How many of you still switch back and forth from SUP to prone surfing? After almost 2 years of SUP, I recently tried to get back into prone surfing. Boy did I have a hard time! I missed tons of waves, dropped in real late and basically felt like my board was standing still when I did catch a wave. Felt like I was on an out of control skateboard with no glide or drive. Took a while, but the feeling slowly came back. I guess it will just take more prone sessions to get the old feeling back. Any advice on easier transitioning between the two disciplines?

Yup CMC, I think I need an over volume board. I tried riding my old shortboards, but that was a disaster. A friend let me borrow a hybrid 7 4 x 21 x 2 3/4 which helped a lot, but I still felt like a kook. Not used to taking off late anymore!!

CMC said...

Yep, switch back and forth regularly. Sometimes in the same day.

The trick is this:

- Either surf no more than 3 times on SUP in a row to get straight back onto your shorty

OR

- Get an overvolumed board. I always have what I call my 'Converter'. My normal board is 6'3 x 19. I keep a board like 6'5 x 19 3/4 single fin style to give the resistance in the middle. One surf on that one and then onto the shorter one and I'm good to go.

I posted this here before but Dick Van Straalen told me once that even Rasta will not ride any board more than 3 times to keep his surfing between boards free.

That's my solution.

Agree completely with this. Don't stay on the SUP all the time, mix it up. If you want a very good overvolume transition board, consider the Firewire Dominator - works very well IMHO.

Why would you want to? I have SUPed for a year with no prone surfing, and have no interest in going back. Everybody is different I guess.

Good question surfydad! I just want to be more versatile depending on wave conditions. Certain surf spots are just more suited for shortboard surfing. But I feel like Ted the Kiwi. Wishing I was on a SUP catching waves instead of missing a bunch of waves!!

This is rare but I must agree with CMC. For sure a sup allows you to paddle and surf in some conditions where you just wouldn't be having as much fun on a surfboard - but a surfboard, whether it be long/minmal/short will allow you to surf in many conditions/places that a sup is not suitable and not nearly as fun. If you are physically capable of riding a sup and a surfboard then definately mix it up as much as you can and you will find each discipline will complement the other. I have been back on sufboards for about 4wks now after only sups for a couple of years and I agree the first few sessions were a bloody nightmare and even my mal felt like a 6'0 shortboard and I really struggled. You dont realise how much the paddle becomes a crutch until you get back on a surfboard. Now about a month on I am getting really comfy again on the mal and even a bigger shortboard and still throw in a couple of sups a week and its a pretty easy transition between all the boards now. Stick with it - change is good.

Second surf on my hybrid on the feeling is coming back!! Just gotta get used to the fact that there is no glide, its all in the pump action!!! Did a fast back hand snap and I think SUP my be on the back burner for now! Cant beat the feeling of a quick turn on a shortboard!!!!!!

billboard said...

Kauaifiveo said...

Second surf on my hybrid on the feeling is coming back!! Just gotta get used to the fact that there is no glide, its all in the pump action!!! Did a fast back hand snap and I think SUP my be on the back burner for now! Cant beat the feeling of a quick turn on a shortboard!!!!!!

thats the bitch of it all. For ages I was looking for an excuse to try and get back on a surfboard and just didn't bother - now I am back on a surfboard I have to push myself to get the sup out for a paddle. When I go for a day trip to Byron or a bit further south I am now taking a sup and a surfboard and so far in the past 3 weeks the sup has been staying strapped on the car on all but 2 occasions. I agree with you - it is hard getting back in the groove on a board after the sup but when it clicks WOW (and how easy is the half k walk back to the car with a fish under the arm instead of a sup )

Guess what Im thinking

Yup Billboard, thats my plan. Bring an SUP and surfboard to the beach. Crowds and waves will determine what board to use. I forgot how easy it is to bring a surfboard. No worries about paddle, hat, surf shirt and that neck breaking carry from the parking lot to the beach!!!