Archive for the 'Gear Reviews' Category

Blue Planet Weekly Product Review: SIC Bullets

Blue Planet Surf

At Blue Planet we are now posting weekly product reviews. This week’s video is about the SIC Bullet 14′ and 17′4 production models:
Continue reading ‘Blue Planet Weekly Product Review: SIC Bullets’

Popularity: 3%

VestPac Hydration Pack

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Here’s a video review of a hydration pack that I have been using recently, the WilsonPac model from VestPac. The WilsonPac was designed specifically for watersports use and has a big pocket you can use to carry your cell phone, keys, etc.. The downside for me with this pack is that the reservoir is too small. Check out the video below. Continue reading ‘VestPac Hydration Pack’

Popularity: 5%

VIRUS Women’s Stay Cool Compression Crop Pants – Review

Guest post from Kari Leong (2x Winner of Hawaii Business Magazine’s Fittest CEO Contest)

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I was so excited to get my own Virus International Crop Pants and V Neck Top. Evan has been raving about how his Virus Compression gear helps his body to “recover” after a hard SUP session. I wake up at 5 am each morning to work out for about 60- minutes. Since I’m scared of sharks, I stick to land based exercise. Sometimes I’ll do Beachbody workout videos and sometimes I’ll go on the elliptical machine. After having three children, it takes “a lot more working out” to get my body close to its same shape and form.
Continue reading ‘VIRUS Women’s Stay Cool Compression Crop Pants – Review’

Popularity: 5%

Ed Wheeler’s Custom S.I.C. Bullet 12′6″ SUP Race Board

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Both Ed Wheeler and I love our SIC Bullet 12′6″ boards because it’s one of the few 12′6″ boards that can handle our weight. Ed got his a little after I got mine and I’ve seen him paddling it for south shore downwinders, north shore races and surfing. Ed’s a big guy so it’s something to see him surfing a 12′6″ race board. Continue reading ‘Ed Wheeler’s Custom S.I.C. Bullet 12′6″ SUP Race Board’

Popularity: 8%

2012 SUP Paddle reviews by Robert Stehlik

Blue Planet Surf

At Blue Planet Surf Shop we are passionate about good stand up paddles. We think a good paddle is just as important (and arguably more important) as a good board. We pride ourselves in having one of the most complete selections of quality stand up paddles you will find anywhere with all the top brands represented as well as some lesser known brands and we can help you choose the best paddle for your needs. Here are some reviews of the new models from some of the brands we carry. Thanks to Evan Leong of standuppaddlesurf.net for shooting the video reviews, presented here in no particular order.
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Popularity: 14%

Flatwater speed test- unlimited SUP’s by Robert Stehlik

This article was originally published at Robert Stehlik’s Zen Waterman blog.

Last week Evan Leong and I had a chance to test Mark Raaphorst’s S-16 Standamaran prototype that he was shipping to New York for a race with a stopover on Oahu. I have been wanting to organize a speed test for SUP race boards for a while, so this was a good opportunity to comparison test unlimited boards in flatwater conditions. Continue reading ‘Flatwater speed test- unlimited SUP’s by Robert Stehlik’

Popularity: 30%

Amundson 12′6″ SUP Stand Up Paddle Board

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I visited Blue Planet Surf’s shop and Robert Stehlik suggested I try the Amundson 12′6″ stand up paddle board. He thought I might like it because it has enough volume to float 200+ lbs people comfortably and it surfs small waves really well and he was right. The board also has a displacement type nose so it has a nice glide and the rocker is low, making it perfect for small wave conditions. The tail is fairly wide and thick so it doesn’t sink too much when I step on it to turn. The wide tail helps for the stability and the sharp rails really help to turn the board no matter where you’re standing on it. The board is also fairly light. I demoed this board in small waves and light winds and really liked it.
Continue reading ‘Amundson 12′6″ SUP Stand Up Paddle Board’

Popularity: 50%

S.I.C. Bullet 17′4″ and S.I.C. F-16 V2 Comparison

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After spending some time training and going on a few downwind runs with the S.I.C. Bullet 17′4″, I decided to shoot this video and share my thoughts on how the Bullet compares with the S.I.C. F-16 V2. Mark Raaphorst covered some of this in the video we shot with the Bullet earlier. I thought a visual where you can see the differences with the boards side by side would be helpful.
Continue reading ‘S.I.C. Bullet 17′4″ and S.I.C. F-16 V2 Comparison’

Popularity: 42%

S.I.C. F-16 V2 Racing SUP Stand Up Paddle Board

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The F-16 v2 is the best F series board I’ve ridden to date. After the first Hawaii Kai run, I decided that the F-16 v2 was the best planing hull F series board I had tried but after 3 sessions in various conditions I now think that it’s even better than my F-18. The board is stiffer and doesn’t have that warble feeling when riding. It catches and connects bumps with little effort. I think the F-18 may still be better in 15 mph and under winds but at 15 mph it’s gonna be close. Continue reading ‘S.I.C. F-16 V2 Racing SUP Stand Up Paddle Board’

Popularity: 35%

S.I.C. S-16 Standamaran Racing SUP Stand Up Paddle Board – Full Review and Videos

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I recently visited Mark Raaphorst at the S.I.C. headquarters in Maui and got to check out one of his latest creations, the S-16 Standamaran racing SUP stand up paddle board. The S-16 is surprisingly fast, especially going upwind. Upwind paddling is actually fun on this board. I shot some video of Mark explaining about the S-16 and got some footage from our downwind test run.
Continue reading ‘S.I.C. S-16 Standamaran Racing SUP Stand Up Paddle Board – Full Review and Videos’

Popularity: 38%

Hobie Polarized Sunglasses for SUP Sea Specs and RainX

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I recently picked up a pair of Hobie polarized sunglasses at the Battle of the Paddle 2009 in California and so far so good. Prior to using these sunglasses I used Sea Specs because they are polarized, light, have a neck strap and are fairly inexpensive. I think they cost me $50 or so and I got the Hobie’s on sale for $40.
Continue reading ‘Hobie Polarized Sunglasses for SUP Sea Specs and RainX’

Popularity: 15%

Bark Race SUP and F-18

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I took this quick video after the July 4th Da Hui race of the new S.I.C. F-18 next to a Bark 17′6″. Both boards placed in the top so it was interesting to see their design differences.  Check out the video for a quick peek. Continue reading ‘Bark Race SUP and F-18′

Popularity: 31%

Sandwich Island Composites F-16 v1 vs. F-16 v2-video

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I went to Sandwich Island Composites and had a chance to talk to the man himself, Mark Raaphorst. I saw the new S.I.C. F-16 version 2 (v2) SUP board side by side with the F-16 v1. I thought it would be good to compare the F-16 v1 with the new generation of F-16 v2 to find out the difference between the two versions. Watch the video and hear it straight from Mark R.


(click thumbnail to launch video)
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Popularity: 30%

Watermans’ Applied Science – Sunscreen for Water Athletes

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I normally shy away from the word ‘best’ when talking about products but I have to say it for Watermans’ Applied Science Sunscreen. I’ve been searching high and low for a sunscreen that doesn’t run in the water and won’t give me eye styes. This is a review of sunscreen designed for your face, not for the body. I normally wear a long sleeve sun protective shirt to block the UV rays from my torso.
Continue reading ‘Watermans’ Applied Science – Sunscreen for Water Athletes’

Popularity: 18%

Tropical Blends Surf Shop- video

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I visited the Tropical Blends Surf Shop at 907 South Queen Street here in Honolulu, Hawaii and took a look at surf heaven. In the last year, the store has more than doubled in size, largely due to the growing interest in stand up paddle gear.

tropical-blends-store-38.jpg Jim Hayes, Tropical Blends owner

Continue reading ‘Tropical Blends Surf Shop- video’

Popularity: 31%