Being new to this DW caper I can't help but share our little escapade yesterday. Some of the SPSC guys planned a DW for the expected southerly buster due Sunday arvo - Long Reef to North Avalon - about a 12km run that is perfect in a southerly.
Right on cue the southerly hit at 2pm and was gusting to 40 plus knots by the time we hit Fisherman's beach. It was insane, 50 meter plus runners all linking together and the boys were hooting. I have never been in the open ocean with that much wind before so for me it was a very unique experience - up there with cooking surf or crazy powder. At one point I looked behind to spot Dan and all I could see was heaving angry swells with rain squalls blasting almost horizontally.
Coming in at Nth Av was interesting with the loan life guard still on duty, running up with a concerned look as I staggered up the beach with Dave Kissa helping me lug the big DC up to the carpark.
It was interesting to check how the different boards went in those conditions with Dave and Andy neck and neck - Dave on a Fanatic 12'6" and Andy on a Naish 17. Both agreed that the 12'6" was probably the better board for the steep close packed runners. They both did it in about 55 min, which is the best time so far for that run apparently. Pete Morgan was not far behind on a Naish 17, coming up the rear I had my DC 16 and Dan was on a LK 12'6".
Some of the guys were calling it 'all time' so I think I lucked out in a big way as a relative newbie. Casso was crook but managed a shot between rain squalls
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Excellent stuff Goatman. I was out sailing in that and it was freakin' windy with driving rain.
One day Ill conqueor one like that
Great story Goatie! Had some great dw action over here lately especially since Andy left
The big boards are a handful in the wind
Hi Goatman Looks like a fantastic run but a bit scary at the same time. Great story. I haven't tried a downwinder yet. Can you tell me on that run 1. How far off the coastline .. average and 2. were you guys wearing any safety gear? thanks in advance and cheers
Hi Bigmc, I am not the best person to ask any DW questions, but we didn't have to go too far out on this run because the wind was so perfect (prob 500 - 700m off the coast at times). Sometimes though you have to paddle at least a km out to get a good line - in Sydney anyways. I have only done about 7-8 now so still lots to learn!
We all had legropes on and waited for the tailender. No PFDs though.
Here's a crude map of the run:
Goatman, you picked a great day to join in, I dont know how many times Ive done that run but yesterday was the best conditions Ive had going North.
Me and 5 other guys on Oc1's left Longy about 25 minutes after you guys.
It was awesome!
We have found over the years that when conditions get a bit radical or visibility is poor its a great idea to "buddy up" No thats not a gay activity it means to choose someone who will be about the same speed and look out for each other along the way, its also good to meet up at predetermined spots along the course.
We have had a couple of instances of paddlers going missing during such runs and it aint a pleasant experience(especially for them when we did find them)
As downwind paddling is about to get really really popular along our coast I think its up to us to impose the minimum of safety requirements ( a good legrope attached, a pfd s not a bad idea when its big and a phone or vhf radio )and look out for each other so that we can keep having fun in the ocean, otherwise if something happens to someone the authorities will start imposing their own rules
and none of us want that.
I have often thought of establishing a set of signals that all paddlers understand such as , a paddle held horizontally above your head in 2 hands means"all good proceed as planned" a paddle held vertically above your head means "Something has happened come and help"
What are your thoughts?
I can't let this thread go without a plug for the Fanatic 12'6. While I have done plenty of surf ski downwinders I am relatively new to SUP downwinders. The big attraction with the Fanatic is that it is stable, yet fast enough to get onto runs. When I first trialled it with Sam, we were both surprised at how good it was dw. The fun part is that when your on the runs you can actually surf the thing. While it is never going to be beat the longer boards in light conditions, it will more than hold its own in wild conditions, where control and balance are more important than paddle speed. Looking forward to seeing how the new 14ft Fanatic goes.
It was, as downwinders go 'one to remember' for sure. You know you had a good run when you cant even carry your board up the beach due to the wind, and the rain actually stings when it hits you.
The fanatic was the board for the day, as epic as the 17 was, it was hard to control at times.
But when she got on the run, they were sooooooo damn fun
Well done Goaty, you and Dan did really well.
I think it is a good idea, to carry some form of comms device between the front and back guys.
Yes im still on a high from yesterday wow was epic !!
Yes was harder to keep up on the slug cant wait to get my DC back that would have been epic for yesterday i think 14 would have been the perfect lenght and Goatie i could see you the hole time , just further out thats all
Was a hoot when i saw you guys come by on the OC1 thats when i realised i was a little far out so cut back in epic stuff just so much fun. 
Great story, and epic photo!! Well done!
One of the great things about a really good down wind run, is that it is constant fun, concentration, movement.... acres of waves and open ocean. No waiting for that next wave... the next wave is like 5 metres away !!
Great review and pic.. I hope to borrow the RPS 12'6" Fanatic for out next DW'er.. btw.. I saw Woogie's 12'6" Coreban today and it looks like it will go really well on a DW'er also.. It's great to see these new boards that work on DW'ers.. Fingers crossed that while Woogie is here we'll sneak on in.. (a down-winder that is)
DJ
It seems that downwinding in serious winds and swell lift the game to a whole different level. Skill, endurance and safety. I have had a long swim in back in my sailboard days when my rig and board separated. I just didn't have any thought that the wind could blow the board away from me until it happened. Had a mild panic and then started the swim back to the beach dragging my rig. It looked like it was 3kms away at that time. When I checked later it was only about 700mtrs. So I can appreciate what could happen out there. I will ease in to DW geadually. cheers
Amen, I've lost my board on a Maliko run. Not fun. Gives you a great appreciation for terra firma though. Pretty damned happy to feel sand under my feet. My board was fifty feet from where I landed, someone stuck it upright in the sand.
We've moved onto water safety!
I thought the range on Hand Held VHF wasn't too good either. (?) After a quick google search, the suggestion is 3-5 miles.
