SUPing not so easy

General Discussion
1

Hey guys

Well I finally got around to finishing my 11’6" SUP

Actually its been finished for a couple of months but I built my own paddle as well which took a bit of time.

That was a waste of time. read on

I took it out in flat water a couple of weeks ago and I was quite suprised how stable it was under feet.

I paddle up and down the lake entrance for about 45 mins and was quite impressed with how I went.

I stayed dry the whole time.

I did feel a bit sore the day after but thats to be expected I suppose.

Today I thought I would take it out in some small, and I mean small surf.

Well that was a WHOLE different ball game.

I got it to the water, walked out to about knee deep, hopped on and stood up like I did in the flat water.

Well, with the waves coming in, the currents, the rip, and the wind, it made it very hard to just stand there.

Once you get moving, its a bit easier but I think I was in the water more times than I was standing

I did manage to catch one wave and it was hard to even turn the board towards the face but I managed and rode it all the way to the beach.

I must have looked like a kook though, as I was wobbling all over the place just to keep my balance.

I had a huge grin from ear to ear though.

I paddled back out, eventually, and turned the board to catch another wave.

Now thats a task in itself.

As I started some power strokes, my cheep, tight ass home made paddle snapped in half.

I was soo pissed off.

I threw the two pieces on the beach and took my SUP board for some normal paddle in surfing.

I thought If I can’t use the paddle to paddle, at least I get to see how this huge thing surfs.

I had so much fun.

I caught every little ripple and I started to get the hang of navigating such a beast.

I built my paddle using the guidance of boardbumps post on the seabreeze forum.

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40849&SearchTerms=paddle,construction

But I didn’t use the carbon fibre.

I think that was my undoing.

I will take it home and put a shit load of fibre glass on it and hopfully it will hold up.

I think next time, I will use cedar or I might just cut my losses and buy one.

One thing is for sure though, I had sooo much fun even with the drama’s I had.

I will master it one day

I will post some pics of my board soon

Cheers

2

Persevere!

I have been getting lessons here at Cronulla and recently moved from flat water (Gunnumatta Bay) where I was doing well, to the surf. It is important to work on turning from the rear of the board and a sideways natural stance for the surf. Recently went out in bay surf and had a blast. I thought it a bit kooky at first ( my wife got me into it), but really enjoy it. Using the paddle properly when executing turns etc comes with time. Just don’t hog the waves. They get a bad wrap in places because guys are catching all and sundry and not controlling them.

3

I do intent to persevere.

I was trying to turn from the rear off the board but couldn’t keep my balance.

Just need more practice.

I dont intend to hog all the wave.

I was out on my own today and will probably be on my own for some time.

I will only be going where the waves are to small for normal surfing.

For now anyway.

Cheers

4

11’6 x how wide? x thick? Pictures?

5

29 1/2, 4 3/4

Pics in the next few days

6

I’ve been a shortboarder since 1970 however I think that SUP’s are great for maintaining Core Strength.

I will make mine 10’6" x 31" x 4 3/4" I’ll post pics as I go along.

Thanks for sharing!

7

Can’t wait to see pics mate.

Love to see it in action down at lake illawarra!!