Height and weight?

Proper downwind boards are heaps better but we have been doing Downwinders here in Melbourne on boards as small as 11'4.

The Naish Glide is a good DW board and the Starboard 12'6 goes unreal for a surfshape. I'm 95kg and I find 12' a good length but would like to go to 14'. I'd be reluctant to go above that if it was my 1st board though.

lacey said...

Lobes said...

Height and weight?

Proper downwind boards are heaps better but we have been doing Downwinders here in Melbourne on boards as small as 11'4.

The Naish Glide is a good DW board and the Starboard 12'6 goes unreal for a surfshape. I'm 95kg and I find 12' a good length but would like to go to 14'. I'd be reluctant to go above that if it was my 1st board though.

5'9" 75 kg
thx

woogies 12.6 is for sale and perfectly suited to 75kg,woogie is a bit heavy for it and it still flies.imo this stock class is the one because its manageable in terms of cost,transportation of craft and storeage,but if youve got the money and a place to store those unlimited beasties with a rudder,go for it.

Lacey I've tried Woogies 12'6. I'm 68kg and for me it was stable and very fast, it really is an astonishing board. Didn't try it in downwind waves but I have no doubt it would be great.

Hey Sue, just re-watched those two videos, they make so much sense. Last time I watched them I hadn't done any down-winders, makes you realise how much you learn just getting out there and doing it.

paul.j said...

Really depends on whether you want to paddle flat water or go out in the ocean and catch runners. If only flat water then the 12ft boards would be fine and a good work out. Out in the ocean you would be better of spending some more $$$ and getting a 14ft + board and try to get one with a rudder if you can. To me the best part of distance paddling is catching runners and the bigger boards do it so much better. You need to get a few to demo on and try all the boards to see what you like. I'm sure Dale would lend you one to try.

We paddle most arvo's in mallawa dv on all sorts of boards so feel free to come along and try some out or bring down dales and try them against each other.

For the most fun though go 16ft and above. Surfing the ocean is awesome.

More than happy to talk to you about want you might need and what is more fun.

0418 722 928

Jacko

thanks for that jacko, i will check that out. saved me a trip to your place
cheers

I reckon Sue's C4 14' Vortice would be perfect..

DJ

KellyM said...

Lacey, downwind paddling is a whole other side to standup, it is an amazing feeling to be way out at sea chasing bumps especially when the wind and swell are right, once you've had a good down wind session you will be addicted, the gold coast is great for it, on a SE-E wind from snapper to Currumbin or Burleigh, on a SW-S wind Currumbin to North Burleigh and even N-NE from the seaway. You'll find that you can paddle further with less effort and heaps of fun, great when there is a little crew out there and everyone catching swells and runners all over the place, its a pretty unique feeling a couple of kms off the coast just you and the ocean....
If you are serious about getting then you want a board with a rudder system because the wind is not always perfect so if it is cross wind then you don't want to be paddling on one side the whole way to keep you straight, I have a DC 16 that is for sale, give me a call on 0414 646 234 and come and try it, no pressure to buy it, but I love the open water paddling and the more people into it the better, ask Jacko how he got into it, you only need one paddle on the big board feel the speed and the fun and your hooked

hi kelly i've had a close look at your board, very snazzy. i was told your board was gone. will look into it, i'm seeing dale today about a different board so i'll talk to him about it.
this is kinda funny. i first got into sup for flatwater fitness and small surf.then just surfed only on sups. now it looks like i'm going back to where i started.paddle races does look appealing - no judging, no out of control nerves, just get over the line
cheers

looks like a second hander might be the go!any opinions on my thinking 12' 6 stock class might be the way to go to start off. i'm noticing a few boards for sale, is it a bit like everyone is chasing the latest and greatest? there is some serious money going on with these boards

lacey said...

KellyM said...

Lacey, downwind paddling is a whole other side to standup, it is an amazing feeling to be way out at sea chasing bumps especially when the wind and swell are right, once you've had a good down wind session you will be addicted, the gold coast is great for it, on a SE-E wind from snapper to Currumbin or Burleigh, on a SW-S wind Currumbin to North Burleigh and even N-NE from the seaway. You'll find that you can paddle further with less effort and heaps of fun, great when there is a little crew out there and everyone catching swells and runners all over the place, its a pretty unique feeling a couple of kms off the coast just you and the ocean....
If you are serious about getting then you want a board with a rudder system because the wind is not always perfect so if it is cross wind then you don't want to be paddling on one side the whole way to keep you straight, I have a DC 16 that is for sale, give me a call on 0414 646 234 and come and try it, no pressure to buy it, but I love the open water paddling and the more people into it the better, ask Jacko how he got into it, you only need one paddle on the big board feel the speed and the fun and your hooked

looks like i might be heading your way after talking to a few people.question, i have a shaka pu paddle. is this going to be ok for dw?

ps thanks for the conditions tips

mikeman said...

Hey Lacey,

Dale and I are planning our next long paddle. If you get hold of a board and want to come for a nice downwind spin I am sure that you will be totally hooked. Catching deep sea runs are where its all at! Once you have a taste of it you will understand. Once you get on a real ocean designed machine (with a rudder system) you won't want to play around with a smaller board.

I have a DC16 and Dale is making himself a new board (DC 17, I think) for our paddle. Give Dale a call (0416160335) to see if he knows of where you can borrow a board from. We are not racing so no need to worry about that...

gee thx, i'm in contact with dale,but i reckon i would be spending some time in the flats first up. haven't been on anything bigger than 11 ft and that was a while ago.the guys reckon i'll be ok, but need to walk before i run. i am looking forward to some ocean adventures
cheers

Hey Lacey, a couple of months ago I was you, interested in getting into the downwind thing and confused by the options. I jumped on one of dale's 16 footers (second hand & for sale) at a Palmy parklands demo day and was instantly hooked on the speed and glide. I noticed a big difference between it and a 12'6". If you can swing the money go unlimited I reckon. I totally agree with everything Jacko & Kelly (who are unbelievable downwind paddlers) have said - surfing the ocean for runners, on your own, out deep, is massively addictive, a real learning experience (like swimming, getting the technique right is everything) & opens your mind to a whole new way of enjoying the ocean. Kelly's point re the rudder is really important - I could have kissed mine during the Honolua when, if you didn't have a rudder, the crosswind meant you could only paddle on one side for pretty much the whole way. As well as the courses Kelly mentioned, have a look at the Tweed when its blowing southerly or SSE or SE - lots of southerly push in the swell there. I love Hastings to Kingy. And can i say huge kudos to Dale for following me on his jetski to show me how to catch runners when I had my first trial run at Snapper to Currumbin. He is a great bloke and hugely passionate about his craft. Best of luck Lacey, see you out at sea

lacey said...

i'm getting really interested in taking up this side of supping. i,m a reasonable sup surfer.
questions 1 what size to start
2 new or second hand
3 fixed or rudder system
4 anything else anyone can think of
i live at currumbin end of palm beach gold coast if location matters
cheers

i might just throw this in. i only have a 8 10 and a 9 3 that is coming. i don't have alonger board. would i get by with the psh 12 ft ripper for a dw. that way i also have a bigger surfboard for chilling or bigger days

went for about a 4 k paddle on what looks like being my board, kelly's dc 16. he was generous enough to lend me the board for a few days until we get the details sorted. i'm not taking it off shore till i've purchased it, can't wait. after surfing sub 9 ftr's it's pleasure to paddle. i used to do some machine rowing and we would have distance/time trials. i found myself thinking power output, stroke rate and how much i was lactating as i chased down some kayaks. i was surprised by the amount of shutter through the board when going over boat wake.i imagine you would wont to be careful going in and out of shorebreaks. all and all good fun and a reckon off shore would be the cream
cheers

lacey said...

Lobes said...

lacey said...

i was surprised by the amount of shutter through the board when going over boat wake.i imagine you would wont to be careful going in and out of shorebreaks.

Sorry, I dont quite understand this term. What is shutter? And whats the warning for shorebreaks/boatwakes?

sorry i meant shudder, i get this feeling even on my shorter sups.as you go over a short wave or chop the whole board gets shaken, feels like a little crash.i have also be warned about what waves you catch and how you get out through, boats wakes i'm not worried about. i think it is carbon to help with the strengh of the board seeing as it is so long.i am only going on what it feels like to me and i think at this stage i will approach it that way - carefully. i have heard of boards creasing. however i'm a complete novice on these boards and welcome advice from experienced off shore dw's

Lobes said...

Ok, I think I know what you are talking about. I have experienced it many, many times, but only piloting boats, never on a surfboard

Though, in all honesty I have never really paddled a board much longer than 12' and certainly not one of these hollow carbon models which (I assume) may magnify that shuddering.

hi, yeah with the folders you put out for even second handers, i'm a little spooked
cheers