Stand Up Paddle Surfing in Hawaii - StandUpPaddleSurf.net

In this next video, Todd explains the proper design of a stand up paddle in more detail. The bottom line is, a paddle should have the right shape, blade angle and surface design to get maximum efficiency.
Continue reading ‘Todd Bradley - SUP Paddles and Downwind Tips Part 2′

Todd talks about the importance of paddle design and the differences between SUP and other paddle sports. It’s all about efficiency in the water and doing it with the right paddles as Todd explains. He also shares paddling techniques and tips on choosing the right gear.
Continue reading ‘Todd Bradley - SUP Paddles and Downwind Tips Part 1′

I’ve been doing a lot of distance and downwind paddling lately and got a chance to ask Todd Bradley, a champion paddler, for his insights. This is a video that I’ve watched over and over already.
Continue reading ‘Downwind Stand Up (SUP) Racing Tips with Todd Bradley - Video’

Here’s a video of Kaipo talking about the 14′ C4 Waterman Vortice XP Carbon Fiber Racing Board. He also gives riding/racing tips in the video. Check it out.

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Continue reading ‘C4 Waterman Vortice XP Carbon Fiber Racing Board’

I got the chance to paddle in the Kaiwi Channel last week.  This is the channel between Molokai and Oahu where the 32 mile race is held.  Let me start out by saying it was way harder than I thought it would be.  I got a call from Kainoa B who I will now refer to as ‘The Hammer’ (inside joke).  He was excited about taking his boat out into the Kaiwi Channel and doing a mini Molokai downwinder.  Tommy from Freedom Surf Company was coming to get some video and photo footage (footage of Tommy surfing) and his other friend Carlos was coming along for the paddle.  Kekoa was in the driver’s seat and we were all set. Continue reading ‘Know Your Limits - My First Experience in the Kaiwi Channel’

I did this interview with Joe Bark last month over the phone. I just learned about Joe while getting more and more into the SUP distance paddling arena. Joe is famous for his paddleboards and is now expanding into stand ups. He’s got a new 14′ SUP racer coming out from Surftech in the future and we got the scoops in advance. I haven’t gotten any date for the board release but it hopefully will be by Q1 2009.
Continue reading ‘Joe Bark Interview - Board Previews and Tips’

Last month I interviewed Maui based shaper and surfer Mark Raaphorst, and he discussed the differences between the F14 and F16’s along with other boards being used for downwinder stand up paddling. I shared with him my experience using the F16 while doing a downwinder and how the board became faster when it filled with water. He also gave some really good insight into downwind racing. I learned a lot.

Continue reading ‘Mark Raaphorst Interview - F-14, F-16 and New SUP Race Boards’

I got a chance to interview the legendary Donald Takayama over the phone. At 65, Donald Takayama is still going strong. He started his career of making boards at age 11, became a shaper, surfer and still proves to be the master of style and technique. Continue reading ‘Surf Icon, Donald Takayama: The Talk Story’

I just got the press release for Surftech’s new stand up paddling instructional video and I immediately clicked on over to http://surftech.com/seasonal/l2sup.php to check it out.  This has got to be one of the best free videos I’ve seen so far.  I know it has a lot of Surftech promotion in it but it’s always nice to hear whatever Laird has to say.

This is definitely for the newbie beginner, especially the part where the guy shows what the deck, nose and tail of the board is.

Brian Keaulana talks about different stand up boards. There’s also a segment in the video where he gives a lot of tips, specially for beginners. Check it out.

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Check out this quick video I shot on how to remove the black scuff marks on the rails of a stand up paddle board.

Continue reading ‘Black Marks on the Rail Removal’

I was waiting for the south swell that didn’t show up today.  Since I’ve been having fun doing downwinders and making decent improvements my new personal rule of thumb is that if the waves are less than chest high and the wind is 10 mph+ then I’ll do my best to go on a downwinder.  It’s more stimulating for me.  The wind started blazing today in the morning so I got together my buddy Luis who rode a Joe Bark lie down paddle board demo from Surftech and Kainoa Beaupre who rode the 14′ yellow Ted Spencer that I kept falling off of a few weeks back.  Incidentally, Kainoa paddled that board in the Molokai race (unofficially bc he missed the application deadline) under 7 hours.  That goes to show how it’s the rider more than the board (although the board definitely makes a difference). Continue reading ‘Downwind Insight 8-5-08′

Here’s a short video clip of Joe Blair helping me touch up my board. The part with the spray paint is from a repair needed from hitting the reef and busting out my fin box. I got the board fixed but didn’t get any color at their suggestion. Needless to say, it looked ugly on the bottom.

Continue reading ‘Joe Blair Stand Up Board Touch Up Tips’

I’ve been doing a lot of downwind runs in the past 3 weeks.  I just did the Hawaii Kai to Kaimana Beach (9 miles?) today.  I finally did it under 2 hours and maybe that’s because I didn’t sit down as much as I normally do.  Yes, I’m the lazy paddler and I realize that time is still slow. Continue reading ‘Downwinder Insights’

jason wrote:
Evan, would you mind giving me some information about the Infinity Quad?

I have an opportunity to pick one up and was curious if you had any additional thoughts about the board beyond your review.

Specifically, of all the boards you’ve ridden, where would you put this one in the pack for a pure surfing board?

I’m basically your weight, a little taller and am looking at a 10′6 x 28 x 4 5/8

How’s the stability of the board. Seems the thicker tails he makes would add to stability.

The other board I am choosing between is a PSH 10′6 all arounder

Continue reading ‘Q&A - Information About The Infinity Quad’