Topics

106

Gear Talk / New Bic 12'6" Wing -- Anybody Know About This?

« on: June 28, 2012, 06:21:45 PM »

I was perusing the paddleboarddirect.com and I cam across this new Bic. Does anybody know anything about it? I like the integrated attachments and the general touring/racing design.

http://www.bicsup.com/products/ace-tec-sup,3,101/12-6-wing-ace-tec-sup,1037.html

Here's Bic's press release:

http://www.bicsportna.com/pressreleases/12-6Wing.pdf

107

Gear Talk / Installing Tie-Downs: Any Disadvantages?

« on: April 28, 2012, 05:48:45 AM »

Are there any disadvantages to installing tie-down mounts to a board that doesn't come with them pre-installed? Does doing this mess up the board in any way, except maybe cosmetically?

I'm looking at a few low-priced 12'6" boards, and the ones that seem best for me don't have tie-downs, although I think I might need them. I want to do some longer paddles, and maybe accompany my wife on some long-distance swims and carry her gear. I like those yellow deck bags I see for sale too.

108

Gear Talk / Imagine Surfer/Bodyglove Wave Review

« on: April 04, 2012, 07:37:37 AM »

Okay, I've had some time to play with my new Bodyglove Wave, which is the same beast as the Imagine Surfer, so it's time for a review.

This is a very wide board. It's almost disconcertingly wide. I'm used to my NSP 11' which is about 5" narrower, and the NSP can also be considered a fairly wide board. because it's also about 10' long (9'9" to be exact), it's got a lot of surface area. I laid it out on my lawn and let my three gorillas got at it.



Because it's hollow it definitely has that slightly sunk-in feeling when you stand on it. This isn't really an issue when the board is on the water. The huge deck pad is great for moving around in. This is a great platform for kids to just play on.

The weight (45 lbs) is an issue. It's heavy on my head, and the recessed handle is exactly centered so its edges dig right into my cranium. The handles on the edges help relieve the pressure. It can be carried with one hand, of course, but it's a little heavy for that. I'm not a wimp, but my arm got pretty tired pretty quickly.

Yesterday I took the board out onto the Croton River. This is the overflow from the Croton Reservoir, which is where New York City gets drinking water. Paddling the board is a lot of fun. I guess because of its width and shorter length it doesn't seem to like the longer strokes I'd use on my NSP. I found 4-6 short strokes on one side best for paddling forwards, especially in a current. It doesn't like the lean motion that I would do with the NSP that would counter the push with the paddle; best to keep this baby flat while you paddle.

The Croton river has a point with some light rapids. I jury-rigged my camera on the front straps then ran the board. It didn't work so well because the board took up most of the frame, but here it is:



I like this board a lot. It's really easy to paddle. The plastic body means I don't have to be insanely cautious with it on the rocks. On the Hudson, this is a big deal. It also does a pivot turn really easily. I don't know if this is the shorter length or the extreme width, but I was able to do them without a problem or a fall. Considering the water was about 49ºF (and I was in a farmer john) wetsuit, this was a big deal.

I'm working on getting certified as an SUP instructor later this spring, and this will be a perfect teaching board. (It comes with a paddle too, but that needs a separate review.) I'm also going to rely on this board to help me improve my minuscule surfing skills. This is a beginner board, of course, but the plastic construction means it has a lot of advantages, especially absorbing all the abuse a beginner might give it.

109

Random / Kayak Raft with SUP

« on: March 31, 2012, 06:45:17 AM »

This photo was in the latest “National Geographic”.



It's a record breaking kayak and canoe raft that was done in the Adirondacks. however, if you scan the photo carefully, at the top just right of center is what looks like a large, white, racing SUP. It's pointing downward and a little to the left. (It's a little clearer in the print version.) The rider is wearing a black wetsuit. I'm not sure what kind is is -- I don't know brands that well -- but I thought it was pretty cool.

110

Events / Earth Celebration Parade in New York City

« on: March 18, 2012, 05:31:04 PM »

This event is a little on the granola-head side, but it was fun.

I did a standup paddling demonstration/show for an environmentally themed parade in New York City last year, and they're looking for paddlers this year. Here's their website:

http://www.earthcelebrations.com/

The date is Saturday, May 12, and the paddling will be off Pier 40.

Here's some video of the paddleboard “dance”. Scroll down for the vid. It's a bit on the silly side, but it also gets standup paddling some exposure:

http://www.earthcelebrations.com/photos-videos/videos/

If anybody's interested, the contact person is Felicia Young (mail@earthcelebrations.com).

111

SUP General / PFD Rules: belt pack vs. traditional

« on: December 26, 2011, 11:16:34 AM »

Okay, I just got for Christmas two PFDs. The first is an Astral Nova replacing my old windsurfing PFD with one designed more towards paddling. The second was an Onyx M24 Belt Pack PFD. (This must count as some sort of record.)

This got me to thinking about using a traditional PFD as opposed to the belt pack style. When was the right time to wear each? So here's the set of rules I came up with.

Traditional PFD: Used when paddling alone or in cold weather.

Belt Pack: Used when paddling with a partner.

They may seem over-cautious to some of you, but I do have three kids, and I want to make sure I come home to them each day. If I'm alone and something happens, God forbid, it's probably best to have a PFD that will keep me floating no matter whether I'm conscious or not. On the other hand, I think paddling with a full PFD while in a group is a bit silly.

I also paddle when the water is pretty cold and any extra heat is a good thing.

Anybody else have rules of this kind?

112

SUP General / Paddleboard Speed

« on: December 02, 2011, 03:13:13 AM »

I was wondering if anybody had any data about how fast a standup paddle board can really go. I know I top out on on a long distance straightaway at about 4 MPH, which is pretty sad. Since I don't have a displacement style board (NSP 11') I know people are going faster. How much?

I'm also curious as to what's the average speed on a displacement board of an amateur paddler and the real pros.

Thanks for any information.

-Ian

113

SUP General / Reflections on Land Paddling

« on: November 26, 2011, 08:19:51 PM »

It's getting pretty cold in the Northeast and even when the days are warm enough to do some sort of paddle, the water's pretty cold (45º). So I've been working out with my Kahuna Big stick and Barfoot Egg skateboard (40" l, 9.25 " w).

It's not a bad workout. I get sore a lot quicker than I do water paddling. You need to press downward more with the Big Stick to get enough friction against the road. If the road is a little wet, that means more pressure. After about forty-five minutes I'm getting sore.

The skateboard kind of forces you to get into surf stance, which isn't a bad position to paddle in. That forces you to exercise your lower back a lot, which is also a great exercise. I understand the larger boards allow you to place your feet parallel, but mine isn't wide enough. Every few minutes I change the side I'm paddling on, as opposed to about every 6 strokes on my SUP.

You can switch off between classic skateboard pumping and paddling with the stick for speed, which is fun. They exercise different muscle groups.

The rule about reaching while paddling an SUP holds the same on land except you don't want to reach quite so much. If you're using your weight to paddle there's also a power point new your body where you can drop your weight upon the paddle to get some speed, which is different from an SUP. You still lose power quickly when the “blade” passes your body.

Any good, flat surface will do if you don't mind doing circles in a workout. You can make a game out of dodging pinecones and leaves. It's a good idea to switch directions of the circle so you exercise different muscles. I prefer flats to hills so I can get a steady pace going. Usually I use a nearby basketball court when it's empty.

This is also a good sport which I can do with my son. He's just learning to ride a two-wheel bike, so he can practice in the same place I do, and I can keep an eye on him while getting a workout.

I like to water paddle with gloves, but they don't seem to work as well with the land paddle. The Big Stick wants more friction on my hands, which the gloves reduce.

I can't think of any better way to stay in shape for paddling over the winter, especially when the Hudson River begins to ice up. That said, I can't wait 'till Spring.

-Ian

114

Sessions / Post Irene Paddles

« on: September 24, 2011, 08:44:19 PM »

It's been about a month since Irene plowed through New York State, but I'm amazed out how much she left her stamp on the Hudson River.

I've been out three times since the storm. The first time was the day after. I know, that seems foolhardy, especially after there was a windsurfing death on Long Island the day before, but the day was actually lovely. The river then was a chalky tan from all the stuff that got churned up and the runoff. I did my typical long run: Peekskill Bay to the Bear Mountain Bridge and back, about seven miles. A Coast Guard helicopter flew about two hundred feet above the river, so close I could see a pilot's head through the window. I got worried they would try to rescue me, especially when, after it flew upriver, it returned a few minutes later. I learned from the news there had been a local drowning of some white water rafters who tried the Croton River and one drowned. Surprisingly there was little stuff floating around in the water.

Since then the river has recovered slowly. It's no longer a chalky tan color but more of a reddish brown from the runoff upstate. There is now a lot of flotsam on the river, so much that I wouldn't take any boat up to speed on the water. The local windsurfers are staying off the river, mostly.

Yesterday I did my long run again and it was amazing. There's still all sorts of weird stuff in the water like storage bins and sheets of plastic, more flotsam than ever, and bigger stuff like trees. However, I've never seen the river more beautiful. It was a foggy, drizzly afternoon, the kind that would make most people stay indoors. I went out because I hadn't had many paddles recently, and what the hell, I was probably going to get wet even without the rain, so who cares if it's raining or not?

The fog was covering the mountains around me with wisps of white. At times the hills around me were almost completely hidden. The rain flattened the water so it was almost completely calm, making the only chop the occasional boat wake. My God, the river was gorgeous in a way I've never seen before. I'd never seen it so flat and so peaceful looking. The patterns of light rain were clear on the calm surface. For much of the time I was the only watercraft visible, and I could see for a few miles in each direction. It was like I owned the river. I was so sad I didn't have my camera.

It's nice to be out in the rain in a wetsuit. The water doesn't really bother you, but it does keep you cool. I was just wearing a thin farmer John, and until the rain I was sweating like crazy in the heat. The rain made everything better.

Twice little silver fish jumped onto my board. That was funny.

Kind of a rambling post, but I've been enjoying seeing the Hudson change so dramatically with both the season and the storm. You saltwater guys get all sorts of interesting critters in the water, but on the brackish Hudson we get some dramatic scenery.

-Ian

115

Sessions / Shmoo Surfing

« on: July 18, 2011, 08:07:13 AM »

I finally got my NSP 11' in the waves. My wife and I joined an outfit in Jacksonville called Black Creek Outfitters who were having an SUP demo day. We had our own SUPs, but we wanted to have our first wave session with others. We went to Atlantic Beach and got into the water with about fifteen other SUPers. There were a few experienced guys on the water too giving tips to us newbies (and wave newbies). The waves were pretty small and mushy, but they were perfect for learning.

I got the handle of it after a while. I'd say after an hour of just getting my bearings and getting used to the up and down I was riding waves. I had to learn that quick paddle, paddle, paddle to accelerate onto a wave, which took a few tries. I've done body surfing and boogie boarding so know the feeling when a wave catches you. My biggest problem in the beginning was pearling the board; I had to get used to moving back a few feet on the board once I caught it. Then it was seriously fun! My wife was having back pain so she was not doing so well. Also her board (Amundsen 11'3") isn't as wide as mine so she was falling more. She initially claimed her board was too wonky to surf on, so we traded then I started catching waves with her board. Not the board!

We got chased from the beach by a thunderstorm, but not after seeing some very cool marine life. Two small pods of dolphins and a manatee. The next day my wife and I returned with our children (twin three year-old girls and a seven year-old son). Since my son Gabriel, whom I nickname the Shmoo, is fairly adventurous I decided to try something really fun. I put a PFD on the dude then he climbed on the nose of my board. I then knee-paddled out to waist-high water and tried catching some of the waves with him. It was amazingly easy. Gabriel stayed prone the first ride but on the second the little dude just stood up and rode the nose in! We repeated it about half a dozen times.

That was probably the coolest thing I've ever done with the kid. I'm hooked. BTW, has anybody every messed up the tops of their toes after knee-paddling? I was bleeding after the second day.

-Ian

116

Gear Talk / NY Times SUP Article

« on: July 03, 2011, 03:45:24 AM »

One rarely sees articles about standup paddling in the Old Grey Lady, but here's an interesting piece about Laird Hamilton and his new designs:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/sports/new-designs-for-stand-up-paddleboards-sparks-interest.html?src=recg

-Ian

117

Sessions / First Flatwater Session on NSP 11'

« on: May 28, 2011, 06:14:06 AM »

Yesterday I went paddling on the Croton River, a tributary of the Hudson with my friend. He was on his brand-new Cabrinha 11'6" SUP and I was on my NSP 11'. I have to say, I fell in love with that board the minute I got on it. It was nice and floaty but not too bulky-feeling. It tracked well for flat-water paddling too. This probably had a lot to do with its three fins. I compared this to this to the Cabrinha, and while that board probably gave more forward thrust, it definitely didn't track as well.

We paddled up the Croton River to a waterfall. The current gets pretty strong the further you go up and there were some spots where you really had to paddle hard. My friend had a cheap, three-piece paddle which had a blade that kept falling off. I guess those cheap paddles really are pretty crappy. The first time that happened, we were in the chest-deep, relatively clear water of the Croton River, but the second time the blade sank in pretty deep water. Scott belly-paddled back for a while then I gave him a tow while he held onto my board leash.

I practiced some pivot turns on the SUP. Those are fun. I'm not especially good at them, but I'm going to keep working on them. I'm sure they'll be easier if I take off the two side fins and just go with one center fin. I like the ease which the NSP turns. My wife has an Amundsen 11'3" which is a perfectly fine board, but it doesn't have as responsive a feel as the NSP. I do like though how the Amundsen has padded rails. I managed to chip the side of my friend's board just by knocking it against a rock.

One nice advantage of paddling over windsurfing: there isn't that 20-30 minute setup time. You get out your board, put on booties and a PFD (You heard that, US Coast Guard, I had a PFD?), you put the leash on you ankle, then paddle. I find it convenient to paddle with a camel pack on top of my PFD. On longer paddles, the pack is a great place to stow a power bar or a sandwich.

-Ian

118

Gear Talk / Board for Beginner/Intermediate

« on: April 16, 2011, 04:55:56 PM »

I'm a windsurfer who has been doing standup paddling for 2-3 years when the wind is low. I mostly paddle on the Hudson River where the banks and bottom are pretty darn rocky. (Our windsurfers get dinged fairly often.)

I usually paddle my Kona One windsurfer which is 70 cm wide and 205 liters of flotation. Sometimes I borrow my wife's first generation Amundsen 11'3" which is a pretty nice board to paddle. It has less volume I think (180 liters?) than the Kona but is wider with a much thinner rocker. I prefer the Amundsen and have done some nice 5 mile paddles on the thing and rarely get dumped on flat water. I don't know if I qualify as an intermediate paddler though. I basically just paddle on flat water or a little chop and don't do any fancy maneuvers. I can't say I've ever actually caught a wave on it although I'm an okay bodysurfer.

I'm getting a nice little bonus from work and am looking to get an inexpensive board. This will mostly be for the river but I'll take it onto small waves occasionally in Cape Cod or Long Island.

Choices: I am seriously considering the Bic ACS 10'4". I've noticed this isn't a very popular choice on the forums, but it's about the max of what my budget can handle. I'm open to other choices , of course, but durability is pretty important here.

Question #1: Is a 10'4" 175 liter board adequate for cruising and occasional waves? I'm 5'10" but fairly stocky at 192 lbs. Am I going too small?

Question #2: Are there better choices for my price and needs?

Thank you in advance for any advice or comments.