OG SUP said...



Hi David (DJ) I totally respect your down winding ability IMO your probably the most experienced DW SUPer in Vicco for the Melbourne runs and your time on the water, I also call you a friend thats why I have to post this, if this post destroys our friendship I would be disappointed but what happened IMO is predictable.

Having planned and run many down winders on Corio Bay, most in extreme conditions 35+ Kn over the last 2 years what you thought was calmer conditions is intact a fact a wind shadow effect off the land that extends between 1 - 2km out from the western shore. This situation is experienced every time you paddle out in high winds from that side of the bay and a wind with west in it, its not a freak phenomenon its predictable. Simondo, Justin, Kristi etc all know it exists and exploit it to position themselves for the run.

Fishermen including myself use this shadow effect to stay out of the wind on days like that (normaly less than 30kn) to allow us to fish for snapper around the Quay out of the wind.

The Channel at the top of the Quay near where you took off from depending on the tide and direction of the wind creates a suction effect and a current as the surrounds are 4.5 - 7m and the channel is dredged to 12.3m this pulls you out directly into the channel again this is predictable and can be a problem.

The short sharp wind chop you encountered at the end of the the run is created by the incoming tide down the channel vs the wind in almost a 180 deg opposing direction travelling across the shallows and it creates nasty in some cases almost standing waves 500 - 1000m from the entrance of the inner harbour to the outer harbour.

A weather map only tells you a small proportion of what is going on, local knowledge, studying the location and understanding the the effects of bottom structure channel etc allow you to enhance the downwinder and aim for the locations that will produce the best runners.

**** the flame suit, I don't want a newbie to head out thinking its calm and then get blasted into the middle of the bay.

Hate away.

supallday said..

"Extreme sports (also called action sports, aggro sports, and adventure sports) is a popular term for certain activities perceived as having a high level of inherent danger.[1][2][3] These activities often involve speed, height, a high level of physical exertion, and highly specialized gear."

"Activities categorized by media as extreme sports differ from traditional sports due to the higher number of inherently uncontrollable variables. These environmental variables are frequently weather and terrain related, including wind, snow, water and mountains. Because these natural phenomena cannot be controlled, they inevitably affect the outcome of the given activity or event."

The article then lists stand up paddle boarding as an extreme sport..

You don't have to agree but my idea of down winding involves. High winds rough ocean swells long distances often km's from the safety of land. Where your board n paddle are the only thing you have to tackle the task of getting from point A to B . If that's an easy and safe task well then I guess it ant extreme but in my eyes it is.