SUP ATX

[surftrip]

Update again.

First, there is a lot of great information, and quality folks posting here. My participation in this thread netted two personal emails for direct assistance with my issue with SUP ATX, and it was very helpful, ...so, thanks.

Second, most likely due to the contacts I was given from folks here, I got an email and a phone call from SUP ATX. I was given a story about the boards having issues with customs at the loading dock in LA; and while that may or may not be true, I inquired about what they DID have in stock.

Because I could care less about "color" and waiting extra weeks just for a particular color sounds silly to me, I opted for one of the boards they could ship out to me right away.

Voila, my board is now on it's way - complete with adjustable CF paddle.

I can't wait!

So "a" moral to the story is that once you buy from them online, make sure to inquire if the board you ordered is in stock. They are all the same shape design, so if color is of little importance, ask them to ship you something they have in stock NOW.

Waiting for shipments from China sucks, yo.

[dannyg]

I ordered one of these way early in the year, after 3 weeks with no contact I emailed to find out they were out of stock so I canceled. Would have been nice if the website said that, which is basic technology so clearly they were just trying the net orders and hope people did not cancel.  I went with a 10.6 NSP for a 100 bucks more as a second beater/dog board and I am glad I did.  I have seen what happens to ATX boards after even mild abuse.  Way under glassed.... Plus there whole "image" just doesn't have  good aloha, I would rather spend an additional 100-200 and support some of the other emerging "real" companies.  I understand the motivation to go cheap, hell I even tried it, but there are better boards and companies just one notch higher on the dollar ladder.  My 2 cents

[Aves]

I got an email and a phone call from SUP ATX. I was given a story about the boards having issues with customs at the loading dock in LA

Is this the Opium core model direct from Asia?

[surftrip]

UPDATE:

The SUP arrived on Monday.

Unfortunately, sans paddle. {sigh}

But I was so excited, I went knee paddling in the river, anyway. Afterwards, I called "Peter" whom I've now spoken to enough to be on first name basis.

I explained that I didn't get the paddle, and he apologized profusely and promised to ship it next day air so that I would have it Tuesday.

And Tuesday, it did arrive along with a SUP ATX trucker cap and some truck roof racks which I thought was way cool of them to toss in as a sort of apology for a frustrating experience. It's cheap stuff, but cool none-the-less.

The board itself... well, yea, the glass is pretty lean. I have longboards with more glass than this SUP and it does feel fragile ...but light.

Tonight, I will get my first session in along the Chattahoochee River in Northeast Atlanta.

Rock on...

 

[kneil]

Congrats Surftrip.  No worries on the board layup, the important thing with a first SUP is that it gets you out on the water!  If it gets you out there with a minimum layout of $, so much the better.  If you click with the sport, you can always move up to a higher-end flatwater specific race board, but regardless, what you have now should be a good all around conditions SUP.  enjoy!

[Aves]

nice! how was the first session?

[surftrip]

nice! how was the first session?

Welp, since you asked...

It rocked!

Because of my surfing background, I really had no issues at all getting up. I launched the board from a boat ramp in the river, hopped on my knees, put the paddle vertical along the board, and just jumped up.

I paddled upstream about 1/2 mile, just chillin' and getting the feel for it. I think I still need to find my "sweet spot" for maximum efficiency, but I cruised along pretty well --- especially for moving upstream.

It felt really cool and I chased around some ducks and egrets, before finally turning around and cruising, much easier, downstream.

I noticed my legs (calves) stayed really tight. And a bit of my core. I attribute this to small stabilizer muscles, rarely used, firing to help me keep my balance and the board in optimum position.

I need to get better turning as my turn was far from elegant, but for flat water in the river, I had a blast!

Headed back out tonight. ...with the vid cam this time.

WORD!!!!

[spirit4earth]

regarding Epoxy board cost and different types of construction - from cheapest on up:
1. EPS core with a couple of layers of fiberglass. Hand layup, no molds required, minimal materials cost. Boards lack stiffness, both under your feet as well as overall, ding easily and then leak.
2. EPS core with a couple of layers of fiberglass and some veneer to improve local stiffness, often just on deck. Can be done without a mold, and materials cost is fairly reasonable still.
3. EPS core, light layer of fiberglass, a "bulking" material such as Coremat, woven Bamboo or such to improve local strength, covered by more fiberglass. Requires a mold, but materials cost are still reasonable.
4. EPS core, light layer of glass, thermoformed PVC sheet foam, more glass or Carbon. Requires heated molds, materials cost and need for more skilled labor are going up. Stiffness is going up, weight going down. Tough, resistance to snapping and dings, minor dings will not cause leaks into the core.
5. EPS core, light layer of glass, thermoformed PVC sheet foam, light glass, veneer, Carbon. All of the cost and advantages of #4, just more so. (windsurfing boards have been built this way for years, pushing $2000.- for "average" production models)
and for the future:
6. Hollow core with pre-molded PVC-cored skins and foam spacers - Mark Raaphorst has been building them like this for years
For photos of much of the above, check my www.boardlady.com/anatomy.htm
Eva

My question is, what is the best kind of board in the $900 to ~$1100 range for lake paddling, calm ocean paddling, and easy river paddling?  Thanks!

[Wilverine]

Spirit; I'm in Arkansas and have limited access to boards to try so I bought a SUP ATX about 5 weekss ago.  I've been on it almost everyday and it's been a pleasant experience.  I dinged it once on some rocks but it's not taking on any water that I can tell.  Last saturday i paddled it on our big lake in semi-windy conditions and did almost 9 miles in 1 hour and 50 minutes.  'course I almost died form exhaustion but that's more about me than the board
My next board will probably be a 14' race board but I can't figure out what to buy because I can't demo anything here in Arkansas.  I think I want to race but there is nobody to race here... oh well.  I'm 46 next month and this is good supplemental exercise; plus the lake is right across the street so it's easy to access.  Plus it fits nicely on top of my Aloha pontoon.  Loading and unloading form the pontoon gives lots of opportunities for ding/damage but the
SUP ATX is doing nicely.

[robon]

regarding Epoxy board cost and different types of construction - from cheapest on up:
1. EPS core with a couple of layers of fiberglass. Hand layup, no molds required, minimal materials cost. Boards lack stiffness, both under your feet as well as overall, ding easily and then leak.
2. EPS core with a couple of layers of fiberglass and some veneer to improve local stiffness, often just on deck. Can be done without a mold, and materials cost is fairly reasonable still.
3. EPS core, light layer of fiberglass, a "bulking" material such as Coremat, woven Bamboo or such to improve local strength, covered by more fiberglass. Requires a mold, but materials cost are still reasonable.
4. EPS core, light layer of glass, thermoformed PVC sheet foam, more glass or Carbon. Requires heated molds, materials cost and need for more skilled labor are going up. Stiffness is going up, weight going down. Tough, resistance to snapping and dings, minor dings will not cause leaks into the core.
5. EPS core, light layer of glass, thermoformed PVC sheet foam, light glass, veneer, Carbon. All of the cost and advantages of #4, just more so. (windsurfing boards have been built this way for years, pushing $2000.- for "average" production models)
and for the future:
6. Hollow core with pre-molded PVC-cored skins and foam spacers - Mark Raaphorst has been building them like this for years
For photos of much of the above, check my www.boardlady.com/anatomy.htm
Eva

My question is, what is the best kind of board in the $900 to ~$1100 range for lake paddling, calm ocean paddling, and easy river paddling?  Thanks!

For flat water paddling like you are describing, I would point you towards a displacement design, and if you stick to a planing hull, then a pointed nose with minimal rocker.

The best deals going on displacement hulls these days are the Hovie Nomad at Paddleboard specialists for 1100, the Boardworks Raven for 1200.00 and the Amundson T/R for 1299.00.

[kneil]

Wilverine, just saw on SUPATX they are selling the Jamie Mitchell Kai Lui race boards, $1085 for 12-6 and $1185 for 14!!!  AND free shipping!  Have not heard much about these boards, but if you have had good experience with your board maybe you can be the guinea pig and give a review! 

[skyfish]

Jimmy stycks has a pretty decent starter package for under a $1,000.00. 3 layers of 6 on top , 2 on the bottom . The 10,6" and the 11,6" are Good for flat water and even small surf .
   The 12,6" "woodpecker" , loks strange at the beggining, has a full deep vee across the entire bottom and at 30" wide is super stable and quite fast. I can honestly reccomended it to anyone starting out that just will do flat water. By far has better gliding capabilities than any "all around " out there.

[TybeeTim]

I ordered one of these way early in the year, after 3 weeks with no contact I emailed to find out they were out of stock so I canceled. Would have been nice if the website said that, which is basic technology so clearly they were just trying the net orders and hope people did not cancel.  I went with a 10.6 NSP for a 100 bucks more as a second beater/dog board and I am glad I did.  I have seen what happens to ATX boards after even mild abuse.  Way under glassed.... Plus there whole "image" just doesn't have  good aloha, I would rather spend an additional 100-200 and support some of the other emerging "real" companies.  I understand the motivation to go cheap, hell I even tried it, but there are better boards and companies just one notch higher on the dollar ladder.  My 2 cents

Agreed and well said ... you get what you pay for

[Rideordie]

I bought a 12 0 confort top SUP ATX as my first board, knowing nothing about boards or surfing, just to lake paddle.  Got it 4 days.  Road it every chance I got till it fell of the car and died.    Loved the work out with long rides up to 4 hours.  Local surf shop estimate $400 bucks to repair or give me $400 store credit for a new board. Bought an 11 foot Boardworks SUP and took it back after one day.  Just did not glide like my 12 footer.  Then found out that Boardworks has a new 12 6 recreational racing and touring model out call the Raven.  Out of stock with a three week delivery window.  So I an anxiously awaiting delivery.  Last weekend, I took a test ride on a Starboard Carbon race board.  The dealer raved about the Starboard and how fast it was and how poor the quality of the SUP ATX board is.  He did seem very knowledgeable and is an avid rider himself.   IMO, the Starboard did seem to have a nicer glide, could get more paddles in on each side before turning, but was not quite as stable as the SUP ATX board.  I am thinking the Raven will have qualities similar to the Starboard, but be a little more stable.  Has lots of tie down points, which I love too.  Anybody have any thoughts about the quality of Raven construction??  For a starter board, I would recommend the SUP ATX.  No sense buying and beating up a really nice board until you are sure that you want to stick with the sport.  Price can keep folks off the water.  Go for the cheaper SUP ATX to start, enjoy it and buy more beer with the difference.  When you destroy yours like me, you can then move up!!         

[loosehead]

ordered 2 carbon fiber shaft paddles with fiberglass blades last week.they arrived yesterday only $160 including shipping.very happy