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How to control board in wipeout

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Created by EToriginal > 9 months ago, 3 Mar 2015
EToriginal
QLD, 95 posts
3 Mar 2015 10:39AM
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Any of you more experienced suppers able to give me advice on maintaining better control of my sup in wipeouts – particularly when being hit by a sneaky big set when paddling out?

I've been at it for nearly 2 years now and generally have good control of the board and can surf quite confidently in small crowds and clean surf. I do avoid the larger crowds when it gets bigger/messier purely because I don’t wish to cause anyone injury.
I've tried a few different ways to hang onto the board, but usually end up getting hurt myself – last time put me out for a week. So I usually step away from board and let it go. Got abused by someone today (only the 2nd time in 2 years - and the board wasn't really any where near them) don’t want to make any enemies, so though I’d ask for advice here.
I'm 57, 90kg and currently ride an Allwave 9'1. Thanks

Krusty
NSW, 441 posts
3 Mar 2015 12:12PM
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I find getting off your board and grabbing the leg rope right at the board is your best bet if you cant paddle over it. Some people have even made little handles at the back of their board for this. Generally speaking however the goal is to reduce the length of your leggy so it has less chance of getting moment and then stretching out and either hitting someone or breaking. This problem is one all sups face, good planning and technique should get you out of most tricky spots but sometimes you just have to cop them on your head.

Cobra
9106 posts
3 Mar 2015 9:25AM
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ET ,,you got abused at agee The point

Brenno
QLD, 890 posts
3 Mar 2015 11:32AM
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Hey EToriginal. You weren't at the point by any chance when you got abused? That's a good place for it. I try and avoid that break, it's too slow for my liking anyway, they can have it.
I used to grab the leggy but after recently tearing the top off a finger, won't be doing that any more. It hurt, and it's making me grumpy looking at the ocean and not getting involved.
Think I'm gonna shorten the leash a tad, and just be more ready for the spring back.
I have had to bail a couple of times when someone has just "appeared" in front of me, and jumped sideways off the board and thrown my arm over the deck. Saw another bloke doing the same on the weekend. Stops the board dead.
Hard when the winds up mate, but the best method IMO is to find another break.

LordKuz
NSW, 260 posts
3 Mar 2015 1:48PM
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Like... the person who abused you... never had their board go flying in someones direction? Was he coming up close behind you when you ejected? Tough titties... suck it up... I am sure it looks like your board is travelling for over twenty feet behind you...but in reality, if you dive down and away from the beach... your board wont be that far back! Good.. you are mindful of others... but Id continue to be careful as possible, and just throw an apology at any abusers. Hold on to your board or leg rope at your own peril. Dont be pressured by others and panic - ending up with a dislocation or bad laceration... all because you did not want to scare Mr "Precious" with your board flying in the air. Having said that... I know there are SUP idiots out there that have no idea at all in the surf, and would not be asking squat about such issues on a forum, like yourself - and frankly they should not be there. Its people like them.. that obviously has given that abuser a nasty chip on his shoulder about Stand Up Paddlers in general.

lotus blossom
SA, 106 posts
3 Mar 2015 2:29PM
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Don't hang onto your leggie unless you have the rail saver and board is pointing directly at beach.

If you have to let go: short leash, use the paddle to reduce how far you get dragged, and if not too big ball up so the board doesn't go as far.

If I can't ride through whitewater I can usually kick my board over the wave by just weighting my back foot and kicking it over. I aim to the side and dive in case it misses and comes back.

If people are paddling behind me I just paddle to the side so they are out of range. Anyone who paddles behind any board is a bit daft really.

often belly paddle out through surf and just grind through. Smaller boards make this easier.

Also if not happy belly toward shore in whitewater well back on the board and reset. You won't go too far if you are right at the back.

Brenno
QLD, 890 posts
3 Mar 2015 2:24PM
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Agree with LordKuz.
I've only had one run in, and nipped it in the bud. Was on a break by myself about 100M off the point, too fat and full for any prones. Was there for about 4 hours having a ball, and just about to head in. A prone surfer came and sat that close to me he was almost on my lap. I decided to catch the next wave in. Unfortunately I didn't see that he had done the same, and he commenced hurling abuse at me, shouting that I had dropped in on him, which indeed I had. Didn't see him take off at all.
I retaliated and a shouting match ensued. I hit the beach and had a shower and returned to the shore to see old mate had already gotten out (obviously proved his point). I approached him and his mates, and was met with more abuse. I cut him off, which he didn't like as he was enjoying giving me a spray, and apologised and shook his hand. It was hard eating humble pie, and believe me it was the last thing I wanted to do, but I love what I do and don't need the angst.
I see him every now and then and say g'day, hard not to, it's our local.
Even though I've spent a lot of time in the surf, that one incident has really increased my situational awareness, and so far I've managed to avoid a repeat performance (touch wood).

Kami
1566 posts
3 Mar 2015 1:22PM
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" A prone surfer came and sat that close to me he was almost on my lap. I decided to catch the next wave in. Unfortunately I didn't see that he had done the same, and he commenced hurling abuse at me, shouting that I had dropped in on him, which indeed I had. Didn't see him take off at all. "

Sorry mate, but this is the main problem or "reason" why i think i got abused by prone surfers too many times showing out at the peak padding on a SUP even as short as i do :
Because some SUPers don't get surfing background. By the situation reported up here, you should know you was standing at the sweet spot of the wave and know that the proned surfer was in position to take off on his very smaller board than your 165 liters board.
I great you to be humble, practicing away out of others and crowd , dear Brenno, but still the situation happens too many time on line up

Cobra
9106 posts
3 Mar 2015 1:35PM
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if it is from the point,i find it hilarious as most of the so called locals are blow ins anyways.
when we were surfing the point there was 1 caravan park and a hand full of locals in the place.


I've never had a problem at the point.
1 i don't go when theres a crowd normally sat-sun or holidays
2 dont hang around suck rock on a sup,no room for a start.
3 feel your way into the pack.
4 if you stuff up its all over..no respect coming your way..IMO may as well paddle back in or head down the beach

rockmagnet
QLD, 1458 posts
3 Mar 2015 4:40PM
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The dumb asses shouldn't be paddling out behind you anyway

Brenno
QLD, 890 posts
3 Mar 2015 5:07PM
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Haha, Cobra, you obviously know the place well.
It was definitely a "blow in local" but so am I, just blew in a bit later.
I don't go near the point unless I get tired of holding myself against 25-30 Knot winds, and want a bit of shelter.
There's plenty of ok breaks further down the beach, more than enough for a SUP.
It's a really friendly place, just a select few that think they own it. I'm sure this sounds familiar.
Number 1 rule for ALL surf craft - don't paddle out behind someone or cross their line, it's not just about other people's safety, but also self preservation. Waves are predictably unpredictable.

HGFish
NSW, 148 posts
3 Mar 2015 6:25PM
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Pretty much what lotus blossom has said - I surf with a 7' leggie and that helps stop the board pretty quickly, haven't had any real issues with that yet but very mindful of how short it is when I feel the board really pulling and usually surface pretty carefully. When there really isn't any other option but to bail, try and look around before you dive/jump, it's pretty rare that someone is too close and in those instances I make sure I have full eye contact and "shoot" the board away from their line.

Cobra
9106 posts
3 Mar 2015 5:18PM
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Select to expand quote
Brenno said..
Haha, Cobra, you obviously know the place well.
It was definitely a "blow in local" but so am I, just blew in a bit later.
I don't go near the point unless I get tired of holding myself against 25-30 Knot winds, and want a bit of shelter.
There's plenty of ok breaks further down the beach, more than enough for a SUP.
It's a really friendly place, just a select few that think they own it. I'm sure this sounds familiar.
Number 1 rule for ALL surf craft - don't paddle out behind someone or cross their line, it's not just about other people's safety, but also self preservation. Waves are predictably unpredictable.


Brenno i started surfing that place late 70s,scrub bashing in EJ holdens ,great place.

i was just at another point last week

just a shame that sort of thing happens there.
peeps should have more tolerance in a casual coastal town like that…good on you, for one, not letting him getaway with his bull**** attitude and

for being big enough to admitting wrong and settling things down.


only advice i would give ET about paddling out, is go wide then go in.
if caught inside and peeps are around just hang on till it thins out.

if not go down to the surf club and catch as many waves as you like,,in peace


EToriginal
QLD, 95 posts
3 Mar 2015 8:57PM
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Thanx everyone, your comments/advice is much appreciated – looks like there’s no magic thing to do, and I’ve been doing everything about as correctly as I can.
I wasn’t on the point but back on beach break and there was only a handful out there. I did try to apologize to the guy, who does appear to be one of those that “owns” the surf (I won’t mention names) BUT he didn’t want to hear it.
I live near the surf club break and pretty well surf here all winter. But summer usually has 20+ knot winds relentlessly, so only decent wave is in the shelter of the point. Workmans & Springs have not worked for ages or I’d be at one of them.
I guess for the amount of time I surf to have only been abused twice in nearly 2 years, I’m doing ok?
I might try a shorter leggie – presently using a 9 footer on my 9’ board (that’s what I was told I needed)
Hey Brenno, have you got your Deep yet? Maybe a smaller board is the go, so the surfers don’t hate/fear us so much?

Brenno
QLD, 890 posts
4 Mar 2015 8:06AM
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Nearly mate, don't think it's the board though, more likely the fact that you're seeing the waves well before them and catching plenty.
Jealousy is a curse!
Never seen you do any harm ET. Avoid the show ponies like I do mate, keep enjoying yourself and keep on smiling.

Mastbender
1972 posts
4 Mar 2015 9:49AM
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Don't grab onto the leash or the rail saver, both have serious consequences, many better ideas here, it's all about a tail handle and how to make one and use it.
www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,25430.0.html



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"How to control board in wipeout" started by EToriginal