OCEAN SUP

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Any recommendationd for a SUP for the ocean? I want ot get past the wave break to cruise the swell. Then try to ride a baby wave after some skill has been developed. Thinking about getting the Slingshot Pickle. The others that I read about on SUP JOURNAL are: Pau Hana Oahu - nose rider and the Jimmy Lewis Maestro.

I have a flat water race board already but too delicate to put through the waves.

M.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Melo, you may want to rent some boards first to get a feel for what characteristics you like and don't like. It is a lot about personal preference (how stable you want it vs. how nimble you want it).

Gorge performance has different models you could rent. And they apply the amount of your rentals to your purchase price. I rented five SUPs before I bought one - and they applied every rental amount to reduce my purchase (you just have to save your receipt).

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Thanks, Moto - I wish I could rent boards. The Gorge, Cali & Maui are so fortunate to have rental options. SPI shops carry very little SUP gear. The expense of stocking is daunting for small business here. Not many SUPers either.

Gorge Performance is a great shop. I bought my Tahoe SUP there. They really went the extra mile in customer service.

So yeah...gotta order somewhat blind. I'm pretty balanced on my boards. I would want stable but casually surfable. The waves here are really quick. I would probably surf them in but not hang out in the surf. Maybe wide enough to do yoga as well. This one may end up being a loaner to my family/friends when they visit for the bay. I don't really don't want to lend out my Tahoe.

Just thought I'd put it out there for NWKITE folks as a lot of them SUP.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1490 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

my experience is that most people who go into the ocean get sup surf boards that are too small and narrow.
don't underestimate how hard it is to stay on a sup while paddling in ocean swell and waves.
if your focus is on "cruising" and not on wave riding and wave performance..... then find a "big" board that's very wide and stable.
the boards you listed above are performance wave boards that don't look compatible with your priorities.
not knowing how much you weigh or how well you paddle, 9' long by 30" wide would be my recommendation.
if you think you want a smaller board, be sure to demo one in choppy river conditions.
Big Winds in Hood River has like 30 demo boards you try at the event site.

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

We have a nice race SUP and a good all around SUP at our house. I would go with a large stable board as mentioned above. That is what seems to work best for me in the surf. It depends on where you are looking to ride. Maui surf = fun ........ Oregon surf = almost impossible........

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

My Boy ldhr really knows what he is talking about. Hes got more experience in the surf the most people. Last summer I picked up a 2010 Starboard wide point, 8'10" X 30 X 4"? I have been hitting the oregon coast lately and have found it to be a very humbling sport. I walked in to GORGE PERFORMANCE and found the largest selection of SUPs in the Pacific Northwest. I found a Channel Islands/surftech SUP that is 9'7" X 30" X 4"?
WOW! what a difference the Channel Islands SUP is so much more friendly to ride, more stable and all around MORE FUN!
My recommendation to you……rent a SUP in the area you want to use it in. If its Maui then rent one their so you can get a feel for how that board rides in the conditions that you want to use it in.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

catching ocean swell is much different then catching breaking surf. To catch ocean swell you need a longer faster board then the pickle. these long fast board will also allow you to catch small surf very early. start out on a big 11'-12' by 30" when you are ready to start to make botom turn top turns on breaking waves you will want something smaller.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

Like others said, there are two basic dealios

1) racing board and downwinders
2) "crutch assisted" longboard surfing

for the latter, I'd just get something like the Hana foamy. They are stable enough, dirt cheap and durable. Or an inflatable SUP, you can keep it in your car. You can always upgrade if you feel the board is holding you back. (Which won't be the case unless you are already a good surfer).

The racing boards can catch deep water swell, but you'd need to be laird to get a decent ride in the absence of stiff wind at your back. If you're going to be kiting when it's windy, just stick with "longboarding for knuckleheads", and I think it makes sense to start with something in the cheap/durable/convenient category, which means foamy or inflatable.

Florence has great no-shuttle downwinders if you want try something other than ocean kiting. When the tide rips you can catch swells in the river going downwind, then chillax on your belly while the tide rips you back out. Other ocean spots probably exhibit similar phenomena. This activity competes with kiting, since the wind is key to creating and catching swells, but it's pretty fun it's own right and easy enough to be an alternate activity for non-kiting friends. Just don't let the flying board catch you in the noodle if you go over the handlebars.

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Thank you so much. Really glad I posted. I have been toying with buying an inflatable. Maybe that is the ticket. The only thing I hesitate on are the fins. So weird. How do repair if you snap one? Also, I have a hard time getting that last little bit of air pressure in my kite. Pumping an inflatable looks daunting. I'll try a big styro one here, then an inflatable to see what I like.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

If you already paddle a race board and you are a light weight around 150 or less you should try to borrow rent a big board11'x30 or soft top after one or two times in small surf you will probablly be ready for a smaller board.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

If only I could bring my portable air compressor as a carry on. Ha! Inflatable sounds like a real pain.

aksurfer · Since 30 Aug 2010 92 Posts Anchorage, AK Â

I sell the SHUBU's here in Alaska, great boards. Inflatables have improved a lot in the last year. We sell a finishing pump (I know, another piece of equipment-sigh) that makes it easy to get the last 3-4psi.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

the finishing pump sounds like a great idea.

i don't own an inflatable, but the one's ive used were super easy to inflate, much easier than a kite.

it sounds like they have gotten the inflatables figured out well enough to make them a great choice.

i think a sup could function as a worthwhile lightwind kiteboard, although you would probably only on a downwinder.

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

I want to do a downwinder from the hatch to the event site on a paddle board on a windy day. Would be fun to "ride" some of those rollers. Gotta have game to steer to the sandbar and avoid barges on a windy day.

Gear gear gear gear...Looks like I'll get an inflatable AND floaty wave board. Good grief..having fun is expensive. Never heard of a finishing pump. Have to look into that. Small enough for a suitcase & lightweight? Anyone try it at altitude? Had my air compressor at Skyline - the idea being - you pump your kite most of the way up and i would top it off for the last bit. There were 50 people who didn't understand the concept of pumping up their own kites when they heard the generator going. 50 people...small air compressor at 7000ft. Sigh, whatcha gonna do? Shitshow happens. Fun day though.

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

To do HR down winders - seems like the best way to catch the waves is with a long race board. My wife did the down winder race from Viento to HR - and most people on race boards seemed to be able to catch the waves better.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

if you're just paddling a SUP, and want to catch those roller waves going downwind, the race board is the correct tool for the job, by far. you will need a little practice walking up and back in order to manage the pearl, that is part of the challenge/fun.

i was thinking more along the lines of ..... you're at some vacation spot, the wind is steady 12-15 knots or whatever, what are you going to do? fly some ridiculous 15m kite? or pump up your inflatable SUP and combine it with a 12 or a 9? the latter sounds more fun. this seems like a common problem no? maui, SPI, caribbean, la ventana, when it fails to deliver, ... you're not skunked so much as underpowered, right?