Hey, new to sup and seabreeze...first post. Picked up my first sup on Thursday...starboard ace pro 14 x 25 carbon. Thursday night a quick half hr paddle on the bay just out from Carrum. Super flat no wind. Saturday got a mate to drop me off at aspendale around 2pm then a downwind run back to Patterson river riding the first sandbar waves all the way with that cracking northerly on my back...about 6kms and 45 mins. Then continued up the river and into the canals to get a feel for the flat. Today drove up to mordialloc pier, 11ish...paddled back down to the river again, 8.5 Kms and 1hr. Then up the river into a headwind for another two Kms or so. Carried the board for a km back to my house in Patterson lakes along a bike track before grabbing my bike and riding back to mordialloc to pick up the car....should sleep well tonight.

Board was super quick on the flat...found it to b plenty stable enough. On the bay things got a little more interesting. 3 or 4 swims each day seemed acceptable for my first attempt at a downwinder....the bay has got real cold all of a sudden. Also paddle an ocean racing ski, have not fallen out for a while. Caught plenty of runs, stepping back the board got real wobbly with that pin tail. Is this something with time ill master or is this board prone to it. Does anyone have any experience on the ace pro 14 x 25, that could give me some tips. Realise it's not designed as a pure downwinder... I'd love to hear others thoughts on this board both on the flat and downwind.

Couldn't help thinking maybe something that gives up a little speed on the flat but more stable downwind may have suited better. Though I think I was blessed with the northerlies this weekend. May leave anything but a nice northerly downwind to the ski and paddle the river and canals or flat days on the bay to the board.

76 kgs, 175cm tall
Cheers Michael

Hi Michael, you definitely have a challenging board for stronger downwind conditions. That Ace Pro is a flatwater rocket but with limited nose rocker and no grip or width at the back of the board, it's always going to be hard working stepping back and maintaining control. You'll get better at it but it may well be that you never do a dry downwind run on that board. But you'll be quick. And that's more fun. If you want to stay dry and warm, you'd be on the couch.

Thanks... Looks I've got a challenge ahead. A lot of fun though. A whole new dimension to paddling the ski. Had thought about the group paddle but figured I should practice falling off with no one watching. though it didn't happen as much as I had thought it would. look forward to the next group downwinder

Michael

Yep first sup...Always been on the water though, started sailing boats at 8, lots of sailboarding over the years and most recently the ski...now sup