Introducing the Bear Mountain Downwind run - Vid - Hudson River, NY State, USA

[Off-Shore]

Burchas and I were very lucky to be hosted by fellow Zoner and intrepid paddler Ichabod Spoonbill who introduced us to the awesome Bear Mountain Downwind Run which works in a NW or SE wind...A stunning 4.3mile / 7km Hudson River run. So good that Burchas and I ended up doing it twice, the second run just before it got dark.

What is more remarkable about this run than anything else, is we're from 3 different countries and would never have met, let alone paddled together if it weren't for the Zone..

Here is the vid of the 1st run.


GoPro Hero 5, Head Mounted
Music: With Roses by The Walking Who

...and a map which also appears in the vid..

[Luc Benac]

Great, you guys were rocking.
We also have been lucky here in Vancouver with two down winds in the last couple of days with six or eight of us coming together for the stoke.
Winter will not win :-)

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

That was a great time. It was a cold day - like 35–40º. I was on my trusty NSP 14' Race and Burchas and Off-Shore were on a Blue Planet board and a SIC Bullet. This was my first real downwinder. Off-shore was coaching me through catching waves. I caught a bunch but definitely spent my time in the drink. Thank goodness for my O'Neil 5/4.

These pictures are from the second run when I was on the shore. I was pretty beat by end of the first run, but I was happy to shuttle the guys back for another.

It's great to start getting a local crew!

[Muskoka SUP]

Well played gentlemen!  The Zone is indeed a great place!

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

With all the short period chop, Burchas suggested I try my Pau Hana 11x32. That way I'd get a little more stability and comfort before going back to something narrower.

The first pic is from above the stretch of river we ran. I was hoping to get a pic of Burchas and Off-Shore on their second run, but I couldn't find them. The other pics are off Off-Shore's GoPro reel.

[burchas]

Thank you guys! I was happy to be a part of that day.

I wasn't sold on that run as the location has no fetch but spoonbill did not oversell it.
The wind was funneling through the mountains blasting across the water delivering effortless
glides with an ease that everyone can enjoy.

spoonbill is a spirited chap and gave those bumps a run for their money.

For few hours I managed to forget about the numbing cold and carried that smirk on my face
well after hours. Needless to say, I'm sold on this run! Next time we'll bring some interesting boards
to maximize these bumps.

This video really captures the spirit of that day. Thank You Off-shore!

[Dusk Patrol]

Clearly a great day...
Burchas, what other boards would "maximize those bumps"?

[burchas]

Clearly a great day...
Burchas, what other boards would "maximize those bumps"?

My Standamaran and off-shore's Ace would fly on these with even less effort. I was also thinking
We should use spoonbill's Pau Hana 11" as these were really short period.

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

I'm happy to try out my Pau Hana 11. I've surfed that board before, and I'm stable as hell on it. I don't think I'll ever own a dedicated downwind board, so yeah. Surf what ya' got!

[Night Wing]

Nice video, but the icing on the cake for me was seeing all the photos. My favorite all the pictures was the one with the three boards shown.

Thanks for sharing the video and all the photos.

[connector14]

I notice that alot of boards used for downwinding have pintails. What is the reason for this?  The reason I ask is that Starboard is introducing an 18ft. inflatable that they specify as a "flat water" machine....but why wouldn't it also be a good downwind board? http://star-board-sup.com/2018/boards/race-inflatable/
Looks like you guys had a great time and it was fun to watch. I'd like to get more downwinding in one of these days!!

[Off-Shore]

The pintail question has been asked before on the Zone and all I can say from experience is that pintails work and feel better downwinding...

Here is the 2009 thread that discusses the differences.

https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=5437.0

[Off-Shore]

Here is a short vid of the 2nd run.. When we got back to the boards after picking up the upwind vehicle it was dark and they were sheeted in ice... the tips of my fingers are still numb on one hand, 3 days later 


GoPro Hero 5, Headmounted
Music. Smacktalkin' Smacktalkin, Smacked for Talkin' Smack by Spookie Daly Pride

[deepmud]

When we got back to the boards after picking up the upwind vehicle it was dark and they were sheeted in ice... the tips of my fingers are still numb on one hand, 3 days later 

I swear 32F in New York feels like 5F here in Alaska, and with a wind feels wwwaaayyy worse, wind chill numbers don't do it justice.

I'm giving this thread a "LIKE" especially enjoy photos and a story. Thanks for taking the time.

It was 0F this morning here. It's nice to see water in liquid form.

[JEG]

nice dw run gents and Ooooo that's cold!