Man I need some advice.
Been surfing 32 years, above average surfer.5'11"', 51 years old, 220# good surfing shape, but a bit overweight.
My buddy suggested I try SUP last year, as my lower back and neck hurt when I surf. My pop up is no longer quick and fluid, and my neck hurts for hours after I surf. So I thought I would give it a try, and my big ego said, hey no problema, I can do this. So I made a SimSup copy. 8.2x32x4.5 Its got 5" nose rocker and 2.5 tail rocker. Slight belly up front, double concave middle of board, out the tail, stepped rails, glassed in 9" keel fins ( Just like my Mini Simms), flat deck.. Cool looking stick.. I have been paddling it around the area for the last 6 months and no Problema in flay or chop, but every time I take it into the surf, I cant catch a wave. They just go right past me, and I paddle like heck... No GLIDE at all in the board.. When I go surf stance, the back of the board sinks When I kneel on it, I can get into waves.. Oh yea, the water level is flat with the deck, not on my feet, but close. When I go parallel stance, the board is very tippy front to back when the wave comes..
I catch waves and surf on my wife's 10' x31x 4 1/2. Actually its too easy to catch waves, one paddle stroke and I am in.. I built the board extra light( no stringer, 1lb eps, Two 6oz deck and two 4oz bottom full rail wraps) for her as she likes flat water SUP in the Bay here in Cabo..I am fearful of taking it into the surf, as she will kill me if I break her board, but I go anyway, at least on small days... On bigger days, take my short-board out, but hoping it will be a shorter SUP one day soon.
Any advice on catching waves on this small SUP? I am sure I jumped way too many steps, maybe the best bet is build another 10' SUP and start where I should have started, and work my way down... Problem is I can paddle this board fine and stay in the lineup, I am just a kook when I want to surf it..(//)
My 2 cents:
Spread your feet out during take off. Your weight must be spread out to get on plane. Get lower. Dont over paddle. Wait till the wave is almost on you to really give it a couple good strokes but don't try and paddle any faster than the wave. Watch the wave, not the board to judge the speed needed for take off.
Finally make sure you are in position. Being to far out will make it difficult to catch em.
- get in position
- get low
- spread em
- stroke it
That board should kill it and should catch waves super easy. Rather than position yourself outside with the guys on 11'ers, you will need to park yourself just outside the prone crew. 1 stroke and you are in. On mushy waves, stay just forwards of the midpoint to catch the wave, then hop back as you slide down the face. The hop will unweight your board and let it accelerate even more. In steeper stuff, you will want to be in surf position for that last stroke.
'+ 1 on all of the above.
As someone about your size, just a couple of months into riding a similar size simmons shape, I can tell you once it clicks, you will never look back. Late takeoffs have never been more fun.
Great looking board by the way!
Thanks guys.
One stroke, man I am off or something? I have been struggling, waiting for the light bulb moment.. At times, I also thought, I am super close, but missing something. Having the waves go by and me not catching them is disheartening.. I love the one or no stroke takeoff on my long and shortboards, so I know positioning.
I will take the advice to heart. I want this! It could change the way I surf, I would really like to go SUP all the way. One thing, I will miss my small boards, but not the sore lower back and neck...
- get in position
- get low
- spread em
- stroke it
Done! I will update tomorrow.. thanks guys and keep the suggestions coming.
I am off the water today, actually heading to La Paz to buy some foam for a new board, but will try agin tomorrow... Small waves, shoulder high at Cerritos will be good practice, I will keep you updated...
You need to drop down in size gradually. Going from a 10-0 to an 8-0 is too much of a change. If you were younger it wouldn't be such a problem or a little smaller or both. This is just reality. I fought the same thing.
I'm glad my 52 year old, 5'10" 210lb carcass was unaware of that "reality" before I dropped from my 10' Icon to my 7'10" x 30.5" Phoenix. I never would have been able to pull it off. ;D
Quote from: Bean on August 14, 2013, 08:13:03 AM
I'm glad my 52 year old, 5'10" 210lb carcass was unaware of that "reality" before I dropped from my 10' Icon to my 7'10" x 30.5" Phoenix. I never would have been able to pull it off. ;D
You're lucky. Some of us for various reasons can't. Usually it's a balance issue. If you can do it then great. If you can't then regroup and fins a solution instead of getting frustrated. I started at 60 and it was a challenge. Baby steps going down in length was the cure.
OP's board DOES look super stable but everyone is a little different in their ability to adapt.
I also had that thought. Big ego, little brain got in the way...
How about size, is the board too small for me? I know, I am pushing it with the 8' at my weight, but say in 6 months...I wonder if I should just surf the bigger SUP boards until I am 100% proficient, then go smaller as my capabilities improve.. I am about to build a 10' for myself (starting tomorrow after my surf), wondering if I should make it 9' or so, for the easier jump to the 8'? Or should I just stick to bigger SUP with the the 220# I will be carrying around the rest of my life (Mexican beer and wife's cooking is just too good to give up).
I did the same thing surfing... Started out on sub 6' shortboards in Mainland Mexico, and it took me years to get to be decent, but once I had it down, it was great.. about 15 years ago, I left surfing for 10 years to start up my business. Then stress was getting the best of me, so it was back in the water for me.I lost 40 pounds, and got my mental and physical health back.. when I jumped back on shortboards, I sucked, both endurance and surfing. So went to 10' longboards until I had my conditioning and game down and then jumped to shortboards again. What a difference..I always seem to be doing things like this ass-backwards..
On the other hand, if I just keep trying on the 8', will I get it?
Not sure what your problem is but from your discription it may be that you are too early. A 10 footer has more glide. I,d suggest you try steeper waves and try to only paddle on one side while taking off.
Quote from: bajasurf on August 14, 2013, 08:31:28 AM
I also had that thought. Big ego, little brain got in the way...
How about size, is the board too small for me? I know, I am pushing it with the 8' at my weight, but say in 6 months...I wonder if I should just surf the bigger SUP boards until I am 100% proficient, then go smaller as my capabilities improve.. I am about to build a 10' for myself (starting tomorrow after my surf), wondering if I should make it 9' or so, for the easier jump to the 8'? Or should I just stick to bigger SUP with the the 220# I will be carrying around the rest of my life (Mexican beer and wife's cooking is just too good to give up).
I did the same thing surfing... Started out on sub 6' shortboards in Mainland Mexico, and it took me years to get to be decent, but once I had it down, it was great.. about 15 years ago, I left surfing for 10 years to start up my business. Then stress was getting the best of me, so it was back in the water for me.I lost 40 pounds, and got my mental and physical health back.. when I jumped back on shortboards, I sucked, both endurance and surfing. So went to 10' longboards until I had my conditioning and game down and then jumped to shortboards again. What a difference..I always seem to be doing things like this ass-backwards..
On the other hand, if I just keep trying on the 8', will I get it?
I'd borrow boards, a little smaller each time, until you find your sweet spot which is your personal balance of surfability and paddleability in a board. THEN get a board of that size. You generally only need to ride each board a couple of times until you downsize again. You may go to a 7-10 or whatever and find that for YOU a nice 8-6 or 9-0 or something was the "good" size for you.
Quote from: supsurf-tw on August 14, 2013, 08:29:01 AM
OP's board DOES look super stable...
Yes, the board shape is the key to being able to drop a couple feet in board lenght supsurf-tw. I had the opportunity to demo a 8'7" JL Stungun a few weeks back and it was much more work for me than my nearly foot shorter simsup.
Going from a conventional 10 footer to an 8 foot simmons style board is not a huge jump especially for somone with 30+ years of surfing experience.
Just an "in general" comment.
I tell surfers who try SUP:
" It's nothing like surfing... paddling into a wave on SUP is a totally different animal"
Once you are on a wave, it's surfing
But paddling in, standing up, requires a different skill set.
Most folks (me included) have mighty struggles the first few days till you "get it"
For a life long surfer, the progress is quick, once you work out the wave catching part.
Just take the beatings till it clicks.
And...of course it will happen sooner if you try a bigger board till you make the adjustment.
Your board looks good, but SUP is a bit different from a prone board... it could be there is something in your design that makes it more difficult.... but you will figure that out as you transition into SUP.
Keep us in the loop.... you def have a different approach than most first timers ;D
Read this a couple of times to make sure I get it. ???
You're comfortable and stable in the ocean on it, but it doesn't catch waves worth a darn. Maybe its not you?
Have some expert SUP guys tried it, and what did they think?
In my opinion, some SUPs do paddle like dogs.
Sup a lot on the ten footer mixing this one in.
Practice squatted surf stance digging hard on takeoff.
Nice job on the board.
Go deeper and leave it latter ;D and my sensible advice would be while paddling with a spit stance make sure you are getting you chest and weight right over the front of the board and on top of the paddle.try and reach forward and keep the blade being planted on the face of the wave. Think of how a snow skier starts a down hill race when pull them selfs forward over the tips of the skis. this works great the steeper the waves get!
You're trying to get in too early. Play a little game with yourself "How late can I take off and make it?"
I recently went from a 10'5" to an 8'8. I'm about your weight, #220 and had the same resistance point of not catching waves. I was trying to get in too early. Sit deeper and take off later. You'll be fine.
OS
PS if you're worried about crashing and burning, chicks dig scars and glory is forever!
Good Advice
I think the board is fine
When I paddle in on my knees it catches waves easily and then surfs fine, might add quad set up in the future
After reading everything the Stance seems to be my problem more than anything spreading out my stance so my weight is distributed better on the board makes sense getting low and paddling into steepers sections also makes sense
Yea SUP is so different from surfing, but I am loving the challenge I have the stoke of a 15 yr old grom
With surfing, I had to work my way down in board size aty weight and age anything under 6.5 just is too much work for me anymore I guess the same goes for SUP I built this board because my 6.8 mid Simmons is one of my favorite boards, of I can get a similar feel from a SUP I will be stoked
quote author=supthecreek link=topic=21600.msg216176#msg216176 date=1376496877]
Just an "in general" comment.
I tell surfers who try SUP:
" It's nothing like surfing... paddling into a wave on SUP is a totally different animal"
Once you are on a wave, it's surfing
But paddling in, standing up, requires a different skill set.
Most folks (me included) have mighty struggles the first few days till you "get it"
For a life long surfer, the progress is quick, once you work out the wave catching part.
Just take the beatings till it clicks.
And...of course it will happen sooner if you try a bigger board till you make the adjustment.
Your board looks good, but SUP is a bit different from a prone board... it could be there is something in your design that makes it more difficult.... but you will figure that out as you transition into SUP.
Keep us in the loop.... you def have a different approach than most first timers ;D
[/quote]
Nice looking board.
You've already gotten the advice you need....you'll learn to love the 8'. The steep drops are like going over the top on a roller coaster.
My sim is similar to yours...8-4 x 33 x 4.5, a little less nose and tail rocker...bottom shape the same but no stepped rail. I also have 9" keels on mine. Biggest difference I see is your tail is more narrow than most sims I've seen...that may slow it a bit with more curve in the rails.
I usually get position in between the longboarders and the short boarders, depends on the waves. But at 6-4, 260lbs I'm unlikely to catch anything from outside on it. If I switch to my bigger boards I'm out past the longboarders....switch to the 14'er (you should see the looks that gets... ;D ) I'm out so far it's crazy, often before they've even started to peak..
A couple things I've found helps a lot if your trying to get on early on a short board.
1. Anticipate the peak and get your speed up before the wave gets to you.
2. Paddle like there is a big great white coming at you.
3. Don't stop...he's getting closer.
4. One last hard stroke that is longer than normal while thrusting your hips, legs, and the board forward.
5. Pump it if you need to
Speaking of pumping it...the keels are a big game changer here. The water has no where to go but out the back. I can generate a lot more speed pumping this board than any other I have.
It's a lot easier to just be in position and one stroke into it though.
Thanks for all the great advice I will put it to good use tomorrow
You sound like you are a couple of months behind me in terms of progression. It took me a long time to figure out my 7'10, and I am still figuring.
The thread on paddling shortsups has been most helpful to me, as had all the wisdom from the Zone.
The three things I will add:
Paddle in your surf stance all the time- that has been the game changer for me.
Consider shortening your paddle, if you haven't already. I am paddling at my height +2 and this keeps me low and in good position.
Finally, I bought a couple flat balance ball thingies which have given me the ability to train my balance off the water (enabling the game changing paddling in surf stance all the time).
For what it is worth, my fins were also part of the problem I hint because I had a big 10 inch center fin as part of my thruster set up on my board. I broke a fin and bent my center fin recently, which I posted about. I opted for shorter fins 5's and a 6.5 center after swapping emails with Wardog. I had a rough adjustment the first couple sessions, but I a getting the hang of it now and loving the decision. I realized that the swirly, longshore, and returning currents were catching my fins and really making it tough to stand up and set up for waves. I still feel it depending on the situation imapaddling in, but it isn't a problem anymore. If your fins are glassed on, it sounds like you are committed, but the size might be a factor.
Your board looks amazing. Stick with it and have fun figuring it out!
Logan
Flat water paddle that thing for a while
I have been for the last six months I can paddle in the surf and on choppy days I think the weight distribution is my problem as well as weight forward
I will be paddling surf stance from now on All the time
good
thats right thats how we do
and
side note
kung foo foot stance for the second when a wave is smashing into you paddling out so it doesn't blow out your knee when the waves you in the leg region
Aloha
Kung Foo Stance?
I'm not a life long surfer so I had to figure the SUP thing out from scratch. I've worked my 215 lbs down to a 7'10x31 SIMSUP and have found that it does help to take off a bit later and keep my knees bent/stay low. Also shorter faster paddle strokes (trying not to go past my feet) and stepping up to the nose as the wave starts to pick me up helps (especially the latter).
Quote from: bajasurf on August 14, 2013, 07:43:51 PM
Kung Foo Stance?
One foot in front of the other, or staggered stance, as opposed to the conventional parallel stance, side by side. I may be in the minority here but I sometimes prefer to take off in a parallel stance especially in mellow, mushy waves.
yes I switch from surf stance to kung fu if I'm scratching to get out because if you are in surf stance and the lip smacks you in the knee it can buckle your knee.
In kung fu stance you save your knee
2 thoughts on shape.
DW and others always say, flat bottom where you stand. You mentioned belly and then double concave.
Second, on an 8'0 that may be a lot of rocker.
You can totally "dial" any board but do let someone try that. It's said over and over and it's true, these aren't blown up surfboards.
I did the same step down and ended up selling my 8' and going to a 9' with less rocker because I didn't like the lack of glide in my heavily rockered 8.
Good luck and hang in, just wanted to share my personal experience.
I'm with Surf Cowboy on this, but many others make very valid points.
I had a similar first reaction to a simmons inspired shape, documented here:
http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=21089.0 (http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=21089.0)
My first outing was just embarrasing. After making adjustments to stance and paddling technique and tenacity, the new board is silly fun, and the easiest time I've ever had catching surf. It's bigger than your 8' at 9'5" but for me, that's a drop in 10 inches. I realize now that the gradual drop in size keeps the whole process more fun and less of a chore.
We see a lot of discussion about size reduction on this forum and it develops it's own momentum after a time. Short boards don't work for everyone. I surf with a guy at Doho that stepped up from a 7-11 to a longboard shape at near 10' and he's definitely catching more surfing better, and having way more fun.
Thanks for all the help.
First day, took the 10' and applied all the suggestions. I needed a confidence booster. WOW did it make a difference.. stance, paddle length, stroke, everything.
Catching waves no problema. Riding a 10' SUP board is fun, dont get me wrong, but I definitely need to go down in size.
Day two, Ha, wanted waves, nice day on the water, waves peeling, very clean, so I took the 10' again. Lots of fun, but the waves were perfect, and I was missing my 6.4 Mini Simmons... I love that Mini and thats the main reason I went with the Simmons inspired SUP.
Day 3, after the confidence booster I got off riding the log a few days, I took the 8' out in okay conditions, a slight side chop in chest high waves..
The surf stance was tricky, and I fell off again way too many times paddling into waves...I had a few almost moments, but I now know that I need a lot more time on my Simmons before I can catch waves easily. Its not the boards fault, its the riders. I will be taking it out in the afternoons, and paddle surf stance only, with a strong stroke, and low center of balance... I figure another month or so, maybe more..
The board is fine, I caught waves easily on my knees then popped up, lots fo fun to surf for a big wide board... After some insight from you guys, its a weight distribution problem. With my feet side by side, I can paddle around easily in all kind of stuff-surf, flat water, bumpy, but when I spread out my stance, and get low to paddle, I feel like I am on the board for the first time..
So after SUP surfing a few days, no lower back, no neck pain, just a some pain to my ego..
Thanks again for all the help
Quote from: bajasurf on August 17, 2013, 07:33:12 AM
Thanks for all the help.
First day, took the 10' and applied all the suggestions. I needed a confidence booster. WOW did it make a difference.. stance, paddle length, stroke, everything.
Catching waves no problema. Riding a 10' SUP board is fun, dont get me wrong, but I definitely need to go down in size.
Day two, Ha, wanted waves, nice day on the water, waves peeling, very clean, so I took the 10' again. Lots of fun, but the waves were perfect, and I was missing my 6.4 Mini Simmons... I love that Mini and thats the main reason I went with the Simmons inspired SUP.
Day 3, after the confidence booster I got off riding the log a few days, I took the 8' out in okay conditions, a slight side chop in chest high waves..
The surf stance was tricky, and I fell off again way too many times paddling into waves...I had a few almost moments, but I now know that I need a lot more time on my Simmons before I can catch waves easily. Its not the boards fault, its the riders. I will be taking it out in the afternoons, and paddle surf stance only, with a strong stroke, and low center of balance... I figure another month or so, maybe more..
The board is fine, I caught waves easily on my knees then popped up, lots fo fun to surf for a big wide board... After some insight from you guys, its a weight distribution problem. With my feet side by side, I can paddle around easily in all kind of stuff-surf, flat water, bumpy, but when I spread out my stance, and get low to paddle, I feel like I am on the board for the first time..
So after SUP surfing a few days, no lower back, no neck pain, just a some pain to my ego..
Thanks again for all the help
Just time on the water is all you need,
Good news man, that's a sweet looking board and you can wait for the glassy days. That's why we have quivers, right?
Quote from: surfcowboy on August 15, 2013, 08:39:21 AM
2 thoughts on shape.
DW and others always say, flat bottom where you stand. You mentioned belly and then double concave.
Second, on an 8'0 that may be a lot of rocker.
You can totally "dial" any board but do let someone try that. It's said over and over and it's true, these aren't blown up surfboards.
I did the same step down and ended up selling my 8' and going to a 9' with less rocker because I didn't like the lack of glide in my heavily rockered 8.
Good luck and hang in, just wanted to share my personal experience.
I will let others ride it for sure, I always share my ride, small or big boards..Its more fun that way..
Belly I was referring was made my the upturned rails a couple of feet towards the nose which adds the belly effect, the bottom is flat until a 3rd of the board and then goes into the double concave. If I had to shape the board again, I would have put V instead of concave..I love V, must be from my old takayama boards...I only added the double Concave, because of a very highly respected shaper that makes the SimSups does his that way.. I say David added V in his boards and it makes more sense to me... When I shape my simmons surfboards or wide surfboards, its always V for rail to rail. I put step rails on deck for volume, and then beveled rails on the bottom going into the belly rail at the nose, for reduced rail volume and also for not catching an edge..
I made a 9' ripper copy for my daughter so I will try that. I have copied Geoff McCoy surfboard designs, so I know how to make a displacement surfing hull..They are lots of fun to surf, the hulls slow the board down for the powerful more critical part of the wave and they turn on a dime, they dont go vertical very well, but are great fun to ride..Huge amount of help from Geoff himself taught me about loaded domes and rolled V in surfboards, soft and hard rails and foam distribution.... I thought it would be good idea to try it out on SUP so I applied Goeff's theory to the 10' and it turns on a dime, then I made the ripper for my daughter..
Longer boards glide and pick up waves better, maybe the 9' is the answer, but was hoping to go as short as possible, then start going narrower..
Quote from: bajasurf on August 17, 2013, 09:48:27 AM
Quote from: surfcowboy on August 15, 2013, 08:39:21 AM
2 thoughts on shape.
DW and others always say, flat bottom where you stand. You mentioned belly and then double concave.
Second, on an 8'0 that may be a lot of rocker.
You can totally "dial" any board but do let someone try that. It's said over and over and it's true, these aren't blown up surfboards.
I did the same step down and ended up selling my 8' and going to a 9' with less rocker because I didn't like the lack of glide in my heavily rockered 8.
Good luck and hang in, just wanted to share my personal experience.
I will let others ride it for sure, I always share my ride, small or big boards..Its more fun that way..
Belly I was referring was made my the upturned rails a couple of feet towards the nose which adds the belly effect, the bottom is flat until a 3rd of the board and then goes into the double concave. If I had to shape the board again, I would have put V instead of concave..I love V, must be from my old takayama boards...I only added the double Concave, because of a very highly respected shaper that makes the SimSups does his that way.. I say David added V in his boards and it makes more sense to me... When I shape my simmons surfboards or wide surfboards, its always V for rail to rail. I put step rails on deck for volume, and then beveled rails on the bottom going into the belly rail at the nose, for reduced rail volume and also for not catching an edge..
I made a 9' ripper copy for my daughter so I will try that. I have copied Geoff McCoy surfboard designs, so I know how to make a displacement surfing hull..They are lots of fun to surf, the hulls slow the board down for the powerful more critical part of the wave and they turn on a dime, they dont go vertical very well, but are great fun to ride..Huge amount of help from Geoff himself taught me about loaded domes and rolled V in surfboards, soft and hard rails and foam distribution.... I thought it would be good idea to try it out on SUP so I applied Goeff's theory to the 10' and it turns on a dime, then I made the ripper for my daughter..
Longer boards glide and pick up waves better, maybe the 9' is the answer, but was hoping to go as short as possible, then start going narrower..
Iwas talking to Pat Rawson the other day on SUP design and he runs V through the whole board so don't be afraid to use the V.
Let Pat know, that I used to ride one of his 6.6 semi gun board at Pescaules, that was 20 year ago..Fantastic surf board, I actually liked it better than my Rusty's and other boards I rode at the time... I finally broke on a punchy wave and when I put it back together, the ride changed.. I must have misaligned the rocker..Great board, magical shaper..
Yes for sure. Pat is a great shaper and one of the few who really understand rocker and flow.
I've just moved down a foot in SUP length, and 2 inches width and over 30 litres less volume and feeling the difference.
I'm finding if I paddle too hard just before take off it results in the SUP bogging down on a rail and going sideways. Reckon I would be better with a smaller blade actually.
I always move to surf stance just before the wave gets me and try and get weight on the front foot to help the board get down the wave but boy I'm struggling a wee bit on the balance at the moment. All going all over the place!
Will take a bit of time to adjust and sure water time is the answer...great when on the wave but the rest of it is like starting new again. I miss being further outback too than the rest :(
Quote from: coldsup on August 18, 2013, 06:34:41 AM
I've just moved down a foot in SUP length, and 2 inches width and over 30 litres less volume and feeling the difference.
I'm finding if I paddle too hard just before take off it results in the SUP bogging down on a rail and going sideways. Reckon I would be better with a smaller blade actually.
I always move to surf stance just before the wave gets me and try and get weight on the front foot to help the board get down the wave but boy I'm struggling a wee bit on the balance at the moment. All going all over the place!
Will take a bit of time to adjust and sure water time is the answer...great when on the wave but the rest of it is like starting new again. I miss being further outback too than the rest :(
That's a big drop at once. Maybe borrow a board 4 to 6" smaller than your other board then one a little shorter and work your way down. That's what helped be not have to deal with that "total kook" stage of adapting to a shorter board all at once and the ensuing frustrations.
Quote from: supsurf-tw on August 18, 2013, 09:11:03 AM
Quote from: coldsup on August 18, 2013, 06:34:41 AM
I've just moved down a foot in SUP length, and 2 inches width and over 30 litres less volume and feeling the difference.
I'm finding if I paddle too hard just before take off it results in the SUP bogging down on a rail and going sideways. Reckon I would be better with a smaller blade actually.
I always move to surf stance just before the wave gets me and try and get weight on the front foot to help the board get down the wave but boy I'm struggling a wee bit on the balance at the moment. All going all over the place!
Will take a bit of time to adjust and sure water time is the answer...great when on the wave but the rest of it is like starting new again. I miss being further outback too than the rest :(
That's a big drop at once. Maybe borrow a board 4 to 6" smaller than your other board then one a little shorter and work your way down. That's what helped be not have to deal with that "total kook" stage of adapting to a shorter board all at once and the ensuing frustrations.
Yes - quite a drop but I'll be okay. I'll be falling in, missing waves and all sorts for a while but I'll be fine......eventually. The two times I've been out on it has been in strong offshores which made everything really difficult. You know when you get on a board and you feel okay...but challenged....that's where I am. Unfortunately where I am there is only one other SUPer so I'm having the embarrassing period where other proners think I'm a kook. ::) ::)
Certainly feel it the next day on the legs and shoulders.......good workout these smaller SUPs.
I will add my 2 cents. Gotta say been there done that. My experience is.... Short SUPs are like short boards. My meaning is they have little glide and require that you take off in the steepest part of the wave. I purposely position myself in the impact zone (just like shortys) this makes for taking a few on the head but the trade off is for most waves it is just a couple strokes and you are in. Surf stance is the only way and be prepared to make a quick hard turn going down the face to avoid pearling. A hard first turn sets you up for down the line speed and also allows you to take off "steep and deep" very close to the curl. Good luck with it.
A couple weeks back in well overhead waves I got big "hoots" from the crowd on a couple of big peak late take off hard on the rail backside waves.... made my day.
Quote from: surfnpoppy on August 22, 2013, 06:42:16 PM
I will add my 2 cents. Gotta say been there done that. My experience is.... Short SUPs are like short boards. My meaning is they have little glide and require that you take off in the steepest part of the wave. I purposely position myself in the impact zone (just like shortys) this makes for taking a few on the head but the trade off is for most waves it is just a couple strokes and you are in. Surf stance is the only way and be prepared to make a quick hard turn going down the face to avoid pearling. A hard first turn sets you up for down the line speed and also allows you to take off "steep and deep" very close to the curl. Good luck with it.
A couple weeks back in well overhead waves I got big "hoots" from the crowd on a couple of big peak late take off hard on the rail backside waves.... made my day.
Yup - finding already that I need to be in a bit further and that I'l be feeling it in the legs and arms more the next day ;)
Man what a timely thread - love this forum. BajaSurf wrote my experience to a T. Just had my first couple of sessions on a new S3 Simsup - dropped down from a 10.5 Widepoint to the 8.5 Simsup with 40 less litres of volume. Like Baja - I find the design stable - even in the chop and can tool around out in the water no worries. I was so used to positioning farther out and running things down. It was quickly apparent that this new board was not going to be business as usual. Could not get on a wave initially as they rolled under me until I gingerly moved inside and then began catching waves with only a couple hard strokes before the drop - the room for error in positioning just got a bit narrower!
Once on the wave, this thing is skatey feeling and scary quick - night and day to my previous. Tons o fun....
Still lots to learn and I fall in a lot but I like that about this sport - it has a relatively slow learning curve and will keep me coming back for a good long while. The suggestions posted here are golden...
Went out today and used the advice given to me. Surfer stance, and dig hard... It took me a month, but finally caught waves and had fun. I am not very consistent and fall quite a bit while catching waves, but hey, I am paddling into them now and surfing the shorter board is a blast..
Thanks everyone...
Congrats Baja. I am another one going thru this whole new short board thing with my new 8'6Foote board. I'm 5'10 and 205. I have read a few things from this thread that will help me out so thank you to everyone for the tips. Another funny thing that I am going through here in Florida that you guys in colder climates probably are not is the rash from the deck pads. One of the only good arguments for wax. We just had 3 good days of surf here. Between me knee paddling and falling a trillion times and climbing back on and sitting the straddling the board, I have some of the worst rash on my knees, on the inside of my knees, and inside my thighs.
It was also the first time SUS since my shoulder surgery and that worked awkwardly against me. For me I have only surfed on 12'6" before ordering my 8'6" Foote. The first 2 days I was out on the 8'6. The first day was wind chop and I was basically on my knees the whole time getting beat down. Catching waves on my knees and then standing up. The second day was shoulder high, the wind was light and the conditions were smooth. On my feet, out the outside, but falling a lot. I think I was able to catch 3-4 waves. Realized some of my mistakes reading your thread. The third day, it was smaller ,waist to chest, and I took out my 12'6 PSH hull paddler.
I was back awkward on this one, and realized my recovering shoulder was my problem with getting into waves. Before my surgery I had taken it out once and caught waves and had a blast. Was having problems with it yesterday and realized it was because I only had one strong side to paddle on and it was screwing me up timing and balance wise.