Thanks for the paddle today guys I had heaps of fun..
Hopefully not to long till the next one and maybe even e few more crew to join us..

Was good to meet you too greg hope you continue to join us on the paddles..

Belly

supbelly said...

Thanks for the paddle today guys I had heaps of fun..
Hopefully not to long till the next one and maybe even e few more crew to join us..

Was good to meet you too greg hope you continue to join us on the paddles..

Belly

Likewise - it was good meet new crew - and I had a blast despite the fact that I took at least twice as many swims as the rest of you put together

Need to clock up more downwinders and get my sea-legs on the DC

Hey Reagan,
Did you borrow the 14' glide? How did it go?

akhawk said...

Hey Reagan,
Did you borrow the 14' glide? How did it go?

I cant speak for Reagan but had a quick shot on it too.. Dont get me wrong the board was good but it wasnt much of an inprovement IMO then my 12.6 JL....Its quite a small board compared to my 12.6 in that it has alot of nose out of the water, not useing the whole 14ft.. Its definately quicker and better but just not as much difference as i thought it would be being more then a foot bigger... However it certainly got me thinking about the 17..

Thats just my opinion and being not overly experienced probobly doesnt count for much but hey
Hope that makes sence maybe Reagan will explain it better..

Belly

akhawk said...

Hey Reagan,
Did you borrow the 14' glide? How did it go?

Belly hit the nail on the head.

The difference between my Pin and the Naish 14 was a country mile (at least 40-50% better, remembering that the Pin is a flat water board), but between the JL 12'6 and the 14 probably about 10%.

The JL Albatross is a great downwind board and has very similar rails and weight distribution in its tail to the 14.

Dont get me wrong if I had the cash I would of bought the 14 Naish board (really great at picking up runners and loved the run). But got me thinking if the 14 was that good what is the 16/17 footers like? Maybe it is worth it going to 16/17 in length.

Catching runners was super easy and great fun on the 14. Was also amazed how quickly I took to the board, even though it is very different from anything else I have paddled.

A lot of thinking still to do.

PS have to give a big shout out to Ross and Scarborourgh Longboards as he lent me the board (which is his own) and was really helpful. (Disc: I am in no way assocaited with Scarborourgh Longboards or Naish or Starboard or Jimmy Lewis for all those people who care about that crap)

IMO.. none of these flat water boards or do it all wave boards are worth doing down-winders on unless you have no other choice or you're just after a bit of fun.

That fun can soon become frustration as you continually try to get the board to plane and it's not happening and others on DW boards leave you in their wake.

I hope Starboard/JL/Surftech and even PSH bring something out to match the Naish 14 and C4 Vortice because without going custom there's not much out there right now.

DJ

akhawk said...

Next down winder, I'd be keen to compare the jl 12'6" to the starboard 12'6" cruiser.

Your more then welcome to take it for a run whenever you like Adam..

Belly

supbelly said...

Ive been looking at the C4 Vortice looks awsome id love to compare it to the naish 14..

If only we had more options in terms of demo here in perth..

Maybe i should start importing haha since i have no job in a week

Belly

I know I was looking at the C4 about a year ago. It comes from good pedigree Dave Parmeter, Karel Tresnick (?) all know their stuff.

But what put me off was the age of the design. Was probably the first true downwind board about 2-3 years ago. A lot has changed since then, but in saying that I have not ever demoed one. Just a perception whether right or wrong.

Also get the feeling they are about to bring out a new c4 design soon. again its a feeling whether right or wrong.

akhawk said...

supbelly said...

I was thinking about doing that actually Adam.. You recon anyone has done the doctor on a 9,4 ?

Do you recon its even do able ?

If anyone is crazy enough to do it, its you

Talking of crazy, Cam and I were talking this arvo and I mentioned how great it would be to next season do a paddle over a few days from cape naturaliste or somewhere similar to Perth. You could paddle a certain distance each arvo when the seabreeze kicks in and cover the distance over 3 or 4 days. It could be a lead up to the dr race so if anyone else was keen from over east they could tie in both. Is this a completely stupid idea or is it doable?

This paddle leg is about 65km and the total paddle to Cottesloe is around 215km. I am keen on the first leg but the angle doesn't look very good for most of the rest. What did you have in mind?

The 65km part would be an adventure. Not sure if the rest would be much fun, unless you do a dogs leg out to sea each morning and then turn as the wind picks up.

Once you've handled the 65km part you will be ready for the doctor any day of the week! Let me know if any of you are keen so we can start planning it properly.

supbelly said...

Im really keen for the 65kn run but again my only problem is my biggest board is a 12.6

If only i had loads of money

Do you think its possible on a 12.6? It would be about a 5 hour run on that board im thinking..I recon i could do it but it would be a hell of a slog..

Belly

Sounds interesting but bigger boards are needed I think my 12er would make life difficult. Anyone got a demo 17er I can borrow??

When I did the big 50km downwinder last year it took about 6 hrs. That was on a 12' Glide. Having a 14' would have made a huge difference I reckon. I cant imagine paddling 65km on a 12' board. Pack lunch, and maybe dinner as well...