What is Downwind SUP? - Part 2

In 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.

Connor Baxter Planing

Here we see Connor Baxter 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.

 Connor Baxter Not Planing (displacement mode)

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.

 Jeremy Riggs Planing

This is a less extreme example of planing.  Jeremy Riggs 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.

What is Downwind SUP? - Part 1

I'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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

One of the best downwind boards on the market, the SIC Bullet.  This is a planing shape, specifically designed for catching and surfing bumps.

  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!

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:

• 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.

•  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!

It part 2, let's look at the anatomy of a board on a plane and a board in displacement mode.

(Stolen from Area10 on the StandupZone where he is explaining what he considers "planing"):
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.


(Additional commentary from my buddy Daniel Alvarez:  Jeff Burton 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 
smile emoticon. In sailing we refer to most boats as 5 knot shit boxes. Most sailboats can't escape 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.)

SUP Downwinder Tips and Checklist

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:

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.

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. "winds gusting to 30 knots" affects your ability put-in, paddle, and take-out safely?

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.

4. Study nautical charts of the area.  Learn how to find respite from the wind.  Learn the navigational rules of road.

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 VHF (marine radio).  Learn proper radio procedure and etiquette.  Consider carrying a tow rig and practice using it in rough conditions.

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.  Have a whistle easily accessible.  This can serve as your Coast Guard required signaling device.

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.

7. Go with a buddy and practice communication through hand/paddle signals 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.

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.

SUP Downwinder Checklist:

•        Check weather, marine forecasts, and tide tables before you leave

•        Create a float plan and a bail-out plan

•        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

•        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.

•        If your car is at the take-out, make sure you have your keys!

•        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.

•        Safety talk - ABCD:  Area (distance, hazards, etc.) Boards (gear and clothing), Communication (hand and paddle signals, radios), Doctor (any medical conditions or concerns)

Tomales 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.

If you are wanting to do a downwinder on Tomales Bay, you want real-time data from a device on the water.  Not behind a hill, and not a mile inland.  You want to know what the wind and waves are doing on the water where you will be paddling.

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!

Keep an eye on this page.

The UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab, Bodega Observation Node (BOON) is part of CeNCOOS.

Tomales Bay Buoy
Deployed August 2013.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).Please check back for more information (sensors/data), coming soon.

Tomales Bay Buoy - View is roughly NNW with  Hog and Duck Islands in the background.

10/26/2013 Update - 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.

Make sure to bookmark this page:  http://bml.ucdavis.edu/boon/tomales_bay_buoy.html

Tomales Bay Observations
Seawater Temperature (deg F)	55.0
Seawater Temperature (deg C)	12.8
Seawater Salinity (PSU)	33.738
Seawater Fluorescence (ug/l)	3.750
Seawater Conductivity (S/m)	3.9404
Seawater Density (sigma-t kg/m3-1000)	25.467
Seawater Turbidity	2.760
Wind Direction (deg N)	324
Wind Speed (mph)	8.95
Last update: Sat Oct 26 11:30:00 2013 PDT

Tomales Bay SUP Downwinder

Here's a little video showing a short (3 mile) downwind run from Nick's Cove to Marshall Beach.  I believe wind was gusting about 15-20 mph out of the nw so these conditions were really nice for a fun downwinder. There was enough wind to create some nice runners but nothing too extreme.  This is my first try at making some downwind videos so it's a little rough but I hope it gives you a good idea of just how much fun downwinders on a SUP can be.



SUP Downwinder - Tomales Bay from jeff burton on Vimeo.