Newbie on Subvector

[Takeo]

I'm an SUP newbie, never even surfed a day in my life.  I have years of skateboard experience and some kayaking but no surfing.  I'm 5'7" and 185 lbs. 

I just purchased a 10' C4 subvector, probably not the best beginner board, but it sure was pretty, ha!  Seriously though, took it out the other day for the first time in flat conditions with gentle winds.  Paddling sitting and on knees was a breeze, but when I tried to stand, that's when all pride went out the window.  I could barely stay standing for more than 30 seconds.  With the board being rated for beginner up to 190, I thought perhaps, I'd at least be able to stand and paddle 100 yds or so without falling.  I'm determined to get it down, but would be open to any advice from those who have been in this situation before. 

Thanks in advance!

[Dwight (DW)]

You'll be twice as stable each time out, so get out there and enjoy. It's no big deal. I learned in the ocean too and fell hundreds of times. It was a blast.

[Pureadrenalin]

What size is your center fin? Is it setup as a quad? A quad can be very unstable for a first board also because you have no center fin support. What I usually do on an unfamilair SUB is run a longer center fin for stability and once you get comfortable try a different center fin one size smaller down size in 1" increments. A bigger center fin will cause the SUB to go rail to rail less often when paddling but surfing performance will decrease. Its a give or take thing stability or surfabilty.

[ehrawn]

Yeah, that sounds about right. I think everyone else has been in the same place you are. I'm only a few months ahead of you on a PSH 10-3 AA. Every time out on the water, though, I got more and more comfortable. Something that helped me, in the begining, was sticking to really flat spots on windless days. It's hard to get more comfortable standing on your board if you spend too much time in the water.

[Takeo]

Thanks for the quick replies guys, I really appreciate it. 

I bought the board setup as a quad, no center fin.  The advice on the large center fin, at least to get standing, makes a lot of sense.  I'm sure the rail to rail rocking was my lack of experience and balancing, but if I center fin will help, I'll quickly change to that for now.  I can't even think of surfing it, if I can't stand up on it, ha! 

I'll try to get out on flat water and windless days. I didn't expect it to be that difficult, but any little bump sends me in the water. 

I hope to return to the forum with my progress.  I guess I just needed to hear others say that they had the same difficulty.  I see folks jumping on 11'6"-12' boards 30-32" wide and paddling without even getting wet but I didn't want to spend $1500 on a board like that when I ultimately want a board that surfs well. 

I'll go buy a center fin today.  BTW, I also ordered a Balance360 for at home workouts. 

Thanks for the support!

[stoneaxe]

As mentioned...don't sweat the falling. I didn't think I'd be able to do it for a couple of months and then it suddenly clicked, and I was on a big board (12-6 x 30). I'd mix up your flatwater runs with some chop too though. It will suck at first but forces a faster progression. Have fun.

[Boludo]

Takeo,

That's a great board.  I recently purchased the 9-6 sub vector and absolutely love it.  I am 170 pounds and only find it very stable because I learned on a C4 10-6.  It just takes time in the water as the others had mentioned.  As well, you gotta go with a center fin.  My came with an 8 inch center fin and so far works well even though I'm gonna change it up.  Don't worry about it, it will get easier every time.  When you are standing on the board, try to find the sweet spot for better balance and don't focus on the nose of the board...look out at the horizon instead.  At least that helps me.
Have fun!

[J-Bird]

I found learning that it helps a lot to relax and not be so nervous about falling.  Somehow, as you spend more time on the board and feel more relaxed, your muscles and mind start to work together and before long it will be no big deal, just keep at it.  Hope this helps.

[Tom]

Maybe you could rent a larger board for a day or two, then return to the subvector. I think it will be a good board for you soon, but maybe not right out of the gate.

[Takeo]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I got a center fin, but it's a 6" cutaway, too small?

You guys are right about the "worry about falling" and the "relaxing" part.  I paddled out on my knees and that was quite relaxing and the board was faster than I expected, however, when I began to stand and the board started tipping rail to rail, that's when my legs tightened up and standing was impossible.

I'll try to get on a bigger board.  I didn't mention earlier, but I recently purchased an SIC F14 and went out a few times so far, still falling, but able to paddle 50-100 yds or so on flat water on the first try. 

As you can see, I'm jumping right into the sport.  I love the support on the forum, great community.  Mahalo!

[CT]

I wouldn't worry too much about the size of the board.  Yeah, 9'3" isn't long in the SUB world, but that board is super stable for it's length.  It just takes practice.  Also, it's my experience that looking at the horizon and not down at your feet/board makes the biggest difference in stability.

[diesel]

6" cutaway is kind of small.  You should use at least an 8" fin or 9" if you don't have sidebites.

[Takeo]

Diesel,
I just added the 6" cutaway to the stock Vector sidebites.  Would a bigger single fin be more stable versus the 2+1 setup?  I just want to stand in flatwater and will adjust for surfing once I'm at that level.

Funny that many of you mention the tip about looking at the horizon.  I guess a common newbie mistake is to look at where my feet are placed, or to watch the board rock side-to-side.  So many questions going through my head and before you know it, I'm in the drink! 

[Lobes]

>sticking to really flat spots on windless days
>look out at the horizon
>feel more relaxed, your muscles and mind start to work together
>6" cutaway is kind of small

This is all really good advice. keep pushing yourself. The first few paddles are always super wobbly, especially with a (relatively) small board like yours. Try keeping your shoulders square and absorb all the board movement from below your hips. If you feel getting off balance stick your paddle  blade in the water. Its surprisingly effective as a crutch

Also every SUP will be more unstable when it is stationary. Get on there and paddle hard, as the board picks up speed the fin will bite and stability will increase by an order of magnitude.

[diesel]

Diesel,
I just added the 6" cutaway to the stock Vector sidebites.  Would a bigger single fin be more stable versus the 2+1 setup?  I just want to stand in flatwater and will adjust for surfing once I'm at that level.

Funny that many of you mention the tip about looking at the horizon.  I guess a common newbie mistake is to look at where my feet are placed, or to watch the board rock side-to-side.  So many questions going through my head and before you know it, I'm in the drink! 

I thought you were using the 6" by itself.  the 6" cutaway should be good with the stock sidebites.