Author Topic: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race  (Read 259509 times)

Eagle

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #480 on: July 18, 2018, 09:48:22 AM »
Yeah for flat water 23 is pretty wide.  21.5 or less makes more sense based on what top racers are on.  For me as well 23 feel draggy vs a 21.5 spear.
The fact we're saying that now is amazing. How the hell did we end up here so fast.

Haha!  Was thinking about you yesterday as I took out a Sunova 25 Flatwater.  Might be an option for you to consider.  Has a sunken deck and felt faster than an AS24.5 with a lot less splash.  Weighed less in balsa than my CS AS23 -> and very fast and stable.

Was told Norm uses a 23.5 and Lina a 22.  The shape is very slippery with rounded edges ending in a panel vee.  Was able to put the hammer down and the board took off like a shot.  Has more more initial tip but secondary stability was very good.  So should be a good board for racing or fitness.  Glide felt really good for a 25.  Probs best of any 25 or wider I have tried and maybe as good as my AS.  Nose felt it did not push a lot of water -> which is so much better than the splashy boof designs.

A good 2 board quiver would be a Flatwater and a Bullet 14V2 for many in these parts.  Most all FW AW and DW conditions would be covered.  The board tested was 2018 but was told the design is not expected to change much for 2019.  Would have been nice to try the 23.5 or 22 -> but the stars did not align.  The 22 might even be a touch less stable than the 21.5 Sprint.  Expect Lina to be on the elite podium some time soon.  Norm has already won some local races on his.

The 82 sq in Sunova carbon paddle felt very good as well. Shaft was pretty stiff pumping out quite a bit of clean power with not much slip.

https://sunovasurfboards.com/en/sup/flatwater-touring-race/flatwater-faast-pro

Fast is FUN!   8)
Dominator - Touring Pintail - Bullet V2 - M14 - AS23

Eagle

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #481 on: July 18, 2018, 12:17:00 PM »
"How the hell did we end up here so fast."

Once boards progressed from the 27.5 Dom down to 25 then 23 -> confidence and skill levels increased with use in all conditions.  Using myself as an example the 25 Sprint and 25 Race were boards I considered buying years ago.  They were nice but just did not suit my purposes at the time. 

Then my AS23 came along -> and that board was as or more stable than the old 25 Sprint.  So had no real purpose looking at 25+ wide boards.  But can say the custom 25 Eradicator that Norm used was a fantastic fast stable ride.  Then tried the 21.5 Sprint and was surprised how stable that board was.  So it did take some time to get there.  The key for me was actually getting past the width number part of the equation and just powering up and having fun on the board.  The 21.5 Sprint was a revelation in glide and efficiency.

But for the top elite the 21.5 Sprint etc must be child's play -> as demonstrated long ago by Connor and Bart paddling backwards in big Maliko wind and swells on very old SB designs.  So for me was not that surprising at all the top elite are racing on 21.5 spears and killing it like Boothy in pretty nasty conditions.

Edit:  When you actually see how good the top men and women are -> it is very easy to appreciate how crappy of a paddler you are in comparison.  And how much your skill and power and balance levels really suck.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2018, 12:23:46 PM by Eagle »
Fast is FUN!   8)
Dominator - Touring Pintail - Bullet V2 - M14 - AS23

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #482 on: July 18, 2018, 08:05:24 PM »
I think it’s our expectations that are odd. If any of us stepped onto a tennis court with Roger Federer, how would we look? So... why on earth would any one of us expect to paddle alongside Michael Booth and not look pretty much completely like a beginner?

Maybe it’s just because SUP is still a young sport that many of us can remember when we were one of the few doing it, and so were relatively pretty good at it. But the up and coming new breed of racers were not even in their teens then, so will have spent at least some of those early years SUPing, when you learn so fast, and your body adapts so quickly. By contrast, most of us were already adults before SUP appeared. So there’s no chance for us to stay in touch with the kids who have grown up with SUP. Move over, grandad, you’ve had your time.

Luc Benac

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #483 on: July 18, 2018, 08:12:32 PM »
I was in a race last Saturday (that ended up been a 20km flat water slog instead of a downwinder as expected) and out of curiosity I plotted the age groups from the result:
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 #484 on: July 19, 2018, 06:04:51 AM »
I was in a race last Saturday (that ended up been a 20km flat water slog instead of a downwinder as expected) and out of curiosity I plotted the age groups from the result:
The old geezers are doing well. But stick them all on 21” wide boards and see what the times will be ;)

The youngsters haven’t really yet had a chance to really gap the oldies because up until about this year the boards available have all been too wide to be optimal for the most gifted kids. The 2019 season will be when we really see the elite teenagers starting to leave the elite oldsters (Danny, Travis, Sonni, Candice  etc) behind, and the gap will be even bigger amongst the weekend warriors.

JEG

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #485 on: July 19, 2018, 06:04:34 PM »
those are fast times for 20km paddle.  8)

Luc Benac

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #486 on: July 19, 2018, 06:36:24 PM »
those are fast times for 20km paddle.  8)

Tide was flowing :-)
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

mr_proper

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #487 on: July 28, 2018, 11:59:40 PM »
Perfect. So I will sell my Boards  ;D
Thanks again.

For two weeks I have the RS 14x26 and since then paddled 150 km with it. I'm very satisfied. Stable as a tanker and under normal conditions almost as fast as the Nelo. Unbelievable actually.
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)

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #488 on: July 29, 2018, 09:49:57 AM »
Perfect. So I will sell my Boards  ;D
Thanks again.

For two weeks I have the RS 14x26 and since then paddled 150 km with it. I'm very satisfied. Stable as a tanker and under normal conditions almost as fast as the Nelo. Unbelievable actually.

For such different designs, it doesn't inspire confidence with the Nelo.

Area 10

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #489 on: July 29, 2018, 07:40:40 PM »
Perfect. So I will sell my Boards  ;D
Thanks again.

For two weeks I have the RS 14x26 and since then paddled 150 km with it. I'm very satisfied. Stable as a tanker and under normal conditions almost as fast as the Nelo. Unbelievable actually.
I’m glad it’s worked out for you. But I was pretty confident that it would!

I’m tempted now to buy another RS, but narrower, for flatter conditions. Extravagent, I know. But I like paddling them.
« Last Edit: July 29, 2018, 07:42:51 PM by Area 10 »

mr_proper

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #490 on: July 29, 2018, 09:24:24 PM »
I already had that idea  ;D  ;D
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)

ukgm

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #491 on: July 29, 2018, 11:30:47 PM »
Perfect. So I will sell my Boards  ;D
Thanks again.

For two weeks I have the RS 14x26 and since then paddled 150 km with it. I'm very satisfied. Stable as a tanker and under normal conditions almost as fast as the Nelo. Unbelievable actually.
I’m glad it’s worked out for you. But I was pretty confident that it would!

I’m tempted now to buy another RS, but narrower, for flatter conditions. Extravagent, I know. But I like paddling them.

How low can you go ?

Lake Paddler

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #492 on: July 30, 2018, 06:59:22 AM »
Perfect. So I will sell my Boards  ;D
Thanks again.

For two weeks I have the RS 14x26 and since then paddled 150 km with it. I'm very satisfied. Stable as a tanker and under normal conditions almost as fast as the Nelo. Unbelievable actually.
I’m glad it’s worked out for you. But I was pretty confident that it would!

I’m tempted now to buy another RS, but narrower, for flatter conditions. Extravagent, I know. But I like paddling them.
Please try the 23" wide version and let us know your thoughts. :)
Unfortunately I won't be able to paddle with one till maybe next week (retailer's currently on vacation).

Area 10

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #493 on: July 30, 2018, 09:39:17 AM »
Perfect. So I will sell my Boards  ;D
Thanks again.

For two weeks I have the RS 14x26 and since then paddled 150 km with it. I'm very satisfied. Stable as a tanker and under normal conditions almost as fast as the Nelo. Unbelievable actually.
I’m glad it’s worked out for you. But I was pretty confident that it would!

I’m tempted now to buy another RS, but narrower, for flatter conditions. Extravagent, I know. But I like paddling them.
Please try the 23" wide version and let us know your thoughts. :)
Unfortunately I won't be able to paddle with one till maybe next week (retailer's currently on vacation).
Yes, that’s the dilemma. The 24” board is actually 24.4” wide, and so I don’t know if going down only 1.6” is enough to warrant another purchase. But I’ve had a 23” wide board before, and I was pretty slow on it. So I need to demo one, ideally in the conditions I use it, either a 24.4 or a 23. My head is telling me that 24.4” is probably perfect for me, however. That extra 0.4” on the 24 might actually be just right for me. I’ll try to find a demo, or pay to borrow someone’s.

Lake Paddler

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Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race
« Reply #494 on: July 30, 2018, 12:07:32 PM »
Yes, that’s the dilemma. The 24” board is actually 24.4” wide, and so I don’t know if going down only 1.6” is enough to warrant another purchase. But I’ve had a 23” wide board before, and I was pretty slow on it. So I need to demo one, ideally in the conditions I use it, either a 24.4 or a 23. My head is telling me that 24.4” is probably perfect for me, however. That extra 0.4” on the 24 might actually be just right for me. I’ll try to find a demo, or pay to borrow someone’s.
If you are talking about the 2018 models, I believe it's 24.5" wide.

 


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