More downwinding participation in SW FL + 14x23 Allstar

[FloridaWindSUP]

It's the "off season" from racing here in SW Florida, which is good because some of us including me were getting burned out on the relentless intense intervals workouts and stuff. But our "tribe" has been getting more into downwinding, led by gzasinets (Greg) and me.

Yesterday we had a diverse group of crafts and abilities doing fairly low quality downwinder (NW wind ~15 knots, bumps not big or lined up, side-wind traverse required to get to the starting point) but having a good time with it. 

1 surfski- first downwinder for him
1 OC1- first downwinder on OC1 for him, but he did one on his 14x23 AllStar earlier in the week
14x29 Naish Glide
14x27.25 SIC Bullet V2 (Greg's spouse)
14x24.5 AllStar (Greg)
14x23 AllStar (me on the OC1 guy's board)
14x27.25 Fanatic Falcon (novice downwinding buddy on my board)
14x23 no-name custom similar to Blackfish (coach Athanacio)
11'6 Riviera surf-style (not last place)

I fell off the 14x23 AllStar twice and averaged 9.97 kph over the 8.7 km route. That is a bit slower than the 10.08 kph I averaged in less wind on the Fanatic earlier in the week, and it definitely felt trickier downwinding on the AllStar. My legs were more tired on the AllStar whereas I got more of an overall paddle workout on the Fanatic. Fanatic was probably slightly slower in no-bump conditions but caught a greater percentage of the bumps and seemed better at synthesizing a good glide from the integration of multiple low-quality bumps and chop.

Fanatic-
https://www.strava.com/activities/1333793705

AllStar-
https://www.strava.com/activities/1336618222

[Luc Benac]

Forget racing :-) Downwinding with a gang is the way to go....

[Eagle]

Like the AS23 -> but the 24.5 was quite a bit better and more stable for windy DW runs.  Still however my pref is the V2 or M14 for max planing action in big wind.  The V2 for small waves and M14 for big.  Mega fun.  Addictive.

AS23 is good for 2mi upwind DW runs and balance training in slop and waves. 

[Eagle]

For me the AS23 is not a "fun" board.  More of a balance challenge and very quick way to improve my technique.  Since any and all mistakes are amplified hugely and instantly vs more stable boards.  If anything in rough windy conditions -> the AS23 is really a sadistic implement to be paddling.  Every second I am fighting to stay dry and sweating bullets.  Whereas on the V2 or Dom it is "What is the fuss all about?"  Variety and challenge keep me 100% stoked about SUP.  Otherwise would get boring fast like anything else.

No doubt your balance is getting better each time you go out in rough conditions.  Should help when you race your RP23 this year.

[gone_foiling]

Allstar is my favorite in lined up conditions. If there is sidewind involved it becomes my least favorite ride. Today I tried burchas (Yuval) custom indigo board and I LOVED that thing. But SIC Bullet is so cozy and comfortable for dw. Took it in almost any crazy conditions and always felt safe.

[FloridaWindSUP]

Did another one today. Gzasinets was on his SIC, me on the Fanatic, and Burchas on a cool looking yellow "Indigo" custom 16' board with a Larry Allison 4 fin setup. I don't think that fin setup was working well for Burchas today but you'll have to ask him and Greg for more specific comments.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1339547363/analysis

[burchas]

Did another one today. Gzasinets was on his SIC, me on the Fanatic, and Burchas on a cool looking yellow "Indigo" custom 16' board with a Larry Allison 4 fin setup. I don't think that fin setup was working well for Burchas today but you'll have to ask him and Greg for more specific comments.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1339547363/analysis

It certainly didn't work for me nor for Gzasinets who's way better than I am. I felt it was bogging the board and even though
this board is super maneuverable, it was not quick enough to maneuver those somewhat short period bumps we had today.

Next time it's going to be the Larry Allison GT that Gzasinets tried (and loved) on his Bullet. ( not that it will help me catch your fast ass  )

[gone_foiling]

It was a fun run for sure. For me tri fin setup locked the tail too much and I far prefer the fluid feel of the board. Tri fin setup might work really well for dw novice providing more stability. That Larry Allison Gt fin rocked it yesterday- it was super easy to turn my board (sic bullet v2) with it. I am impressed. It will be interesting to see how yellow beauty does with that fin on the downwinder next time. Hopefully it will not be too long.

[Eagle]

For me tri fin setup locked the tail too much and I far prefer the fluid feel of the board. Tri fin setup might work really well for dw novice providing more stability.

Same impressions as well when using a LA tri or quad for DW.  Too much directional stability for me.  I like to turn easy to jump and catch a bump.  For me the SIC 8.3 is perfectly ok on the V2.  But for a lot of side angle push the SIC 7.0 is way easier to handle.  For crazy slop reflected bounce will even plop on the much maligned JL Tracker many dislike.  Turns slow but is very predictable for me.  Just need to be careful to keep it from stalling out.

[gone_foiling]

@Eagle, I forgot the last time I used SIC 7.0 fins and I have 3 of them Maybe I should use one next time and it will blow my mind. But on the serious note that tri fin setup on the bigger bumps was too much in terms of speed I had to slow the board down with my paddle otherwise I was gonna skip the bumps. I would rather surf them then just going too fast on top of them.

[burchas]

@Eagle, I forgot the last time I used SIC 7.0 fins and I have 3 of them Maybe I should use one next time and it will blow my mind. But on the serious note that tri fin setup on the bigger bumps was too much in terms of speed I had to slow the board down with my paddle otherwise I was gonna skip the bumps. I would rather surf them then just going too fast on top of them.

I had 1 of those SIC's fins collecting dust, gave it away to a fellow Zoners who was desperately looking to buy and couldn't find.

GT is already loaded on the Ocean Ripper, just waiting for wind.
might have 2 very interesting DW fins coming real soon...

[Eagle]

Yeah Larry sent me a PM last year suggesting a GT might work for my conditions up here.  But was concerned it might be too long to fit in my AS23 fin box.  So was more interested in the new carbon short base JR Aercor.  Sent him a PM last month but he must not be checking into the Zone this past while.  Told him a DW buddy wants an Aercor for his V2 so might as well do a multiple order.  But since no response -> no order.  No fins.  Too bad.  Will have to make do with our xtg quivers.  Haha.

[Off-Shore]

I agree that downwinding with a tribe is way more fun than racing! Good to see Burchas getting his new board out and downwinding with you Florida folk! Looking forward to seeing the result after it is dialed in fin-wise

[Luc Benac]

GT is already loaded on the Ocean Ripper, just waiting for wind.
might have 2 very interesting DW fins coming real soon...

Ah,ah.....please to tell when you have a chance and more pictures of the yellow wonder would not go amiss either.

Cheers,

Luc

[burchas]

I agree that downwinding with a tribe is way more fun than racing! Good to see Burchas getting his new board out and downwinding with you Florida folk! Looking forward to seeing the result after it is dialed in fin-wise

You missed it by 10 days my friend Would have been nice to have you around for some action.