What a dismal prospect, when the wind does not blow. Here it is like a set from Bladerunner, moisture instead of fronts for weeks in a row now.
So sad to be surfing the Net when one would like some reality.
Last day out had trouble keeping ahead of a SUPper.
Depends on one's expectations, I suppose.
Queenslanders get cranky after a sessionless week.
West Australians after 3 days.
Victorians last 2 weeks before the rage sets in...

shear tip said...

oldie said...

...
Queenslanders get cranky after a sessionless week.
West Australians after 3 days.
Victorians last 2 weeks before the rage sets in...

Sydneysiders get antsy after 6weeks.

Yeah, low expectations means your not disappointed often.

So a surfing SUP gets a better view of the oncoming sets. Without the waves he is a pitiful picture, unable to compete with canoe or surf ski or even a penguin pedaller.
No baggage possible, spends all his time maintaining balance while yawing in alternate directions.
But..
Has anybody tried paddling a wide sailboard?
$500 for a carbon paddle might save having to sit around with the kiters..

I will assume that the standuppers that I see creeping around are at a very early stage of developing their core strength. They can make no progress against a 3 knot current :(
They might be more impressive on a catamaran version or a raceboard with an outrigger.
My kids say it does not look cool. End of story as far as they are concerned..

Me too

I've been planning to get a SUP paddle but I don't want to find I can't balance on my windsurf board, coz then the money spent on the paddle would be wasted. I mean a freeride board, not a GO or something.

BTW Mistral make these cool paddles with adjustable length, designed to look like a windsurf boom (hard to explain., but when you see one you'll understand!). Nice.

Gotta have glide, or the paddling efficiency is gone. Sounds like only a gorilla with an oversize paddle could make a GO go .
The Starboard proposal ( http://www.star-board-sup.com/2008/products/sup148.php )
is cunning, scooped out deck for balance and a rudder to let you keep paddling on your strong side. "Australian pine" is surely a plus...Is it supposed to surf like a longboard?

someone tell this guy he is taking off in the wrong direction.....
either that or he is about to get one hell of a back door.

WINDY MILLER said...

i disagree with your kids

oldie said...

Gotta have glide, or the paddling efficiency is gone. Sounds like only a gorilla with an oversize paddle could make a GO go .
The Starboard proposal ( http://www.star-board-sup.com/2008/products/sup148.php )
is cunning, scooped out deck for balance and a rudder to let you keep paddling on your strong side. "Australian pine" is surely a plus...Is it supposed to surf like a longboard?

Isn't a bit weird that the same board makers who bitch about sailing longboards being too slow, will then shout about a flat water racing board that will do 6 knots flat out and with maximum effort?

guess i'll stay out of the surf a little longer then.

decrepit said...

Gestalt said...

someone tell this guy he is taking off in the wrong direction.....
either that or he is about to get one hell of a back door.

Nup looks like he took off to far out on the shoulder, so his angle looks almost perfect to me, he's just fading back into the action, to bottom turn under the lip.

nobody said...

evlPanda said...

Apparently these new fangled "surf boards" are going to be bigger than SUPs.

...

Heaps cheaper, far more maneuverable, easier to transport and store... and they don't even need a paddle!

I don't get the SUPs, and "better workout" is just marketing speak for "hard to paddle".

SUPs are just another surfing tool. They shine as the ultimate wave getter. If you want to get less waves or limit yours surfing days, that's your choice.

How do you duck-dive? Just wondering how you get out on an 8ft day if there is no channel.

I'm sure they are a ball of fun, I'm just not sure how they'd replace, say, a Malibu. I've seen some footage of Laird Hamilton out on some big days and he says he really likes them on super windy days as they are a real challenge.

Also here's another way to really plane in 0 knots: