Day 2 - Garage Built 14' Race SUP

Head High Surfing got in the way of my shaping today, so limited progress in the shaping room (a.k.a the garage). But, boy the surfing was insane. Dawn patrol netted us pure glass in thick fog and no crowds. In fact, we had the waves at the pier all to ourselves.


Template laid out


Ready for cutting


All cut and ready for final shaping tomorrow


The mini hotwire used for the rail cut

Day 1 - Garage Built 14' Race SUP

The 14 ft block of foam arrives fully boxed. I was surprised it came boxed.



Template is added to the blank for hotwire cutting


Test cut with the hotwire cutter


Blank is cut


The foam was ordered from http://univfoam.com/

When it arrived, the label said it was drop shipped from http://www.carpenter.com/ in High Point NC.

I could probably order direct from Carpenter next time and cut out the middle man.

The Chip Proof Rail has Arrived

The new C4 Sub Vectors with chip proof rails have landed in Hawaii. Fellow zoner SUPirate (Curtis) sent me photos of his sick new board. I love the colors.

I saw the prototype C4 with chip proof rail construction when I was at the Outrigger Canoe Club in Waikiki. Todd's been testing this construction for the past year on a club board that gets passed around to friends.

They don't paint the rail and toughen up the epoxy to take paddle hits.

New Goodies

Last of Hawaiian Photos

Diamond Head. Notice the OC-1s passing off shore, while the surfers sit in the lineup to the left.


Jacky trying to fight the head wind after going around the reef.


I have no idea where Jacky is surfing in this one.

New Sub Vector Color

Another Sub Vector shows up at our break

Hawaii

BK teaching the ladies. Is he a chick magnet?


Notice anything wrong here? Made sure I didn't fall.


Sandy Beach


North Shore. SUPs are everywhere.


View from our Hotel window. Click and count the SUPs.

Paddle Technique Video

Sorry, but this is all the video I had from the Paddle Clinic.

I made it loop so you could get a longer look at Todd's technique. Notice the upright posture, knees bent, no ditch digging technique. Also note the slight blade twist at the end of the paddle stroke to improve efficiency. The paddle jumps out of the water when moving fast. Foot stance at shoulder width, not wide. Wider is less stable. He's spinning the ball. You'd have to take his class to know what spinning the ball means.

Windy Hawaii

Guys trying to surf in crazy wind. There was one SUP out there.




Todd teaching Brian at the fake demo for Microsoft. Take a close look at the paddle. I believe it's the prototype for a new surf paddle. All Kevlar/carbon weave, including the shaft.

More Hawaii

Roxy Girls


Jacky at the clinic trying hard to apply what she learned. Legs bent, torso upright.


Todd showing us how it's done.


Diamond Head, the day we surfed it.


More dummies trying out for Ocean Rescue TV.

C4 Waterwomen

A cool new Tee for your better half. We picked this up at C4Waterman headquarters. Nice to see women being recognized.

Corrected Paddle Technique

Do you look like a ditch digger with a pick axe when you paddle?

I'll bet you do. I know I did. Well thanks to Todd Bradley, and the SUPAH Clinic I attended in Oahu last week, I know how to paddle properly and efficiently.

If you think any of this is wrong, just try it before you reject it. Or better yet, just try to match Todd Bradley on a down wind run. Even Dave Parameter admitted he can't keep up with Todd. His technique is so refined and efficient, he smokes people.

To further improve on the technique shown here, make sure you twist the paddle blade as it exits the water at the end of the stroke. This will actually make your paddle JUMP out of the water, increasing your efficiency even further.

I was waiting for C4 to publish the video they shot of the clinic, but today I learned from Tommy Stokes that it will be awhile longer before this happens. I hated to hear that, so I'm posting the lessons learned now for all to absorb.

Now go paddle faster than ever before, with less strain and effort. You won't need to keep downsizing your paddle blades.

Oh, and stop bending at the waist. Bend at the knees and throw jabs like Muhammad Ali. That's what the top hand paddle stroke should be like.

Forget About 3 Piece Travel Paddles

Why suffer with a HEAVY 3 piece travel paddle? I'm talking about that just announced 3 piece paddle by you know who.

Full size paddles fly free on any airline when the bag is declared as fishing gear. SUP surfers get no respect, but fisherman get special perks with the airline.

I used this bag to bring home a paddle from Hawaii.

Of course the Bass Pro Shops patch helped sell the con.

Fight back, don't let the airlines discriminate against surfers. Play their game to your advantage.



PS, we don't need super narrow paddle blades. Blades have gone too small, which I only became aware of when my paddling technique was corrected at the SUPAH clinic by Todd Bradley. I'm sure 80% of us out there, also have the same problem. I'm waiting for the clinic video to go live before talking about it more. If anyone wants more info on the correct paddling technique, just send me a private e-mail for now.

More from Hawaii

From the Microsoft shoot featuring C4 Waterman


View from the private club Todd Bradley so graciously hooked us up at


Lunch from the private club, where food was way cheaper than Waikiki


A beautiful spot we surfed on the North Shore

Playing in Kailua

Here I'm testing the Naish Glide on flat water


Cruising around on the Glide





What am I doing out here on a race board?


Holly Crap, I need to hustle back for my Sub Vector


My conclusion, the Glide is too heavy for serious down winding. The hollow XP Vortice impressed me more.

More Goodies from Hawaii

Look for new photos each day this week.


Diamond Head from the road side overlook

The lifeguard at Sandy Beach, telling some not-so-bright-tourists they are about to be featured on Ocean Rescue TV if they continue to bodyboard at the most dangerous shore break in Hawaii

They wise up and watch from the beach

Ouch, this place is for locals only