After training for hawaii.... the time had come to get some new toys and to experiement abit and get back into my Sup surfing...
I've never been one to be picky about fins and paddles.... so I thought I'd actually experiment and test some totally new equipment.. I'm sure most of you have experiemented to find out what works for you.. so it was good to have teh chance to see what suited me.. (and maybe help some girl sup riders out there too!)
Board - 8'6 Laguna
8'6 x 27 3/4 x 4 1/4 - tufflite..
My first experience on a tufflite SUP.... and I'm really suprised! After riding 2 custom Laguna Bays this was my first experience testing out a "" pop out"", This board is super fast and very responsive.. and surfs unreal... The real test for this board will be my next surf trip to the Maldives in August...
QB Kanaha Paddle -
I've used QB's mainly in racing.... never in the surf! This paddle seems to hold in the wall of waves- allowing my supto turn easy and also sharp.. I've only come to realise now that a good paddle can change how you surf... ALOT!
Fins....
I admit I know absolutley nothing about fins..!!! Might be the fact that being a chick... we dont really pay that much attention to details like fins.. so for the first time.. I did some fin swaps..
S9 shapers -
I ran the 8'6 with S9 thruster.. I have never surfed a sup in a thruster.. always 2 +1.
The S9 fins really suit this board giving me alot more drive than my previous 2 + 1 set up.
The recent swells have been great to test everything and see what works for me.... has anyone else been testing new gear??
one thing i've found is 12'6 bop boards really need the right fin. the shapers axe doesn't suit my new lk's and i was swearing by them.
things to think of how straight it paddles, but not to much drag. then if it turns alright in the surf. last thing is considering pearling then paddling half waves when standing in the middle of the board
a thin upright late rake fin 8.5" is great on my 14', but not quite right on the 12'6.
i'm off to shapers to fin the same sort of fin but a bit bigger
cheers
True lacey...
Im only just realising how important it is to have the right fins.... it makes a world of difference....
