Anyone ever use a drogue chute/sea anchor?

[upwinder]

I've got to say that I'm a bit amused that people spend thousands of dollars for the lightest, most hydrodynamic SUPs and then figure out ways to slow them down...

Shhhhhhhhh! 

I like the bike tyre thing though, might give that a try.

When I was bike racing I always trained on heavy wheels and raced on light ones - same principle at work here I guess.

[JC50]

JC50....dont the balls "roll" back when moving through the water?  I would think they would, even if you got them really tight around the board.

They didn't on OC1's. If you wrap it well before mid-point of board it shouldn't budge.

[longboarder1973]

Copy that...I will just move them up closer to the nose where the board narrows...
I have my bungee already and will get some tennis balls and see how it goes.

Thanks!

[Bob from Brazil]

Hope I'm not hijacking this topic by misunderstanding it, but... I do use a swim chute on my trainings for a regular basis. As matter of fact they cause so much dragging that I don't recommend it for getting even with a slower board.

On the other hand, I find them really good for strength and you can feel your muscles bulking up after training with that much effort.

For reference I use swim chutes (wrapped around waist) by Finis...

[exetersup]

A good sea anchor DIY is to take a 5 gallon buckets and drill out a ton of 1" holes on the bottom and sides. Then tie your leash around the handle, and instant resistance training. IT floats pretty well depending on the # of holes

[pdxmike]

A good sea anchor DIY is to take a 5 gallon buckets and drill out a ton of 1" holes on the bottom and sides. Then tie your leash around the handle, and instant resistance training. IT floats pretty well depending on the # of holes

Sounds almost exactly like what we swim with for a tough workout. 

Or you can just ship the bucket to or from Canada and Customs will drill the holes for you.

[longboarder1973]

wow...the tennis balls worked great!
Cheap, easy, and effective!
three tennis balls slowed me down 20% from my top speed.  This was great for riding my 14 when a friend was on his 10 ft.
1 tennis ball was enough to level the playing field between me on a 14 and a friend on a 12ft surfboard sup!
Thanks for the suggestion...I have pics if anyone wants to email me...they are too large to post here and I am not too technically savy.

Thanks again!
\Rick

[surf monkey]

You can also tow a cheapo orange PFD.

[KelpFarmer]

We have been using the "Combine"!  Hollow but heavy (roughly 75lbs) with dims of 12'1 X 32.  An absolute freaking nightmare to get this log to the water.  Made this first one built to last.....

Intervals from a dead stop on this will kick your butt...

http://www.kelpfarmer.com/blogs/news/2146582-watch-the-blades-of-the-combine-or-at-least-the-shear-mass

[supthecreek]

I read the drogue query the other day... so I couldn't help taking this picture during a recent paddle. I had explored a generally inaccessible cove. It was very shallow and weedy, so when I came out I felt this serious drag on my cord... so I took a picture for you

[Takeo]

I tow my g/f sitting on my 10' C4.  Usually we do a paddle out together, then when she wants a break, or when I want to break a mean sweat, I throw her my leash which she wraps around her paddle and sits down. The workout is pretty intense! I'm on a Naish Glide 14'.  When I had my Starboard Open Ocean, she'd sit on the board with me and I'd tow the C4 behind.  Both styles of towing tests both balance, strength, and endurance. 

[Takeo]

SUP towing SUP, great training...for the guy doing the towing!

[Adapt]

I've used a small plastic crate, stole this from my dragon boat racing days and I've used a small plastic pot for plants with some holes drilled in the bottom. Not sure how much they cost in the US but it was the cheapest thing I could find at the Hardware store

[adios pantalones]

I've used multiple bungies around the board, also use your car strap with multiple twists across the bottom.

I don't do it for the workout, I use it to match pace with much slower boards or novice paddlers. I love my 14' but sometimes just want to poke along with friends and have a beer while we explore the shoreline.

[sup_surf_giant]

I've got to say that I'm a bit amused that people spend thousands of dollars for the lightest, most hydrodynamic SUPs and then figure out ways to slow them down. I'm paddling for fun so I'm clearly not at the training level of many racers here, but it did strike me as funny.

It is ironic! I chuckled at your paragraph.