Mega down-winder. - Stand Up Paddle Surfing - Stand Up Paddle - Page 3

Mega down-winder. - Stand Up Paddle Surfing - Stand Up Paddle - Page 3 - Seabreeze Forums!

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All Forums > Stand Up Paddle > Stand Up Paddle Surfing > Mega down-winder.

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mikeman

QLD
Australia

448 Posts

Posted 04/03/2009, 3:26 pm

Great stuff guys! Now that you've had a taste of what its like there is no turning back. Glad to see that you had a lot of safety gear.

I would definately recommend camelbacks next time. You should have at least a 3ltr one which should last you 6hrs of paddling (1/2 lt per hour). Dale and I did 1lt per hour but this is too much.

It would also be a good idea to wear a lot brighter clothing. The brighter you can be the more viasble you will be to any potential rescue people (it's not a fashion contest).

We logged our Byron to Burleigh paddle on a Garmin GPS and a DC16 definately makes a difference for a long paddle. We did 67.5km at an average speed of 8,3km/hr. You can analyse the whole trip and see how you were goping at different stages. Nice toy to have.

The rudder system is also a very nice thing to have. We also had a strong side wind for 2 hrs and the rudder helps you heep a much straighter line. You can also paddle both sides, which reduces fatigue.

Once we get some pictures we will put them on a new blog.

Welcome to long distance SUPing!

DavidJohn

VIC
Australia

5464 Posts

Posted 04/03/2009, 10:35 pm

Thanks guys.. Here's a few more of my pictures.

Here's Pete stressing his paddle and catching a runner.

Arms and paddle in the air like this usually mean you're on a runner.. but in this case I think it's a fall.

The waves were getting bigger.

Christian paddling hard to catch one and disappearing into the distance.

It's amazing how waves don't look very big in the pictures.

Here's Dave and Christian both on runners.

Pete looking as solid as a rock.

Time for another re group and a bit to eat and drink... Mmmmmmmm.. Mars bar.

Just sitting on our boards we were getting tossed around.. Dave sees a wave and decides he can't resist it and paddles for it while still sitting.

..and comes unstuck.

Pete thinking.. Where the hell are we?

We had not seen land for hours and there was no shadow from the sun.. We were hoping that we'd see Frankstone soon.. but instead we see a big cargo ship and we realize that we're near the shipping lanes.. and Frankstone is no where near any shipping lanes.. We were heading for the middle of the bay.. bugger!!!!

oliver

1916 Posts

Posted 04/03/2009, 11:32 pm

Great pics DJ I haven't really read the whole commentary. Because I grew up in FRANKSTON, I haven't managed to get past how you consistently spell my home town incorrectly.

Looks like a blast though - paddling out there in the middle of nowhere with no land in sight. Love the color of the water. It sure was a moody day.

It's also a good thing you listened to everyones advice about safety before you set out and gaffa taped a few cans of coke and mars bars to your boards.

United Kingdom

183 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 3:34 am

This has been a great topic with some fantastic posts and photos, well done good job.on some photos though you looked a fair distance apart or was this just the wide angle lens.

DavidJohn

VIC
Australia

5464 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 6:25 am

uk said...

This has been a great topic with some fantastic posts and photos, well done good job.on some photos though you looked a fair distance apart or was this just the wide angle lens.

We did get pretty far apart.. It was amazing how I'd stop to take a pic.. Click one as they approach.. Then again as they pass.. and one more as they disappear away from me..and it seems like only second would pass and they'd be a dot in the distance.. and anyone ahead of them was almost out of sight... Then I'd have to paddle like hell to try and catch up.. and I think doing this added to me running out of steam towards the end.

In fact I was so buggered for the last hour or so I didn't have the strength to stand.. I'm embarrassed to say I had to sit and paddle just to make it to the end..and even though the guys would often wait for me (having a nice little rest themselves) by the time I got there we'd all be off again when it was me that needed the biggest rest.

I didn't realize how much strength it takes to balance in rough water..and if you've got no strength you can't balance at all.. I'd try and stand..and fall..and the effort that it takes to climb back on and try and stand was just making it worse..I thought if I sit and paddle for a while I'd recover..but I never really did.

The last time that I ever felt like this was Mt Bike racing years ago when I bonked (hit the wall) and could only peddle in my granny gear and it was flat ground..in fact even my paddling at this stage even though it felt like I was digging deep I was really only dipping my paddle in and out enough to get it wet.

This was a very important lesson learned by me.. I had not eaten a good meal the day before and only had a piece of toast in the morning and my body was out of fuel.. I should have eaten my Wheaties and had pasta the night before or something like that...Maybe even take some of the gel that triathletes use.

I had not expected to be paddling for so so long.. or to be paddling on one side so much heading across the swells and getting hit by side chop.. But I guess you should be prepared for the worst..just in case.

At this stage I put my camera away.. It was getting very serious.. The wind and waves were getting huge..and I mean really huge..and I often thought jeez..what a great picture that would make as some waves rolled through with a 8-10' vertical face..and missed some great shots.. I was hanging on for dear life sometimes.

DJ

mikeman

QLD
Australia

448 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 6:30 am

That one picture with the bending paddle shaft is a good one. The extra flex in the shaft absorbs a lot of the stress on your shoulder joints and prevents injuries. Too much flex is not good either. Looks like you've got a good paddle.

You guys need to come up to QLD some time and join the crew up here for some distance paddles, or we need to go down there.... (it's warmer up here)

DavidJohn

VIC
Australia

5464 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 6:46 am

LAND AHOY!!!... After paddling for ages into the side of waves and being hit side on by gale force winds we finally see land through the smoke haze in the distance.. The wind and swell had dropped a little as we moved away from the shipping lanes and got more towards shore... Time to get my little camera out.

It was a great feeling but we still had no idea just where we were.

It was Mornington beach..and I could see Dave's red and white C4 board.. What a great sight..even though I got pounded in the shorie.

Well done guys..a great effort by all.. Especially Pete (Haro) who stood and paddled the whole way like it was a walk in the park.. and he was the one leading the way most of the time... Thanks Pete.

Hell-man indeed...Actually Solo man here as he sips on one.

After a taxi trip to get the car we were loaded up and ready to head off to home sweet home.

Once back to my car there was only one thing that I needed to do... Straight to Maca's...Hot chips and cold coke went down without even touching the sides.

DJ

champcrow

SA
Australia

800 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 7:14 am

Well done fella's awesome stuff. How were you feeling the next day?

Casso

NSW
Australia

1453 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 7:20 am

Awesome stuff. Love the action shots. It must have been hard to stop, sit, get the camera out, take some shots, get left behind, have to catch up - but we appreciate the results. Thanks.

Lobes

Papua New Guinea

699 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 7:36 am

Champcrow:

Well done fella's awesome stuff. How were you feeling the next day?

Pretty drained but nothing too concerning. Because of all the right hand side paddling I started to get a bit of cramp in my right forearm/bicep towards the end of the day. The next day my left shoulder was very, very sore and I could barely lift my arm up, again because of those 1000's of strokes on my RHS.

Got a little bit sunburned as well and I have some scrapes on on my extremities but other than that came through A-ok.

DJ:

This was a very important lesson learned by me.. I had not eaten a good meal the day before and only had a piece of toast in the morning and my body was out of fuel.. I should have eaten my Wheaties and had pasta the night before or something like that

Agreed. I started carbo-hydrate loading with a big pasta dinner the night before. Then had more carbs for breakfast in the morning. And I was still shattered at the end. I cant imagine how you got through it.

DavidJohn

VIC
Australia

5464 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 7:42 am

Thanks guys.. I don't think I'll take my camera on my next big one..but because this was the first I wanted to record it in pictures... both for us to look back on..and to share with you guys.

I was a bit stiff and sore..and still am a little.. I think more so from paddling while seated or kneeling because that's something I normally never do.

It's shame I never got any of the real nasty stuff where water spray was flying over our heads and boards were spinning through the air and of the huge waves but those images will be in my head for ever.

Hey Oliver.. Sorry about the spelling thing.. I never could spell..

Lobes

Papua New Guinea

699 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 7:46 am

The photos dont give a true impression of the conditions out there but if you look at this one you can see how big the waves were. Thats me in the background with the red hat on. And NO I'm not treading water. I'm sitting fully upright on my board.

rodriguez

VIC
Australia

467 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 9:26 am

Really great thread guys! you must have felt very satisfied at the end. DJ, for those of us that haven't done downwinders it's really inspiring, so keep the camera going

BWDave

VIC
Australia

150 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 2:00 pm

Well what a great day. Thanks to DJ and Jonathan for doing the car shuffle and for dropping me back at my door.
As far as recovery goes, I feel fine in the body though i did come down with a cold as soon as I got home. Not from being cold but from being spent.
In this sort of a paddle you definately need a board that is fairly stable because it was such a technical paddle and when you are running out of juice it gets harder to stay balanced.
What a hoot. I highly recommend it though all the advice about safety gear should propably be taken more seriously. Nothing went wrong for us but the potential is there.
Looking forward to the next adventure

boylos

NSW
Australia

489 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 2:48 pm

awesome effort by everyone ,well done

Dj your need casso's sucker cam next time to catch all the action so you don't have to stop all the time.

BOYLOS

boylos

NSW
Australia

489 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 2:49 pm

awesome effort by everyone ,well done

Dj your need casso's sucker cam next time to catch all the action so you don't have to stop all the time.

BOYLOS

KingDom

South Africa

86 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 5:17 pm

Awesome effort guys! Very inspiring and along with the pic's makes a great post. Glad to see you all made it safe and can't wait to read about your next adventure

KD

62mac

QLD
Australia

3394 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 5:56 pm

Ok the word AWESOME has been used,so I've got to say, CRAZY STUFF lads,outstanding effort,btw I think your nuts/brave,well done,done well!
Great to see the 11.6 Naish was on fire!
Thanks for taking the photos DJ as Casso said, HUGE effort!
Once you guy's settle down,whats next on the hit/wish list?

mac

Gorgo

VIC
Australia

1287 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 8:53 pm

So how did you get yourselves to Mornington? From what I have read it sounds like you hung a left and paddled crosswind until you bumped into the side. Is that correct?

DavidJohn

VIC
Australia

5464 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 9:16 pm

Thanks for all your nice comments guys.

Gorgo.. this shows our planed trip to Frankston with a northwest wind in green.. and the actual trip in yellow with a northeast wind.

I think if we hadn't paddled so much to the left side we would have missed Mornington altogether and a few hours later hit Rosebud or Rye.

It seemed because the wind was so strong we were heading pretty much straight down wind no matter how hard we tried to paddle to the side.. It would have helped a little I guess.

As for what's next.. I'm sure we'll think of something exciting..

matkiter

NSW
Australia

7 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 9:30 pm

Having windsurfed the bay for years in strong Northerlies I know the conditions really well and fully respect the huge distance you guys travelled.

Jonathon has been prompting me to SUP for a while but until now I haven't been tempted.

Time for a rethink.

LEGENDS and frontiermen.

Keep paddling the boundaries but play it safe.

Matt

DavidJohn

VIC
Australia

5464 Posts

Posted 05/03/2009, 9:42 pm

Thanks Matt.. Between Jonathan and me I'm sure we can lend you a board so you can join us for a paddle one day.. also SHQ have plenty of good demo boards.

You'll love it I'm sure..

stoneaxe

United States

136 Posts

Posted 06/03/2009, 3:49 am

Great post DJ. What a blast....are you looking at purpose built downwind boards now?...

Finally got to paddle a Glide this week (nice) but a real downwind board will knock your socks off.

It's amazing how quickly you can get spread out. Even in much milder conditions on a 8 mile run we got very widely spaced. I can't wait to get home and start looking for a distance board for our conditions.

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Gorgo

VIC
Australia

1287 Posts

Posted 06/03/2009, 7:20 am

It's cool that you can have a mega-adventure on your own door step.

It also puts expedition planning into context. Imagine if you were out for a little paddle round the Prom and an offshore wind blew up.

Session

VIC
Australia

291 Posts

Posted 06/03/2009, 7:25 am

Wow ....well done guy's , must have been a good moment seeing land agian after so long .
Great story and Pic's DJ.

Rich

rambooc1

QLD
Australia

143 Posts

Posted 06/03/2009, 9:03 am

Hey DJ , nice run, Williamstown might have been the choice launch in hindsight. You guys will no doubt have learnt a lot about long downwinders after this one, 31/2 hours is the usual bonk point for most people in these conditions if you don't have a full energy load before you start. There are so many things that can go wrong and you need to cover them all. No doubt there are a few things you're not telling, there usually are on adventures like this and best kept to yourselves over a beer.

This Mission Adrenal video might help you relive the occasion.
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/2008/09/mission-adrenal.html

Cheers Rambo

DavidJohn

VIC
Australia

5464 Posts

Posted 06/03/2009, 11:43 am

Thanks Rambo.. That's a great vid.. Maybe I'll get a GoPro one day and face it forward like that and film a good day.. At least you guys get to sit down..

mikeman

QLD
Australia

448 Posts

Posted 06/03/2009, 3:24 pm

Hey Fellas, I just added a new post "Byron Bay to Burleigh Downwinder" with a few pics of our paddle up this way. Check it out if you are interested... MM

rambooc1

QLD
Australia

143 Posts

Posted 07/03/2009, 7:08 am

DavidJohn said...

.. At least you guys get to sit down..

Yep we get to sit down, but we still run out of puff at some point and then don't have the strength left to pull on to the runners. The extra energy you guys expend just trying to stand up in those conditions depletes you sooner, so taking R and R breaks in a run of that duration is a great idea, also regroups the troops.

Welcome the the exciting world of downwind paddling and be sure to "connect" your thoughts with the fantastic Polynesian waterman that spread the seed when they populated the Pacific all those years ago, the origins of what we do lie deep in their achievements.

Cheers Rambo

Th0m0