonder how an 11'6 Jimmy would have been different.  Harder to turn? 

1060

SUP General / Re: Great Lakes SUP

« on: July 25, 2008, 03:49:06 AM »

I'm really enjoying this forum as I learn more about SUP.  Please seem my post in Gear Talk as I make a decision on which board to buy.  You opinions are very helpful.

1061

Gear Talk / Naish vs Starboard vs Jimmy Lewis vs Oxbow

« on: July 25, 2008, 03:47:35 AM »

Maybe this is back to the beginning for some, but I would like some opinions/feedback as I move toward buying my first real SUB.  In a previous post I mentioned I have paddled a 12'6" old windsurf board for two summers.  Well, I found a somewhat local shop that has a small selection of boards and allows demo paddles.  See http://www.mackite.com

I paddled the Jimmy Lewis yesterday and it was sweeeet.  Very responsive and it tracked well.  I am told the Naish surfs better but doesn't track as well on flatwater distance paddles.  I didn't paddle the Starboard or Oxbow yet.

I'm 6'2" and 200lbs.  I paddled the 11' Jimmy Lewis and thought it was plenty long.  The store has only one Naish, an 11'6" demo model for $1100.

I'm a great lakes SUPer.  Most of my paddling will be flatwater or in chop.  There are plenty of 3-5' wave days however so a board that is quick to surf is important.

I'm most interested in feedback that addresses flatwater distance and surfing relatively small waves.  I don't have the opportunity to surf big ocean waves and if I travel I would likely rent a board on site. 

Thanks!

1062

SUP General / Re: Great Lakes SUP

« on: July 21, 2008, 02:35:12 PM »

Thanks for your interest.  Where are you from? 

The Great Lakes cover a lot of space -- over 11,000 miles of shoreline.  Each lake is very different in its personality.  Lake Superior is aptly named as it is by far the most wild in my opinion.  I surf and paddle mainly on the east shore of Lake Michigan which is characterized by long stretches of sand beach and sand dunes.  Lake Superior is rocky.

Our waves are governed by weather (wind/barometric pressure).  It is not uncommon in the fall to have 7-12' surf and beyond.  These waves form and break quickly compared to ocean waves, but can provide great surf, especially if you can turn in to the wave and ride it out.  Many surfers surf along the piers because you can catch a longer surf -- 100-200 yards.

I don't have enough experience with saltwater to be aware of any differences in bouyancy between fresh/saltwater.

As far as temps...it can be cold.  I surf june-august with only a rash guard and shorts.  Surface temps on the water are 60 degrees in early june to 70 degrees right now.  It can be cold in October/november and surf is good then because weather tends to be more present then.  A 7mm wetsuit will make you very comfortable.  3mm the rest of the season is very adequate.

Overall, I think the Great Lakes would surprise most people on a windy day.  The last three days here have been calm.  No surf to speak of.   Once we get 15+ knot winds from any westerly location in my area the surf will be up 3-5 feet.  On a 6-9' day good luck paddling out beyond the shore break.  It can be done and we get it done but you can get thrashed doing it.

SUP paddling isn't so good on those bigger days because it is very difficult paddling out in those big, breaking waves.  I find 3-5' surf best for sup paddling.  Beyond that and I'm on a surfboard.

Thanks for your interest.  Unfortunately I don't do a whole lot with photos but if you search You Tube with "great lakes surf" you'll find a bunch of stuff.

 

1063

Technique / Re: Hit and switch or corrections?

« on: July 21, 2008, 05:01:12 AM »

Thanks for your reply.  I have looked at the Naish 11'6" and have seen many good reviews. 

When you talk about using the rail I have been trying that and have felt like the board is not responding as it should...probably due to the design of it.  If I'm paddling on the left and want to continue tracking straight, the board will want to begin to swing right if I do nothing.  I'm assuming I sholuld drop my left rail to cut in that direction and continue to paddle on the left.  It seems to me that if I'm paddling a slightly staggered stance with my right foot back than I could also use that foot to increase the amount of swing th board has to the left.

Well...anyway it's a lot of fun and I would like to get a much lighter board.  I bet I wouldbe amazed at the speed and glide difference.  I don't see anyone SUP paddling in my neck of the lake.  Most days I don't see anyone on the beaches except at this time in July.

1064

Technique / Hit and switch or corrections?

« on: July 20, 2008, 05:33:02 PM »

I'm in my 2nd summer of SUP paddling but have many years of whitewater canoeing and big water canoe tripping behind me. I know how to use a paddle and am trying to translate what I know to SUP style.  Some corrective strokes do not respond  on a board with a finor fins like they do on a vessel like a canoe. I find the J stroke is not very helpful.  Bow draws are helpful, stern draws work but are not really needed.  Braces are helpful when paddling through the shore break and surfing in the great lakes surf.

I find that when I am paddling on relatively calm water (1-3' great lakes swells) I tend to paddle on my left side ( right hand controls the paddle). I do a few straight strokes, a bow draw, maybe a crossbow stroke to correct.  This has me generally running a straight line.

I have also tried what I call hit and switch...two or three strokes on the left, switch sides and two or three strokes on the right.  I tend to waddle a bit when I do this.
I'm interested in hearing what folks are doing when paddling for distance in a relatively straight line.

I also find that I am more comfortable using a snowboard-like stance rather than a parrallel stance.  My natural comfort is to have left foot forward and paddle on the left side.  I'm trying to not get too comfortable relying on one technique.

My board is an old One Design wind surfer board: 12'6" long, 27" wide in the middle and almost 5" thick.  I'm in the market for an 11' or 11'6" board that is 29 " wide.  Mine is really heavy..maybe 40 lbs.

Any thoughts on what I've said would be appreciated.  I know I haven't really asked a question but I'm interested in improving.

1065

SUP General / Great Lakes SUP

« on: July 20, 2008, 03:51:03 PM »

Hello to everyone...I stumbled onto this site after a recent mag purchase.  Anyone else out there on the Great Lakes?  I'm located in Michigan on the west coast -- near the recent Rothbury Festival if anyone heard of that.

We get some good surf and have lots of flatwater and rivers too.  Great Lakes surf is different from ocean surf but it'spretty fun, especially SUP style.  I'm enjoying the archived posts and will be sure to get some good pics next big wave day we have.