NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race

[photofr]

I would not mind a performance/fast light touring board. A kind of Glide Light or Javelin de-tuned. Pretty much a SIC RS with a tad less volume but without the race moniker to it, so it becomes available on the second hand market :-)
And that is something that could work well with the hollow construction of Nelo. They just have to go wider and make some nicer, cleaner lines. Simple is best.

Pure physics limitations will make it extremely difficult to create a hollow board that's: light, strong - but also LOW VOLUME.

[photofr]

Photofr, Mahalos for info on Braca paddles. They have added a model in a teardrop shape which now goes down to very small sizes!

Bonus - US Distributor in Wayland MA USA!

No affiliation, but it is nice to actually be able to get some EURO gear if you want for a change!

Hey Mr. Big!
Welcome.
The Kahana model is in fact a tear drop model. It actually came out a year BEFORE the Maui model. I tried it in two sizes and paddled it for about 7 months. While it may suit other paddlers, I have to admit that I didn't like it. Here are my reasons:
- The blade was the second stiffest thing I have ever used in my life.
- The blade and shaft didn't have an harmonious behaviour regarding their flex.

The Kahana paddle couldn't be more opposite of the latest model: the Braca Maui.

Overall, it was unpleasant (for me) for long distance paddling - which is what I love the most.

Aloha -

[ukgm]

...lots of people would find a rather gunny low-volume 12ft do-everything-but-especially surf board appealing right now...

Unfortunately, it seems Naish will follow pack and introduce a dugout for the next season.

How do you figure that ? My understanding is that are reducing or pulling out of the more niche aspects of the sport. If they aren't willing to even maintain their flatwater board range from an existing blank design, they are not going to create a new board for a market that is as small (if not smaller) surely ?

[ukgm]

Now if they go to inflatable only then....

Given they have done a lot of press recently regarding their new Maliko inflatable, I think they are waking up to where the recreational market is heading. I nearly bought one but the colourway was awful. Who the hell uses grey.............

[ukgm]

Inflatables getting cheaper; hard boards getting more expensive; inflatables outnumbering hard boards in races. Hmm...

I've just sold all of my boards, ordered a new ski and ordered an inflatable starboard Allstar so I can race the odd event in the inflatable class if I feel the urge. 

The key thing about that Dart statistic isn't that there are more inflatable than hard though - it's not the technology we should be focused on. When you look at the trends, its more interesting to note that hardboard open class has grown by a considerably smaller rate than the 'challenge/leisure' class (which is mainly made up of inflatables). At that race in particular, it's because for every new paddler the hardboard class attracts, the class loses some of its more longstanding paddlers who are bored or want something else. Most of the regular top 10 paddlers from the last 4-5 years still paddle SUP but don't travel to races any more.

[photofr]

Hmm...

Top racers moving away from racing...
More hollow boards on the market...
Current SUP boards are so very limited for efficiency (even in the 14' categories)...

With the above factors (as well as others in mind) it would seem logical that the SUP market would be seeing more Hollow UL boards sometime rather soon! After all, it would cater to heavier paddlers in a very nice way.

[ukgm]

With the above factors (as well as others in mind) it would seem logical that the SUP market would be seeing more Hollow UL boards sometime rather soon! After all, it would cater to heavier paddlers in a very nice way.

I don't see how. UL boards can't be raced in most events, downwinding is highly specialised arm of the market and hollow boards from the established brands would likely be ludicrously expensive. There is no market there. Hell, you'll be more likely to see an inflatable UL DW board first. Heavier recreational paddlers will be fine in the leisure class as things stand so much won't change there. Heavier elite paddlers will just be naturally selected out of the competitive sport though.

[Area 10]

Inflatables getting cheaper; hard boards getting more expensive; inflatables outnumbering hard boards in races. Hmm...

I've just sold all of my boards, ordered a new ski and ordered an inflatable starboard Allstar so I can race the odd event in the inflatable class if I feel the urge. 

The key thing about that Dart statistic isn't that there are more inflatable than hard though - it's not the technology we should be focused on. When you look at the trends, its more interesting to note that hardboard open class has grown by a considerably smaller rate than the 'challenge/leisure' class (which is mainly made up of inflatables). At that race in particular, it's because for every new paddler the hardboard class attracts, the class loses some of its more longstanding paddlers who are bored or want something else. Most of the regular top 10 paddlers from the last 4-5 years still paddle SUP but don't travel to races any more.

Hmm... the majority of people want cheap, hassle-free fun, and care less about winning than the overall experience. Who'd have thunk it?

[ukgm]

Inflatables getting cheaper; hard boards getting more expensive; inflatables outnumbering hard boards in races. Hmm...

I've just sold all of my boards, ordered a new ski and ordered an inflatable starboard Allstar so I can race the odd event in the inflatable class if I feel the urge. 

The key thing about that Dart statistic isn't that there are more inflatable than hard though - it's not the technology we should be focused on. When you look at the trends, its more interesting to note that hardboard open class has grown by a considerably smaller rate than the 'challenge/leisure' class (which is mainly made up of inflatables). At that race in particular, it's because for every new paddler the hardboard class attracts, the class loses some of its more longstanding paddlers who are bored or want something else. Most of the regular top 10 paddlers from the last 4-5 years still paddle SUP but don't travel to races any more.

Hmm... the majority of people want cheap, hassle-free fun, and care less about winning than the overall experience. Who'd have thunk it?

It's merely another example of the parkrun/sportif participation ongoing phenomenon. i.e. people wanting a shared social experience, not a hardcore competitive event that merely exposes everyone's shortcomings (be it physical, financial, technical, etc).

[burchas]

...lots of people would find a rather gunny low-volume 12ft do-everything-but-especially surf board appealing right now...

Unfortunately, it seems Naish will follow pack and introduce a dugout for the next season.

How do you figure that ? My understanding is that are reducing or pulling out of the more niche aspects of the sport. If they aren't willing to even maintain their flatwater board range from an existing blank design, they are not going to create a new board for a market that is as small (if not smaller) surely ?

That's the word I got. I guess it remains to be seen.

[Area 10]

ukgm- yes of course. But it's not a "phenomenon". That's what most people have wanted out of sport since... forever. It's just that, traditionally, event organisers and the loudest voices are nearly always highly competitive people, who can't see any point in exercising unless it's to compare yourself against another. IMO that "race face" mentality puts off far more people than it attracts. If we are going to solve the obesity crisis, there has to be recognition of what most people want from their sporting activities. The park run type events are indeed a great example. I could imagine some inland waterways being used for paddling equivalents.

[burchas]

I would not mind a performance/fast light touring board. A kind of Glide Light or Javelin de-tuned. Pretty much a SIC RS with a tad less volume but without the race moniker to it, so it becomes available on the second hand market :-)
And that is something that could work well with the hollow construction of Nelo. They just have to go wider and make some nicer, cleaner lines. Simple is best.

Pure physics limitations will make it extremely difficult to create a hollow board that's: light, strong - but also LOW VOLUME.

That's a pile of rubbish. They've been selling those for years. Hollow, light, low volume & very strong

[robon]

I would not mind a performance/fast light touring board. A kind of Glide Light or Javelin de-tuned. Pretty much a SIC RS with a tad less volume but without the race moniker to it, so it becomes available on the second hand market :-)
And that is something that could work well with the hollow construction of Nelo. They just have to go wider and make some nicer, cleaner lines. Simple is best.

The JL Sidewinder 14 x 27 has a bit less volume than the SIC RS 14 x 26 and would be very close to the same weight in the more durable signature construction. Just no used ones popping up in BC yet. The Sunova Allwater 14 x 27 may be a bit more volume than what you would want. I noticed Sunova has a new touring/expedition board in multiple widths that Norm Hann helped develop. The 14 x 28.5 would probably be a fairly quick touring board but is higher volume.

I was paddling with Norm this morning and he mentioned that he really like the touring board even in 28.5. the nose profile is less deep than their other board, which I like.
There is also some talk for the AllAround (orange nose, flat deck) to lower the deck so the thing doe snot feel like a bloody cork. I wanted to try the touring board in 27" but the weight has been stopping me. This year it look slike the weight is considerable down so....

Cool, I missed that Sunova also has a 27" wide and the weights are very reasonable for the construction and volume. How do you think the expedition goes in rough waters and for the odd DW? A hollow version of boards like these would be interesting. Low weight and potentially stronger.

[Luc Benac]

Have not tried it yet but knowing Norm, I am sure that it is a board made for that and he commented as much.

[Jacko]

With the above factors (as well as others in mind) it would seem logical that the SUP market would be seeing more Hollow UL boards sometime rather soon! After all, it would cater to heavier paddlers in a very nice way.

I don't see how. UL boards can't be raced in most events, downwinding is highly specialised arm of the market and hollow boards from the established brands would likely be ludicrously expensive. There is no market there. Hell, you'll be more likely to see an inflatable UL DW board first. Heavier recreational paddlers will be fine in the leisure class as things stand so much won't change there. Heavier elite paddlers will just be naturally selected out of the competitive sport though.

Haha just call us crazy but here is the ONE Hollow unlimited!!

Why would we make this? haha probably because we are a little nuts but hell I just love making fast boards and this thing feels unreal.

We have another one heading to Hawaii for Kenny to paddle this year so keen to see how he goes once he finds his feet on something pretty different to what he has been riding for along time

Tried add a pic but would not work sorry.