Sorry to the Stand-up paddleboarders....

**Alaskan Rover** · 07-01-2011, 11:25 AM

I dissed SUP surfers pretty badly a while back.

I'm sorry I did....as it was more of a dissing based upon lack of knowledge and forethought than anything else.

After observing more SUP surfers and paddle-boarders in general, I've now come to the conclusion that instead of looking like geeks, they are actually pretty cool.

In fact, in terms of fluidity of motion, they can be downright graceful.

sort of like telemarkers, I guess. The grace comes from doing something artfully well.

I don't hold that ALL paddleboarders are graceful....but I certainly think it wasn't right for me to diss a whole group of people just because i thought a few of there cadre looked geeky amidst the line-up.

And that's another thing....I don't really see any evidence of paddleboarders hogging lines...they tend to be off by themselves.

What changed my mind? Well, besides common-sense, I've encountered some real cool paddleboarders who obviously take their time to put their all in their sport...and it shows in the art and the grace with which they apply their task.

In short, I think there is plenty of room for ALL to enjoy the water (maybe even pesky jetskiers...although that's a big stretch)...just like there is room on a mountain for both boarders AND skiers.

The grace comes with doing something you enjoy...the art comes from doing it well.

**Crystal_Mt_Dreamin** · 07-01-2011, 01:25 PM

This a preamble to you coming out of the closet as an SUPper?

**Alaskan Rover** · 07-02-2011, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by Crystal_Mt_Dreamin

This a preamble to you coming out of the closet as an SUPper?

Nahh....I still do it the old-fashioned way.

Wouldn't mind giving it a try sometime, though.

Maybe I'll buy a used old sail-less windsurfer for like $50 - 75. Those things are about the same size. Don't see why an old one wouldn't work as a SUP. Don't see the point of spending $1000 when I don't need to. I've seen some going for as much as $1700 as a custom !!

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**Mr. Multiglisse** · 07-02-2011, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Alaskan Rover

Wouldn't mind giving it a try sometime, though.

Maybe I'll buy a used old sail-less windsurfer for like $50 - 75. Those things are about the same size. Don't see why an old one wouldn't work as a SUP. Don't see the point of spending $1000 when I don't need to. I've seen some going for as much as $1700 as a custom !!
--

Try over $2000 for an oceangoing vessel like the Starboard Coastrunner pictured below. The old sailboard idea works OK but most sailboards are narrower than SUPs, so less stable. Look for a REALLY old one like an original Windsurfer, the BIC with the displacement hull, or a race board like the Mistral SST.

One of the great things about SUP? No wind? No waves? No problem, mon, let's go for cruise!

**Crystal_Mt_Dreamin** · 07-02-2011, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Alaskan Rover

Nahh....I still do it the old-fashioned way.

Wouldn't mind giving it a try sometime, though.

Maybe I'll buy a used old sail-less windsurfer for like $50 - 75. Those things are about the same size. Don't see why an old one wouldn't work as a SUP. Don't see the point of spending $1000 when I don't need to. I've seen some going for as much as $1700 as a custom !!

--

Yeah, I'd give 'er a go on a flat day and just bring out a crab pot and a fishing pole, but man those fookers are $$$$$. I like the old old windsurf board idea though, people damn near give those away on Craigslist.

**Skibum2** · 07-02-2011, 10:12 AM

Well said!

**Crampedon** · 07-02-2011, 10:43 AM

Here on Maui SUP has a top spot in ocean activities. With the very best waterman in the world ripping it up in the best conditions, the verdict is in, SUP is here to stay. These are the kids of my friends that are now early teens and winning water events on world-wide tours. Unreal.

In this vid Zane, whose grandfather invented the windsurfer and whose father has been ripping for 35 years explains how it is~

**bodywhomper** · 07-08-2011, 01:46 PM

**My Pet Powder Goat** · 07-08-2011, 03:24 PM

I've pretty hard on SUP'rs as well, But have spent a lot of time on them lately.
still annoying dealing with them in a line up, unless it's me riding in on the wave, just too much fun watching all the Queebs in the shallow trying to move in waist deep water when they see me coming in on the barge.
I rode one down a shallow river with fun rapids and was blown away with how fun that was!

like mopeds and fat chicks have there moments, so does a SUP

**Ottime** · 07-08-2011, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by bodywhomper

Gives a great sense of the wave. But his ride looked kind of meh. Personally, on a wave like that, I'd much prefer to be on my short board, and not connect the whole way. As well as prefer to watch people rip it up. During the best parts of that wave, where one would love to be making turns, he had to point it down the line.

As far as SUP goes, I don't mind them in the water. But I would never try it. Along with fat chicks. Mopeds, OTOH, are actually pretty cool.

**Piggity** · 07-09-2011, 11:06 AM

To me, SUP'ing is the same as having another long boarder in the lineup, except they're standing. I don't hate 'em and I don't love 'em nor do I love other shortboarders to be honest. This is specifically in the surf zone, obviously SUP's are made for water travel and that's where I have a lot of respect for them. Paddling from Molokai to Oahu on an SUP gets a TON of respect from me.

In the surf zone, I just don't like the death axe that some of the guys forget they have in their hand when they drop in on someone. That paddle swinging behind them could be potentially deadly for someone they drop in on and Yes drop-ins happen but this adds another dynamic.

So in essence, I'm neutral on SUP's until that person tries to burn me. The exact same scenario for other shortboarders and longboarders, just don't try to burn me, OK?

**altabrig** · 08-08-2011, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Piggity POW

To me, SUP'ing is the same as having another long boarder in the lineup, except they're standing. I don't hate 'em and I don't love 'em nor do I love other shortboarders to be honest. This is specifically in the surf zone, obviously SUP's are made for water travel and that's where I have a lot of respect for them. Paddling from Molokai to Oahu on an SUP gets a TON of respect from me.

In the surf zone, I just don't like the death axe that some of the guys forget they have in their hand when they drop in on someone. That paddle swinging behind them could be potentially deadly for someone they drop in on and Yes drop-ins happen but this adds another dynamic.

So in essence, I'm neutral on SUP's until that person tries to burn me. The exact same scenario for other shortboarders and longboarders, just don't try to burn me, OK?

As long as they can surf it is cool. Some rip and do it beautifully. The problem is on the mainland, lot of kooks on SUPs are dangerous to the extreme. They don't look deep before dropping in or they just can't surf and lose the works and a 27" wide 3.5" thick log and paddle tomahawking through the lineup sucks, especially with kids surfing/sponging on the inside.

It is mainly the folks who get a Laird board at REI and then go to learn at a heavily used break. Those folks should be learning on a log or shortboard and then doing their SUP thing. If you are inexperienced, take that thing to an unpopular break or a lake to learn. If you use them at lakes have fun. If you rip on and SUP, you are probably on the islands and aren't reading this.

**LeeLau** · 08-09-2011, 12:10 AM

Robby Naish!!! Still killing it

**bodywhomper** · 08-09-2011, 03:25 PM

^^ that was my thought, too. a great waterman.

**altabrig** · 08-31-2011, 08:09 PM

Waterman on an SUP. This guy.

http://www.surfline.com/surflinetv/g...mcnamara_58799

Nasty yardsales galore. But Garrett's commentary is even sicker. Broke the SUP in the Cloudbreak pit.

Oh yeah. Southern Hemi Surf is pumping in SoCal! Today through the Weekend!

**h2okiter** · 09-06-2011, 11:30 AM

I also have been recently converted to loving surfing on the SUP. I'm surfing Lake Michigan, and the SUP is perfect for the smallish mush we get most of the time. Yeah we sweep, but we can see the sets coming

and usually take off in a separate spot keeping away from the prone surfers.

If you want to see a total free for all an no respect in a lineup, come join us on the lake. Nobody knows whats going on and every one is trying to drop in on the same wave!

Fun thread, We scored here this weekend. surf friday, sunday and monday

**skinnyskier** · 09-19-2011, 07:16 PM

Rob Rojas just crushed the Tahoe Fall Classic. 22 miles in 3:25! 6.9 mph on a SUP = killing it. That's a waterman.

Hugh Conway · 09-19-2011, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by skinnyskier

Rob Rojas just crushed the Tahoe Fall Classic. 22 miles in 3:25! 6.9 mph on a SUP = killing it. That's a waterman.

do you post unicycle race results too?

**Crampedon** · 09-19-2011, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

do you post unicycle race results too?

Here ya go!
http://unicyclerace.de/Horst_Rossler_Sumiswald_2010.pdf

**skinnyskier** · 09-19-2011, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

do you post unicycle race results too?

Aloha, Hugh.

Hugh Conway · 09-19-2011, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by skinnyskier

Aloha, Hugh.

nice outrigger

altogether more useful craft than a SUP.

**theshredder** · 09-19-2011, 11:46 PM

Saw those dudes on my river for the first time ever this summer. Looks pretty cool for lakes and big rivers. Not sure how it beats regular surfing (I don't know maybe the paddle helps you keep balance??). Surfing rapids like that would be cool too but who knows how how popular thats gonna get when part of the learning curve involves falling into 3 feet of water with jagged rocks underneath.