Kona or Pacifico
I've had the SUP thing all to myself this last year on the island, and I've been very carefull to stay clear of the crowds, and minimize clash potential with regular surfers . To keep the cease fire with the surf crowd you should be well versed in surf rules. If you dont come from a surfing back ground, take the time to learn the rules of the line up and read the SUP eticate... before you stroke into a pack of surfers at JR ! Check out the link at: paddlesurfhawaii. "kook or cool"
http://www.paddlesurfhawaii.com/
also great info at www.c4waterman.com (they are the leaders in SUP gear currenlty)
I hope this helps you along.
PS. I have a bunch of SUP boards and paddles in my garage and your welcome to measure them up if you want to make your own. Blade angle is not as important as the blade "cup" or length of the shaft.
http://www.paddlesurfhawaii.com/
also great info at www.c4waterman.com (they are the leaders in SUP gear currenlty)
I hope this helps you along.
PS. I have a bunch of SUP boards and paddles in my garage and your welcome to measure them up if you want to make your own. Blade angle is not as important as the blade "cup" or length of the shaft.
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more force 4
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Thanks for the advice and the offers Richard. I wasn't about to go near any lineups - unless it was just a couple of other newbies trying too small waves. I think the Kona classifies as a lethal weapon if it ever got loose in waves anyhow, and with a leash it will probably dislocate your femur: its definitely a solo pursuit.
I've had two good flatwater paddles now, the Kona is great as a paddleboard on flat water. I'm ready for morning drag races at the lake Downwind! I've done 4-5 km each time without a hint of falling off (when I wasn't seeing how close to the end of the board I could paddle!) And I found my glasses today that I didn't tie on yesterday! A good day.
I made a paddle by taking an old military issue simple double-bladed kayak paddle (beachcombed at Rocky Point), sawing & cutting away one blade, cutting the shaft to a skaka-length over my head, unscrewing a T-handle off a canoe paddle I beachcombed on the Slocan River, whittled the plastic to fit and Voila! Not carbon fibre or spooned or elbowed to the shaft, but fine for basic paddling, and not $400 either.
I've had two good flatwater paddles now, the Kona is great as a paddleboard on flat water. I'm ready for morning drag races at the lake Downwind! I've done 4-5 km each time without a hint of falling off (when I wasn't seeing how close to the end of the board I could paddle!) And I found my glasses today that I didn't tie on yesterday! A good day.
I made a paddle by taking an old military issue simple double-bladed kayak paddle (beachcombed at Rocky Point), sawing & cutting away one blade, cutting the shaft to a skaka-length over my head, unscrewing a T-handle off a canoe paddle I beachcombed on the Slocan River, whittled the plastic to fit and Voila! Not carbon fibre or spooned or elbowed to the shaft, but fine for basic paddling, and not $400 either.
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more force 4
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Wardog has posted a bunch of pics of someone sailing a Kona Style in some pretty hefty waves. Apparently the wind was so light other sailors had packed it in, but then it came up again. It can be done I guess (I don't know if it will turn much; it certainly can carve tightly in chop but I note the pics don't show any off-the-lip slashes!).
http://www.kona-windsurfing.com/forum/read.asp?ID=204
http://www.kona-windsurfing.com/forum/read.asp?ID=204
