Messages

61

Gear Talk / Re: Product Sources - Manufacturer/Shaper List

« on: August 22, 2007, 10:33:18 AM »

...and the other is gary "testing" out the board he just sold...

I'm going off topic here, but was the second picture taken at Tenaya Lake in Tuolumne Meadows?

Mike

62

Sessions / Re: Kealakekua Bay w/ da childs

« on: August 22, 2007, 09:35:27 AM »

That is a great day when you can go out with your kids.  It sounds to me like you need to get another board for you (uh, I mean your daughter).

63

Gear Talk / Re: Product reviews - Zone style

« on: August 21, 2007, 05:30:39 PM »

This is a review for the Kialoa Nalu paddle.  Surface area: 108 sq in; Blade width:  9 ¼”; Blade length: 16 ½; Weight: 26 oz

The Nalu is an all carbon paddle and feels good in my hands.  Honestly, I don’t have much experience with canoe paddles and such so I have either gotten used to it or I lucked out and found the perfect paddle.  What I do know is that for my medium size hand, the shaft is the right diameter that my hands don’t get tired.  I’ve tried the Pohaku paddles but found the shaft was too big.  I used to play tennis so I know what diameter I should use.  Also the t-handle is shaped so I know which way is forward without looking at it.  My fingers can wrap around the handle better than the Pohaku.  I think the type of handle is purely based on preference. 

In the water, the blade size gives me plenty of power when I’m moving.  When starting from a stop, it is almost too much power.  I’ve learned to pull a little easier for the first two strokes when starting from a standstill.  I haven’t experience any noticeable shaft flex either as mentioned in other posts.  When I am paddling or surfing I never think about the paddle performance.  In my mind that is the perfect design.

Overall I love this paddle.  If I end up traveling, I just hope they come up with a two piece paddle so I can take it with me.

Mike

64

Gear Talk / Re: Product reviews - Zone style

« on: August 21, 2007, 04:47:47 PM »

This is a review of a 12’ Soft top (Munoz design) 12’ x 26.25” x 4.375”.

I am 5’-6” and 150 pounds.  Started SUP about a year ago and went out frequently until 4 months ago but starting to go out again.  I’ve also been surfing on and off for years starting out on shortboards but have moved onto hybrids and longboards.  I can do more than point and shoot but never enough to stand out in a crowd.  Basically I’m just another blob in the water. 

The soft top is my first SUP and at the time I wanted to get a board with the least amount of money invested in case I didn’t like it.  Luckily I was able to get a good deal on it a year ago.  After my first two days owning it, I was able to stand up for a total of 20 seconds in two sessions lasting 20 minutes each.  Of course, I was trying it in the ocean with 10-15 knot winds… I never said I was smart.  By the weekend, my wife and I went to a wind sheltered bay and I was ready to take another soaking.  As I was explaining to my wife how to slowly stand up, I looked over and she was already on her feet asking why I was having a hard time with this SUP thing (she’s about 10 pounds lighter than me and with much better balance).  It has been so much fun that my wife got one so we can paddle in flat water together.  Bottom line is that the length of the board is enough to easily stand in calm waters.

Cruising along the shore:  Being a narrow board, in the beginning I found myself in the water every 100 feet if there was any chop.  As I got my sea legs, it got easier and now I can stay mostly dry in small to medium chop.  When big chop hits, the instability got my legs tired fast and I’m in the water a lot more.  The board tracks pretty well but turning is tough.  I tried standing further back on the tail to turn but the narrow tail had me in the water almost every time.

Surfing:  The length made it easier to get into the surf but it doesn’t turn too well.  Then again, it could just be me.  I found that I needed to drag the paddle or stomp on the tail.  It performs best in waist to chest high waves but I’ve taken it in head high conditions and it is a blast. 

Bottom line:  This is a great beginner board for lighter people and at an affordable price in comparison to other SUP.  It is heavy (about 30 pounds) but it can take a beating.  Knowing what I know now, I would still buy this as a starter board and it is affordable (relatively speaking).  SUP is so much fun that I never prone surf anymore.

I’m hoping to get a custom board but want to get better on this one before laying down the dough.

Mike

65

Sessions / Re: Fun day' Sunday

« on: August 21, 2007, 09:57:40 AM »

Sounds like you hit a good swell.  I ride a 12' soft top too and it is pretty tippy but a good beginner board.  I've resigned myself to mastering it so when I finally get a SUP board I will be much better.  That's what I tell myself anyway.  I've tried a Hobie SUP and it was much more stable and surfed great. 

Post some pictures of the rollers if you have it.

Mike

66

Sessions / Re: Saturday with the family

« on: August 21, 2007, 09:43:00 AM »

If I keep meeting the friendly people in the water, I don't even mind the crowded lineups anymore.  Of course where I was at, it was limited to paddle people so we were all a little group of "outcasts"

67

Sessions / Saturday with the family

« on: August 19, 2007, 09:19:12 AM »

Yesterday was a great day to be out.  It was hot inland so the beach was the call.  I went down to San Onofre (thanks Allan for all the San O advice) early in the morning.  It was my 2 month old daughter's first beach day (and certainly not the last).  She did great!   Luckily we parked next to a big RV group and caught a lot of their shade.  I did figured out that I need to get an E-Z Up for these family trips so I can keep my wife and daughter comfortable.

I had two friends come down to try my boards (his and hers 12' softops with Kialoa Nalu paddles) and they also took over the babysitting duties while my wife and I were in the water.  We only started SUP last year and the last time my wife was in the water was November.  It was also her first time trying SUP with waves and she even caught a wave on her knees!  Luckily yesterday was a knee to waist high day so she was comfortable with the wave size.

The SUP/surf skis guys at San O are really cool.  When I reached the line up, all I heard was laughter from everyone having a good time.  It was such a friendly atmosphere.

Basically, it was a great day.

68

SUP General / Re: San Onofre question

« on: August 17, 2007, 11:04:05 AM »

Plan on an early morning or you'll be waiting at the top. It fills up quick on the weekends in the summer time. If its an all day thing and you gots kids, I would head into surf beach at 600 ish and camp out all day. Go down and park past the last cinder block house on the left. Set up a shade shelter and hang out. I may even peddle in withe my bike and a few boards and say hello...

Thanks for the great info.  I'm going to try and get there early but I will likely get resistance from my wife.  She LOVES to sleep in!

Anyway if you are down there I would love to try out one of your boards.  I'll be the one on a 12' blue softop grinning from ear to ear.

69

SUP General / Re: Catalina standup paddle camping trip...

« on: August 16, 2007, 03:59:02 PM »

Sounds like a great trip.  I'd love to see the pictures and especially how you were able to hold all the gear.

70

SUP General / Re: San Onofre question

« on: August 16, 2007, 03:57:12 PM »

Thanks for all the info.  I'm going to head down there on Saturday morning with the family.  It'll be my little girl's first beach day (she's 2 months old).  I'm going to take your advice and go in front of the plant or trails.  I prefer to SUP with no one else around. 

Don't worry about pissing people off. That happens not because of the craft, but because you're having wayyyy more fun then they are.

I know what you mean.  I always get these strange looks from everyone when they see me with a perma-grin while catching the smallest waves. 

71

Technique / Re: stand up How to Video - Jim Terrell from Quickblade Paddles

« on: August 14, 2007, 05:47:23 PM »

That is a great video.  I was trying to follow the description of a cross bow draw in another tread but got confused.  The video helped a ton.  I've been using the back paddle move which is slow when a wave is coming.  I've also been trying to lean back on the tail but that has been marginal at best.

Time to try out the cross bow draw

72

SUP General / San Onofre question

« on: August 14, 2007, 05:08:48 PM »

Hi all,

It seems there are a couple of people here from the So Cal area so hopefully someone will be able to answer this.  I've been doing SUP since last year (still not that good and probably worse after my daughter was born because I hardly go out) but only in the Newport and Huntington area while I lived in Newport.  I've since moved a bit inland and still haven't tried SUPing in SanO.  I've heard that SUPs are restricted to certain areas.  Is that true?  If so, how can I tell if I am in the right place?

How about padding north to Church's?  or even further north?  Is that off limits to SUPs?

Any help would be great.  I don't want to piss off a bunch of people and give SUPs a bad name.