I was down at the beach today and came across a local retailer waiting for his two sons who were playing in one foot surf on his demo sups. How could I say no to having a go. 10ft x 34inch can’t remember the brand, I weigh 240lbs and was not expecting too much. Spent a half an hour on my knees and paddling around, caught a couple of knee highs, the board has a wide nose and a major concave, it definitely feels like it would be impossible to pearl. It was very hard to leap onto ones haunches, (spring onto both feet at once in a crouch position), but I managed to once and did stand up and paddle. However at $2400NZ a board is worth more than the car I drive so I don’t think it will be on my shopping list until kids have finished college. Still, it was an enjoyable experience and I feel that it has a place on the ocean, especially on those flat days when we all should be home mowing lawns etc.
Substitute “Sup” for “longboard” and your sound advice can be applied to another perspective.
Often the most vehement detratctors of Sups are longboard riders who no longer find themselves at the top of the wave catching heap.
Me. I ride all lengths of boards and so am careful not to take too many waves when on longer boards.
The number of sup riders is exploding and when I was in the Kiting/sup shop the other day picking up my wife’s sup the owner was doing his best to sell two sups to a well healed retirement aged couple.
When he started talking about taking the board out in the surf I cringed. I really doubt these mature aged folks would ever do more than paddle them around on the river though.
However there’s plenty of younger ones taking up the sport that have no clue about surfing and our “unwritten rules” so education needs to come from within. Starting with the people who sell them and the experienced sup riders doing their bit to keep the peace as you said.
I’ve done it a few times, but only in really small surf… waist high and under… and never at a known surf spot. Good for when you just want to F around on a hot summer day. But when there’s a swell, I want to surf.
I also think it’s harder than it looks to do it with any kind of real style.
i have abd used to sell them...
they are hard at first, i only used it on dead flat days
out of boredom, and to go fishing..they work great..get you
right into the shallows of the ICW...
however, nj surfer i agree with you
waves=surfing....and if they are micro waves...
paipo, body surf and/ or with handplane..
.the later i have found to be
real fun..and much less $$$$
or make yourseld a lord board..
so there are lots of options..
to have fun and not piss others off
i dunno just my 2 cents..
I have been thinking about one for just cruising around here. It is normally flat here on the west coast of Fla a SUP might just complement my Kayaking
A lot of fun for cruising Harbors & flat water - I prefer my Ocean Kayak (Malibu Two Classic), more useful / sea worthy, or for surf, 10’ LB
I paddle one around on occasion and like the other guy said, not in a surf zone. We stick to cruising around on bays, coves, lakes, etc.
Here's a pic of my girlfriend Lora and our dog Ripley at a secret spot in the Sierras. Ripley really likes it.
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I paddle one around on occasion and like the other guy said, not in a surf zone. We stick to cruising around on bays, coves, lakes, etc.
Here's a pic of my girlfriend Lora and our dog Ripley at a secret spot in the Sierras. Ripley really likes it.
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John, Great shot. Pretty cool paddle concept. Thanks for sharing. Paddling into channels and unique places is the big draw to Stand-up paddling. Racing and Wave ridiing is a energy high. Mahalo, Larry
I paddle a race/touring board to keep fit. I find it good cross training for paddling and balance, and being on the water on a flat day is nice.
Have tried riding waves on a large old SUP and it was pretty lame. Would rather be on a fish or soft-railed long board when the waves are small.
i have one. it’s kind of fun when it’s small and when there’s some swell but it’s too fat/rolly on the higher tide to catch it and have fun on traditional equipment.
i’m thinking about getting rid of it though. any time i’m out surfing and i see a SUP near where i’m surfing i cringe. i don’t like how i feel when i see them and i don’t want to spread that feeling to anyone else. had an experience earlier this week where there were 3/4 guys on shortboards surfing the only shortboardable peak w/ 20 miles. w/in 45 minutes there were 6 SUPs right on top of us. left feeling pretty bummed.
Awesome, I rode waves with My Girl holding our son Cruz who was up the front and me on the tail. One of the best days surfing of 2010…Not really SUPing, but lots of smiles.
I already posted this Picture however I seen the heading by MrT and thought it really belongs here:
My son and I passing the time in Tahiti it’s not lip bashing however it is peaceful!
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I already posted this Picture however I seen the heading by MrT and thought it really belongs here:
My son and I passing the time in Tahiti it's not lip bashing however it is peaceful!
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surfding,That's what I am talking about, PEACEFUL (-: Larry
Howzit MrT, A few months back I was considering trying it due to the fact I can't surf because of complications from my cancer operation and radiation treatments, and posted my intentions on Sways. I got a PM from a very well know Board builder and shop owner who has been on the surf scene since the 50's. He told me he does it on a lake for exercise since he is getting to old and his body is just breaking down, but he told me he can't admit it on here because one of his employees who is a Sway guy who hates SUPers would give him way to much ribbing about him doing it. It would blow every bodies mind who it was but I have promised to not say his name. I know that they do a lot of it on the lake here in Havasu during the warm months. Aloha,Kokua
Larry I still need to make a board with that set you droped off. I will build a SUP for the Boat Dock and try out the PRO BOX.
Kind regards,
surfidng
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I already posted this Picture however I seen the heading by MrT and thought it really belongs here:
My son and I passing the time in Tahiti it's not lip bashing however it is peaceful!
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Very cool Photo. One of the reasons I like kayaking ( a touring Kayak not a surf Kayak )is how peaceful it can be.
Hey guys
Was interested it in a few years ago so i built my own
Cost me about $550 AU to build as opposed to $1200 +
Built my own paddle too.
But!!!!
I only use it on the lake or when the surf is flat.
I might have a go in some ankle slappers where no one else is around but if the surf is on, I'm on my regular surf boards
Not as easy as it looks but a good excuse to get on the water if there is no surf.
Cheers
Ive had some pretty fen sessions on mine. But usually only take it out early in the morning for a workout, but if the surf report was wrong and there is thigh-waist high waves, it really is a blast to surf. Its hard to admit but it is rather enjoyable when the surf is real small.
Keen to get one for the lake ( the one on which mds is paddling! ), but i just can't get past the fact that i could buy at least 2 boards for the price, and i could make 4 or so for the price. Would be great excersize though.
One of the regulars at my beach(es) doesnt ride a normal board now, just his SUP. Great bloke, no wave hogging, and will usually tell you if a good set is coming, and where to go for it. He can surf it really well now, from small to big and is always happy. He's also bloody fit looking for a 50 year old bloke too.
He told me he does it on a lake for exercise since he is getting to old and his body is just breaking down . We all want to keep surfing forever,but in time we all start to fall apart. So what to do? Sit down in front of the TV? Take up boweling? To keep on being a surfer in old age ya gotta shift gears and if that means SUP , then so be it !!! Think twice next time that old guy on the SUP board paddles out at your secret spot! Think about it ! He's still out in the water haveing a good time ! Some day your going to be an Old Guy too !!! Kokua , go out there and paddle it will help you a lot ! Your still a surfer You allways will be. Your just shifting gears !!! Kokua, Did you know Walter Briant, The Oldest Windsurfer on Kauai ? He never gave up. He was windsurfing and hang gliding up to the end. He was slowly dieing from cancer but he just kept on going !!!! He checked out at the age of 79 when he crashed his hang glider. He was an inspiration to everyone who ever met him. So just keep on keepin on !!!!!