Surf SUP?!

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Whats the deal with SUP aka Stand-Up Paddle boards? Picked up an issue of the Stand-Up Journal and was pretty blown away by what seems like an obvious way to surf waves and travel on flat water.

http://www.standupjournal.com/winter_preview_2010.htm

I have done many long distance canoe trips since I was a kid and after recently getting into surfing this seems like a good mix, especially since I will be rehabbing my hand this spring, but want to get out on the water in some way asap.

Anyone have any SUP board reccos, etc?

[Jer]

PM Hugh Conway.

[gunit130]

FYI - my SoCal friends say they are the gaper of the ocean and have pretty much been run-off by all the surfers. The SUP dudes are kind of on there own now and are the new rollerbladers. Barney's?

SUP in the river is a different story....

[Bud]

most SUP users are loathed by surfers.... SUPs are huge and unwieldy and can be a hazard for other surfers out in the water. Some discourteous SUP users fail to recognize that with the paddle they can get moving on a wave much earlier than surfers, and they end up hogging every damn wave that comes through.
Just realize that they are definitely the 'snowblades' of the surfing world...if you get in to the sport, be really careful around other surfers... a 14' SUP on a 10' leash can crack someone in the head more than 25' away if that board gets out of control in a wipeout.

[My Pet Powder Goat]

^^^^What these guys said; "friends don't let friends SUP" and mypersonal favorite in the lineup when they start getting to close and hogging every fucking wave "SUP, dick?!?"

[stayalert]

They are awesome on flat water.

[Ottime]

FYI - my SoCal friends say they are the gaper of the ocean

Huh. I thought that most SoCal surfers were the gapers of the ocean.

Just realize that they are definitely the 'snowblades' of the surfing world...if you get in to the sport, be really careful around other surfers... a 14' SUP on a 10' leash can crack someone in the head more than 25' away if that board gets out of control in a wipeout.

Only if they have a 1 foot long head (10+14=24)

As for snowblades, just ask this gaper SUP dude...


Just saying, not all SUPs users gape. (Yes, I know he towed into this on a small board, but dude spends a lot of time SUP when it is greater than 10' and less than 30') While I am neither a fan of SUP or Laird (but if you are, you should really read the love ode to him The Wave.) the point is, plenty of good surfers SUP.

It really is a different sport, and sometime us paddle in surfers get all butthurt. I've been in the water a few times with SUP, and really only had an issue once. And after a polite version of -get the fuck out- problem was solved.

It is not the same as surfing and certainly not performance surfing. It is great core conditioning, and you have a huge advantage for catching waves. If your goal is to catch a ton of waves, have sick abs and just cruise - then it is for you. Just avoid crowded line ups.

[ilikecandy]

Apparently using a time marker doesnt work but it's at 3:02

huck patterson another name people here may be familiar with

the biggest problem is people who learn to SUP without learning to paddle surf, and thus understand the rules, first. SUP makes it real easy for beginners to be places they shouldnt be, with equipment that is even more dangerous. as long as you know, respect, and are able to follow the rules, and understand that youre on a giant boat with a spear in your hand, it can be a good thing for people with medical issues, etc

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Hmmmmm......SUP = rollerblades? That sucks.

I am mostly about using it to get around, explore coves / rivers, and catch some waves on remote breaks. Doing multi-day SUP paddle trips along remote coasts = my kinda style. Sick abs and low impact on my hand is the goal. Going from paddling to standing with one bad hand seems like it will be very hard when surfing traditionally, so SUP seems ideal to me.

[Jer]

I am mostly about using it to get around, explore coves / rivers, and catch some waves on remote breaks. Doing multi-day SUP paddle trips along remote coasts = my kinda style.

That sounds totallar rad. I wouldn't listen to what a bunch of gapers think is gapish. Ottime's comment on SoCal idiots is $$$.

[ACheateaux]

So I'll tell you when and why I started paddling so you can get some info from someone who actually paddle surfs, not some from a guy that doesnt live near, hasn't ever tried and will never try it.

I've been surfing since I was 6. Grew up in Ventura and San Diego county. I was still in SoCal 7 years ago when I picked it up. I was living in San Clemente at the time and holy shit, is there a metric fuck ton of amazing coast line to explore there. Inbetween racing paddleboards (prone), surfing, free diving and lobster hunting, I spent a lot of time in the water. When I ran into a guy who has been doing it forever (He had been paddle surfing for about 15 years at that point, pre Laird lov fest), I asked him about it one day out in the water and he let me try it out.

Super humbling experience. But I could see the benefit to being up, above 2 feet and looking around. SO at the time they were damn near impossible to find. So I made my own. A 12'6 monster of a shit sled and started running around the coast. I was rarely surfing the thing at all, just using it for spearfishing, training, flat days etc. I would strap my 5'6 fish to the deck and paddle 6 miles from N San Clemente to San Onofre, stopping at every spot, tying up the large marge and catching a few on the fish.

So at that point I wanted to see how far I could take my surfing on a SUP. But I wasn't a long boarder, I surfed funky short weird boards and liked the open ended projection that I got out of quads. So I bought some more blanks, went down to 9'6 and got after it.

I have laid down to surf maybe 30 times in the last 6 years since then. The boards got shorter and funner and the BS in the line up got ridiculous. Just find a spot WTFO there and have some fun. Ignore the "SoCal standard" of do what we do because we are cooler than you. Surf worth a shit and you get waves. Ive been out in plenty of crowded line ups with out a problem in the world. The people bitching because they arent getting waves wouldnt be getting waves wo/ a paddle surfer in the line up, because they suck. If you surf, no waves for you. Enjoy your relaxing time in the ocean trying to paddle battle a 13 yo on a 5'2 at lowers.

Ive also been out w/ 3 other people who just cant get over the fact that I like to surf with a paddle. Whatever.

Im now back in CO. In between the 4 surf trips I take a year, I paddle the crap out of flatwater, run easy Class IV pool drop stuff, but grease Class III on the regular and do a shit load of fly fishing off em'. I race when I get to the coast or we have one here. I still make boards, because nothing beats pulling in on something you made.

So give them a try if you surf near a crowded coast line, but have thick skin. Get a really good handle on paddling BEFORE you go anywhere near a wave. Get a really good handle on surfing BEFORE you try to do it around other people. (But thats just good surfing advice in general, that most of SoCal forgets) Its literally shit your pants fun. We've done paddles around some of the Channel Islands self supported, camping and surfing and fishing. Good times.

Shoot me a PM with any questions you have. Chances are I know someone in your area into it (it was a small family when I got into it and still is in the mountains) that can take you out or at least point you in the right direction.

As far as boards go, grab something used, cheap and huge to get going on. Its a good loaner teaching board down the road. After you got the hang of it, figure out what direction you want to go. Super fast glide machine flat water rocket ships? HP lip smacking surfing boards? Roto molded plastic creeking boards?

Personally, I have 2 of each.

But if you're worried about looking like a kook, you should probably stick to whatever is socially acceptable in your neck of the woods. The last thing the sport needs right now is any one else crying about not getting respect.

Check out www.standupzone.com for more info on pretty much anything to do w/ paddling standing up


Pulling hard at the Catalina Challenge. Avalon to Dan Point, 35 miles.


Camping at the boat ins, Catalina




An 8'6 machine that is the funnest board I have ever surfed in my life.

[Hugh Conway]

Hmmmmm......SUP = rollerblades? That sucks.

I am mostly about using it to get around, explore coves / rivers, and catch some waves on remote breaks. Doing multi-day SUP paddle trips along remote coasts = my kinda style. Sick abs and low impact on my hand is the goal. Going from paddling to standing with one bad hand seems like it will be very hard when surfing traditionally, so SUP seems ideal to me.

Buy a kayak or an outrigger canoe.

Laird = bimbo

[Tunco]

[Skibum2]

"Could you stand over there please?" Overheard at my local break.

[Bud]

Only if they have a 1 foot long head (10+14=24).

uh, i know how to do math... you ever heard of long leashes getting stretched out in big surf?

[Hugh Conway]

uh, i know how to do math... you ever heard of long leashes getting stretched out in big surf?

Ottime is the cowells king.... no, he hasn't

once the SUP bubble crashes, sure, have at it. now, $1k+ for a SUP setup is retarded

[stew130]

Mr. Pipeline thinks SUP is OK and probably doesn't give a shit if you think he's a gaper.

[Hugh Conway]

holy TGR ballsucking? wheres hop?

[Jer]

Huge Doucheway = TGR shoulder hopper.

Seriously - it took you 5 days to zero in on an SUP thread? You're slipping.

[Ottime]

uh, i know how to do math... you ever heard of long leashes getting stretched out in big surf?

Is that kind of like short leashes stretching in big surf? Sarcasm meter anyone? Point is, a 10' long board with a 10" leash can hit some one over 20' away. A 6' board with a 6' foot leash can hit some one over 12' feet away. Those are all long distances. And in general, if you are riding in a crowded line up, you should be able to hold onto your board anyway. If you are out in big surf, you most tend to be well under water when in the impact zone. Just saying.

Anyway, only kooks get hit by other people's boards.

Imagine what it was like when folks did not have leashes? OM fucking G! Better not even go in the water. Way too dangerous. And those dudes used to ride 50# boards. How did they ever fucking survive??

Seriously, surfers seem to whine about every thing. And they are a bunch of fucking lemmings. Go some where else. There is literally a shit ton of surf breaks all over the place. Find one that is your own. It may not be the perfect easy roller, but it will probably be a more demanding wave (and way more fun) any way.

Ottime is the cowells king.... no, he hasn't

once the SUP bubble crashes, sure, have at it. now, $1k+ for a SUP setup is retarded

Yay! I'M KING!

and do you really pay retail for your gear??

[Hugh Conway]

and do you really pay retail for your gear??

I get a REI rebate

[Piggity]

It's the rider that matters no matter what size board they ride. I do notice more long boarders getting frustratedn when there is a SUP in the lineup. Normally they can pick and choose and it finally gets put into perspective if someone starts dominating the lineup without giving a few waves to the pack.

Same situation unfolds even if it's all short boarders. Its the person on the board that F's up the rotation and the rest of the pack either makes adjustments and get waves or they starve.

That said, I do think SUP's are best touring or riding waves in less crowded surf for mere mortals. There are obviously guys that can ride pipe and other heaviness on them and there are no complaints on them in the lineup, those guys ride it right. Then again those guys could ride any board you put in front of them probably.

[BirdRock]

SUP = fat girls or mopeds.

Fun to ride but don't let your friends see you on one.

[Long duc dong]

the biggest problem is people who learn to SUP without learning to paddle surf, and thus understand the rules, first. SUP makes it real easy for beginners to be places they shouldnt be, with equipment that is even more dangerous. as long as you know, respect, and are able to follow the rules, and understand that youre on a giant boat with a spear in your hand, it can be a good thing for people with medical issues, etc

This.

SUP's don't bother me in and of themselves, but you really have to be great at it to surf reasonable waves. They are a huge danger in a crowded lineup. The best thing to do is use one in very tiny surf, a long way from a shortboard lineup. You really have to be very good to use them in an even remotely crowded area.

.

[Piggity]

My buddy was in the lineup at Pasta Point when the founder/owner of the surf camp was hit by a longboard to the head and was laying face down in the water. They brought him to the beach and couldn't revive him. I can't imagine how much damage a SUP could cause with all that weight.