Ok this afternoon I took the kids to the beach and we took the sups along as usual.

After paddling the 7.2 Starboard in the river I though hmmmm wonder how it prone surfs. Now remember I have never surfed a board shorter than 9'6 and have not been able to prone surf due to a back injury since jan 2008! I am now 23kgs lighter than when I first learned to surf mainly due to SUPing. (I guess thats where the passion comes from!)

I have approached a few shapers over the last 4 years to make me a short board 25 - 26 wide etc and have always been met with "mate stick with the longboard we dont do that!" I think it was an image thing, they didnt want their label on something weird looking.

This afternoon I caught 3 waves prone surfing on the 7.2 x 29 starboard and had a ball. I finally got as close to a short board ride as I guess I am ever going to get.

Now it wasnt pretty by any standard but the way that little board turns is to me insane. A slight change of pressure front to back increased and decreased speed in away I have never experienced before.

I wonder whether the new width of the paddle board design will filter into other areas.

I know one thing next time it gets 3ft and clean I will take this baby out and see what it can do lol! Due to my back it will put me in bed for a week but sheesh ya just gotta do it sometimes

The Kook Phill


PS Please give me your opinions.

I'm all for smaller more agile SUP boards and I think they'll come I have the 8'5 x 30 pocket rocket but I'd like to try this starboard 7footer kids board it looks really loose in the waves, I think it's a starboard starsurf kids windsurf board? Not sure if thats the name but I've been looking for one.

go for it

i was 96kg when i rode it

lost a little weight a few months back but now put it back on again

rock on

Good work Phill , will be keen to have a go on it as well. You should try my 8 6", the thing turns as good as my 6 4" in powerfull waves.

You are right on the mark Phil. The trickle down affect, SUPA design is rewriting the surfboard design manual as we speak, and has been for a couple of years. I mean it was unheard of 4 years ago that you could ride a 28/29 inch wide board in 3 meter surf LOL.

I actually redesigned my 6'3 x 25 inch wide short board into my first 10'4" x 31" wide SUPA board. The tail shape of that 6'3" board, which is a mature design that I have been riding for around 6 years, is the standard tail on my SUPA boards.

Rod

Boardbumps,

We are going to be lucky enough to have 5 of your boards in melb for the funday at last count! Shows that a small business can make a huge impact if the product inovation is on the money! I am hanging to tryout Brookos 8'6 and might ask camo if I can try the 9'6 sheesh I need to make start making bookings now!

Another example of board design is I have found the PSH 10'6 Wide nose rides for me at 105KG and if you look at all the normal rules re soft edges and roll bottom to creat flow over the tail etc this board breaks all the rules!

I think it makes up for it in weight and surface area and the huge round rails foward create so much suction into the wave the hard edges are no longer a significant issue!

I really dont care, all I know is it works and for me the punter nough said because it creates a big sile on my face!

I'm glad we are seeing lots of new advances, gives gumbies like me more options to play with to have FUN FUN FUN!

opps I dropped the "F" word again x 3!

Phill

THATS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT..........













Most people could drop off a foot in length........

Scotty Mac said...

THATS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT..........
Or 2












Most people could drop off a foot in length........

stoneaxe said...

Spearsy said...

I'm all for smaller more agile SUP boards and I think they'll come I have the 8'5 x 30 pocket rocket but I'd like to try this starboard 7footer kids board it looks really loose in the waves, I think it's a starboard starsurf kids windsurf board? Not sure if thats the name but I've been looking for one.

I picked one of those up for $50 from a lifeguard that found it washed up on the beach last year. Bought it thinking of my nieces kids. Don't think it will float me in my current configuration and I certainly don't have Ivan's skills but I'm going to try it at some point. Should be fun...or funny...to try at least.

$50 What a bargain!

Nothing to do with the topic but your outfit Phill makes me appreciate the Queensland weather all the more. I am not looking forward to our week or two of cold weather.

Look Mum.. I'm doing it.... ... Check out that concentration.. ..Classic.

DJ

Hi Multihull,

Please send me the number love to chat to him!

Regards

Phill

Ok,

1) If i stopped paddling the 7'2, then water would come up to my neck pmsl.

2) The concentration is no joke both of my brain cells were required to work significantly overtime to achieve the 30m paddle and I a surprised the pics are not fuzzy as the death wobbles were significant.

I thought about it as training for the 9'6 on its way!

I only did it to prove to session (Rich) it could be done!

But it was awesome fun to prone surf woooooo hooooooo!

Phill