DIY low profile paddle mount for GoPro Session camera

[blueplanetsurf]

I like the angle of the paddle mount for video and stills, it's easy to turn on and off and you can use it to get different angle shots but the handlebar mount I was using is bulky and I keep banging the rails with it.  The gopro session is so compact and I thought there must be a better way to mount it, so I decided to make a more streamlined paddle mount that would be easier to paddle with and not bang the rails.
I used a piece of paddle and cut it in half, glued the curved adhesive mount to it with epoxy and taped it to the shaft with electric tape.  I secured it to the paddle with spectra line so I should not need a floatie.  It looks like it will work, I'm going to test it this afternoon and will report on how it works.

First picture- left side is the profile of the mount I made, right side is the old "handlebar mount".

[blueplanetsurf]

After a busy day at the shop I was able to get out for a fun evening downwinder with Peter Shepherd from Australia. 
I used the new paddle mount to shoot some video and am showing only the best parts in this video- the glides.  This may be the first downwind video that does not have a single paddle stroke in it, nothing but riding bumps, hope you enjoy it, Happy Holidays!

[anonsurfer]

Very cool.  I also find the standard handlebar mount very bulky.  I am working on something light and simple and I might also try one of these:

[Bean]

Robert, that's very similar to Ponobills GP shaft mount (clearly, a case of great minds think alike).

[NorthJerzSurfer]

Very cool.  I also find the standard handlebar mount very bulky.  I am working on something light and simple and I might also try one of these:

THIS!   anonsurfer let me know if these ever get made. i tried the handlebar mount for the first time the other day and while i got some ok shots- surfing with it wasnt worth the hassle of screwing up a session.

a mount like this with a session and you could almost leave the GP on the paddle all the time

[SUPJorge]

Robert, That's a great video!

[blueplanetsurf]

Very cool.  I also find the standard handlebar mount very bulky.  I am working on something light and simple and I might also try one of these:

That's a great looking mount.  Is that your CAD design or is that available commercially?  You could put the design on a 3D printing site so people could order it, like http://www.shapeways.com

[blueplanetsurf]

Robert, that's very similar to Ponobills GP shaft mount (clearly, a case of great minds think alike).

I know I'm not the first to come up with a mount like this.  The Session camera is great for this because it is lighter and narrow, so it barely sticks out past the shaft and does not add a lot of weight.

[Glowmaster]

That was a beautiful video, Robert.  Thank You!!!

ed

[blueplanetsurf]

That was a beautiful video, Robert.  Thank You!!!

ed

Thank you, that was a fun downinder. 
I did have to paddle of course, I just edited out all the strokes.
The other day someone said it's so windy you don't even have to paddle.
The reality is that when it's really windy the bumps get bigger and move faster, so you actually have to paddle even faster and harder to catch them.

[anonsurfer]

Very cool.  I also find the standard handlebar mount very bulky.  I am working on something light and simple and I might also try one of these:

That's a great looking mount.  Is that your CAD design or is that available commercially?  You could put the design on a 3D printing site so people could order it, like http://www.shapeways.com

It is not my design, I saw it on Shapeways.  The only issue I see with the design is it looks like it uses screws instead of bolts/nuts to hold the two pieces together.  I am working on something a lot simpler (and lighter).

[blueplanetsurf]

I just looked at some custom mounts offered on shapeway.com and saw this one that looks good too.  You can just zip tie it to the paddle.  I would want something that has no bumps protruding over the sides if possible.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/H738X59Z6/copy-of-gopro-zip-mount-screw-mount-1?li=search-results-1&optionId=57454128

[Beasho]

I think Pono nailed it with this mount.  Similar design but it snaps on to shaft.   

Use a piece of braid to attach camera to the shaft, similar to Robert's, and you can take the camera and mount on / off while on the water.  No tape/zip ties needed.

I keep this mount and a GoPro charged and ready in my camelbak everytime I surf.  You never know when the conditions are going to come together for some excellent shots.

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,26665.msg275438.html#msg275438

[surfercook]

Never watched a downwinder vid. That was cool. Looked like you actually caught a coupla waves at the end. Sweet board too, BP.
I gotta motivate a Pono mount of some variation now! Just did a new vid edit w/the old handle bar mount and am actually embarrassed w/the thing. Seems archaic now! I leave it on when I switch up to nose mount and it looks pretty scary up there! But I just can't bring myself to buy a GP Session...maybe if I get tired enough of the bulk and swing weight of the Hero I'll pony up.

[anonsurfer]

So here's my simple and light solution.  Made out of aluminum so it weighs nothing (not including camera) and allows the camera to rotate 180 so I can capture friends on my paddle back out.