Just like to thank DJ for seting up another down winder today and inviting Kristi and I along. By the end of the afternoon he may have thought that was a sub optimal decison. My wide A$$ was holding up the progress some what.

I have to say that I throughly enjoyed the experience however i do have some more questions for the more learned amongst us.

I rode a 12ft glide today and it gave me hell to say the least. I am 108kg at the moment and I found that I had water lapping over the deck most of the way and I was managing to plough the nose quite often and catpulted myself medievil style over the nose on several occassions. Stand back you may say well did that stalled the board out it would yaw side ways and you guessed it another trip into the brinny.

I tried several different standing positions and none of them appeared to slow down the radical yaw.

Questions:

1) at 108kg does my wide a$$ exceed the safe working load of this board in down wind conditions.

2) I know I lack skill in this discipline of the sport but I can paddle and handle a 9.4 in 30+knots wind side chop etc and not get pitched over the side all the time, and the 12 gun up to 40kn+ with no problems. What the heck am I doing wrong.

3) I tried PT Woodies 11.6 Naish and immediately I was on easy street, does anyone else find fuller nose, fuller tail boards better in DW conditions rather than the pin tails?

Open to all info and suggestions.

DJ has given me the inspiration to do this and the up side is 2 runs now and I can only improve lol.

12ft now appears to be way too little board?

Phill

ha, phil' the naish 14'- really no other option, and its a bloody good option for you. mate the art takes time, that's why is soooo addictive. it's way harder then surfing when it's "on", but i learn more each time. i think everyone does.
cheers
i must come down there for a burl sometime

Hey Ross,

Just checked we do have your paddle sorry about the mix up we will fix it this week.

Regards

Phill.

Phil, I would go one step further and recommend an even longer board with a rudder for you. I know most of the Downwind crew in Melbourne prefer shorter boards - this is understandable as a lot of your paddles are in the bay. Have a go on one and see what you think... I have a feeling you might just like it.

OG SUP said...

Mike strange you should say that, I tried a longer board recently in flat water and found that the sweet spot that minimised or in some cases stopped the yaw placed me 4 inches forward of the front of the rudder system levers/ This was a bit of an issue as you can imagine.

Also the longer board over short distances 1.5 to 3k did not appear to be significantly faster from what I saw and experienced.

The other thing is the bay conditions are quite unique! We have a very shallow bay with a very short sharp wind chop that can have a peak to peak distance of as little as 5 - 10 feet.

Most of the boards on the market have been designed for much longer period swell.

With someone my weight the flatter rocker boards squat deep in the water and you have almost the whole length of the rail submerged. Any slight movement off centre causes the board to catch the rail and hey presto you go for a skinny dip.

The flatter rocker boards will always struggle IMO in these conditions.

It can and will be overcome with skill over time no doubt but it is still an issue.

Phill

Hey Phill,

I recently sold my Naish 12' Glide as it just did not feel comfortable for me.

The lack of nose area and general 'tippy' feel made me feel very insecure paddling across Port Hacking up here (which is wide, deep and sharky) and my replacement was the 12'6 Starboard Cruiser.

At 30 wide it's not that much wider but the board is much more user friendly, feels really secure across the Bay, IMO faster across the water and with the 10.5 Naish fin (standard on the Naish 11'6 & Glide) toward the back of the box as straight as you'd ever get with little to no yaw.

For me being a SUP novice, a wise decision but I can't comment for those seasoned campaigner's on downwinders although I'd be ready to give one a go on the Cruiser where I would have baulked on the Glide.

Thanks for the tip surfanimals, I had a 12ft Laird and me thinks that too would be a good option. I have not tried the SB but I will seek one out and give it a whirl

Phill

surfanimals said...

OG SUP said...

Mike strange you should say that, I tried a longer board recently in flat water and found that the sweet spot that minimised or in some cases stopped the yaw placed me 4 inches forward of the front of the rudder system levers/ This was a bit of an issue as you can imagine.

Also the longer board over short distances 1.5 to 3k did not appear to be significantly faster from what I saw and experienced.

The other thing is the bay conditions are quite unique! We have a very shallow bay with a very short sharp wind chop that can have a peak to peak distance of as little as 5 - 10 feet.

Most of the boards on the market have been designed for much longer period swell.

With someone my weight the flatter rocker boards squat deep in the water and you have almost the whole length of the rail submerged. Any slight movement off centre causes the board to catch the rail and hey presto you go for a skinny dip.

The flatter rocker boards will always struggle IMO in these conditions.

It can and will be overcome with skill over time no doubt but it is still an issue.

Phill

Hey Phill,

I recently sold my Naish 12' Glide as it just did not feel comfortable for me.

The lack of nose area and general 'tippy' feel made me feel very insecure paddling across Port Hacking up here (which is wide, deep and sharky) and my replacement was the 12'6 Starboard Cruiser.

At 30 wide it's not that much wider but the board is much more user friendly, feels really secure across the Bay, IMO faster across the water and with the 10.5 Naish fin (standard on the Naish 11'6 & Glide) toward the back of the box as straight as you'd ever get with little to no yaw.

For me being a SUP novice, a wise decision but I can't comment for those seasoned campaigner's on downwinders although I'd be ready to give one a go on the Cruiser where I would have baulked on the Glide.

Hey Craig,

thanks for the tips / advice and challenge is accepted we can have the official weigh in at the Mambo mate.

Probably the incentive we both need to get under the 0.1 ton club laughs.

Phill

boylos said...



Mate I'm around the same weight as you ,and I had the 11 6 Naish for long paddles etc ....... I then got myself a 14ft C4 Vortice and it was the best move it feels great and stable ok I'm a bit shakie on the side wind and chop but more time on the water will fix this.

I would really consider you do more trail runs on a 14fter and 12fter in downwind conditions until you feel what size board you feel comfortable on ...... I think in the end you will find the 14fter is your best bet!

Now he's the challenge with all this downwind paddling your doing the weight will fall off and the 14fter will feel a lot better I noticed a big differance when I was 100kg!

So I'll race yah to be under the 100kg mark for our big downwinder at this yr's Mambo!

Boylos

OG SUP said...

Hey Craig,

thanks for the tips / advice and challenge is accepted we can have the official weigh in at the Mambo mate.

Probably the incentive we both need to get under the 0.1 ton club laughs.

Phill

boylos said...



Mate I'm around the same weight as you ,and I had the 11 6 Naish for long paddles etc ....... I then got myself a 14ft C4 Vortice and it was the best move it feels great and stable ok I'm a bit shakie on the side wind and chop but more time on the water will fix this.

I would really consider you do more trail runs on a 14fter and 12fter in downwind conditions until you feel what size board you feel comfortable on ...... I think in the end you will find the 14fter is your best bet!

Now he's the challenge with all this downwind paddling your doing the weight will fall off and the 14fter will feel a lot better I noticed a big differance when I was 100kg!

So I'll race yah to be under the 100kg mark for our big downwinder at this yr's Mambo!

Boylos

Awesome ..... then we can put it all back on at the BBQ at the Mambo!

Right I'm starting now ...... off for a run!

Boylos

Great little vid DJ. Certainly a great board, just think something with a bit more volume may be good to get Phil going.

OG SUP said...

Mike strange you should say that, I tried a longer board recently in flat water and found that the sweet spot that minimised or in some cases stopped the yaw placed me 4 inches forward of the front of the rudder system levers/ This was a bit of an issue as you can imagine.

Also the longer board over short distances 1.5 to 3k did not appear to be significantly faster from what I saw and experienced.

The other thing is the bay conditions are quite unique! We have a very shallow bay with a very short sharp wind chop that can have a peak to peak distance of as little as 5 - 10 feet.

Most of the boards on the market have been designed for much longer period swell.

With someone my weight the flatter rocker boards squat deep in the water and you have almost the whole length of the rail submerged. Any slight movement off centre causes the board to catch the rail and hey presto you go for a skinny dip.

The flatter rocker boards will always struggle IMO in these conditions.

It can and will be overcome with skill over time no doubt but it is still an issue.

Phill

Hey Phill,

Forget trying to evaluate a DW board in flat water (unless that's where you intend to paddle it, of course). These babies are meant for the ocean, so that's where your tests should be. Also, there are many good boards out there other than the one you had a go on. Go talk to one of the custom shapers and they will be able to build you a board that will suit your local conditions and your body. If you want more rocker then that's what you will get.

My custom board was built for deep ocean conditions where I am chasing the big Southerly runs on the GC. It was built for that and that's where it really comes into its own. You need to do the same down your way where the board is designed for your local conditions. Alternatively, keep trying other stock models and you may find one that works just right for you.

Mike,

I totally agree with you a custom board is the go. I would like to get a better feel for the sport before I commit such a large chuck of change.

The custom 9.4 DC made for me is a cracker and at least 3 others are riding the same design and love it to bits.

I will be talking to DC in the next few days.

Phill

mikeman said...

OG SUP said...

Mike strange you should say that, I tried a longer board recently in flat water and found that the sweet spot that minimised or in some cases stopped the yaw placed me 4 inches forward of the front of the rudder system levers/ This was a bit of an issue as you can imagine.

Also the longer board over short distances 1.5 to 3k did not appear to be significantly faster from what I saw and experienced.

The other thing is the bay conditions are quite unique! We have a very shallow bay with a very short sharp wind chop that can have a peak to peak distance of as little as 5 - 10 feet.

Most of the boards on the market have been designed for much longer period swell.

With someone my weight the flatter rocker boards squat deep in the water and you have almost the whole length of the rail submerged. Any slight movement off centre causes the board to catch the rail and hey presto you go for a skinny dip.

The flatter rocker boards will always struggle IMO in these conditions.

It can and will be overcome with skill over time no doubt but it is still an issue.

Phill

Hey Phill,

Forget trying to evaluate a DW board in flat water (unless that's where you intend to paddle it, of course). These babies are meant for the ocean, so that's where your tests should be. Also, there are many good boards out there other than the one you had a go on. Go talk to one of the custom shapers and they will be able to build you a board that will suit your local conditions and your body. If you want more rocker then that's what you will get.

My custom board was built for deep ocean conditions where I am chasing the big Southerly runs on the GC. It was built for that and that's where it really comes into its own. You need to do the same down your way where the board is designed for your local conditions. Alternatively, keep trying other stock models and you may find one that works just right for you.

Hey Woody,

I think the vol is one thing, but I believe the rocker and fuller tail and nose are more the significant factors. I doubt the nose will go under as much and the extra stability in the tail would assist as well.

Thank you again for letting me try your board yesterday.

You will have to come down the coast for a surf one day!

Phill

PTWoody said...

By the way Phill, just to follow up on our conversation with Lummers yesterday about the respective volumes of the 11'6" vs the 12' Glide... Naish website quotes the 11'6" at 231 litres whereas the 12' Glide is just 218 litres. The 14' Glide is out to 269 litres.

Hey Makaha,

I used to surf 6 to 8 times a weeks until I broke 3 ribs and was out of the water for about 20 weeks hence the weight gain. They still give me serious greif.

I am limited as to what I can and cant do but Kristi and I currently paddle up to 6km per day on the river so endurance is not really an issue.

The weight will burn of I have gone from 112 to 108 in relatively short time.

i surfed the DC 9.4 last week for a short time, it was quite squirrelly but great once on the wave.

With the ribs I dont want to be fighting a board for 10 to 12 kms is the issue.

Phill

Makaha said...

Sorry to intervene but, why not lose weight in the form of cross training. I lost 10 kgs and its the best thing I ever did. Surfing and paddling shorter boards than I have in the past 5 years and what a huge difference it makes to your all round skill level both in and out of the water.

Oh,and great advice from mikeman.

Hey Makaha,

I used to surf 6 to 8 times a weeks until I broke 3 ribs and was out of the water for about 20 weeks hence the weight gain. Nothing like rippin the 9.4 around in some juice!













They still give me serious greif.

I am limited as to what I can and cant do but Kristi and I currently paddle up to 6km per day on the river so endurance is not really an issue.

The weight will burn of I have gone from 112 to 108 in relatively short time.

i surfed the DC 9.4 last week for a short time, it was quite squirrelly but great once on the wave.

With the ribs I dont want to be fighting a board for 10 to 12 kms is the issue.

Phill

Makaha said...

Sorry to intervene but, why not lose weight in the form of cross training. I lost 10 kgs and its the best thing I ever did. Surfing and paddling shorter boards than I have in the past 5 years and what a huge difference it makes to your all round skill level both in and out of the water.

Oh,and great advice from mikeman.

Hey Phill, mate I know you rip on the DC,PSH in the surf. I cant believe the recovery time for a broken rib. That must suck.
Cross train is my advice, sure a 6 k paddle will help but why not mix it up.
Long walks a little gym work and I am sure you'll be over the pain and ripping again real soon. Well I hope you are,wow 20 weeks you must be doing your head in.

take care