tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56616119399461671822024-03-13T08:51:58.301-07:00Paddle Standing UpDownwind SUP adventures on beautiful Tomales Bay, CA.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-2803785560312900242016-01-21T16:51:00.000-08:002016-01-21T16:53:10.026-08:00Cape Town South Africa DownwindersIt's been forever since I added something to the blog! It's been a busy few months with the holidays and the move to a new office in SF. I want to share this video on my blog because these guys are pioneers in the DW world. They do a very good job explaining why downwinders are so challenging and fun. Really good tips. Downwinders at the end of the world.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-8300683604396666972015-08-04T09:30:00.003-07:002015-08-04T09:33:33.476-07:00Downwind SUP SkillsWhen we learn to paddle SUP, we usually start in calm water in a protected area away from wind, waves, current, and boat traffic. As we progress, many of us venture out into rougher conditions or environments that are wildly different from where we first learned to paddle. Sometimes, we find a certain aspect of SUP that we gravitate towards. For me, that has been downwind SUP. I love downwind paddling because I think it combines the best elements of touring, racing, and surfing. <br />
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Skills in one area of SUP transfer to other areas of SUP paddling. A low brace on the river is really no different than a low brace in the surf. A pivot turn in a race is no different than a pivot turn in the surf. This skill set overlap is why I think downwind paddling is the most fun and most rewarding. <br />
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<h4>
From racing, we take the following:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Fitness (both aerobic and anaerobic)</li>
<li>Stroke technique</li>
<li>Stroke efficiency</li>
<li>Turning skills</li>
<li>Pacing</li>
<li>Reading the water</li>
</ul>
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<h4>
From touring, we take the following:</h4>
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<div>
<ul>
<li>Weather forecasting and awareness</li>
<li>Trip planning and shuttling</li>
<li>Endurance</li>
<li>Self-reliance</li>
</ul>
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<h4>
From surfing, we take the following:</h4>
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</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Board control skills</li>
<li>Paddle control skills</li>
<li>Bracing skills</li>
<li>Turning skills</li>
<li>Venue awareness</li>
</ul>
<div>
Where these skill sets overlap, we find <i>DOWNWIND </i>paddling. It's not just paddling with the wind at your back, it's open water surfing, and a lot more!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnDm3dZFnvK26bdlQarFnP4mzy7IIrKnp9RFew_iqO_xEX-d4-4Y8cC-Cba0wdjCaUt-nxd6wtPORzpzsY7QwkYbpDG_Dq3qX7pPz4XEXGF3K85LfX1IXLCUbmxeB3JJ5iVCOBn3Zarc/s1600/DWBubbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnDm3dZFnvK26bdlQarFnP4mzy7IIrKnp9RFew_iqO_xEX-d4-4Y8cC-Cba0wdjCaUt-nxd6wtPORzpzsY7QwkYbpDG_Dq3qX7pPz4XEXGF3K85LfX1IXLCUbmxeB3JJ5iVCOBn3Zarc/s640/DWBubbles.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUP skill set overlap with Downwind in the intersection.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-3531297034257504292015-06-10T21:35:00.000-07:002015-06-17T17:12:00.442-07:00What is Downwind SUP? - Part 3 - Tips<h3>
<strike>
A dozen</strike> 13 tips that I hope help you become a downwind expert!</h3>
<ol>
<li>We need waves for hydrodynamic lift (Planing). To plane is to SURF! Surfing is FUN!</li>
<li>Downwind boards are planing shapes but function as a displacement shape at low speeds. They really come alive when on a plane (i.e., surfing a bump) and that is the goal is downwind SUP, to catch waves and get the board on a plane.</li>
<li>You catch waves, don’t let waves catch you.</li>
<li>Paddle downhill.</li>
<li>Keep your head on a swivel. Look forward, not behind.</li>
<li>Downwinding is not straight-lining. You are often zigzagging when going from one bump to another.</li>
<li>Develop two paddle speeds (one for cruising, one for acceleration to catch the bump).</li>
<li>Paddle with purpose. Don't just put your head down and motor the whole time. Be efficient. Relax as much as you can, save your energy for short powerful bursts to catch bumps.</li>
<li>Alter stance to maintain trim. This is crucial, gracefully move from parallel stance to off-set stance to surf stance and back again. You are constantly moving.</li>
<li>Develop a solid, reliable <a href="https://youtu.be/2Z3xQZ-48WY" target="_blank">low brace</a>. You will use it a lot!</li>
<li>Be aggressive! Want it more than you fear it.</li>
<li>Use small bumps to catch large bumps, and link large bumps together. The goal is to plane as much as possible.</li>
<li>Stay loose. Find a way to relax, keep your legs soft and just go with the ocean, don't fight it.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Here's a bonus; a video of Jeremy Riggs explaining how read bumps:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="365" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/44165415" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="650"></iframe> <br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/44165415">Reading Bumps</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user8389997">Paddle With Riggs</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-15677575145850395212015-05-26T21:46:00.003-07:002015-06-10T21:36:34.595-07:00What is Downwind SUP? - Part 2In part one we briefly looked at planing vs. non-planing. This time, let's look at some cool pictures and compare the same board and same paddler in both states of being.<br />
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<h3>
Connor Baxter Planing</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6U9GmXzRqZkFne2PEPdr4d9hiQtV6ibWXcChyawwhaPcP653GToTWfMGrIAAGUlGXHKIlOw7VqpzbnMMjn9y4aFRuYZKhFObMh8OdTsdo-CDO-5t1TEQ7MFv2T427DtwFIqNb4uQgoqc/s1600/planing-board.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6U9GmXzRqZkFne2PEPdr4d9hiQtV6ibWXcChyawwhaPcP653GToTWfMGrIAAGUlGXHKIlOw7VqpzbnMMjn9y4aFRuYZKhFObMh8OdTsdo-CDO-5t1TEQ7MFv2T427DtwFIqNb4uQgoqc/s640/planing-board.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we see <a href="http://www.connorbaxter.com/" target="_blank">Connor Baxter</a> during the M2O race on a huge bump. Notice how far back on the board he is. Most of his weight is over his back foot, hands and paddle are low in preparation for a toe-side low brace or a cross tail heel-side low brace. Sweet! Over half of the board is out of the water.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Connor Baxter Not Planing (displacement mode)</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUNXZhAIyrNmtMRWOvDt6we2Zpp1R1odE6sYEtJ9BGZZ8WMnebg5qPLIgOX2VFlo3ruKbzKaxc_pv13W3Cpzc7owK6bWojJoJN2iWnbvmjojcvAlykS9vD96Mc5G1L6DYs4CfFa6CVXA/s1600/not-planing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUNXZhAIyrNmtMRWOvDt6we2Zpp1R1odE6sYEtJ9BGZZ8WMnebg5qPLIgOX2VFlo3ruKbzKaxc_pv13W3Cpzc7owK6bWojJoJN2iWnbvmjojcvAlykS9vD96Mc5G1L6DYs4CfFa6CVXA/s640/not-planing.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Connor near the finish of the M2O race working very hard. Notice how much of the board is in the water. Notice his feet placement compared to the first picture. He's paddling very hard here. He's one of the fastest SUP paddlers (in any conditions) in the business.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Jeremy Riggs Planing</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETV0RrPdprjaw9l6YK8ouc3prH9FGgKlspJFswmeC9QlQfGq0NOlmaqNaCje2tvFGdGHR-QJErr2Mkn7YOsLxtJhm0netH48dtkCxoPm2rR83D_u0Mzs4sRwmoJhlcmRyi8nFb71Kizg/s1600/Riggs-planing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETV0RrPdprjaw9l6YK8ouc3prH9FGgKlspJFswmeC9QlQfGq0NOlmaqNaCje2tvFGdGHR-QJErr2Mkn7YOsLxtJhm0netH48dtkCxoPm2rR83D_u0Mzs4sRwmoJhlcmRyi8nFb71Kizg/s640/Riggs-planing.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a less extreme example of planing. <a href="http://paddlewithriggs.com/" target="_blank">Jeremy Riggs</a> showing beautiful form on a nice Maui bump. Notice his feet. He's not way back on the tail because he doesn't need to be. The board is planing nicely. Paddle is in perfect position for a draw, a quick forward stroke or a high brace. Jeremy Riggs is loose, smooth, and so relaxed.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-75018137195235398672015-05-12T16:45:00.000-07:002015-06-10T21:37:33.722-07:00What is Downwind SUP? - Part 1I've done a few downwind lessons and guided runs with people who are relatively new to this aspect of SUP and I've usually walked away thinking "something got lost in my message and I'm not sure what it is." I don't like this feeling at all; mainly because I want to be a good instructor, but just as importantly, because I want them to feel what I feel! I want them to know that feeling and to love it like I do. So, what's missing? It hit me one day when driving home from work. Some people don't know WHY they are downwinding. They think they are out there for the sole purpose of paddling with the wind at their back because it's faster and easier. That's not it though, that's just a tiny piece of it. <br />
<br />
They are out there to get their board on a plane and keep it there. The "why" is to feel the surge, the hit of speed that only occurs when riding a wave. That's what we are trying to do, we are trying to ride waves. Period. When we are not on a wave (or bump) we are resting a bit and looking for another one. <br />
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If you have downwinded before (and caught a bump) then you know what planing is. If you have surfed before then you definitely know about planing. If you have ridden in a high performance ski boat, fishing boat, or pleasure craft then you know what planing is. Look at the picture below. This is planing.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7lQKDzzoYZ_yQM1Yp59cainQuSHMeT8oC-dmJwnhQEyeRdZQVcB6CzrglL8mhTxPzsh7KsWi9UPRUAj52q7PVqcAi3pH69txyvU9qzUJ086vnNQ4hWsoQ6MjkKOFcZbW-L6oIXQWd9Q/s1600/planing-boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7lQKDzzoYZ_yQM1Yp59cainQuSHMeT8oC-dmJwnhQEyeRdZQVcB6CzrglL8mhTxPzsh7KsWi9UPRUAj52q7PVqcAi3pH69txyvU9qzUJ086vnNQ4hWsoQ6MjkKOFcZbW-L6oIXQWd9Q/s640/planing-boat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pleasure boat planing. Look at how much of the boat is out of the water, look at the smiles on their faces! Why are they smiling? One reason is that Donzi wants to show you how much fun their boats are, the other reason is that planing means going fast and going fast is FUN.</td></tr>
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Let's think about planing the next time we are out in windy conditions. Sometimes, there's just not enough wind to create the wave energy to get on a plane. To get the board the board to plane, we need power to create speed. Speed creates lift, lift creates planing. Planing creates fun. Imagine if the Donzi in the picture only had a 25 HP outboard, it would never plane. What a shame!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrXdZu99999CngQRxFQOAtPqhu81DepobrgDzt5uj1VRWUfXjYqVJGkmbvabPff_KXru37KS2wUWaiS4beRcyOn_3pLHvVhEngc7a0bOvoUf8zCIXMzlwtaitkbt9QyN5J3lpfmtvxQQ/s1600/DWBoard-Bullet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrXdZu99999CngQRxFQOAtPqhu81DepobrgDzt5uj1VRWUfXjYqVJGkmbvabPff_KXru37KS2wUWaiS4beRcyOn_3pLHvVhEngc7a0bOvoUf8zCIXMzlwtaitkbt9QyN5J3lpfmtvxQQ/s640/DWBoard-Bullet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best downwind boards on the market, the SIC Bullet. This is a planing shape, specifically designed for catching and surfing bumps.</td></tr>
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At rest and at low speeds, both the boat and the board are in displacement mode (i.e., not planing). At high speed, they plane. The boat gets on a plane pretty easily from it's big V8, in contrast, we cannot plane under our own power, we need lots of help. We get that help from wave push and gravity when we catch a bump in the ocean or a wave on the beach. It's energy, and we need it!<br />
<br />
Here are some points about planing. I don't claim to know anything about hull shapes or physics but I know what feels good and I think these points help to explain what planing is:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>When at rest, a vessels's weight is supported entirely by buoyant force. Simply stated, a vessel will float or remain buoyant when it's weight + cargo weight is less than the weight of the water is displaces. It's all good. This is us 99% of the time. This is displacement mode.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li> At high enough speed, the reactionary force of the water pushing up on the board is great than the force of gravity and the board will plane. When on a bump, the horizontal force is converted to vertical force upwards. This lift also decreases the wet surface area of the board and thus reduces friction which helps the board accelerate. To plane, a speed boats needs a powerful engine, a sailboat needs good sail area, and we need a wave!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It part 2, let's look at the anatomy of a board on a plane and a board in displacement mode.<br />
<br />
(Stolen from Area10 on the StandupZone where he is explaining what he considers "planing"):<br />
<span style="background-color: #e7eaef; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.4799995422363px; line-height: 17.4720001220703px;">Well, certainly you can do what I call "surge-riding", which happens quite a lot with raceboards that don't plane easily - you are definitely getting a push but you are sitting high on the bump and going at the same pace as it. But what I think of as downwinding is an experience that is pretty much indistinguishable from surfing: the board is moving far faster than the bump and this allows you to plow over the bump in front and into the next trough, and so on. The board feels loose and free, and is throwing up spray at the sides and you need your foot over the fin to move it around to avoid poking the nose into the bump in front. So I don't know if that is what you'd call planing, but that is what I'm aiming for in my downwinding. You can connect bumps by turning and following the direction of the troughs, or you can do it by getting so much momentum up that you are skipping over them, and that's when the real excitement happens, to my mind.</span><br />
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<br />
(Additional commentary from my buddy Daniel Alvarez: <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=1734411742&extragetparams=%7B%22hc_location%22%3A%22ufi%22%7D" data-reactid=".28.1:4:1:$comment1588864484721352_1588877931386674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="https://www.facebook.com/jeff.burton1?hc_location=ufi" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.0799999237061px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jeff Burton</a><span data-reactid=".28.1:4:1:$comment1588864484721352_1588877931386674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.0799999237061px;"> it's a nice article. It's hard to say much more without getting really technical about hull speeds, weight to power ratios and prismatic coefficients </span><br />
<span data-reactid=".28.1:4:1:$comment1588864484721352_1588877931386674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.0799999237061px;"><span data-reactid=".28.1:4:1:$comment1588864484721352_1588877931386674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span class="emoticon_text" style="clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px); height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 1px;">smile emoticon</span><span class="emoticon emoticon_smile" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/ye/r/sinZfNNNFDk.png); background-position: 0px -8058px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: top; width: 16px;" title=":)"></span>. In sailing we refer to most boats as 5 knot shit boxes. Most sailboats can't escape</span></span><span data-reactid=".28.1:4:1:$comment1588864484721352_1588877931386674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.0799999237061px;"><span data-reactid=".28.1:4:1:$comment1588864484721352_1588877931386674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".28.1:4:1:$comment1588864484721352_1588877931386674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0"> their displacement hull speeds no matter what you do. Enter the ultralight revolution that started in Santa Cruz which designed much lighter boats with big spinnakers to allow them with some swell assistance to sustain prolonged surfs. Sounds familiar? The Santa Cruz ultralights were the original downwinders and popular with many of the offshore downwind races. Now they can be a hate mission going upwind in a blow. SUPs are effectively 5 knot shitboxes under all but perhaps some elite paddlers. So if we want to go faster we need help. Our sail area is pretty limited (though it feels humongous when paddling upwind) so wind alone is not sufficient to get us going that much faster. But gravity is. Being at the top of a wave can provide enough force (with some aggressive paddling) to get the board on a plane and enjoy a nice surf. So on a good downwind run, you can get the exhilaration of surfing without getting worked. Though I have to say, as a longtime windsurfer I sometimes wonder why I'm paddling in a blow. I guess it is just a different feeling and challenge connecting with the waves.)</span></span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-24725742216366035502015-04-21T16:58:00.000-07:002015-04-21T17:02:57.493-07:00Imagine Connector ReviewI walked into <a href="http://www.101surfsports.com/" target="_blank">101 Surf Sports</a> yesterday to get some new fins for "previously loved" SIC Recon surf SUP and got to talk to David Wells a little bit about quad fins and also about new downwind boards showing up on the market. In addition to the new rough water board from <a href="http://focussup.com/boards/bluefin/" target="_blank">Focus</a> (the Bluefin) we also talked about new Imagine Connectors which are beautifully strung to the ceiling of the shop away from sweaty hands of people like me. If you are in the market for a new 14' DW board you have to check this one out. Since the beginning of time, SIC has owned the downwind board market but you have to stop and take notice of this one from Dave Kalama and Imagine. For one thing, it looks fantastic. The new models are full carbon and come in two different widths. Imagine could have taken the lazy way out and copied a SIC Bullet template but they didn't. They created something entirely different (take a look at the rocker on this thing).<br />
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I have not yet had the pleasure of paddling one but if I do, I will be sure to write about it on this blog. Here's is a nice blog post from the <a href="http://villageofstoke.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-imagine-surf-connector-dw-board.html" target="_blank">Joel Yang and the Village of Stoke</a> about this board. Sure sounds like a winner to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLvTulIzjrUEf5P0Za3_hqnlbbd67s8nj6Amvwf9ayLXPFkTKQDyMNTrOp6Q4SXPZEJREvvTa3WAMWI2Zbp1CQsmGJa0w6X3xu0juQQBn7PaL5DLwx-S5SQhnAF-2orQZKOeCoZAtMo8/s1600/DSCN2030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLvTulIzjrUEf5P0Za3_hqnlbbd67s8nj6Amvwf9ayLXPFkTKQDyMNTrOp6Q4SXPZEJREvvTa3WAMWI2Zbp1CQsmGJa0w6X3xu0juQQBn7PaL5DLwx-S5SQhnAF-2orQZKOeCoZAtMo8/s1600/DSCN2030.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from the Village of Stoke blog showing the rocker of the (previous model) board and needle nose.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-84569167921386776812015-04-20T12:08:00.000-07:002015-04-20T12:13:34.295-07:00SUP Downwinders on Tomales BayTomales Bay is a great place to enjoy the thrill of downwind SUP. Spring winds generally come from the NW which will generate some nice bumps down the length of Tomales Bay. Beautiful landscape, warm(ish) water, abundant wildlife, absence of boat traffic and other hazards, make Tomales Bay an ideal location to surf whitecaps. If you have never gotten your board to plane then you are really missing out! Downwinding combines the best elements of surfing, racing, and touring. If you want to try it, go to Tomales Bay. It's always best to go with some experienced people. You can find them by joining the DownFrienders group on Facebook.<br />
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In the meantime, take a look at the map showing some important locations on Tomales Bay. Enjoy all that Tomales Bay has to offer but please be smart! Check the forecasts, go with small group, match the conditions to your experience and fitness level, and always wear a leash and PFD.<br />
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<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zTqZ4ap6lvfQ.kJiFBWWWPsF4" width="640" height="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-82740206115122916682015-04-01T16:34:00.002-07:002015-04-01T16:34:56.759-07:00Northern California Downwinder Season!Ladies and Gentlemen, it's here. The wind. The wind is here for real (the <a href="http://bml.ucdavis.edu/boon/tomales_bay_buoy.html" target="_blank">Tomales Bay buoy</a> showed 28 mph at around 4:25 pm). Today I'm sitting in my home office working, and there is a contractor here cleaning lint from my dryer. I'm constantly checking facebook to see who is doing what today and where they are doing it. Some are doing a "Windy Wednesday" with the <a href="http://www.barbaryghost.com/" target="_blank">Barbary Ghost</a>, some are on Tomales Bay, some are just surfing little bumps on the river. Me? Just working. A little sad that I'm missing out for sure but I know this is just the beginning. There are many "SUP Safari" adventures aboard the Ghost, the Davenport race, and Tomales Bay runs with my DownFrienders. My friend Matt Palmariello and I are even running a three day downwinder camp on Tomales Bay in about three weeks.<br />
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Let the downwind season begin! I can be patient. I know there are plenty of bumps for everyone. Surfing for miles at a time with no line-up, no waiting, and no problems. Not a care in the world.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-83640697672920131872015-03-29T21:57:00.000-07:002015-04-02T11:19:05.478-07:00Clif Organic Energy Food Review (Pizza Margherita)Now that I'm in my mid 40s, I have a better understanding of how my body works and what I need in order to feel right. I love taking my lunch to work because I can snack any time and I can eat lunch any time too. It's nice to have that freedom. In school, I remember being hungry before lunch a LOT. I wonder how much better my grades would have been if I were allowed to eat throughout the day? Do you know that foggy feeling? Confused, irritated, angry, frustrated feeling? Not much fun. Ever "bonked"? I have a couple of times. Pretty scary.<br />
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While paddling, I always have some emergency calories stashed in my PFD. I keep two GU packets in my right pocket. In a pinch, I can even consume them without water. I also like to keep some Clif Shot Bloks in my chest pocket. I like these because they are more fun to each, like big gummy bears. I really like the Margarita flavor. Citrus is good too.</div>
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I like gels, they pack a nice calorie punch and some have caffeine, but I get tired of the syrupy taste and texture. Sometimes you just want to taste some real food! I was at REI the other day and found something new, Clif Organic Energy Food and picked up two packets of Pizza Margherita. I was so curious to try it, I ate the first one in the parking lot. I have to say, the flavor was interesting, like eating flavored tomato paste or pizza flavored baby food. If you are a picky eater you might not like it but I thought it was okay. Not great, but pretty good. Sometimes you just want something that tastes like real food and not Karo Syrup. I really liked the twist off cap too, very easy to do while on the water. Give it a try, you might like it! </div>
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Go here to read the <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/products/clif-shot/organic-energy-food" target="_blank">nutrition label</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not bad at all. Might even taste better warm? Leave it out in the sun for a few minutes?</td></tr>
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4/2 Update: I just ate the <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/products/clif-shot/organic-energy-food/banana-mango-with-coconut" target="_blank">Banana, Mango, Coconut</a>. Delicious. It's like a little dessert in a pouch. Might as pretend you are in Hawaii or Costa Rica while out paddling. I didn't feel the need to wash it down with water either. Not too thick, not too sweet. Just right. I might get a box of these.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home run from Clif</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-55515305365846268662015-02-07T12:10:00.001-08:002015-02-07T17:51:25.220-08:00Epic Weed Deflector InstalledJust installed the Epic Weed Deflector on my SIC Bullet 17. I cleaned the surface with alcohol and applied using only the peel and stick adhesive and some gorilla tape. It should be easy to remove and reposition if required. If it works, I will epoxy it in place. It is close enough to the rudder to fit through the hole in the board bag. Wind in the forecast tomorrow. We shall see!!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-24985554972684625572015-02-02T22:55:00.001-08:002015-02-02T23:09:42.335-08:00Weed Deflector (Eel Grass Ginsu) for my SIC Bullet 17I picked up this little carbon beauty from the good people at <a href="http://www.epickayaks.com/product/product/weed-deflectors" target="_blank">Epic Kayaks</a>. I figure it should work fine on my Bullet. My rudder pulls up eel grass from Tomales Bay like a John Deere pulls dandelions from a little league outfield. I can't have that. Eel grass keeps Tomales Bay healthy, clean, and full of little fishies. What's good for the bay is bad for my board, it adds a LOT of drag.<br />
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I will take some pictures after installation and also let you know how it works. $20 investment, so what the heck? I will nickname it the "EGG" (Eel Grass Ginsu), or how about "The Kelp Kutter"?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carbon Fiber is cool, and sharp.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-59956657462971617092015-01-18T21:40:00.003-08:002015-01-18T21:44:13.452-08:00Sandwich Island Composites (SIC) 2015Seems like just a couple of years ago, Sandwich Island Composites (SIC) was a relatively small player in the world of SUP board manufacturing. They were best known for their custom, Maui-made ocean racing and downwind boards, the F-16, and the Bullet. Now? Well, they still make the best downwind boards in the world but they also make flat water racing boards, surf boards, even inflatables.<br />
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If you are looking for a board specifically for downwinders, be sure to put SIC at the top of your list. There are multiple downwind boards in their <a href="http://www.sicmaui.com/" target="_blank">line-up</a>, including the Bullet 12'6", Bullet 14', and F-14 Wide Glide. For ruddered boards, take a look at the F-16, and of course the flagship of the downwinder world, the outstanding Bullet 17'4". Don't be alarmed by the narrow width (26.6 inches), as the standing area is exactly the same width as my 30 inch wide 14 foot board. On the Bullet, the deck pad extends all the way to the edge of the rail.<br />
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Check out the 2015 SIC Catalog to see the whole range:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.999979019165px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.999979019165px;">If you are fortunate enough to live in the North Bay, go to <a href="http://www.101surfsports.com/" target="_blank">101 Surf Sports in San Rafael.</a> They carry the full range of SIC boards. If you can't drop by or if you are out of the area, be sure to give them a call and ask for David or Tom. They will take care of you.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-67342269996730684622014-10-31T11:48:00.000-07:002014-10-31T11:48:14.266-07:00What is a Downwinder?If you have ever tried to explain it to your friends, you know it's pretty difficult isn't it? It's slighty easier if you try to explain "what is a downwinder" to your friends who paddle. I think part of the problem is the word itself. "Downwind" is the direction of travel and "er" describes the action but does not convey what you are actually doing. Here's my attempt at explaining a downwinder in as few words as possible:<br />
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<b>A downwinder is a fast, one-way paddle in a following sea with the goal of getting your board to plane (surf) down the face of a wind wave (bump) by adjusting heading, stroke cadence, and board trim. The ultimate goal is to catch long glides and link them together so that your board remains on a plane for as long as possible.</b><br />
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I guess that is decent but still does nothing to describe the way it makes you <i>feel</i>. Close your eyes and imagine being a Norse god thundering through the clouds with the spray on your face, the sun on your back, paddle raised triumphantly into the air after acing an exam on your birthday. Yeah, like that only better!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-67091649289668490982014-09-06T20:50:00.001-07:002014-09-07T08:49:31.552-07:00Boat Supported Downwinder Trips with the Barbary Ghost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Paddling upwind is a great workout. It's also a great way to improve your efficiency and technique: shorter strokes, higher cadence, etc. In addition, it makes you a smarter paddler because you are always looking for little ways to cheat the wind by looking for little wind breaks like maybe a breakwater, a little point, or even a boat. The reward at the end of an upwind paddle is a well-deserved downwind paddle. I figure this is paying your dues; you work hard and then you play hard.<br />
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All of that is great, don't get me wrong, but there is NOTHING like a <i>downwind</i> paddle. To have a good downwind run you need a buddy or two to go with you and you need to set up a shuttle. Here's how that works:<br />
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<li>Find a good day and time by checking the forecasts. Hopefully, this day and time will be during the weekend.</li>
<li>Find a friend named Ward Figge who also wants to go at the exact same date and time.</li>
<li>Meet at Spot "z" (the take out)</li>
<li>Load all gear in and on car one.</li>
<li>Drive car one to spot "y" (the put in)</li>
<li>Hope for good conditions (both wind speed and direction)</li>
<li>Downwind to spot "z" and load gear in and on car two.</li>
<li>Drive car 2 up to spot "y" and pick up car one.</li>
<li>Load some gear into car one and drive away.</li>
<li>Meet your buddy Ward at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-Reyes/530531433641385" target="_blank">Cafe Reyes</a> for a Farallon pizza and a Scrimshaw.</li>
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For this to work, you need all of the things. Oh, you also need a ROAD! Okay, there are alternatives like shuttle services (if you are lucky enough to live in Hood River or Maui), or loving spouses who can both drop off and pick up but don't push your luck with this one, trust me - use only in case of emergency.</div>
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The best option by far is downwinder by boat. This solution comes with some additional cost but eliminates so many problems and is so much fun, it's worth every penny. Not only does the boat replace the cars and all the wasted time driving around, it can also get you into places that are just not accessible by land. Most importantly, the boat can set you up for a run of nearly any length and in the best direction. This is a <b>huge</b> advantage.</div>
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I met a guy named Drew Testwuide last year who runs the charter boat <a href="http://www.barbaryghost.com/" target="_blank">Barbary Ghost</a> out of Loch Lomond Marina in San Rafael, CA. In addition to being a super nice guy, he is a very competent boat captain who has really dialed in his weekday afternoon downwinders (called "Windy Wednesdays") and his longer, more intense weekend excursions (called "SUP Safaris"). His boat is equipped with racks for up to six SUP boards of any length and the routes and number of runs are customizable based on the conditions and who's on board. The boat offers plenty of cabin space if you want to stay out of the wind and warm up, or up top if you want to look around. There's also a fridge, changing area, and restroom (head). </div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">To have the best experience on a SUP Safari I recommend at least a couple years of paddling experience, an advanced SUP class like <a href="http://www.calkayak.com/class_board.cfm" target="_blank">SUP 201</a>, and a little rough water paddling experience. Some surfing skills come in handy because you will be moving around on the board a lot, changing direction, and bracing.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: Drew is a friend of mine and a valuable resource for downwind lovers in the bay area. Drew trusts my paddling and coaching skills enough to let me come along as a guide/coach from time to time on his SUP excursions</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">.</span> </span></div>
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Here is a typical SUP Safari:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Register online and then meet at Loch Lomond Marina at a specific time. </li>
<li>Load board, paddle, PFD, and change of clothes on the Barbary Ghost. Niko (the dog) will usually great you with a friendly bark but will not offer much help loading, though he will fetch your paddle if you happen to drop it off the dock!</li>
<li>Once everyone is loaded, we have a pre-trip safety talk and also discuss the route(s).</li>
<li>Drew motors the Barbary Ghost out into San Francisco Bay looking for the best wind and the best route (which includes a safe place to splash boards and then pick up at the end of the run).</li>
<li>Everyone goes in one at a time and waits for the last person to launch.</li>
<li>And they're off! Everyone goes at their own pace. The goal is to catch as many glides as possible, even linking one glide into the next. Keep the board the planing as long as possible.</li>
<li>During the run, Drew is shadowing the group, monitoring three VHF channels (14, 16, and 72), communicating with the guide, taking pictures, and preparing for the pick up.</li>
<li>At the pick up, people and boards are loaded, smiles are smiled, fists are bumped, and tales are told. Snacks are snacked and drinks are drank as the boat goes back upwind for another run or two!</li>
<li>At the end of the last run, everyone changes into dry clothes and goes up top to see the sunset and have a snack and a drink while enjoying a trip down San Francisco Bay back to Loch Lomond. We have fun recounting the best runs, the best falls, and the best glides. For me, the ride back is a peaceful, relaxed, slightly exhausted feeling of gratitude and thankfulness with just a hint of sadness that it's over. A bit like the last day of a wonderful vacation.</li>
</ol>
<div>
It sure beats driving doesn't it? Check out some of the pictures from our last SUP Safari. The wind was not that great on this day but we were lucky enough to have a <a href="http://www.xsightphotography.com/" target="_blank">pro photographer</a> on board! </div>
</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizyv646UuFlhh7rkQtYXe2W-uOG1M-4RnfV6LPyzU8zBw4mLQtn0D9ZE_cHEUZ2Wujl8fR2FhNlDwrSFqM2u3JAjSqrXICZpFM2ef0oIzeleUg7q6glCZMtqf0ieHdmJhTo-1PyQZv-0/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizyv646UuFlhh7rkQtYXe2W-uOG1M-4RnfV6LPyzU8zBw4mLQtn0D9ZE_cHEUZ2Wujl8fR2FhNlDwrSFqM2u3JAjSqrXICZpFM2ef0oIzeleUg7q6glCZMtqf0ieHdmJhTo-1PyQZv-0/s1600/002.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game plans are discussed shortly after leaving the marina on a warm August 30th.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ41Ae2b9LGiWn9V6DTaquqD0gzbFICo8KAaKpK2paMWbYLzadlFbBMOL8Hwuo0kz3YIZHXpdMnrqmwRk8m44BfziLh_yrie9qn5fFLrKPvQZYgBOkFAN9cgb8MrRjd2pchB3NWAj3sKQ/s1600/008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ41Ae2b9LGiWn9V6DTaquqD0gzbFICo8KAaKpK2paMWbYLzadlFbBMOL8Hwuo0kz3YIZHXpdMnrqmwRk8m44BfziLh_yrie9qn5fFLrKPvQZYgBOkFAN9cgb8MrRjd2pchB3NWAj3sKQ/s1600/008.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew and Niko try to activate their wind-making super twin powers.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7MBP1HTJqS_eD8LPK9D8Blk7iksp1asRFRmybLApzvW84eZ15lJKbQmySKCL91TVe9g0YqfPBAF1AoYRLsVZ1W0If6Pl2aPa3heBXSDSgcuOKqrMsfeCXhCP8d8KUia-dziyGJygBjY/s1600/009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7MBP1HTJqS_eD8LPK9D8Blk7iksp1asRFRmybLApzvW84eZ15lJKbQmySKCL91TVe9g0YqfPBAF1AoYRLsVZ1W0If6Pl2aPa3heBXSDSgcuOKqrMsfeCXhCP8d8KUia-dziyGJygBjY/s1600/009.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail is a strong paddler and is stoked to be on her first DW run!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtcbn06-blnwBIL8S6fIhjiHmy5Q1JVBKnxaydaqsOdupIXTjAKGx4rG9cgt_ketgjyFI7pWv7HA1Zn0CilVOg-4Yin6e6aTXkBj5jXngbCyQOwK1ZhTxDQ2Sd5qJOPw8wrx2lL2T8XI/s1600/WIDESHOT046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtcbn06-blnwBIL8S6fIhjiHmy5Q1JVBKnxaydaqsOdupIXTjAKGx4rG9cgt_ketgjyFI7pWv7HA1Zn0CilVOg-4Yin6e6aTXkBj5jXngbCyQOwK1ZhTxDQ2Sd5qJOPw8wrx2lL2T8XI/s1600/WIDESHOT046.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Though not much wind here, it served a good warm-up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Wi31hHQR2vEjooGu7zhSgPLiwdKjnyS6EY2_fCr7FELrIF3UKY1GhGalEhpdGvF8gZeJUDyoouvKYhp1iXW8aNwqLKbnWkHTXmRgmYopePGdYzfZKlOYceOcFuoWrPuUGCeMj4LvrWo/s1600/034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Wi31hHQR2vEjooGu7zhSgPLiwdKjnyS6EY2_fCr7FELrIF3UKY1GhGalEhpdGvF8gZeJUDyoouvKYhp1iXW8aNwqLKbnWkHTXmRgmYopePGdYzfZKlOYceOcFuoWrPuUGCeMj4LvrWo/s1600/034.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm feeling a little bummed by the lack of wind from the Richmond Bridge to the Marin Islands. :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE9uTWHHXQliLJtB1yow6MAlVN0R0fih00MVg1iGbVtGkJSSN0ugDhTttw-Xh9gFVX34eOw-_iErKK2r2epw8Wr6pCsdpzL0TXs06asrxjm1j9VrSDwuoK_64FRVH4w44ui9Zz_NvFns/s1600/053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE9uTWHHXQliLJtB1yow6MAlVN0R0fih00MVg1iGbVtGkJSSN0ugDhTttw-Xh9gFVX34eOw-_iErKK2r2epw8Wr6pCsdpzL0TXs06asrxjm1j9VrSDwuoK_64FRVH4w44ui9Zz_NvFns/s1600/053.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Change of Plans: We re-load and prepare to go on a wind hunt. It's out there somewhere and we are going to find it.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdEs5l1zrIbFsj1Yn1U_xB-iXmGx5mVBW4NICFObxZANAF53E0N4jyoemnGuqtBo-Jepnk6EgZE-N6U9Wus4uTGbmpsr3DQaFpFJZ8IR_IR7mjQ-s3MDHeL6dOSGKGD0iBPgsv6sQxS8/s1600/BOAT057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdEs5l1zrIbFsj1Yn1U_xB-iXmGx5mVBW4NICFObxZANAF53E0N4jyoemnGuqtBo-Jepnk6EgZE-N6U9Wus4uTGbmpsr3DQaFpFJZ8IR_IR7mjQ-s3MDHeL6dOSGKGD0iBPgsv6sQxS8/s1600/BOAT057.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Barbary Ghost makes her way from the Marin Islands in search of wind. Point Blunt Angel Island is our destination.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsImW8g8bHZpcYmCrjaI6VT9gqNQOoDn25MYvu_Ek1h5SMtcpNhRcvw_Rnzi6sQG9ZwrIbf0lJwaybyVIPpM4pdszvik0yIQWqlmdQOT5FlKQ_kDZhJkyhpUavOLd0mQpb-KA1sMFCbzk/s1600/111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsImW8g8bHZpcYmCrjaI6VT9gqNQOoDn25MYvu_Ek1h5SMtcpNhRcvw_Rnzi6sQG9ZwrIbf0lJwaybyVIPpM4pdszvik0yIQWqlmdQOT5FlKQ_kDZhJkyhpUavOLd0mQpb-KA1sMFCbzk/s1600/111.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We head to Angel Island. Drew, Gail, and I look for the best location to splash boards.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF8kC39na-rOs22518GNPIlAoEte3w3A5rtS_FQOsDG4iRdjcggTaGe8l5J4pJkw734CGUp7xBy7FfDKNNSseS5WE1hp3_snhsG330laQgNyiMo3hdN9Tp9PfzSC7DU-7FO4F37FZ4ow/s1600/117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF8kC39na-rOs22518GNPIlAoEte3w3A5rtS_FQOsDG4iRdjcggTaGe8l5J4pJkw734CGUp7xBy7FfDKNNSseS5WE1hp3_snhsG330laQgNyiMo3hdN9Tp9PfzSC7DU-7FO4F37FZ4ow/s1600/117.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Drew takes a close look at the cove before dropping anchor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRZzPTNH8r3Zh3nQufLzj5BXbOBuCo8Kf8TrwLmUmBa4w4IO_3ghK1bxEwjjK8L_nJ1I_6yQHdr-St-q172aTB9ApGK5NdcUhQEFHbnuYixgI_jgjyyQMmE5KS9NvC5I4WXhzLlvKyNI/s1600/136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRZzPTNH8r3Zh3nQufLzj5BXbOBuCo8Kf8TrwLmUmBa4w4IO_3ghK1bxEwjjK8L_nJ1I_6yQHdr-St-q172aTB9ApGK5NdcUhQEFHbnuYixgI_jgjyyQMmE5KS9NvC5I4WXhzLlvKyNI/s1600/136.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Eureka! We've found it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_W9r2R0ciWJRQpRXiKMENnlBFisxSZyuVCdzY0PvUbKwjSQqC7vEfukjIUwvnEf42pvjFGr49rjif27JJjO1EMbEPSQG69vtnBfbUty296iAoJJrrwD350jly1RFeQskJKKJi75hdEZ0/s1600/147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_W9r2R0ciWJRQpRXiKMENnlBFisxSZyuVCdzY0PvUbKwjSQqC7vEfukjIUwvnEf42pvjFGr49rjif27JJjO1EMbEPSQG69vtnBfbUty296iAoJJrrwD350jly1RFeQskJKKJi75hdEZ0/s1600/147.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice little waves starting to organize just off the beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4X8jh-dwiYddo8xiTURK9oz1ilhTVyRJI4DynIUBpVWO9-ZcgoZNrGYEDbNZVGI1GfHu8raA3qZWAiecpvlOA5-IhRXpeWitjE6jgFrub59mvyK9Jc0OBTA6Y5lb88r7pas_w-K46qA/s1600/226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4X8jh-dwiYddo8xiTURK9oz1ilhTVyRJI4DynIUBpVWO9-ZcgoZNrGYEDbNZVGI1GfHu8raA3qZWAiecpvlOA5-IhRXpeWitjE6jgFrub59mvyK9Jc0OBTA6Y5lb88r7pas_w-K46qA/s1600/226.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to dig really deep to catch anything in this section.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7BQTiwrj9_yz4hT1y1VchDslxtvuku66ZaheYeKetH0udR-NKqXOxhNUkpzcUOZlq7OJmnzJwl-7uo-1gGA_L4BMxUY7o4VBpqmRfkZNeZw3pfJEYsHcWKEcvKS4Ps-twr-92HXAZjs/s1600/237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7BQTiwrj9_yz4hT1y1VchDslxtvuku66ZaheYeKetH0udR-NKqXOxhNUkpzcUOZlq7OJmnzJwl-7uo-1gGA_L4BMxUY7o4VBpqmRfkZNeZw3pfJEYsHcWKEcvKS4Ps-twr-92HXAZjs/s1600/237.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat wakes from the Ghost work too! Beautiful San Francisco in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_iSQAQALXv1yK4N5oWjvw7A1fr27cnqwrajkBEtqG30M1XiC5kdpaNoiXOMzZ_LFYPWoVESpJDd3BSelj4g2X94lQ0sKESgfhEFheUi178_VTAOVX1Q99Ba7GRFdIjZ-7xTq83UoPm8/s1600/195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_iSQAQALXv1yK4N5oWjvw7A1fr27cnqwrajkBEtqG30M1XiC5kdpaNoiXOMzZ_LFYPWoVESpJDd3BSelj4g2X94lQ0sKESgfhEFheUi178_VTAOVX1Q99Ba7GRFdIjZ-7xTq83UoPm8/s1600/195.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Gail is enjoying herself.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T_-fqhb4lN2LAx8yJRh4MOIQMjcruvNU-UOz6dLrn2ROLtwd4gDjMN5DoeHKkiXIk5CTwzDqqMuact01xsrrunATLWViR4VWXx-3azDBSMsncSWE_LCU_s_29qS40VKcQkjlYJOQe54/s1600/PETER093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T_-fqhb4lN2LAx8yJRh4MOIQMjcruvNU-UOz6dLrn2ROLtwd4gDjMN5DoeHKkiXIk5CTwzDqqMuact01xsrrunATLWViR4VWXx-3azDBSMsncSWE_LCU_s_29qS40VKcQkjlYJOQe54/s1600/PETER093.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I'm laughing right before I take a swim.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRfGkGGkNu0FzB-fodFEq4P1S7ceeaUaFW1oNxlJfnRJdPxD46vMTVhbeDNUKglyNA2YebPXQ9w9i_7R7yl9GNEP9eBlSuL-Eq-QqEYK-JBWrNIkJW_CfyrW1zopQpVLPrxt79fgrVQg/s1600/PETER250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRfGkGGkNu0FzB-fodFEq4P1S7ceeaUaFW1oNxlJfnRJdPxD46vMTVhbeDNUKglyNA2YebPXQ9w9i_7R7yl9GNEP9eBlSuL-Eq-QqEYK-JBWrNIkJW_CfyrW1zopQpVLPrxt79fgrVQg/s1600/PETER250.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There ever elusive cross-tail low brace caught on camera!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D5cbum15j2DrJagO3K21SEN1pJ_MCW654ZesIhKZqAMaKQlWiQjJOG4EJr1CZK7Zpyns4WHCpxpAEdRPqqviNw4D3jso6ZPfzhv3naWtHHanZ8oP7sbnwu0mCeA887hyRHeS3SaSFBg/s1600/WIDEGROUP200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D5cbum15j2DrJagO3K21SEN1pJ_MCW654ZesIhKZqAMaKQlWiQjJOG4EJr1CZK7Zpyns4WHCpxpAEdRPqqviNw4D3jso6ZPfzhv3naWtHHanZ8oP7sbnwu0mCeA887hyRHeS3SaSFBg/s1600/WIDEGROUP200.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group makes their way down the eastern shore of Angel Island where the Ghost awaits...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5zFovsSja7vEDITXPgikxBDrPJUmRwCy2TLjGRabm2KRgPZUuLAN0xwy4LY7bn_1tE9yBhk_27umLLWy_g5a0DRFkeLNwH6S-TFpc1vqxeSpCFTdyM0XG5QUPFivWjavxCVXMAw5zXQ/s1600/GROUP300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5zFovsSja7vEDITXPgikxBDrPJUmRwCy2TLjGRabm2KRgPZUuLAN0xwy4LY7bn_1tE9yBhk_27umLLWy_g5a0DRFkeLNwH6S-TFpc1vqxeSpCFTdyM0XG5QUPFivWjavxCVXMAw5zXQ/s1600/GROUP300.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Loch Lomond, we savor the final moments of the trip just as the sun sets. Already planning the next adventure on the Barbary Ghost.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-18874395802377986602014-08-28T21:15:00.001-07:002014-09-07T18:27:14.157-07:00New Board Alert! - SIC Bullet 17Picked up a new board in Fairfield on Tuesday. Cleaned it and waxed it. Will get it in the water this weekend! Stay tuned for a full report. Will also compare it to an older, custom-made SIC F18. One is 6 pounds heavier than the other. Can you guess which one? <br />
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9/7/2014 UPDATE! Took the board out on Tomales Bay today. Did two little upwind/downwind paddles, not super windy, maybe 10-12 max. This board is fast. Changing direction with the ASS system is easy to figure out. Use the feet the steer and use the paddle for power and bracing. The board is way more stable than I thought it would be. I love it! Perfect conditions today to get a feel. Just windy enough to have some fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGorh-jjYT3pY81NxpP35-OF3He6XNA_U4jb4fo39uKY0LapVi-Dwwt1oBmkZZLXidd8fRG-D7r0cTY8cjoyIkkweTa3JGO5tFwILf44PQraW58Rj8RQh48kI9fjH4QXhbdPU_uzOAqY/s640/IMAG0910.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAocxFWN0Xx-xYT1M3ETehoIosepH4SZcPzPuu0po7cbYeDL_b9rqkMJq6z8lu_YmtPXdf_hdr1e_VRSjs44ngwfIBJn40Pv2hFvw9JxNzbFJ-stRd6tc8Gzm-NdAZXT-WGfqJ8iZdFs/s640/IMAG0912.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took a few of the stickers off and gave it a good wash and inspection.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwNotGQqWM94fD81kmG5jyUinWnifi8xp4-fsYRW2eGFYdqPMcXyGlkpXogGFWZmr6nkYe2fh1KNbrm_8b35TgkAjdC_K8kr9HgibtxAfb01xQWzourXElG9ZnSl31CR04xT5rxLt_1M/s640/IMAG0917.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the thickest board I have ever seen. Looks to be approximately 6.5 inches thick at the logo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt9ztj65gchH1u5H5Uglnk-c61EmRzE8sTA8VIiqNtX6o7Ya5n7yOrh0aWft3WVg3h5rvUADiDlOnEIRt9JpEF3ejZR8kaXMDUVqE_zrMS8stdWAee487WXpNn-WrjakPteX8sxFGg4M/s640/IMAG0913.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very impressive finish on this board. All of the lines are crisp, logos are perfect, deep rich colors and fades. The blue paint on this thing is beautiful. I love blue. This looks like Cerulean Blue. Very deep and very rich. The entire board looks and feels very durable. Downwind boards take a beating so they have to be tough. This board is no lightweight at 41.8 pounds. Despite it's narrow width there is a lot of volume in this board. The edges between the blue areas<br />
and white are laser sharp, even at the tail. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHNeln0FWQtQ96pJk0n8OL89ZOXKh54eA3Cm3dpqtzzYwxGfE-JZ9HXO946Q_93kPk2WAF4Pjj124Lt0mpj_kmDUcQn27UrZRG8UlA21oLwsZAHH0NGzuG-mzUjv9UyuC1jnU7VDLgZU/s1600/P1010332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHNeln0FWQtQ96pJk0n8OL89ZOXKh54eA3Cm3dpqtzzYwxGfE-JZ9HXO946Q_93kPk2WAF4Pjj124Lt0mpj_kmDUcQn27UrZRG8UlA21oLwsZAHH0NGzuG-mzUjv9UyuC1jnU7VDLgZU/s1600/P1010332.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of V in the deck to help shed water. About 1.75 inches from the ridge to the end of the blue area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AC15x-dqMyZSlK5z4uTW3yKRq99t22i0LYqNEwXpy1iHQUMpKAyT1ybwuzJ9Uxtfnq1AdDarih2kRMjXPu5nM9ERhyphenhyphenaUY7dQF2jjRWnyoMxmjFGaqRTb__bMFaa_vcgWD0D8VzFlllQ/s1600/P1010334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AC15x-dqMyZSlK5z4uTW3yKRq99t22i0LYqNEwXpy1iHQUMpKAyT1ybwuzJ9Uxtfnq1AdDarih2kRMjXPu5nM9ERhyphenhyphenaUY7dQF2jjRWnyoMxmjFGaqRTb__bMFaa_vcgWD0D8VzFlllQ/s1600/P1010334.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entire deck area is concave, a really nice touch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsz8uCAZq7XPnUAJLfmFvZ9z2tLOK6Axf5h3iLh9d544PYKHMKKt78EPmAfr4nq3Cdhlm1uzie4tsiDDqV-G6sVrn1a_75dMbHGLxBO3VEfJ_pDvmThP3Pu9iISlxrjPmys0443pdBNs/s1600/P1010335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsz8uCAZq7XPnUAJLfmFvZ9z2tLOK6Axf5h3iLh9d544PYKHMKKt78EPmAfr4nq3Cdhlm1uzie4tsiDDqV-G6sVrn1a_75dMbHGLxBO3VEfJ_pDvmThP3Pu9iISlxrjPmys0443pdBNs/s1600/P1010335.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just behind the handle, the standing area is 21" wide. The board width is 26.5".</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPE4_Q2ghF8FT71H3XsfMZbhXLHZjLY8HqL_kiHQFvi8pXhXen9HEytFkQ2_THI07_TXg02KR7iUJQFUi-U1IjZY_yBCMOhNg8Vi_Jdlgpw-PwWMCDT1cXzbjc-MNLysCjSyWfQo9Hhs/s1600/P1010336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPE4_Q2ghF8FT71H3XsfMZbhXLHZjLY8HqL_kiHQFvi8pXhXen9HEytFkQ2_THI07_TXg02KR7iUJQFUi-U1IjZY_yBCMOhNg8Vi_Jdlgpw-PwWMCDT1cXzbjc-MNLysCjSyWfQo9Hhs/s1600/P1010336.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thickness of the board at the tail, over the rudder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRyK7UJG92NLRGRSGucz37KLb3nfkclgQftts6fw7Ur1xBaA-l7q9tXbBUE8huGRSlHw2sxBxUp3SxNvwXa06X15ofN7uZnaxheou5-Ujcq9uOtBgj39Fwnew8sLESpwkbifMfqZns3I/s1600/P1010338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRyK7UJG92NLRGRSGucz37KLb3nfkclgQftts6fw7Ur1xBaA-l7q9tXbBUE8huGRSlHw2sxBxUp3SxNvwXa06X15ofN7uZnaxheou5-Ujcq9uOtBgj39Fwnew8sLESpwkbifMfqZns3I/s1600/P1010338.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thickness of the board towards the middle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihobMcE7ocDdJ0VeQzMh6mW7Z3m_7Q5NOT1CZzRT1mjBYb71PP4_pnhMoCx-xiiP13ZvWjdzVnIPuGwNUWrnYhw0T0ElkPnlUX8BstaAIwAJ48jmNpl3ya2satXgI-91SbVpBQxYHDECs/s1600/P1010339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihobMcE7ocDdJ0VeQzMh6mW7Z3m_7Q5NOT1CZzRT1mjBYb71PP4_pnhMoCx-xiiP13ZvWjdzVnIPuGwNUWrnYhw0T0ElkPnlUX8BstaAIwAJ48jmNpl3ya2satXgI-91SbVpBQxYHDECs/s1600/P1010339.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thickness of the board in the middle. Can barely get my hands to wrap around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KpJGwzLsvhQnA4F90a8VjcNMRgoM2JwT568NS94qTy86PnB5GJLJ1Gmk8ojeRYPCK1rokcxEf9gEbPNJoP-pl6p4KG4pA17aC-QLhedNERUviLYxhVNdP5hxVBiWdcStvQW3j27lr0E/s1600/P1010340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KpJGwzLsvhQnA4F90a8VjcNMRgoM2JwT568NS94qTy86PnB5GJLJ1Gmk8ojeRYPCK1rokcxEf9gEbPNJoP-pl6p4KG4pA17aC-QLhedNERUviLYxhVNdP5hxVBiWdcStvQW3j27lr0E/s1600/P1010340.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thickness at the front tip of the deck pad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzyzmtPPX1zSDMVBPQFdrOZhifyIh7ECwYnNKZto24zVFRk-Q3u3Dsp4fOZN9-405ZALejBPOWVDhlZLVX9k671hRtfGXPBROdIsFRIdyFTywyxNM6P-msxO5byGhqoW20spnLKUppv0/s1600/P1010341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzyzmtPPX1zSDMVBPQFdrOZhifyIh7ECwYnNKZto24zVFRk-Q3u3Dsp4fOZN9-405ZALejBPOWVDhlZLVX9k671hRtfGXPBROdIsFRIdyFTywyxNM6P-msxO5byGhqoW20spnLKUppv0/s1600/P1010341.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thickness about 2' back from the nose.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXNDXvrW_0SZw2vDXbXAs8pfOxB5tnDsYm2AwOoPdLvRw0COAC_7x2dHFTTIZKtZvFfRm8vMe0LNcefNJk7huHyPSog7Rj7ObBK6ky6DVhihyphenhyphenq5UqmJBpVMmJZDN-Z682FOohK5P-y6M/s1600/P1010342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXNDXvrW_0SZw2vDXbXAs8pfOxB5tnDsYm2AwOoPdLvRw0COAC_7x2dHFTTIZKtZvFfRm8vMe0LNcefNJk7huHyPSog7Rj7ObBK6ky6DVhihyphenhyphenq5UqmJBpVMmJZDN-Z682FOohK5P-y6M/s1600/P1010342.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure how well it shows up in the picture but there is a distinct line here. The rails are glossy but the bottom is more of a matte finish. This is probably to help reduce the appearance of scratches. Rails are soft at the nose and gradually get sharper closer to the tail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uWoLYrUWAehiVI6a4tw6pbRG4yZE8XZt0xKpm9q7amAmLtNKrgzJ-MRNlOyGsTjhyalhhncxQOYofXQB1bpatAOojszVJJWrINgBeki0_nTIQmgQYYEM6n-mwnuPYlvWQeN3R9Zrdlo/s1600/P1010344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uWoLYrUWAehiVI6a4tw6pbRG4yZE8XZt0xKpm9q7amAmLtNKrgzJ-MRNlOyGsTjhyalhhncxQOYofXQB1bpatAOojszVJJWrINgBeki0_nTIQmgQYYEM6n-mwnuPYlvWQeN3R9Zrdlo/s1600/P1010344.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick inspection of the bottom shows a very flat surface going back to the standing area to a single concave and then leading to either double concave or v from the standing area to the tail. I need to take another look during the day.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-12089638988167209742014-08-19T09:08:00.003-07:002014-08-21T12:42:25.912-07:00Best Technique Tip for SUP DownwindersI know this guy named Drew Testwuide, he's become a friend over the past year or so. Drew is the Captain of the <a href="http://www.barbaryghost.com/" target="_blank">Barbary Ghost</a> which just happens to be the best SUP downwinder support boat on San Francisco Bay. I'll write more about how this works in another post. For now, just know that boat supported downwinder trips are dakine.<br />
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I feel very fortunate that I'm able to assist Drew with a few of these trips. In addition to wrangling boards to a from the boat (often in high winds and from pitching deck), I serve as another set of eyes on the water, and even can offer some advice and coaching to first-timers. Over the past couple of trips, I've tried to think of a tip or two that I can give people on land before getting on the boat or getting in the water. Many of you may disagree with me here but I consider downwinding to be the top of the pyramid in the SUP world. Other aspects of the sport merely <i>prepare</i> you for downwinding. Combine the aerobic and anaerobic training components from racing, the board trimming and wave riding from surfing, the paddle finesse and bracing from whitewater, and the forecasting and trip planning from touring and you have downwinding my friend. All roads lead to surfing whitecaps.</div>
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Okay, on to the tip; the fabulous <b>Nose Draw into Forward Stroke</b>. First the why. During a downwind run, we are usually in an off-set or a full surfing stance. For me, that means I have the best control and most power while paddling on my right side because I am regular footed. What happens when I paddle on my right side? You guessed it, the boards wants to go to the left. In a parallel stance, no big deal, I just switch sides and paddle on the left a few times before switching back to my right. Not quite as easy on a downwinder. In an off-set stance or full surf stance, I'm not going to have much power on my left side, that's number one. Number two is, I'm going to slow down a lot during the transition to the opposite side. Number three is that I have a really good chance of falling when the paddle is out of the water. So how can we get lots of strong powerful strokes and braces on our dominant side? You guessed it. The nose draw into forward stroke.</div>
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How does it work? Remember, If I am paddling on my right side, my board wants to go left so to counteract this movement, I need to pull the board to the right and that's where the nose-draw portion of the stroke comes into play. The nose draw pulls the nose to the right just seconds before the forward stroke pushes the board to the left (slightly). They work together to keep me going (more or less) straight. Beautiful huh? This is considered a "blended stroke" where we combine two distinct strokes into one fluid movement. Now, on my powerful right side, I stand way back at the tail, utilize my blended stroke to maintain speed and heading. Nice! When I get lucky and catch a little bump I can use a hanging low brace on the right side for stability (that's a bonus tip, no extra charge).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To help visualize this blended stroke imagine a lazy "r" connected to the rail of your board (on the right side). The bottom of the "r" is where you are standing, while the top of the "r" is where you begin your catch. Now take your paddle and trace the "r" using the power face of your blade. Look at the diagram below. Try to mix some nose draws (alone) into your paddling to correct your heading. Once you feel comfortable, start incorporating a little nose draw into your forward stroke from time to time. See if you like it. Remember, it doesn't have to be dramatic, sometimes just a little pull is all you need. I hope this helps you have more success, and more fun on the water. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdEhsX4vrSBK7E3tswxKjHNCUaWacMixmCdv97tYE4HYlc_Av3rr6jTAcibLourX2gLNyW61be0-yrQxljHtx2llrl7LovjyTVNYaNUgCVUnqyZAMFbaqi8zeLRTctuuiW8sV9Ituejc/s1600/NoseDrawForward1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdEhsX4vrSBK7E3tswxKjHNCUaWacMixmCdv97tYE4HYlc_Av3rr6jTAcibLourX2gLNyW61be0-yrQxljHtx2llrl7LovjyTVNYaNUgCVUnqyZAMFbaqi8zeLRTctuuiW8sV9Ituejc/s1600/NoseDrawForward1.png" height="640" width="521" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nose draw into forward stroke on the right side in off-set stance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-11742670141237563532014-07-17T13:43:00.001-07:002014-08-19T09:10:34.558-07:00Downwind Fin Review - (COMING SOON!)Over the past couple of years I've been trying a few different fins on my Angulo Shaka XLT. I have finally found one that I'm going to keep on there for a while. The right fin can make a huge difference in the way your board feels and performs. Fin design is all about acceptable compromises between stability, performance, and speed. It's also a little bit of a black art: one part science, one part anecdote, one part looks, and one part personal feel. Granted, my review won't be very scientific, but hopefully it will give you a place to start if you are looking for a good fin for downwind conditions. I might do it as a video so I don't have to type so much! Stay tuned!<br />
<br />
I will be reviewing the following SUP fins:<br />
<ul>
<li>Larry Allison (Fibre Glass Fin Co.) Ninja</li>
<li>Larry Allison (Fibre Glass Fin Co.) Gladiator</li>
<li>C4 Downwind - Todd Bradley Signature</li>
<li>Futures - CA Downwind</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireDiU82Xwren06Hz7drn5ldg1D2MwYVxw_h-nL0Ie03cyuQYygem70dBaYpc-H6Std4mstnnpfq6qDtv0hAZ8f_K4gRH5zouask-CwANzYkVG0zqWiUJON7j6YEEmQmp0-LQEVz60GuY/s1600/shark-fin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireDiU82Xwren06Hz7drn5ldg1D2MwYVxw_h-nL0Ie03cyuQYygem70dBaYpc-H6Std4mstnnpfq6qDtv0hAZ8f_K4gRH5zouask-CwANzYkVG0zqWiUJON7j6YEEmQmp0-LQEVz60GuY/s1600/shark-fin.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-10721056068810249752014-04-24T12:19:00.001-07:002014-04-24T12:19:21.244-07:00Tell Me Something I DON'T Know<a href="http://www.guideadvisor.com/stories/top-6-kayaking-destinations-california/" target="_blank">Guideadvisor ranks Tomales Bay as number one kayaking (or SUP) destination in California.</a><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-70196310919479758092014-04-10T13:19:00.002-07:002014-04-10T13:19:12.153-07:00SUP Paddle Shaft to Blade Offset AngleI enjoy being a part-time SUP instructor. I feel honored to be able to introduce this sport to people when teaching for <a href="http://www.bluewaterskayaking.com/" target="_blank">Blue Waters Kayaking</a> on Tomales Bay or <a href="http://calkayak.com/" target="_blank">California Canoe & Kayak</a> on the Oakland Estuary. The people that stick with the sport will always remember me as the guy who gave them their first lesson just like I remember the guy that gave me my first lesson at <a href="http://www.outsidehiltonhead.com/" target="_blank">Outside Hilton Head</a> about 5 years ago. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
During my lessons, I like to do a little introduction on the beach. I briefly talk about gear before moving on to what we are going to go and where we are going. I spend most of the time talking about the paddle, the parts, the length, how to switch sides, etc. I make sure to show them that the paddle blade is offset from the paddle shaft. I tell them that this offset helps them pull the paddle from the water to begin the next stroke. Normally, that is enough. The point I want to get across to them is that during the lesson, they are going to have their paddle facing backwards! Oh the horror and embarrassment! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There's only so much data a person can process while standing on the beach anxiously awaiting their first lesson so I try to keep it brief. In my head though, there are thoughts of keeping the blade vertical for a longer period of time during the power phase, increased reach, and improved caster, and less board heave. If I'm not careful, I then start thinking about how my paddles have different offset angles and what that means which leads to thinking about the new <a href="http://wernerpaddles.com/shop/stand-up-paddles?model_name=39" target="_blank">Werner Stinger</a> that I tried last weekend with a measly 7 degree offset and why that would be advantageous for whitewater paddling. I'm slowly learning to keep my mouth shut and to move on with the lesson and not rattle off why the Werner Stinger has 7 degrees, my Werner Nitro and Spanker have 12 degrees, and my <a href="http://kenalu.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=23" target="_blank">KeNalu Molokai </a>has 9 to 6 to 3 (at the tip) degree offset and why I like the Nitro for surfing but it's not because of the angle, it's because of the blade shape and size as compared to the larger and fatter Spanker which looks similar to the KeNalu but I like the KeNalu better for downwinding because it seems to flex a little bit more because of the smaller diameter shaft and how much I like the lighter weight and the way the non-power face of the blade helps me brace blah blah blah. At this point in their life, they DO NOT CARE ABOUT THAT! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I can't help but think though, why ARE these paddles "bent". Where did it come from? I found a really good <a href="http://www.madrivercanoe.com/news_item/index/news_and_events/news_listing/stay_straight_get_bent_or_even_gasp_go_double_madriver" target="_blank">article on the Mad River Canoe website</a> that explains all of this a lot more.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-84387121171500187852014-01-23T09:05:00.000-08:002014-01-30T16:44:10.276-08:00SUP Downwinder Tips and Checklist<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Downwind paddling is exciting, challenging, rewarding, and
incredibly fun. However, as the excitement factor increases,
so do the risks. Luckily, we have the
ability to mitigate most of these risks if we prepare ourselves physically and
mentally, obtain advanced training, adhere to safe boating practices, learn
about the "four Ws" (Wind, Water, Waves, Weather), have a plan, and
always paddle in conditions and venues that match our abilities and experience. Here are some tips to help you have a fun,
safe downwind trip:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
1. Maintain good mental and physical fitness.
Downwinding takes a lot of energy, be prepared to work hard. Never
paddle under the influence. Seek additional training and continue to refine
your skills. <br />
<br />
2. Be a weather "expert" and learn how the weather affects conditions
in your area and how these conditions may change (sometimes rapidly) throughout
the day. Learn to use online resources for
wind and weather forecasts. Obtain
information from various sources (NOAA Marine Forecasts, Buoy Data from
multiple locations, etc.) as data points to help paint a picture of what the
conditions will be like when you arrive.
Listen to marine weather forecasts and current conditions on your VHF
radio. Do you know what a "Small
Craft Advisory" means? Do you know
how "winds 15 knots" vs. "<a href="http://summerdivers.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Beaufort-Scale.jpg" target="_blank">winds gusting to 30 knots</a>" affects your ability
put-in, paddle, and take-out safely? <br />
<br />
3. Gain some familiarity with the venue by going with someone who has
experience there. Consider how the tides
can affect both the water conditions and the put-in/take-out locations. Have a bail-out plan along with optional
put-ins and take-outs.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Study <a href="http://www.meetup.com/BayAreaGliders/pages/Nautical_Charts_for_viewing_or_printing/">nautical
charts</a> of the area. Learn how to
find respite from the wind. Learn the
navigational rules of road.<br />
<br />
5. Keep your equipment in good working order.
Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the conditions and always
prepare for immersion. Prepare for wind
chill. Check your fin periodically, make
sure it is secure. If your leash is
damaged, replace it. Replace your leash
cord (piece that connects your leash to your board) every so often. Bring adequate food (gels work great for me),
water, and sunscreen. Carry a cell phone
in a waterproof case and carry a <a href="http://paddlestandingup.blogspot.com/2013/10/introduction-to-marine-radios.html" target="_blank">VHF (marine radio)</a>. Learn
proper radio procedure and etiquette. Consider
carrying a tow rig and practice using it in rough conditions.<br />
<br />
Wear a PFD on your body, not on your board!
A PFD provides buoyancy, thermal protection, impact protection, and most
have pockets for storage (sunscreen, gels, radio, etc.). Many have reflective
panels or piping. This is an essential piece of gear and is a Coast Guard
requirement. Learn how to fit it properly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Have
a whistle easily accessible.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This can
serve as your Coast Guard required signaling device.</span><br />
<br />
6. Listen to, and respect the advice of more experience paddlers or
instructors. Paddlers of other crafts (like
kayaks, surf skis, and outrigger canoes) can make great guides, coaches and
mentors. Take advantage of their local
knowledge and ability to read the water.
Reach out to fishermen and locals as a valuable source of information.<br />
<br />
7. Go with a buddy and practice communication through <a href="http://www.txnaturekayaking.com/wp-content/uploads/Kayak-Communication-Low-Tech1.pdf" target="_blank">hand/paddle signals</a> and radio. Talk about what to do if separated or in case
of emergency. Leave a float plan with
someone and also leave a copy with your vehicle.<br />
<br />
8. Make your final "go or no
go" decision based on your data points, the recommendation of your
guide/instructor, your on-site observation of the conditions, and an honest
assessment of your skills. Experience
creates confidence. Challenge yourself but trust your instincts. If it is too
big, too rough, or if you don't feel right about it, don't go. Go have a beer
instead and live to fight another day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #D9D9D9; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SUP Downwinder Checklist:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: #D9D9D9; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 217; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<h4>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Check
weather, marine forecasts, and tide tables <i>before</i>
you leave</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Create
a float plan and a bail-out plan</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Soft Gear List: thermal protection for your body
(wetsuit), PFD, sun protection (hat,
sunscreen), footwear, water, food, container of warm water and a change of
clothes left at the take-out</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Hard Gear List: Board, paddle, leash, cell phone,
VHF radio, cam straps (several in longer lengths for stacking multiple boards). Make sure cars at the take-outs have straps.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">If
your car is at the take-out, make sure you have your keys!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Final
“go or no go” decision for each participant. This type of paddling requires a commitment to the journey. Paddling upwind back to the put-in can be difficult or impossible.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Safety
talk - </span>ABCD<span style="font-weight: normal;">: </span>A<span style="font-weight: normal;">rea
(distance, hazards, etc.) </span>B<span style="font-weight: normal;">oards
(gear and clothing), </span>C<span style="font-weight: normal;">ommunication
(hand and paddle signals, radios), </span>D<span style="font-weight: normal;">octor
(any medical conditions or concerns)</span></span></li>
</ul>
</h4>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-55164752095183168092013-12-25T10:51:00.001-08:002013-12-25T10:57:40.617-08:00NRS Hydroskin for Christmas!<p>Santa knows me so well.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKvo3ErPeONSOMkqK9IxICY0uhwyF3IfJTC5AlWQh_opq13QBdFVSJiDsP0Ei3eeFsjVlc3N38sG94gvv5pE1bdl83SxdmZz60ilBPgFZ4-9qhGrxpPO2_YgqAXTsyQ2uU7Ts2WkAMS0/s1600/IMAG0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKvo3ErPeONSOMkqK9IxICY0uhwyF3IfJTC5AlWQh_opq13QBdFVSJiDsP0Ei3eeFsjVlc3N38sG94gvv5pE1bdl83SxdmZz60ilBPgFZ4-9qhGrxpPO2_YgqAXTsyQ2uU7Ts2WkAMS0/s640/IMAG0368.jpg"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-74190010675062466712013-12-18T14:48:00.001-08:002013-12-18T15:00:18.565-08:00My Favorite Piece of Gear - NRS Hydroskin ReviewThis past weekend, I went on a really fun paddle down Walker Creek and Tomales Bay with a friend of mine (Matt P who also has a <a href="http://mattpalmariello.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>). We were talking about how we need to be more active with our blogs and started talking about ideas for a blog post. I immediately thought of a "favorite piece of gear" post. The moment I thought of that, I knew that I would have write a little about my beloved NRS HydroSkin shirt. This is my favorite piece of gear. Why is it my favorite? Keep reading.<br />
<br />
When I first started getting into SUP, I knew I would have to get a wetsuit. In the bay area, the water rarely gets over 60 degrees. For most of the year, it's in the low 50s. This means, you have to have a wetsuit if you are going to spend any time in the water. My first suit was a farmer john style that I picked from the boys down at <a href="http://www.clavey.com/" target="_blank">Clavey</a>. The suit by itself was not quite enough, so I got the HydroSskin shirt to go with it (also from Clavey). I figured this would give me the most versatility for the least amount of money. Here's what usually works for me:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Cold Day/Cold Water = Wetsuit and HydroSkin</li>
<li>Warm Day/Cold Water = Wetsuit and rash guard</li>
<li>Warm Day/Warm Water = Hydroskin and board shorts</li>
</ul>
<div>
I have used this shirt while touring, teaching, surfing, downwinding, racing, even snorkeling in Hawaii. When I'm not wearing it, I usually keep it in my drybag in case I need it. It is compressable, and doesn't take up much room. Last Spring, after reaching the end of my run, I gave my wife a call for a pick up and within minutes, the temperature started to drop as the sun went down behind Inverness Ridge. I was tired, wet, and hungry and started to shiver. I reached in my bag, ate a Cliff Bar and put on my HydroSkin. I warmed right up. I had to wait an hour or so for my wife. I was happy to have that very dry and very warm shirt! It's only .5mm but feels a lot warmer than that due to the construction. Go to the<a href="http://www.nrs.com/product/2621/nrs-mens-hydroskin-shirt-ls-closeout" target="_blank"> NRS site</a> to learn more about this amazing material.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like Pros and Cons lists, so here goes:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>PROS</u></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Simple - </b>It's just a shirt. No zipper, no pockets, no weird collar, no buttons, nothing to snagged or caught.</li>
<li><b>Versatile</b> - Wear it with farmer john, or by itself. Wear as an outer layer or as a thermal layer under a rain jacket or paddling jacket. Great sun protection too. </li>
<li><b>Packable</b> - It's a lot of warmth in small package. Roll it up and put in a drybag or in your cockpit.</li>
<li><b>Warm</b> - It's warmer than you would think. The neoprene is only .5mm but it's as warm as 2mm in my opinion.</li>
<li><b>Flexible</b> - stretchy and fits well. I am 6'5" 235 and the XXL fits me perfectly. The neck is great, it does a good job of keeping water from flushing but is not too restrictive. See the pictures below.</li>
<li><b>Outer Skin Texture</b> - Slick but not grabby like neoprene. Allows easy entry into my pull-over PFD. Never had any chafing or blistering. The texture of this material allows my PFD to "float" over it. It's almost like they were made to work together. My PFD is an Astral Greenjacket, btw.</li>
<li><b>Value</b> - Even at full price ($95), this piece of clothing is a great value. Often, you can find the long sleeve version on sale for about $60. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>CONS</u></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Flushing</b> - If you wear it for surfing and you fall often like I do, you will get water up this shirt. It is a shirt after all.</li>
<li><b>Stays Wet</b> - This thing takes forever to dry. If planning another session for later in the day or first thing the next morning, get two shirts so you always have a dry one. </li>
<li>Honestly can't think of anything else to say.</li>
</ul>
<div>
So yes, the <span style="background-color: white; color: red;">NRS HydroSkin shirt is my favorite piece of gear, EVER</span>. There, I said it! NRS is having a sale right now so I might buy myself a Christmas present. Oh, I'm not affiliated with NRS in any way and I get no discounts or special considerations from them. I pay full price or look for sales like everyone else. I have the blue and gray already, but I like the red and gray too. Get one.</div>
</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsNY8DUqlOFpNHUJZSp93weER9-Ch9vcY8XTNqGboFo4ric0IPwGCu5Pnsab8ip0MDNBLYiv0sgsqboDjLV64Dv7jS6C6JT6UsvmclREaSpNLTxYb0GnT-FSJQnisnQsLBQ3eXHegGWo/s1600/P1010112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsNY8DUqlOFpNHUJZSp93weER9-Ch9vcY8XTNqGboFo4ric0IPwGCu5Pnsab8ip0MDNBLYiv0sgsqboDjLV64Dv7jS6C6JT6UsvmclREaSpNLTxYb0GnT-FSJQnisnQsLBQ3eXHegGWo/s320/P1010112.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BAM! - My favorite piece of the gear, the NRS HydroSkin shirt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-tub6sv2r7cxDhybFMO6JYTzU04Jc06cvoJz4-190cFCKZt_Lr3WB6i6x2nUGn11L-ThtLJXRYjF2raroQVFF-VEYN3-zPzlyZM_9f-mkOwCZzD3sSsvJQKy2E0Ox9-J01IweRzF2mg/s1600/P1010113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-tub6sv2r7cxDhybFMO6JYTzU04Jc06cvoJz4-190cFCKZt_Lr3WB6i6x2nUGn11L-ThtLJXRYjF2raroQVFF-VEYN3-zPzlyZM_9f-mkOwCZzD3sSsvJQKy2E0Ox9-J01IweRzF2mg/s320/P1010113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holds up to abuse. No torn seams or holes. The center piece of fabric in the collar is very thin and flexible.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtncpJeE7b1_hDSa05NJRe_bBiRT_YxTa7f_UBWXYHJPj7Fa3Tg7pzfoaP73_4nb-YnCgEtRZnJk63xaIPHQgni6N-Y5LI8jaUzIiH8XIPuppBCsA9Z9zyZQ6hkUJBMofYMFOEqcRhnKs/s1600/P1010114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtncpJeE7b1_hDSa05NJRe_bBiRT_YxTa7f_UBWXYHJPj7Fa3Tg7pzfoaP73_4nb-YnCgEtRZnJk63xaIPHQgni6N-Y5LI8jaUzIiH8XIPuppBCsA9Z9zyZQ6hkUJBMofYMFOEqcRhnKs/s320/P1010114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form fitting but not too tight and offers good sun protection.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvfYZqJzDrzisAiKGFKVtXiD-acJt3BTpBaw0CvhO3wKkcEWiZ6VAsVtqGRF3pCAiPIt_udSGLvqtQVTrZAXadF5oBSDRjN2xVlh463xf2Vl5erQdb7K7CRH0J9kH0tnu4JQ2zOiLFQc/s1600/P1010115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvfYZqJzDrzisAiKGFKVtXiD-acJt3BTpBaw0CvhO3wKkcEWiZ6VAsVtqGRF3pCAiPIt_udSGLvqtQVTrZAXadF5oBSDRjN2xVlh463xf2Vl5erQdb7K7CRH0J9kH0tnu4JQ2zOiLFQc/s320/P1010115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see here, extremely flexible, more than any wetsuit.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfLulR4F5GdRjJXmBjT1X9GQWuqDWn7NUqAH1M_odcCMeLkN0zBWS9qArsJzp-wJiw01exP0dM36FhqdFCn7Su0DeIsqVfA4Cobcpwflzo1VIqE-jHZnsPFpRyh8zykeqr5NrduXUdU8/s1600/P1010116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfLulR4F5GdRjJXmBjT1X9GQWuqDWn7NUqAH1M_odcCMeLkN0zBWS9qArsJzp-wJiw01exP0dM36FhqdFCn7Su0DeIsqVfA4Cobcpwflzo1VIqE-jHZnsPFpRyh8zykeqr5NrduXUdU8/s320/P1010116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see texture of the inside, comfortable, not itchy.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Cx8GoKz3_MsdwC6mOEKCuVWX7AWzxReXYqDgF0eTBLDYLSZslakC5wtE-PZ88x_Bbg3IueKaoWrsdSjGjMNCVxgqkSBbvtwgOyyQ6VI5C6Vx6FrgIBAUsw5Os3VU1wZtAGFiGsuXp8Y/s1600/P1010118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Cx8GoKz3_MsdwC6mOEKCuVWX7AWzxReXYqDgF0eTBLDYLSZslakC5wtE-PZ88x_Bbg3IueKaoWrsdSjGjMNCVxgqkSBbvtwgOyyQ6VI5C6Vx6FrgIBAUsw5Os3VU1wZtAGFiGsuXp8Y/s320/P1010118.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the main material. I am using my LED flashlight to try to show the thickness of this material.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuRdrQD6iB6NfmbaMbG0_KR3IgJPtjXpCprDiBwl_V3x054fCeYm7d-KKcNDJUDT6W5pd2oDKDvSoea568tiLS8fmLlRQMPp1HR9U5KEYcmhOpOOu9ogS5UNAh2c6Jflaqd9MweiJJKY/s1600/P1010119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuRdrQD6iB6NfmbaMbG0_KR3IgJPtjXpCprDiBwl_V3x054fCeYm7d-KKcNDJUDT6W5pd2oDKDvSoea568tiLS8fmLlRQMPp1HR9U5KEYcmhOpOOu9ogS5UNAh2c6Jflaqd9MweiJJKY/s320/P1010119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the thin material (HydroSilk?) under the arm to add in comfort and flexibility.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-37198527136819419192013-10-18T10:59:00.000-07:002014-01-07T21:42:36.742-08:00All About SUP Fins!This is the best article/blog that I have seen on the subject of SUP fins. Picking the right fin for you, your board, and the conditions is a bit of a black art. A lot of it is based on feel. Nothing changes the feel of your board like the right fin. So how do you pick the right fin? The best thing you can do is find a more experienced person with the same board. If you are lucky like me to have some good SUP shops nearby that know their stuff, get them to make some recommendations to you. Don't go by looks or shape. Read on to learn about picking the right SUP fin for your board.<br />
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<a href="http://www.supracefins.com/advice/how-to-choose-a-race-fin/">http://www.supracefins.com/advice/how-to-choose-a-race-fin/</a><br />
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Just for fun, here are the fins I run on my boards:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Angulo Shaka XLT (14' x 30") downwind board - Allison Ninja works great for me. A really good downwind fin that also tracks well. If it's really flat, I will use the Allison Thresher.</li>
<li>Bark Custom Unlimited (18'6" x 27"). This board is lightning fast but very tippy for me when going slow. It gets more stable when going fast or with the wind at my back. Interestingly, it feels very stable when going downwind in light or moderate wind. I have not had it out in really windy conditions yet. On this board, I am running a HUGE Jimmy Lewis fin that was modified to fin the small fin box. This fin helps stability and tracks great. I also have an Allison Gladiator that I will go back to once I get more water time on this board. It feels faster and has more rake. 1/7/2014 UPDATE: I now have an Allison Batwing fin on this board. This fin is great. It fits my tiny fin box, has loads of surface area and lots of rake (so it's great for grassy Tomales Bay). It's not a very "deep" fin though so you can get through some shallow areas without scratching it up. What I love about fiberglass fins is you can shave off little bits here and there to get a truly custom fit on your board.</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-70457892663379062192013-10-10T10:07:00.003-07:002013-10-26T11:43:07.488-07:00Tomales Bay Buoy - A BOON for Downwinders ((Updated - Tomales Bay Buoy Transmitting NOW!))About a month or so ago I went paddling on Tomales Bay. South of Hog Island, I noticed a pretty yellow buoy that had not been there just a week prior. After doing a little research I learned that this was being deployed by the UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab located at Horseshoe Cove on Bodega Head. They already have a Bodega Buoy (that I use via my Android buoy app) and a Cordell Banks Buoy. Anyone who spends time on Tomales Bay knows how quickly conditions can change. Some people say there are three different weather and wind patterns on the bay. I suspect a lot of this is due to the elevation undulations and wind gaps within the Inverness Ridge that separates Tomales Bay from Pt. Reyes. Keep in mind that Tomales Bay is only about 13 miles long from ocean to marsh so this makes weather and wind prediction very, very tricky.<br />
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If you are wanting to do a downwinder on Tomales Bay, you want real-time data from a device <u>on the water</u>. Not behind a hill, and not a mile inland. You want to know what the wind and waves are doing<i> on the water where you will be paddling.</i><br />
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Enter, the Tomales Bay Buoy! It's not online just yet, I think they are still working on it and testing/calibrating but I suspect it will be functional soon. I hope it will be linked in with the various buoy apps that are out there. When the winds really crank up this Spring, we will be able to get real-time wind speed, direction, air and water temp, and current. YES!<br />
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Keep an eye on <a href="http://bml.ucdavis.edu/boon/buoy_obs.html" target="_blank">this page</a>.<br />
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The UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab, Bodega Observation Node (BOON) is part of <a href="http://www.cencoos.org/" target="_blank">CeNCOOS</a>.<br />
<br />
Tomales Bay Buoy<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Deployed August 2013.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">An oceanographic buoy is deployed in Tomales Bay, just south of Hog Island. It is a cooperative project between the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS/NPS), and the National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS/NOAA). The purpose of this buoy is to measure oceanographic data that will help researchers answer various ecological and oceanographic questions, as well as provide the public with real time data related to sea conditions within the bay. Researchers will use the data to study, among other things, marine life populations, water quality, how water moves through and around the bay, and climate change. Data may include: wind, ocean current speed and direction, salinity, temperature, chlorophyll fluorescence, turbidity, pH, and CO2 (the partial pressure of carbon dioxide).</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Please check back for more information (sensors/data), coming soon.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoD-wn-6I8XBDdUoFm8uCHJ7DjJiSQRJBDo2nhYgBvxNFkxnlnQ4goDSKHKYKGFQJIcCSL7gGXzei3PXkfD_qVOS5TlH7aEWcDMbR2UhlJYTmaDPdgHVmUG18nrtJbVXYe-HU1g1SSds/s1600/tomales_buoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoD-wn-6I8XBDdUoFm8uCHJ7DjJiSQRJBDo2nhYgBvxNFkxnlnQ4goDSKHKYKGFQJIcCSL7gGXzei3PXkfD_qVOS5TlH7aEWcDMbR2UhlJYTmaDPdgHVmUG18nrtJbVXYe-HU1g1SSds/s1600/tomales_buoy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomales Bay Buoy - View is roughly NNW with Hog and Duck Islands in the background.</td></tr>
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<h2>
<u><span style="color: red;">10/26/2013 Update</span></u> - I checked the site this morning and noticed that the Tomales Bay buoy is now online and transmitting data! Exciting news. We can now get real-time wind data from the middle of Tomales Bay! As of today, I do not see this buoy listed in the iWindsurf, WindfinderPro or BuoysPro mobile apps.</h2>
Make sure to bookmark this page: <a href="http://bml.ucdavis.edu/boon/tomales_bay_buoy.html">http://bml.ucdavis.edu/boon/tomales_bay_buoy.html</a><br />
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<table class="mainContenttable" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 20px; width: 376px;"><tbody>
<tr class="yellow"><td colspan="2" style="background-color: #ffffcc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(251, 122, 49); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(251, 122, 49); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;">Tomales Bay Observations</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;" width="197">Seawater Temperature (deg F)</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;" width="166">55.0</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;">Seawater Temperature (deg C)</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">12.8</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;">Seawater Salinity (PSU)</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">33.738</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;">Seawater Fluorescence (ug/l)</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">3.750</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;">Seawater Conductivity (S/m)</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">3.9404</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;">Seawater Density (sigma-t kg/m3-1000)</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">25.467</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;">Seawater Turbidity</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">2.760</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;">Wind Direction (deg N)</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">324</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;">Wind Speed (mph)</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">8.95</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; padding: 0px 0.5em; white-space: nowrap; width: 190px;">Last update: Sat Oct 26 11:30:00 2013 PDT</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05158303768876729862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5661611939946167182.post-61612149655960567792013-10-02T17:39:00.002-07:002013-10-02T17:39:46.007-07:00Introduction to Marine Radios<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">VHF (Very High Frequency) marine radios are a really good back-up communication device. In many places we paddle, cell coverage is spotty at best. Radios can be used to call for help in case of emergency or can be used for general communication among the group, the guide boat, or even with other boaters in the area. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Keep mind that using a radio is not like using a phone. Everyone on same channel can hear your transmission. Therefore, always speak clearly and concisely. Be sure to pause and allow time for others to answer. Remember, they have to first hear you and then key their radio to speak. Never use your radio on land they are meant to be used on the water only. Like other radios, range is line-of-sight, and rather limited compared to a phone. A handheld VHF will have a range of about 2 to 4 miles depending on the geographic configuration.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Here are the channels used in this area:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">9</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> Boater Calling. Commercial and Non-Commercial.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><br /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">14</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> Vessel Traffic - You will often hear commercial vehicles like ferries on this channel.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">16</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> This is the most important channel. Use channel 16 for Distress, Safety and Calling. You may use this channel for hailing another craft i.e., asking that vessel to switch to a particular channel for general communication. </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">The U.S. Coast Guard monitors channel 16 for emergency calls</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">. Ships required to carry radio, USCG, and most coast stations maintain a listening watch on this channel. </span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">68</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">, </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">69</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">, </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">71</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">, </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">72</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">, & </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">78</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> General Comms - </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">68</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> and </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">72</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> are for recreational use.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Go </span><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf" style="background-color: white; color: #2a9bc7; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> for a complete list of channels.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">A cell phone has limited use out on the water compared to a radio. A VHF radio is rugged, waterproof, floats, is easy to hear, allows you to be heard by anyone on the same channel, and can give you real-time weather updates and forecasts. Compared to a modern smartphone, the VHF radio has tremendous battery life, and at less than $150 for many models, is a great low-cost piece of gear. It may just save someone's life.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">For more information on VHF radios, including marine radio etiquette, check out this </span><a href="http://www.sailonline.com/seamanship/navigation-a-weather/vhf-use-the-basics" style="background-color: white; color: #2a9bc7; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">article</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfOyLgPoRuaARNNmmXyhmWqaYjGvRYwRK1tXxUGJtA5r1k8Db3XkMqjcW4FxjHgaIJw4Sf7p6ipR1plWJt6mKFSg7Lca9P3v5O0WbM4QXOEodPT8w5efywUBkESOD3MlcChu5m78BlrM/s1600/HX300+Floating+-+RGB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfOyLgPoRuaARNNmmXyhmWqaYjGvRYwRK1tXxUGJtA5r1k8Db3XkMqjcW4FxjHgaIJw4Sf7p6ipR1plWJt6mKFSg7Lca9P3v5O0WbM4QXOEodPT8w5efywUBkESOD3MlcChu5m78BlrM/s320/HX300+Floating+-+RGB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;">Standard Horizon HX300 Compact Floating VHF Marine Radio</td></tr>
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