Stand Up Rolls Royce

[PonoBill]

Not really, the storms that create huge waves are not localized phenomena, and giant ocean waves come in train patterns that repeat. Most of the observations of big waves, especially the ones where the size was estimated fairly accurately by triangulating ship structure against the wave height happened over a period of days, and the storms themselves are predictable to a large degree with current weather models.

I think the challenge is that some crew needs to brave one of these storms that have swallowed very seaworthy freighters and even military ships without a trace and toss a guy overboard so he can play on them. And then pick him back up. I've been in big storm seas onboard the USS Enterprise. Our escorts looked like toys in a washing machine, I was sure they were going to founder. We couldn't resupply or refuel them for days.

Both Laird and Dave Kalama have done unbelievable things, but this one I'll believe when I see the video. Nice design work though. And I like the site, though the actual information content is about zero.

[mikelefty]

After their mast snapped in half on the first leg in November (south atlantic, 2000 miles form Cape town, in conditions that were moderate)  I suspect  the professional sailors on team Puma are reconsidering the marketing hype of a tag along "flying in" to ride an open ocean wave . Seems the priorities are winning the race, and staying alive doing it.

[Strand Leper]

Just looked at the website... like the board, very visually appealing...

Also like the board, appeared lacking in any actual substance.

That vid clip of Laird shoulder hopping people in Malibu with w film crew in tow... INSPIRING!  (that was sarcasm)

This is just an instance of a really cool sport... and a really cool dude... being used.

But at least the really cool dude makes a conscious decision to get used... and gets paid (lots of freaking money) for it...

Our sport / passion / avocation / addiction, just gets to look "toolish" in the process.

Sorry, just a bad taste in my mouth on this one... and I am not a Laird hater by any means... thanks to him (and a few others perhaps) we are all enjoying this rad sport / passion / avocation / addiction... just be carefule dude... What's next, Carnivale Cruise Lines so the fat German tourists can watch you ride the rogue wave will barfing the "all you can" eat "Krab" caserole over the side of the boat?

I hope that they paid Laird lots of dough because his core credibility took a pretty big hit in my book on this one.  Not that it matters.  Next he will do a stiff portrayal of a waterman in a George Clooney movie... oh, wait...

Rant almost over... and no I am not (too) jealous of Laird, I've got a decent situation going... just a little bummed about this particular choice of promotion... the cologne he was (still is?) pitching was plenty cheesey, but it didn't appear to overtly leverage our sport / passion / avocation / addiction... (and abuse his position within the sport) this new joint venture might be tending in that direction.  I am a little bit defensive about our sport / passion / avocation / addiction... because I defend it LOTS... so I am not stoked. 

Tim

[H2Oman]

I just got word that the PUMA board made a stop at Tarsan SUP in Hermosa Beach.  Not sure if it will hit the water, but if you want to check it out in the LA give a call to the shop and see what's up.