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Ryan James SUP race techniques – Stroke rates
Ryan James SUP race techniques – Stroke rates
SUP racer Ryan James and SUP fit are back with more SUP race techniques. This time he is breaking down. Different ways to increase your stroke rate in different conditions.
Read & watch Ryan’s other videos and race tips on SUPboarder here : Ryan James SUP race techniques
For more information about SUPfit and Ryan James visit : www.supfit.co.uk
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It's all about the Red kids!
It’s all about the Red kids!
“Why should the adults have all of the fun!! Stand up paddleboarding is for everyone, not just the grown ups” – Red Paddle Co
That’s right! And there really has been no better time for kids to get into SUP and get the racing bug.
Red Paddle Co have not only developed SUPs with the younger paddler in mind (the 9’4” Snapper and the 10’6” Max Race), but also a Junior Racing Series and a Junior…
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Kai Bates paddles into a few Young aussie rider Kai Bates has got a go-for-broke riding style. Whether riding on the World Tour or free surfing, busting airs and power carves are his thing.
Inflatable SUPs or iSUPs as they’re commonly called are becoming increasingly popular with paddlers around the world due to their practicality and robustness. But with so many iSUPs now available on the market how do you know which are any good and which is a good deal? Whether it’s new or used SUPboarder offers some top tips when buying an inflatable paddleboard to help you make that right decision…
Photo : Erik Aeder
Do your research
Don’t just buy the first board you see. Do your research and buy from a well respected brand that you’ve heard about and trust. As iSUPs become more popular, more brands are appearing on the market every day. But just because they make iSUPs doesn’t necessarily mean they make good iSUPs! We see all types of kit at SUPboarder and some iSUPs you wouldn’t dare stand on, on dry land let alone on the water! (and we don’t even bother reviewing these boards!) So talk to other paddlers to hear their opinions, check out the SUPboarder board reviews and chat to the guys at your local shop/school.
Try before you buy
This is the best way to not only see what the board really looks like but also how it performs. A good quality iSUP should not look like a banana or get your feet wet when you stand on it! It should feel pretty rigid and if the correct size easy to paddle.
Don’t just buy it because it’s cheap!
Prices of iSUPs vary hugely. And there is normally a good reason for this! Cheaper iSUPs are often made from cheaper materials, and as a result are less robust, less rigid and often impossible to get spare parts for. Don’t be surprised if they look like a banana and feel awful to paddle too! So don’t waste your money on a cheap board you’ve never seen or heard of before. But by doing some research you may discover some cheaper brands that do make good iSUPs for their price, but they may have a less quality bag etc…
Check out the pump
iSUP pumps come in all shapes and sizes and can vary massively in their pumping efficiency. Single cylinder, 2 cylinder, one way, dual action etc… The best way to find out if it’s any good is to give it a go. So it’s well worth looking at the pump as well as the board before you part with any cash. There’s no point having an iSUP if you can’t pump it up. If you’re unsure of the best way to use an iSUP pump then check out the feature ‘Pumping up an iSUP’. Or to find out which pumps SUPboarder think are the best on the market check out ‘The SUP pump guide & test’.
Check out the backpack
Photo : Annie Reickert
The great benefit of iSUPs is that you really can take them anywhere. Well… thats if the backpack is any good! So check that the bag the board comes with is up to the job. Most brands have now done away with the simple stuff sack style bag with flimsy straps, and designed comfy, padded backpacks, some with separate compartments for your SUP paddle and accessories. Having a decent lockable bag is also useful if you’re wanting to travel with your SUP and put it on a plane etc…
As the saying goes,
“Don’t judge a book by its cover’ but ‘You can often judge an iSUP by its bag!’
Check out the fins
Decent fins on an iSUP really make a good iSUP stand out from a poor iSUP. iSUPs generally have 2 types of fins. Those that are permanently attached to the board that are more robust, and those that have to be attached with a screw or clip and are a bit more fragile. Some boards have a combination of the two. If you’re looking at buying a board with removable fins make sure the fin system is robust and going to withstand the occasional knock and you regularly taking them in and out. We have seen some shocking fin systems on iSUPs where you’d be lucky if your fins even make it to the waters edge! The well known US box fin is always a very safe bet, as it is not only robust but will also fit many different fin shapes and are easily available all around the world. Hopefully you won’t break one but it’s always good to know you can get a spare.
Consider what you want to use your board for
Photo : Daniel Schenk
iSUPs are now available in all shapes and sizes, weights and thicknesses. Some are designed for all round use, and others have been designed for a specific discipline such as surf, race, white water etc… So thinking about what you plan to do with your iSUP will help you determine which will suit you best. 10’5 is the most popular all round sized board. The longer the board the faster the board so better suited for racing and touring. The shorter the board the easier it is to manouever so therefore more suited to the surf. Also remember the narrower the board the more unstable it will be so consider both length/width as well as what you plan to do with your board, and your paddling ability when deciding which board to buy.
Feel the weight
iSUPs not only vary in weight due to their size, but also due to the materials and construction methods used. A 10’5 iSUP could weigh anything from 9kg to 15kg. It might not sound much but you’ll definitely feel the difference in your arms when carrying it down the beach. So if you’re looking for an easy board to carry and chuck on the roof of your car, a light board to take on your travels abroad then make sure you consider the boards weight. However it’s also worth noting that the reason boards are heavier is because 99% of the time they are made from more material which will have the benefit of generally being harder wearing. So if you’re looking for an iSUP to take in the WW then a heavier more sturdy iSUP may be a better choice.
Check the warranty
You should expect to get at least a 1 year warranty when buying a new iSUP. Hopefully you won’t need it but it’s good to know you have it. Its also worth finding out who’s best to contact if you have any queries or concerns. Bare this in mind when you buy a super cheap iSUP online. Chances are it will have no warranty or customer services dept!
Check for any imperfections
Due to the complex manufacturing process of iSUPs a number of imperfections can arise and these are worth being aware of. These may include board twists, reverse rocker lines (nose/tail bending the wrong way!), leaking seams and bubbles between the pvc layers. These imperfections are more frequently seen on cheaper iSUPs due to the poorer quality control standards. If your new board does not look perfect, do not accept it. A board with a twist in it will have less glide and poorer performance.
To find out more about iSUPs including how they’re made, board pressures and the pros and cons of iSUPs check out the article ‘Everything you need to know about iSUPs.’
Hopefully you found this article useful and you now feel more prepared to go shopping!
Featured image : John Carter
Top ten tips to buying an inflatable paddleboard Inflatable SUPs or iSUPs as they’re commonly called are becoming increasingly popular with paddlers around the world due to their practicality and robustness.
Ryan James - Breaking down the stroke
Ryan James – Breaking down the stroke
SUP racer Ryan James breaks down the paddle stroke by looking at the setup, entry, catch, power phase, exit and recovery. By performing all these paddle stages correctly you will improve not only your paddle technique but also your efficiency on the water.
We look forward to sharing more of Ryan’s technique videos soon.
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Hawaiian SUP surfing Surfing in Hawaii on a long board is where it all began. And this Hawaiian SUP surfing short film starring Ekolu Kalama, Ikaika Kawai, Kelson Kihe and friends, shows how it's just as much fun now as it was then. A great edit with chilled tunes and riding.
SUPboarder video breakdown / Jess Leedy just sticks it
SUPboarder video breakdown / Jess Leedy just sticks it
There are surfers who look good and surfers who look solid. And there are some surfers that look completely planted and stuck to their board, and manage to land everything! One of those SUP surfers is Jess Leedy. The man really looks like he has suckers on the soles of his feet!
Ok, so Jess has got a high skill level and a lot of experience in the surf, but what does he do to make his board stay…
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Th carnage from THE WAVE at Boot 2017
Th carnage from THE WAVE at Boot 2017
THE WAVE looks like great fun and we’d love to have one at the back of the office. But just check out the nailings you’re going to have before you master it!
We think a custom, heavily nose rockered board, as well as a good helmet is what you need for this party wave.
About the wave
Surf width: 9 m
Water temperature: approx. 25°C
Wave height: Adjustable between around 1 to 1.5 metres
Water depth:…
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JP Australia show us their Surf range
JP Australia show us their Surf range
JP Australia have some fantastic surf shapes in their range. This is their latest promo video where they talk through the newest changes to the 2017 Surf range.
Also keep an eye out for the JP Surf Air (inflatable) review which will be having a SUPboarder team going over soon.
Until then find out more about JP Australia on their website here : Jp-Australia.com/2017
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Paddle blade repairs / How to SUP Videos PRO Reuben from SUPboarder looks at paddle blade repairs which may need to be done to keep your paddle in top condition and working effectively in the water. With a few simple tools you can stay on top of those dings and scrapes which might get worse over time if not fixed properly.
SUP Training 101 : doing your first SUP event / Part 1
SUP Training 101 : doing your first SUP event / Part 1
Have you been thinking about taking part in your first SUP event this year or are you hoping to improve your results by doing a bit of training, but no idea where to begin? Fear not! Regular SUPboarder contributor and Naish UK team paddler Dr Bryce Dyer is back, with a two part series providing some excellent guidance to get you ready for that first race of the season. Over to Bryce…
Bryce at the…
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The speed of SUPing downwind with Riggs
The speed of SUPing downwind with Riggs
If you haven’t tried it yet SUPing downwinding is an absolute hoot! When the conditions are on, endless glides and speeds just unachievable on the flat are what you should expect. Jeremy Riggs gets his fair share of downwind paddling in, and in this latest video he shows us some great angles of the fast and exciting wold of downwind paddling.
Riggs’s board Jeremy is riding a SIC Bullet custom…
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Icy eyelashes, frozen paddle, a layer of ice on deck and more neoprene than you can physically squeeze into! That’s what involved if you want to surf the freshwater waves on Lake Superior in North America.
Not everyones idea of fun! But for Jared Munch who was born and raised in Northern Wisconsin it’s just the norm! From a young age Jared learned to love the cold and the outdoors, and soon became an action/adventure sports enthusiast growing up enjoying snowboarding, sking, mountain biking, skateboarding, kiteboarding, and whitewater kayaking. Whilst at college in Duluth, MN Jared got introduced to SUP, and went on to become a frequent paddler, SUP instructor and safety advocate of paddle sports.
Despite being many miles from the sea Jared soon discovered that there was plenty of fun and waves to be had on nearby Lake Superior. At more than 82 km² Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes in North America and is an ideal place to SUP. The vast expanse of water provides miles of shoreline to explore flat water paddling, and during winter when the conditions are right surf can be found at numerous locations around the lake.
But SUP surfing freezing Lake Superior is not for everyone, and it takes a certain kind of (crazy!) person to get out there and do it! Jared shares his experience of lake surfing and explains what is really involved in SUP surfing a freshwater lake in minus temperatures!…
Jared showing off his paddle caked in ice after a -16F surf session. The haze in the background is referred to as “sea smoke” which happens when the air is much colder than the water.
Short wave intervals and strong current cause high consequence SUP surfing on a large wave. Photo: Jenny Schwietz
SB/When did you first discover SUP surfing on a lake? I remember when I was probably 8 years old my dad was taking my brother and I up north on a fishing trip. As we drove past Lake Superior we saw people surfing and couldn’t believe it. I never really thought that I would be one of them until I got to college. What started as a whitewater canoe and kayak instructor position led me to learning how to paddle a SUP, which then trickled down to a desire to bring my board skills to the water. By the end of my junior year of college I had pieced together enough equipment to be a self contained Great Lakes surfer.
SB/How is it possible to have waves on a lake?! Every lake is going to be different based on size and depth profile, but just like in the ocean, the waves are created by wind. Wind blows across the water, and waves are formed. What gives the great lakes the ability to build such big waves over shorter fetch distances is that a 0 degree air is much more dense than a tropical 80 degree air. Dense air is able to dig into the surface much more to build waves.
Getting a glimpse of a rare freshwater barrel. Photo: Jenny Schwietz
Jared taking the drop on a large freshwater wave.Photo: Jenny Schwietz
Jared catching a large freshwater wave with ideal, offshore wind. Photo: Jenny Schwietz
Cold feet creates a lack of board feel. Bracing comes into play a lot! Photo: Jenny Schwietz
The inevitable whipeout and flushing of the wetsuit. 32 degree water has never felt so good! Photo: Jenny Schwietz
Jared going right on a medium size Lake Superior wave. Photo: Jenny Schwietz
Jared cutting back into the lip on a medium size Lake Superior wave. Photo: Jenny Schwietz
Jared hitting the line of whitewater on a medium size wave. Photo: Jenny Schwietz
SB/What conditions do you need for surf on Lake Superior? Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake by surface area, and a northeast wind has a 300 mile fetch of open water to build waves before it hits my home breaks. Alternatively, a southwest wind will send waves to the other end. In general, any strong wind that can sustain for 24 hours across the lake is going to build up a solid ground swell and deliver waves somewhere.
SB/Tell us a bit more about surfing on Lake Superior. When does it work and how long for? It only really works during the winter when there is cold, dense air blowing across the lake. It’s also generally more windy in the winter. How long there’s swell really depends on how long the storm lasts. It’s not terribly uncommon to have three days of surf in a row. The main season is in late fall through to spring, when the air is cold and there are sustained wind directions. Typically, on the southwest end of the lake there will be surf once a week. This winter has been slow, however.
SB/What’s the wave like on Lake Superior? It varies. Usually during the storm it will be pretty choppy with tons of current.
“The wave height can easily reach 10 feet during the winter.”
Local buoys occasionally read over 15, and sometimes 20 feet. The intervals are short though, so you really have to be a strong paddler to get out in certain places. There are beach breaks, point breaks, and a few reef breaks. They all work in different conditions, and some more reliably than others. On a medium to small day most of the spots will be pretty mushy waves. On a bigger day the waves can have quite a bit of punch to them.
SB/Does your surf spot vary depending on conditions or is there only one spot that works on the lake? There are lots of places. The spots all vary so much, and conditions change so quickly that it’s easy to spend a couple hours driving and checking everything out before you even get in the water. There aren’t really any webcams shooting over the breaks, so it can be an adventure just getting to the water.
SB/How different does a fresh water wave differ from a salt water wave? My only saltwater surfing experience is in Hawaii and southern California, and it’s totally different. The combination of little buoyancy and wearing a thick suit in Lake Superior really wears you out quickly. In terms of wave riding, I don’t know. I’m honestly probably not good enough to be able to tell the difference. But I do know that since the conditions of lake surfing are so in your face, it’s a really different sensation than warm water ocean surfing.
Frozen feet!
A board covered in 1/4 inch of ice after a cold paddle. Jared’s boots were frozen onto the deck. Photo: Andrew Kilness
Icy eylashes during a brisk, -20F morning. Photo: Andrew Kilness
SB/What gear do you need to get the most out of surfing Lake Superior? Hooded 6/5 and 5/4 suits are top choice combined with 7mm mitts and booties. Having a heated vest underneath everything also helps on the really cold days. For just touring or downwinding I’ll usually wear a drysuit with base layers underneath.
Having a canteen of hot water can help revive a session by pouring the hot water into your booties and mitts to warm up the extremities. Since the conditions vary so greatly, having a couple of boards is a safe bet. I personally have a 7’6” funboard, a 6’8” big guy short board (I’m not big though) and a couple of SUP surf boards. Since the water is less bouyant than salt water, it’s nice to have a little extra volume underneath you. Most people use a bigger board than they would in the ocean. Having a reliable vehicle also helps a ton. I froze my butt off one time because my car battery died and I had to wait for someone to come pick me up after my session!
SB/Whats the local scene at Lake Superior and how big a crowd would you find on a busy day? It depends on where you go around the lake. Some of the popular spots can get fairly busy on a good day. I usually like it when the air gets super cold, because it thins the crowds. It is easy to avoid a crow though if you are willing to explore and work for waves. There are lots of spots that most people don’t know about. Touring on a SUP really made me aware of this. A big day on the lake is well overhead. Usually on these days it will be really crowded at the most popular places, but thins quickly as the people that drove up from the cities quickly realise that they are in way over their head!
SB/What are the biggest challenges when lake surfing? Lake Superior specifically creates a ton of current near shore – way more than I’ve experienced in the ocean. This happens because the surf really only happens during storms, with conditions that most ocean surfers probably wouldn’t even waste their time with. Another challenge lies in the conditions of the water itself. The surf is rarely clean. Paddling out and sitting (or standing) in a mess of chop to find a wave while fighting the current just to stay in position is a ton of work. I’d say the last, and largest challenge of lake surfing is the temperatures we face.
SB/What do you enjoy most about lake surfing? In the back of my mind I’m always giggling that I’m surfing a lake! I think almost everyone out there feels the same way, because everyone is typically pretty stoked. Lake surfing is definitely not about charging on perfect waves, but more about the overall experience.
SB/What other lakes have you surfed around the world and where’s your favourite spot? I’ve also surfed Lake Michigan and ridden downwind bumps on Lake Ontario. The most popular Lake Superior surf spot is Stoney Point, but my favourite spot is a wave north of stoney point, in a big bay that is protected from the wind, but has good long rides.
SB/What other lakes would you like to surf? Well the options are pretty limited, being that there are very few lakes in the world capable of producing waves. I’d say I’m pretty content with where I’ve surfed now. Lake Superior is the biggest and can generate the best waves, so I’m pretty spoiled with it.
puling into a freshwater curl before it breaks.
Crossing over to turn back into the wave.
Turning hard right back into the wave.
Hitting the lip and dropping back in.
SB/Whats the coldest conditions you’ve paddled in? Air: -20℉ (-28°C) Windchill: -35℉ (-37°C) Sea: 32℉ (0°C)
“I was watching ice form in sheets before my eyes and had a quarter inch of ice buildup on my deck!”
I was just out for a leisurely paddle that day. I’ve surfed in some seriously cold stuff before, but not quite that extreme.
SB/Why should someone have a go at SUP surfing on a lake? Just to try something new. A lot of people think that lake surfing is fake, or is always terrible conditions. It actually can line up really well and be a ton of fun.
SB/What are the main challenges surfing in the extreme cold? The bulk of thick neoprene really makes it difficult to paddle. It also reduces flexibility, especially when it starts getting covered in ice. Another really big challenge specific to SUP surfing in the cold is the ice buildup on the paddle. The ice makes the paddle so slippery that you lose almost all dexterity. The best way to deal with it is to hold the paddle underwater where it can’t freeze until you see your wave.
“On the coldest days you just barely have enough time to ride a wave before your paddle is too slippery to grip.”
The last major difficulty of the cold is the loss of feeling in the hands and feet that occurs occasionally, along with general shivering. It’s really hard to have a feeling of a board under your feet, or just stay composed in general. Those are just the big things though. All the small things that go into a day such as setting up a camera or going in to take a pee are also super hard to do in the cold. If someone can learn to surf well in the freezing cold on a lake, they can surf almost anywhere. When I go on surf trips to warm climates, it almost feels fake to me – like an amusement park.!That’s part of what makes going to new places so fun. It’s never going to be the same as what you are accustomed to.
SB/What are your 5 top tips to surviving SUP surfing in sub zero temperatures? 1. Find a 7mm mitt with a lot of grip on the palm to hold a paddle. 5mm gloves can also work if the temperature is just lingering around freezing. 2. Use a bigger board than normal. You will appreciate some stability when you loose feeling in your feet and your body is shivering. Also, the 7mm boots you will be wearing will reduce board feel from the beginning. 3. Be friendly. If you are rude, people won’t be so inclined to help you when your car gets stuck in the snow! 4. Bring hot water to pour down your suit for a quick warm up. 5. Eat well before, during, and after. If you bonk in the water, you will get very cold very quickly.
SB/Can you give us 5 top tips to lake surfing? 1. Be self aware of your body heat, and know when to go in. 2. For those who live around a lake and are stoked to give it a go – choose the right conditions to try in. A lot of people try for their first time during the middle of a storm and just get destroyed. 3. Have good neoprene and make sure it’s leak free. 4. Observe the locals. Since the conditions of lake surfing can be so hectic, there’s a reason that you might not see people at popular surf spots on some of the bigger days. 5. Be friendly. Nobody who surfs the lakes is pro, and probably won’t care if you are.
A great insight into lake SUP surfing, thanks Jared. Surfing at Lake Superior is definitely not for the faint hearted, but if you fancy a challenge and something a bit different this year then why not give it a go! Just don’t forget your extra neoprene, hot flask of water and snow shovel! Is there such a thing as de-icer for a wetsuit!? If so you might just need that too!
Have you ever surfed on a lake? If so we’d love to hear where and how you found it. Contact us via email here.
To watch Jared’s videos of SUPing Lake Superior click here.
SUP surfing Lake Superior / Now that’s what you call cold! Icy eyelashes, frozen paddle, a layer of ice on deck and more neoprene than you can physically squeeze into!
Kody Kerbox talks about SUP paddle length & size
Kody Kerbox talks about SUP paddle length & size
Koby Kerbox is one of the best all round paddlers in the world. From surfing to racing he’s at the top so it’s interesting to hear what SUP paddle lengths and blade sizes he uses.
For your reference Kody is 70”/ 177cm in height.
Surf paddle height 70” / 177cm Blade size 75in² / 484cm² Cruising paddle Blade size 85in²/ 548cm² Race paddle height 76”/ 193cm Blade size…
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The SUP pop-up and tips for busy Bali break...
The SUP pop-up and tips for busy Bali break…
Check out this video from Kosuke of local Kombong riding the busy break of Keramas in Bali. He is getting some great waves but surfing busy breaks like this on a SUP can be a real nightmare. It looks like Kombong frequently surfs this break by the confident way he’s riding it and the fact he’s a lone SUPer!
SUP surfing point breaks with a busy take off area is hard work. If everybody is playing…
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The frontside top turn / how to SUP videos
The frontside top turn / how to SUP videos
The top turn is a manoeuvre that not only looks good but feels fantastic too. This week we are going to be looking at the frontside top turn, which on a good wave you will be likely to carry out several times on a wave. Performed directly after the bottom turn the top turn is designed to keep you close to the breaking section of the wave where there’s more speed and power.
The top turn can be…
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Introducing SUPboarder PRO!
Introducing the new SUPboarder PRO, the next level of SUPboarder! SUPboarder PRO gives you access to more content, more in-depth reviews and technique videos as well as exclusive SUPboarder PRO features. Sign up for a full year for just £24.99 and receive the the limited edition SUPboarder PRO t-shirt (RRP 19.99) as an amazing free gift! Don’t want to commit for a full year…? Then sign up for a…
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