Stand up paddle boarding/SUP

HEIST · #1 07-12-2010, 03:51 PM

Hey guys. Last month I had a job where the transit involved me having to take a 3 minute mini boat ride across False Creek and back. Every morning I would see this one guy standing on what looks like a surf board and he used a paddle to navigate.

He can go pretty fast and it looks like a whole lot of fun. There isn't much of a surfing community in the lower mainland (more so in Tofino) so it was my first time seeing someone do something like that.

A quick google search tells me it's called SUP or stand up paddle boarding and I was wondering how many of you guys have done it? If I want to buy a board to start on, what should I be looking for? Are they different than surf boards?

Thanks a lot!!!

MakiSupaStar · #2 07-12-2010, 04:19 PM

I've done it many times. They're good in a harbor or calm water, but in the surf they piss off other surfers. If the surf is of any size, then i'd rather be surfing on a normal board.

basstotheface · #3 07-12-2010, 04:30 PM

^+1

If you are in any kind of waves id much rather be surfing.

In calm water its a hell of a lot of fun and relaxing. The boards are a lot bigger than
surfboards and the most recognizable board company would be YOLO over here. The surf shop i work at sells them for around 1000-2000 depending on what you want. So its a pretty expensive hobby.

The thing that really makes it fun for me is the ability to paddle 10+ miles on a really good day. You can just set up off a dock and paddle to a restaurant 5 miles away with your money, clothes, shoes, phone etc. in a backpack. (not recommended the first time because you'll likely fall and ruin everything)

It's also something you can learn very fast. You will be able to go to the beach on a crazy windy day and not fall after about 3 months of a little practice.

MakiSupaStar · #4 07-12-2010, 06:04 PM

These are what I use. The short one would probably better serve you. These are made by surftech and are epoxy. Light but super strong, which is something you need when your loading in and out of the water.

basstotheface · #5 07-12-2010, 06:06 PM

Maki- The one on top seems pretty small, is that considerably harder to balance on than the standard 11' ones?

MakiSupaStar · #6 07-12-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basstotheface

Maki- The one on top seems pretty small, is that considerably harder to balance on than the standard 11' ones?

Yeah, but Heist is a sexy little Asian chick, that's why I would recommend the smaller one.

Simo98 · #7 07-12-2010, 10:19 PM

Being a "sexy little Asian chick" id probably reccomend a 10 footer or so as a beginner, but you will probably end up on something like an 8'6" or 9' (maybe even smaller). More width and volume makes it easier when learning (same as length) but will hold you back once you are more experienced, try before you buy!

They do piss the surfers off, but you don't get anyone dropping in on you :P I live in what is probably ground zero for SUPs in Australia and we have quite a lot of them in the surf now, there are some guys who are bloody good at it.

That or get yourself a street-sup:

Joe Gress · #8 07-12-2010, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simo98

That or get yourself a street-sup:

I don't live near water, and now I really wish I lived on something other than a dirt road. That looks like so much fun.

Simo98 · #9 07-12-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

I don't live near water, and now I really wish I lived on something other than a dirt road. That looks like so much fun.

Combine that with the land paddle. Its a bit harder work to push yourself over rough terrain, but its still good fun, especially you have any undulating hills to work with

Jonyak · #10 07-13-2010, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEIST

Hey guys. Last month I had a job where the transit involved me having to take a 3 minute mini boat ride across False Creek and back. Every morning I would see this one guy standing on what looks like a surf board and he used a paddle to navigate.

He can go pretty fast and it looks like a whole lot of fun. There isn't much of a surfing community in the lower mainland (more so in Tofino) so it was my first time seeing someone do something like that.

A quick google search tells me it's called SUP or stand up paddle boarding and I was wondering how many of you guys have done it? If I want to buy a board to start on, what should I be looking for? Are they different than surf boards?

Thanks a lot!!!

There is a group of whitewater guys that surf these things on rivers.

it migth have been one of those guys.

Corran Addison is one of the pioneers on this.

http://canoekayak.com/features/stori...ison-outtakes/

HEIST · #11 07-13-2010, 11:56 AM

Wow, thanks a lot for all the great info guys!

There aren't any waves to surf and I've never seen a single surfer around where I live but I'll keep it in mind that it pisses them off :P

I had no idea a board would cost that much. I was hoping for something to start on at about $400 but price-wise they don't even start around there. I've been eyeing Surftech's Bark Expedition, not that I could afford it and like Maki said it's probably a bit big for me. I'm 5'0" tall, or 150cm ish.

Even used boards are around $800 on craigslist

Simo98, I already have a wicked longboard that I use along the beach and for daily errands. I'm itching to get in the water now that the weather is so nice.

I found out that there is actually a special SUP clinic this weekend on the beach I live by and I'm going to go for it! I am so excited you guys have no idea. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

basstotheface · #12 07-13-2010, 11:59 AM

You can always rent a board for a week or weekend even an hour.

Passinwind · #13 07-13-2010, 12:06 PM

At the last windsurf/kitesurf swap meet here there was a shaper from B.C. selling some pretty sweet looking SUPs. Lots of people use 'em on light wind days on the Columbia. I haven't tried it yet, but a guy I jam with has a couple and has offered to show me the ropes soon.

The guy who shapes the Surftech ones used to live here and has been doing surfboards and sailboards for many decades.

Jonyak · #14 07-13-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEIST

Wow, thanks a lot for all the great info guys!

There aren't any waves to surf and I've never seen a single surfer around where I live but I'll keep it in mind that it pisses them off :P

I had no idea a board would cost that much. I was hoping for something to start on at about $400 but price-wise they don't even start around there. I've been eyeing Surftech's Bark Expedition, not that I could afford it and like Maki said it's probably a bit big for me. I'm 5'0" tall, or 150cm ish.

Even used boards are around $800 on craigslist

Simo98, I already have a wicked longboard that I use along the beach and for daily errands. I'm itching to get in the water now that the weather is so nice.

I found out that there is actually a special SUP clinic this weekend on the beach I live by and I'm going to go for it! I am so excited you guys have no idea. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

guys do alot of paddling and surfing in the tidal rapids out your way.

**baba** · #15 07-13-2010, 12:22 PM

My buddy has a couple old huge volume sailboards that we use on occasion as SUPs. Who knew the old 80's Bic and Dufours would come in handy again?

MakiSupaStar · #16 07-13-2010, 02:16 PM

That clinic sounds like a good idea HEIST. Let us know how it works out. And we'll be requiring pics, or it didn't happen.

HEIST · #17 07-13-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonyak

guys do alot of paddling and surfing in the tidal rapids out your way.

Yes, I'm sure there's a community especially off Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. I'm just not close to any of it

HEIST · #18 07-14-2010, 02:40 PM

So I went down to speak with the guys that rent out/do lessons for paddle boarding down on the beach and the clinic this weekend is $70 for two hours and it's this pricey because they have a guy from Surftech coming out to demo three of their boards, go over water safety and teach you proper technique etc.

On any regular day however, they rent out boards for $15/hour or $25/2 hours and they give you a quick lesson on how to stand on it and off you go.

Now my question is...is paddle boarding relatively simple that I should just grab a friend and rent out a board for an hour and try it out or is the clinic on Sunday for $70 a good idea?

basstotheface · #19 07-14-2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEIST

So I went down to speak with the guys that rent out/do lessons for paddle boarding down on the beach and the clinic this weekend is $70 for two hours and it's this pricey because they have a guy from Surftech coming out to demo three of their boards, go over water safety and teach you proper technique etc.

On any regular day however, they rent out boards for $15/hour or $25/2 hours and they give you a quick lesson on how to stand on it and off you go.

Now my question is...is paddle boarding relatively simple that I should just grab a friend and rent out a board for an hour and try it out or is the clinic on Sunday for $70 a good idea?

Depends on your skill at water sports. If youve ever been canoeing, surfing, etc. you and a friend can just rent for an hour, get a quick 5 min. mini lesson, and be off. If your very clutzy and prefer land that clinic might be a good idea.

BTW those hourly rates are absolutely amazing. You should definitely use that service because those are the best prices ive ever seen.

MakiSupaStar · #20 07-14-2010, 03:39 PM

I found it butt easy. But I've been surfing most of my life and work around boards daily. You might not. If you've got a pretty good sense of balance, and aren't afraid of getting wet, I think you'll have no problem figuring it out.