The effects of SUP - A 2016 study

[PonoBill]

I'm not sure that's an indication of improved balance. Seems like it could be simply getting used to the board. What I think of as sea legs, but really just knowing what the board is going to do. I'm very comfortable on my 12'2"X25" Starboard, which is an unstable board by any measure. I've just spent so many miles on it in challenging downwind conditions that it feels fine. But my balance sucks--typical geezer issues. I can fall off almost anything, but I'm actually LESS likely to fall off my 12X25 than my 17 X 27 which has far greater stability.

[Eagle]

Hmm?  Not so for me.  On my 23 if my concentration is not 100% it is pretty easy to fall down or off the board in multi-side slop and reflected chop.  Especially if it hits from behind or on the rear quarter.  A few times have been bucked forward onto the board.

Whereas on my Dom or Bullet it is pretty much impossible to fall down in a similar situation.  So whether improved balance or getting used to the board or sea legs or whatever -> it is much harder to fall than ever before.

Interestingly the dugout 21.5 Sprint was not nearly as unstable as expected.  It was not much more tippy than the higher All Star 23.  As expected my static and dynamic balance compared to my 20 something kids -> completely sucks.  But it is what it is.

[PonoBill]

I think one reason I do well on the Ku Nalu is that it requires constant and total concentration.

[Eagle]

Yeah funny how that is.  Was on a steep slippery MTB run and lost concentration for a second and skidded losing control.  Did an endo and still have a little scar on my leg as a reminder.

As well was going maybe 20% too fast on sticky slush.  Went off a hidden 4' drop-off and both skis stuck solid in the snow.  Did a double eject but my right ankle tweaked coming out on a slight angle.  Been 7 weeks now and is just getting back to 100%.

Just a fraction loss of concentration is all it takes sometimes.  So am thinking is better to cut back on the adrenalin rush next year as it seems to take forever to get back to square one.  Def constant and total concentration are key to staying dry -> plus staying injury free.

[Wetstuff]

I'm a little late to the conversation, but I 'feel' SUP has helped me tremendously with balance.  I was so alarmed at first, I had a full ENT workup done.  Even tho' I have developed a drop foot in the last couple of seasons, I am still mostly comfortable on a wide (not thick!) board - as long as there are not 2-3 swells of equal height.   

In a matter of testing:  I would need to be tested twice - once when first paddling out ..when the gremlins frequently reach up an grab my baggies and then a half-hour later when the gremlins are bored and have gone off to plague another poor schlub.

Jim

I still remember the very first day: I bought a Cabby 9-something.  I was in about 2' of flat water, bayside where I kited for a decade... "I could not stand on that board if my life depended upon it." It was as if the deck had been greased.  I thoroughly embarrassed myself for about a half-hour  ...thinking back, maybe the second half hour would have been better?  (N'aaaa)