Small SUP boards, a sobering experience

Select to expand quote

exiled said..
How Patrice is the only shaper in the world who has figured this out always amazes me.

I say that because volume matters too. I lost 15kg and have been amazed how easy it is to balance on some boards that were previously unmanageable. The difference between a 1.1 ratio and a 1.2 ratio made a world of difference.

Sorry Exlied, but I have to call you out on this. In Australia we have some amazing SUP shapers who are at the cutting edge of shapes & design, and have been for over a decade.

Slatz from Surefire Boards
Simon from Deep
Chris from Phantom
and probably a heap more I have missed.

Thanks for sharing the vids Colas, but on some of those waves the boards looked like they were getting caught when you turned, stalling with no speed, I think that is because you may have gone too small and lost your flow. There is no point going short in length if you lose speed and the ability to connect moves through turns.

Just my 2c (flame suit on )

Select to expand quote

Gboots said..
On a short sup does a different fin set up help with stability ?
For example going quad instead of thruster and using bigger side fins ?

No.

Bigger fins may even makes things less stable, as it prevents the board to easily move around by the small constant movements needed to keep balance.

Bigger fins can be useful when you are learning to master the row effect on short SUPs however, but for this I recommend the C-Drives that provide a lot of hold at paddling speeds without being too stiff while surfing.

Select to expand quote

Gboots said..
On a short sup does a different fin set up help with stability ?
For example going quad instead of thruster and using bigger side fins ?

In my opinion no.

I think one of the critical elements that you need to figure out is how big your sweet spot is. On my Deep it's very small. Furthermore, lateral stability needs to be coupled with longitudinal so you will find that in pretty much most cases a split stance is the way to go.

I do a lot of callisthenics training in the gym because I am getting older - 50 - and I find the type of training I do now keeps me primed. One of the best exercises that has helped me with my supping is the Swiss exercise ball.

It has to be the ultimate for balancing along with slack lining which I would also like to try. You wouldn't think that the Swiss ball would help with your balance but trust me, try it. Go spend half an hour standing and squatting whilst on the ball and then go for a SUP. You'll feel like your stability has improved exponentially.

Select to expand quote

ghost4man said..

One of the best exercises that has helped me with my supping is the Swiss exercise ball.

It has to be the ultimate for balancing along with slack lining which I would also like to try. You wouldn't think that the Swiss ball would help with your balance but trust me, try it. Go spend half an hour standing and squatting whilst on the ball and then go for a SUP. You'll feel like your stability has improved exponentially.

I agree - anything you can do to strengthen your core will help you balance on a sup (and reduce the likelihood of back issues). It makes a huge difference. (Leg strength also helps.)

Had another go today . More swell but also bumpy . Could hardly stand for first 10 minutes . Finally managed to catch a few and one very good one. Once on the wave I can see the benefits . Easier to move around .
Thanks to my experienced local "coach" today who kept me positive .

Standing up front of the handle seemed to work

Select to expand quote

exiled said..

zoolanderZ said..

exiled said..
How Patrice is the only shaper in the world who has figured this out always amazes me.

I say that because volume matters too. I lost 15kg and have been amazed how easy it is to balance on some boards that were previously unmanageable. The difference between a 1.1 ratio and a 1.2 ratio made a world of difference.

Sorry Exlied, but I have to call you out on this. In Australia we have some amazing SUP shapers who are at the cutting edge of shapes & design, and have been for over a decade.

Slatz from Surefire Boards
Simon from Deep
Chris from Phantom
and probably a heap more I have missed.

Thanks for sharing the vids Colas, but on some of those waves the boards looked like they were getting caught when you turned, stalling with no speed, I think that is because you may have gone too small and lost your flow. There is no point going short in length if you lose speed and the ability to connect moves through turns.

Just my 2c (flame suit on )

I'm sure they 'could'. There are no lack of shapers who will give you a custom board at whatever dimensions you ask for and if it works, great. If not, "oh well, I made you what you asked for".
Patrice is the only one with the stones to release a production model that size and tell the world it works, that is a very different claim. If Surefire starts advertising a 7'8 x 27 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 105L Vandal the only question I'll have is 'Do they ship to Hawaii?'

Hey Exciled,

If that size Vandal (7'8 x 27 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 105L) will sell good then it is easy to design and put into production. We do ship to Hawaii but it is not worth the cost at the moment. We have shipped a few boards over in the past but cost is way to high IMO.
We are currently in talks with a distributor to bring Surefire's to Hawaii so fingers crossed it all works out.

Cheers

Select to expand quote

zoolanderZ said..

exiled said..
How Patrice is the only shaper in the world who has figured this out always amazes me.

I say that because volume matters too. I lost 15kg and have been amazed how easy it is to balance on some boards that were previously unmanageable. The difference between a 1.1 ratio and a 1.2 ratio made a world of difference.

Sorry Exlied, but I have to call you out on this. In Australia we have some amazing SUP shapers who are at the cutting edge of shapes & design, and have been for over a decade.

Slatz from Surefire Boards
Simon from Deep
Chris from Phantom
and probably a heap more I have missed.

Thanks for sharing the vids Colas, but on some of those waves the boards looked like they were getting caught when you turned, stalling with no speed, I think that is because you may have gone too small and lost your flow. There is no point going short in length if you lose speed and the ability to connect moves through turns.

Just my 2c (flame suit on )

I agree