Lacey talked me into going for a quick paddle with him this arvo in Currumbin Creek and Estuary and insisted I ride both his 17 footer and 14 footer. I have to qualify that I am no fan of downwind/race boards and have absolutely no experience on these boards so it was going to be an interesting outing.
The outcome in short - I really enjoyed both boards and even though they were so radically different i thoroughly enjoyed the experience and must thank lacey for hassling me into going for the paddle and I encourage anyone curious about these big speed machines to track someone down who has one and go for a blast on one - you don't realise how slow your surf sup is until you get on one of these rockets. (and lacey, before you ask - I do not want to buy one thanks)

mikeman said...

It's unfortunate that you started this thread as brand x vs brand y... (as it is much bigger than that).

If you enjoyed a session in the creek on a downwind board you will absolutely love the sensation of true downwind paddling. We have a growing crew of downwind enthusiasts on the Gold and Sunshine coasts. You can hook up with Woogie on the Sunshine Coast and me on the Gold Coast if you want to get into it.

But, please don't turn it into a "brandathon" as you will be missing the point of it all.

having been roped on to supsa committee, i personally will be pushing for more dw ing stuff and would eventually like to see weekly training specializing on paddling technique and simulated d/w training. i'm hoping for guest presenters every so often
cheers

Mikeman,

Being new to SUP I would be interested in knowing more about "Downwinders" or longdistance paddling. Obviously you paddle in the direction of the wind and ride some of the swells along the way. Can you elaborate a bit more about as I'm quite interested;

1)What skills are involved compared to surfing SUP and what level should you be at before considering having a go?

2)What fitness is involved before you should consider having a go or thinking about doing an organised event?

3)Do you always need to go in the direction of the wind?

Sorry about all the questions but my circumstances surrounding when and where I can go SUPing really lean more to this style of paddling. I really need to stop trying to go surfing all the time as when the surf is not suitable I just get frustrated, particularly as I can surf but still a real novice at SUP surfing.

Thanks

Shane

I paddle with a group of ladies & on one session we did a point to point paddle Tewantin Boat ramp to Noosa Lions Park.

It was so much fun we were just on normal surfing boards I think the biggest was 11' down to 9'8. We stopped along the way and talked about what to look for etc.

This was inside the Noosa River System with a outgoing tide and a slight W breeze. The group also does Open Ocean paddles with in the Laguna Bay area.

lots of fun and you don't have to wait in the line up for a wave as you can paddle into what ever you see or try to paddle into.

Nga

Your a good bloke BB have a top AUSSIE day, I got to work, very un Australian I know. I can almost smell the BBQ's cooking on the beach BUGGER.

MAC

laceys lane said...

Daneli said...

why don't you come to the supsa day on the 14 th at the palm beach parklands. mike, jacko, dale and others will be there and we can help you get started. best bet is to be with people who have some experience.
cheers

Sounds good. What time and I'll lock it in the diary.

raceboards by brand,i didnt see an issue here,punters will want to know what others think of a particular brand but racing wont be governed by brands it will be the engine, thats what wins races,technique,power and fitness.i am still looking forward to one design racing,just to find out the best paddler on the day

laceys lane said...

firstpoint said...

raceboards by brand,i didnt see an issue here,punters will want to know what others think of a particular brand but racing wont be governed by brands it will be the engine, thats what wins races,technique,power and fitness.i am still looking forward to one design racing,just to find out the best paddler on the day

so true, a race series with the best on the same board for a race and next race, same again, but different brand and so on, now that would have things buzzing

imagine billy,woogie,jamie etc on the same boards over a series,i think the rest of us would learn heaps,these oc1 boys have the technique down pat,

[quote
Have changed the title of the topic now to appropriately reflect what I was trying to say. It was not a brand versus brand test or comparo - it was intended to just say that I had tried these two boards !! We have obviously become so brand focussed that we are getting a bit touchy about brands being mentioned at all for fear of upsetting someone. I should have probably just said that I have tried my first two raceboards and found them to be great fun and well worth trying - so sorry if I upset anyone.

Cheers, mate - I appreciate the change. I suppose I am a little over the way many threads these days turning out into brandathons. Downwinding is a whole lot of fun and I don't want it to get turned into brand cliques.

When we paddle we open it up to everyone no matter what they ride. We also swap around equipment a lot so that we can push the learning curve for everyone.

Come along to the next SUPSA day on the Gold Coast and meet everyone. It is a whole lot easier to learn from more experienced people and also important to learn the safety side of things.