OT: Inflatable SUP info?

Onad · Thu May 17, 12 11:52 am **OT: Inflatable SUP info?**

Looking for feedback on inflatable SUPs? Want to get one for traveling. (I’m 200lbs at 6’3”).

The new C4 Waterman with removable fins (“CUTTLEFISH™ design”) looks intriguing as you can run “real” surf fins as opposed to the rubber ones? I’m thinking the BK Pro 10’ 11” would be a good board for me? http://www.c4waterman.com/2012/boards/isups/

Anyone have experience riding iSUPs?

I realize the performance of the inflatable is compromised compared to a standard board. Having an SUP while traveling is worth the tradeoff for me with the cost of extra airline baggage fees or renting on location.

Tx, Dano

PS, yes I tried to use the NWkite search feature and came up with nada…

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Dano,

Do you know Dan Gavere? He is the resident expert on SUPs. I would ask him.

hoarhey · Since 20 Jul 2008 63 Posts the corridor

I have been on my iSUP for the past 2 months and I would recommend the C4 Waterman, especially with removable fins.
First of all, you roll it up and it takes up the same space as one of your kites. When you aren't kiting, you are paddling.

Go for the removable fins. I bought mine at a discount in December, left it rolled up in its bag and the fins came out of the bag a little warped. I had to spend some time using boards to straighten them out. Mostly straight now. Being a newbie to the SUP world, I haven't really noticed too much of a performance issue.

I was 200lbs when I started and I'm riding the 12'6" model. I'm a raft guide and I run 13' paddle rafts, so I thought an almost 13' board would be WAY to big for me. It's the perfect size. I'm 5'10 and 180 lbs now, thanks partially to paddling 3+ times a week.

Hope these comments are useful.

backtoCaLi · Since 15 Mar 2008 74 Posts Nor-Cal

greetings Dano

SUP size choice depends on where you plan to paddle, surf or flatwater mostly? are you already a competent surfer? .

you can ask here too...
http://supconnect.mylocallineup.com/index.php?option=com_community&view=frontpage&Itemid=54

definitely talk to Dan Gavere if you can....& demo some from your local shop if possible

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

You can totally catch waves and surf with an iSup and cheap cruddy fins. I suck too much too do it with any frequency, but I sessioned with a dude who is a competent longboarder, expert kayaker, 3 month SUPer, and he was catching one thigh slapper after another with a glorified air mattress. These were mellow but good longboarding conditions, that, due to location and tides, was free of traditional surfers.

Hard to tell if you've done lots of SUPing in general, or are new to the whole deal. If the latter, bear in mind the paddle gives you lots of mojo. I've paddled one finless, for kicks, and tracked a decent line no prob with a J stroke.

I'd buy a quality graphite breakdown paddle and a nice iSup with good fins. If the iSup comes with a cheap breakdown paddle, negotiate for an upgrade. Use iSup everywhere at first, and then buy a better board for local paddling if you feel inspired.

There was an iSup hater on this forum a while back when I mentioned this last.... maybe he'll reappear and we can make fun of him.
Laughing

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

The inflatables are really designed for river running so you can bounce off rocks with no damage to the board. Also, the ease of transport and travelling on airlines is actually achievable.

However, there is no comparison in the performance of surfing ocean waves with a surf specific designed glassed board. The inflatables are total slugs for surfing waves while the hardboards fit nicely into wave faces, go super fast, and can turn really well when under the feet of an accomplished surfer/paddler. Check out the waveriding of Kai Lenny or Zane Schwietzer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vw092_UF44&feature=fvw

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

The surfing I've seen with an iSup looks nothing like that - the rides I saw were straight ahead, no cut-backs, "whoo hoo I'm surfing", 5-10 second rides. Still more fun than sitting on the beach.

Kai Lenny is mind blowing, but I wouldn't expect to make moves like that on your first session Laughing

You can watch Kai Lenny ripping with ordinary surfboards to put his skill level in perspective.

Is anyone SUPing in OR and getting rides even remotely like that? It would be cool to see.

skideeppow · Since 26 Aug 2011 522 Posts Addicted

I have three Isups, all for the river in Colorado. We have standing waves that we use them on and they are ok, but can not imagine using them in the ocean.
I also have a glass board.
3 of the 4 are c4's, two isups, the other is a cmac.
Great company.

argos · Since 07 Apr 2010 66 Posts

I have the NRS isup, and I wouldn't recommended it for surfing: too soft. It is like balancing on the water on a trampoline. Works great on the river, but it would not hold an edge on a wave.

Also, the idea of taking your SUP on an airplane is appealing, but does the paddle really work? Not sure how well the portable paddles work, and those that don't break-down might run into oversize charges.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

Portable break down graphite paddle is no prob.

I would get the ones that adjust via slots and springs, as opposed to the ones that adjust via a twisty. You have a limited selection of lengths, but this isn't brain surgery, you don't need an exact length. And the slots and springy thing is super easy to adjust, secure and/or break down, 5 seconds and it fits in a large duffle.

AKkiter · Since 31 Aug 2008 190 Posts Montavilla Stoked

We have been looking to get some isups in the shop for part of our demo/rental program and have recently looked at the ones made by Red Paddle Co.
We had the rep come in and show us how they work and I was kind impressed with the rigidity of the boards and the build quality. One thing worth noting is the fins that are not removable, but seem like they could do the job. I have not had the opportunity to take them out yet. Theres a very convincing video online showing "what they can do", for what its worth. Maybe check them out.

We are also interested in the C4 isups. Gonna check them out soon.

Onad · Sun May 20, 12 7:32 pm

Thanks for the all the feedback guys! Good tip on paddle type (slot/spring loaded vs. twist). Been talking to a lot of folks and checking out a few iSUPs at the local shops. I hear everything from “they suck” to “I took my C4 on a two week Nicaragua surf trip and had great rides on 8ft waves..” Still researching and demo’ing…

With the surf destination traveling we've got coming up over the next year the iSUP will allow me to get allot of water time. Cool

I think pjc summed it up best for me:

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

Catch a few, post some pics.

Re:less of waves, you must be surprised how much fun it is to just cruise around check stuff out.

wylieflyote · Mon May 21, 12 6:40 am

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

It's about as good exercise as you want it to be. I've done some flatwater K1 racing (not much, but enough) and in general, I think it's easier to get your heartrate up with SUP than with K1. (Just one man's experience)

SUP touring isn't much fun with wind. You've got super high profile. (Although there are guys in HR doing SUP downwinders and catching rides on the swell - that looks like fun).

When it's super calm SUP is a fun way to tour around. You can paddle side by side and chat, take breaks to swim or show off your tail spins. Last fall some friends and I walked our SUPs to the Jetty from our beach shack, paddled out to the mouth, and sat on our boards while whales breached and spouted all around us. That was at least as much fun as a good kite session (IMHO).

DrewB · Since 16 Aug 2006 384 Posts PDX Obsessed

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

Yeah I've heard about Lopez schooling everyone on his SUP. I was wondering if anyone mortal was getting good cuts on one in OR....