Just a message to say I'm "that guy" you know the one. The short/ long boarder who glared at you as you paddled out thinking you are going to hog all the waves. Well due to 25 plus years of surfing, snowboarding (NZ) and footy resulting in a reconstructed both shoulders and knee op, I have decided to "if you can't beat them join them" take up SUPing....sooooo

7 months ago, I went out and bought one (9"6 x 31.5) thinking ill only take it out on small days and ride my SB/ LB when it's bigger. Yep after the steep learning kerb initially and finally figuring out how I can turn the bloated beast ( im 5"6, 80kgs ) I slowly realised that there is a little more too this alternate watercraft than first anticipated. Being familiar with paddles , white water, sea kayak and OC1 etc the learning kerb soon levelled off to a comfortable plateau. Soooo yep had to get me another board (Hokua 9"0 x 28) which I found absolutely awesome to : paddle, catch a wave and carve a top and bottom turn. I have no doubt once I get a bit more confident this will slowly come down in volume and length.

In fact I'm really enjoying SUPing so much I hardly take any of my quiver out (9 x boards) it has really renewed and changed my perpsective on how we ride waves in general, looking out to the horizon has a new perspective once I became accustomed to the standing as opposed to sitting on my board. The fact I can see the sets approaching way off and get to a position well before it starts to peak, catch a wave before it even breaks and not have to sit with the "pack" has been not only refreshing but I can't stop smiling. Which raisers a point ; why do some SUPers hang around the pack? If I do paddle out on the points (Noosa) ill sit way wide of the pack and snatch the bigger sets when they come through, but only if no one has come through a breaking section and only then will I paddle for it ...I mean lets face it, we will always have the advantage and are able to pick and choose well in advance.

Anyway, just letting everyone know that this old school "sea weed" is not only stoked to being stoked again but have also enjoyed reading your opinions and reviews, with which I might add helped me purchase my first SUPs and not only that but helped me raised awareness of all surf users and ocean goers. I am now seriously looking at down winding and BOP...well you know I am stoked to be no more "that guy" but now I am the "other guy" for other ocean user to glare at...lol

I look forward to reading more contributions.

Welcome Mr Stoke.
Know the feeling. Had a hip replacement from too many marathons.
The sup has given me back my inner grom. I can surf my mal again, but I find that most of the time I'm picking up the sup.
If I go to the beach and there is no surf, I just go for a paddle, too easy.
Enjoy, keep up the stoke, Mr Stoke.
Cheers

Nice post!

Greystoke said..
I have no doubt once I get a bit more confident this will slowly come down in volume and length.
[...]
why do some SUPers hang around the pack?

Well, the more you get down in volume and length, the closer to the shortboard takeoff zone you will have to move :-)

Cheers guys, I'm new to SUPing so will be open to any advise, thanks Colas I prefer the wide birth from "wolfpack" so will probably go no shorter than 8'8, my 9' Hokua absolutely rocks, I can catch waves way out wide so will stay with that for now otherwise I'll just glare back at myself instead, lol

Very nice post Mr Greystoke.

Its funny how many of us started due to an injury of some type that, at least for a while, left us unable to ride our regular boards. It was the same type of scenario for me that led to my SUP obsession. Sold all my prone boards now and only own SUP.

Have fun and enjoy the stink eye for what it really is.... ENVY!! Haha

YEW!!!

Rory4053 said..

Great post welcome aboard. Looking forward to hearing more from you and to have another SUPporter. (I'm a dad) Be interested to hear if you manage to turn any of your buddies or to post their reactions, positive or negative (or funny)

Cheers

Cheers Rory, I was never strongly opposed to SUPing, but my surfing buddies were surprised to see me on a SUP especially knowing how passionate I am to surfing Long and short boards for years... yep mate some have bought SUPs in NZ and others are now thinking of another alternate to surfing, (I'm a kiwi import) I've been coming back and forward to Noosa for the last 13 yrs on surfing holidays, sooooo my wife and I decided to move :)

My perspective of SUPing might be a little different to the guys whom have surfed in a more competitive environment such as the GC and Sunny coast when compared to my own experience having lived and surfed from the tip of NZ to the Deep South, Dunedin (Dunnos) Catlins and Christchurch. Remote areas such as the far North and deep south of NZ view SUPs as a curiosity and I have no doubt the same can be said in remote areas of Australia where overcrowding in the line up is non existent.

My other fellow kiwi SUPers may have a different perspective, this is only my opinion. Please feel free to enlighten me.

Mate, Im a grand dad, hence the name "Greystoke" having taught my now adult kids too surf and now teaching my grand children, I tell you what mate theres nothing like it surfing with your kids and teaching them this gift we have is awesome, my wife has now taken to SUPing and she would never even get her feet wet back in NZ to cold, lol.

I love writing surf poetry based on my own experiences in the water... I'll post some in the near future some maybe able to relate.

The stoke I feel now has taken me back to my youth and we all know how that feels...yeeeew

Thanks to all who's replied.