Author Topic: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race  (Read 259486 times)

photofr

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #135 on: February 23, 2018, 11:38:10 PM »
So when you are talking about a “surfski bow” you mean an axe bow, right? If so, how is the axe bow on a surfski different from that implemented on boards like the Bark Dominator etc?

Oh, I can tell you that reverse (or more commonly “inverted”) bows do very well upwind  in small chop and is fine downwind in small stuff. But the board gets completely swamped going upwind in bigger stuff unless you get well back, and if you pearl it going downwind in big stuff you are gonna need an acqualung 😀 Don’t ask me how I know this...

I didn't want to bring back the bow debate again - honest, wasn't my intention!
AXE BOW
I don't really want to say Axe bow, mainly because I don't think axes have a nice-enough flowing curve (even though sometimes they do). Best keep the language that I have taught: surfskis have piercing bows that can surf quite well.

Since a picture is like a 1000 words, perhaps this will better explain. Note: this isn't your average ski. It's ONLY 5.20 meters long, and it's 52cm in width. I am using this particular surfski as an example because it's so close to real-life dimensions that would work for us on a SUP.

Last, but not least:
Yes the bow is piercing through the water very quietly.
No it doesn't immediately flare out like OLDER SUP using a similar nose - and I think this will make a huge difference.
Yes, the front end goes from "pointy" to "round" BUT then quickly goes to flat for strategic stability areas.
Here are two photos to show the above.

NOTICE THE VERY NARROW BOW


LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE FLATTEN AREAS


OVERALL VIEW
(please imagine the same thing with a flat standing area, and about 4 cm more in width)


... and that's where I believe Nelo will go when they design their next SUP.
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #136 on: February 24, 2018, 02:42:16 AM »
The very sharp or pointed entry axe-type bow has been tried before. For instance there’s one of the versions of the Fanatic Strike.

https://www.seabreeze.com.au/img/photos/stand_up_paddle/9643573.jpg

If Nelo make a SUP with a bow like this it will he fast in flat water when the paddler is alone. But they won’t sell many. For the reasons why, I refer you to my previous post. Not many paddlers who are serious enough about SUP to buy an Uber-expensive board (a) don’t race, and (b) paddle only in windless pure flat water.

The lack of sales, the lack of versatility, and the sheer tippiness and overspecialisation would probably kill it off, unfortunately. But not before you’ve had good fun berating us with stories about how we should be paddling what you paddle  even if we aren’t your dimensions, don’t paddle in your conditions, and want a board that performs well in a majority of races, including ones in the ocean, that have buoy turns, and require drafting. :)

This is one way in which racing can unfortunately negatively impact upon the paddling pleasure of those that don’t race, but who don’t want to “tour” with the contents of half an apartment on board either. But the brands have to make what sells. And boards with bows like the Strike have remained largely unloved and unbought.

But maybe before Heigh Ho Nelo discover this they will make a few that will gain a cult following on the used market for a few years.

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #137 on: February 24, 2018, 04:33:38 AM »
At face value, the Nelo isn't really understanding the nature of current SUP racing. I'm still of the mind that most paddlers are better off going with a narrower all water board (like an Allstar) than the tippier flatwater board (that would likely be slightly wider). However, as far as the UK goes, womens racing and mens racing are slightly different. Women's racing has less numbers so is more of a time trial whereas male racing is becoming more of a bike race.

......However, it will be well suited to the upcoming ICF formats I was told about yesterday.

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #138 on: February 24, 2018, 05:43:22 AM »
......However, it will be well suited to the upcoming ICF formats I was told about yesterday.
Ok, spill the beans!

Dull time trials would be much easier to train for, and to hold for the Olympics. Refereeing an Olympic event that was like the PPG/BOP with Kai/Connor etc knocking seven bells out of each other and buoys coming free from its moorings etc would be a nightmare.

Luc Benac

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #139 on: February 24, 2018, 07:14:48 AM »
......However, it will be well suited to the upcoming ICF formats I was told about yesterday.
Ok, spill the beans!
Dull time trials would be much easier to train for, and to hold for the Olympics.

"Dull" that is an understatement if any....
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
Blackfish Paddles

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #140 on: February 24, 2018, 07:55:53 AM »
......However, it will be well suited to the upcoming ICF formats I was told about yesterday.
Ok, spill the beans!
Dull time trials would be much easier to train for, and to hold for the Olympics.

"Dull" that is an understatement if any....
Yeah but that’s absolute fine: it will accelerate the split between inland flat water people and the ocean people, and the downwinders (and occasionally the surfers) from both environments can keep doing what they are doing.

We were probably never going to find a way to keep together, competitively, the flat water “gym bunny hot off the ergometer” types and the ocean thrill-seekers anyway. As this thread and others on the Zone have demonstrated, the mindsets and what they want out of SUP are too far apart.

Anyway, if social media in the UK is anything to go by, the biggest thing in SUP right now is “SUP dating” and “singles nights”. I guess it won’t be long before the first baby conceived on a SUP comes along :)


Luc Benac

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #141 on: February 24, 2018, 07:58:34 AM »
I guess it won’t be long before the first baby conceived on a SUP comes along :)

Hence the need for wider stable boards.....
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
Blackfish Paddles

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #142 on: February 24, 2018, 11:09:06 AM »
I guess it won’t be long before the first baby conceived on a SUP comes along :)

Hence the need for wider stable boards.....
:)
You just know that Starboard is going to tell you that their new bottom channels will increase your chance of conceiving ;)

mr_proper

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #143 on: February 24, 2018, 11:18:50 AM »
My new toy since yesterday

SIC RS 14x23, 2018
SIC RS 14x26, 2018
Lightcorp Signature Race 14x24.75, 2018 (sold)
JP Australia AdventurAir 12x36, 2017
Starboard Allstar 14x24.5, 2017 (sold)
SIC Bullet 14x27.25 TWC, 2015
Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder 14x25, 2016 (sold)
Sprint 14x23, 2015 (sold)
JL Stiletto 14x28, 2014 (sold)

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #144 on: February 24, 2018, 11:34:36 AM »
Whoa!!! More pics please!

mr_proper

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #145 on: February 24, 2018, 12:13:36 PM »
SIC RS 14x23, 2018
SIC RS 14x26, 2018
Lightcorp Signature Race 14x24.75, 2018 (sold)
JP Australia AdventurAir 12x36, 2017
Starboard Allstar 14x24.5, 2017 (sold)
SIC Bullet 14x27.25 TWC, 2015
Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder 14x25, 2016 (sold)
Sprint 14x23, 2015 (sold)
JL Stiletto 14x28, 2014 (sold)

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #146 on: February 24, 2018, 02:26:14 PM »
Congratulations, that looks VERY interesting.

Looks like they’ve taken pretty much the opposite approach to the design of a race SUP that the windsurf/surf/SUP-only brands have mostly been taking.

If the ICF promote flat water time-trial race formats as a way into the Olympics,  this could be a smart move.

I look forward to hearing about your experiences with this board, for sure. It’s certainly something special.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2018, 02:27:46 PM by Area 10 »

Mil-Surf

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #147 on: February 24, 2018, 02:28:32 PM »
THAT is a good looking board!!
Jimmy Lewis Destroyer
7’7”x29”@100ltrs

photofr

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #148 on: February 24, 2018, 11:44:23 PM »
Indeed, a very nice board. My dreams are more vivid now :) :) :)
(I can't wait to get mine)

Spoke to a rider out in Germany. The resumé goes something like this:
The board is fantastic for flat water.
The board is technical in Open Ocean, but has enough rear rocker to have a blast on smaller downwind conditions.
He kept emphasising: Must Try.
That guy is nearly 90 kilos - riding a the 23" model.

From my view - and thanks to the attached photos that Mr. PROPER posted:
I find that the board is going to lose a little bit of stability with its semi-rounded hull, however, speed increase will be felt for riders who can stand on it without balance issues. The fact that the board has plenty of surface area, and the fact that the standing area seems so dug out will certainly add stability.

The Huge amount of V on the deck should also shed water nicely - when needed.
The board seems to have a little more rear rocker than I would have imagine - perhaps making it a great all around actually.


WOW - I can't wait to try this craft on flat water, but now am totally looking to try this board in Open Ocean.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2018, 11:51:32 PM by photofr »
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

mr_proper

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #149 on: February 25, 2018, 12:41:21 AM »
Unfortunately, I'm not the product testing specialist, but if you have special questions, I'll try to answer them.
I usually paddle on the Danube river. In winter there is little traffic, in summer all the more. Motor boats for the Wakesurfer, cargo ships and cruise ships make some waves.
I am 195 cm tall and weighs about 92 kg, age 53. my balance is rather mediocre, as is my paddling.
The last few months I was paddling with a Starboard Allstar 14x24.5, which was well suited for the conditions. I also did not have to swim in some local races.

The Signature is a 14x24.75 and is in the first moment much tippier than the Allstar. However, the secondary stability seems a bit better. Still I lose speed immediately, as soon as it gets wavy and I notice the legs clearly after 8-10 km.
I was able to test the 2016 model for about 50km last summer, and thus managed my fastest time on the track.
My signature weighs just under 10 kg including the fin and paddles great. It's so light and stiff that you do not want to paddle anything else after some km.
I hope I am improving so far that I master the board even in races and do not go swimming or be too slow.

Sorry for my poor English, but google helps
SIC RS 14x23, 2018
SIC RS 14x26, 2018
Lightcorp Signature Race 14x24.75, 2018 (sold)
JP Australia AdventurAir 12x36, 2017
Starboard Allstar 14x24.5, 2017 (sold)
SIC Bullet 14x27.25 TWC, 2015
Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder 14x25, 2016 (sold)
Sprint 14x23, 2015 (sold)
JL Stiletto 14x28, 2014 (sold)

 


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