SurfingSports Standup Paddle Surf & Standup Paddling BLOG

Punta Sayulita Longboard & SUP Classic

2010-03-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

The Punta Sayulita Longboard and SUP Classic, benefiting the Reef Check Foundation,(“the Classic”) is a surf contest for longboard and stand-up paddle surfers that will take place over 2 days, April 17-18, at Sayulita’s central beach break in beautiful Sayulita, Mexico.

The 1st Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & Stand-Up Paddle Classic (“the Classic”) is set to take place on April 17-18 in beautiful Sayulita, Mexico.

The international field of professional surfers from the United States and Mexico is led by Honorary Ambassadors James Pribram of Laguna Beach, CA, renowned
Mexican big wave surfer, Carlos “Coco” Nogales of Puerto Escondido and Mexico’s current national longboard champion, Patricio Gonzalez of Sayulita. The field will be limited to 30 competitors made up of both professional invitees and amateurs competing in various age group divisions as well as in the “open” contest for the longboard and stand-up paddle surfing categories. Professional short board surfers will also entertain spectators with an “expression session” air show of acrobatic aerial maneuvers.

On Sunday, April 18, a variety of Stand-Up Paddle races will be held including the “Punta to Punta” race, a 5K and 10K open ocean distance races where paddlers will travel between Sayulita and the neighboring village of San Francisco (“San Pancho”).

The SUP distance races will be open to all ages and abilities.

Professional Invitees:
James Pribram
Coco Nogales
Scott Bass
Angel Salinas
Patricio Gonzalez
Ryan Helm
Darren Eudaly
Chuck Patterson
Jose Manuel Cano
Adan Hernandez
Dylan Southworth
Diego Cadena

Should be a great event...we used to go surfing in mainland Mexico 2-4 times a year...there's great surf in mainland Mexico...

Hobie PFD for SUP's

2010-03-10T08:31:00.000-08:00

We have the Hobie Belt Pak Life Vest in stock...this waist worn USCG Approved Type III PFD is inflatable and satisfies the US Coast Guard requirement while paddling in
harbors...

Product Features
USGS Approved Type III PFD
- Manually activated inflation system
- Lighter and less restrictive
- Convenient exterior zipper pocket for storage of small items.
- Durable ripstop nylon
- 2in / 5cm wide adjustable nylon waist belt.
- Includes (1) CO 2 Cylinder and instructions.
- MSRP $109

The Coast Guard recently classified "paddleboards", meaning Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUPs), as "vessels." The newly classified vessels must comply with federal Navigation Rules and "carriage" requirements when operated beyond the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing or bathing area. Stand-up paddlers need a USCG-approved life jacket for each person, a sound signaling device (whistle), visual distress signals and navigation lights (flashlight).

The same requirements apply to kayaks and other manually propelled vessels of similar size. Stand-up paddleboards are exempt from hull identification number and registration requirements. Enjoy your SUP, but please do so safely and responsibly.

Starboard 12'6" Cruiser vs. 12' Big Easy

2010-03-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

A recent question came up regarding comparison of the Starboard 12'6" x 30" "Cruiser" vs. the Starboard 12' x 32" "Big Easy"...two of the most popular, and versatile, all around SUP's on the planet...flatwater lake cruising to surfing...these two boards are stable with nice glide...

Length equals glide...width equals stability...

The Cruiser is going to glide a bit better with 6" more of waterline...but, the Big Easy is going to be more stable...depending on your weight and paddling/surfing conditions, we may use that as a parameter to recommend one over the other...

Tricks are for Kids :: Zane Schweitzer

2010-03-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

Starboard team rider Zane Schweitzer walks you through a fun skate inspired trick on your stand up paddleboard...fins first fakie take off...

Zane has been SUP riding for Starboard for 4 years now, expect a lot more great things to come from this young talent...grandson of one of the inventors of windsurfing...

Here's another from Zane...

Zane Schweitzer visiting our shop in January...

Zane had some killer results at the 2nd Annual Battle of the Paddle...

Age Group Race: 1st overall Junior Division, 5th overall out of over 300 competitors!

Distance Race 1st place in the 14 foot class, 2nd overall Junior division
SUP Relay 5th place TEAM...

SUP Traction Pads :: Today and Yesterday

2010-03-07T14:31:00.000-08:00

Just received a new shipment of SUP traction pads...with thermoform microdot embossing...universal template outline utilizing 7 individual, spreadable pieces to fit a large variety of boards...the pieces have a CNC routed bevel around the outer edge to give a finished look and feel...long proven PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive)...ultra-lightweight and they bead H20...will allow you to leap over tall buildings in a single bound...yada...yada...yada...;-)

Seriously though, they really are nice...we use them exclusively on all of our North Pacific customs and offer them to our Starboard "StarTouch" clients...

Some of you guys/gals may remember way back in the day before traction pads became standard issue on most production SUP's...we used surfwax, pieces of sailboard pads, and/or longboard pads...and, "El Gripo"...

El Gripo was developed by Tom Morey and was an evolution of "Slipcheck" which sold over 100000 units in the 60's and 70's to longboard noseriders...fast forward to the late 2000's and we have "Monster Paint"...and, Starboard's new "StarTouch"...

Pre-production Sean Ordonez "Big Red"...longboard pad with clear "El Gripo" sprayed...

standup_gear/slides/standup_gear4.jpg

Since we were the first ones in the world to manufacture epoxy molded SUP's...this was before Jimmy Lewis, Surftech Lairds, Starboard, Naish, PSH and the dozens and dozens that came later...back when Pohaku made only paddles before becoming C4...

We were the first SUP retail entity to develop die-cut pads for our standup paddle boards...before we opened the first fully dedicated SUP store in the Americas...
matter of fact, I remember contacting a windsurfing/kiteboarding pad manufacturer now trying to pose as a premiere SUP accessory manufacturer, about getting some bigger pads die cut for standup paddleboards...and, they asked "what's a standup paddleboard?"...that's not too bad because a lot of people asked the question back in the day...it's when they asked in a snobby wind fiend tone, "why would you want to do THAT?"...that I hung up and found another source for EVA pads...our shop logo pads are still in use...

Other firsts include being the first production epoxy SUP manufacturer with provisions for a handle...go figure...some manufacturers are just getting around to that small detail...;-)

We were the first to manufacture SUP's with mast tracks...and, the first to install double leash plugs...something that I developed on my surfboard guns from surfing in Humboldt back in the big wave pioneering days...

We were also the first to stock SUP bags that fit...and, are reasonably priced...

Stay tuned...we have some kewl new SUP bags on the way...

Not all of our early ideas and efforts were good...we've abandoned the coiled leash...we did them in every iteration...OK for distance paddling...but, they sucked in the surf...think about old telephone cords...;-)

Click link for other kewl SUP accessories...we are a true ONE STOP SUP SHOP...

Starboard 2010 SUP Race Boards

2010-03-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

Gaute Kristiansen, from Starboard's product development team, snapped a couple of shots of the Starboard 2010 SUP epoxy race boards...the 12'6" x 29" "FreeRace"...and the 12'6" x 25" "The New" coming off of the production line for May delivery here in the US...please call or email if you want to get on the waiting list for these new boards...demand is HOT...especially, with the SUP race results that Team Starboard...EJ, Brandi, Zane Schweitzer, John Hibbard, Dan Gavere, Nikki Gregg, & Brian Symanski have been accumulating on them...

Free Race prototype that I shot at the 2nd Battle of the Paddle...

These Starboard SUP race boards will also be available in the lighter and stiffer brushed carbon construction...

We have a demo of The New...here's Carrie Eller giving it a go...

Scott and Margareta hamming it up with the new Starboard brushed carbon Surf race...20 lbs!!!

Quick Blade SUP Paddles

2010-03-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

Just received a new shipment of the 8.75" Quick Blade Kanaha SUP paddles with carbon shafts and fiberglass blades...great value at $275...nice flex with great power delivery...also, available in 8.3" and 9" blade sizing...

Custom North Pacific SUP's

2010-03-03T14:51:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple of shots of Rob's new North Pacific 10'6" x 31' x 4.5" double wing pintail SUP gun...all padded and finned up for the next big Cali swell...

Happiness Is...

2010-03-01T04:23:00.000-08:00

Happiness is a lot of things to a lot of different people...

To some folks happiness is "a little bit of chicken fried...cold beer on a Friday night...pair of jeans that fit just right...and the radio up..."

Zac Brown wrote that puppy along with some other tunes on his record "The Foundation", that earned him and his band, Zac Brown Band, a recent Grammy for "Best New Artist"...

We're hooked up with front row tickets when the band visits Santa Barbara on March 17th at the Arlington Theatre...yeehaw!!!

Speaking of brown and happiness...our chocolate Labrador Retrievers, Annie Mae and Molly Claire, exude happiness...especially, when they are outdoors on a sunny, beautiful day like yesterday...

There's some chocolate goodness available from one of our windsurfing clients who is a Labrador breeder...she has bred a lab who is related to Annie...these labs have really sweet dispositions...two females and a male are left...5 weeks old...

Charles Schulz was on to something when he wrote "Happiness is a warm puppy."

Those puppies are sure to bring waves of happiness to somebody(s)...

Segueing off of waves of happiness (I reckon this is a surfing sports blog afterall...;-) yesterday brought yet another swell into the SB Channel...not the cleanest wave conditions with one storm passing, and another lined up for Tuesday/Wednesday...and, yet more rainy WEATHER on the weekend...but, it was fun and uncrowded...and, the surfers that were out had great attitudes...could it be that surfers are finally starting to reach the wave saturation point after a couple of drought years?...

GALLERY...

Stoked For Life :: Paddle With Purpose

2010-02-27T15:41:00.000-08:00

Stoked For Life (TM)::

How's the new decade treating you so far?

It's all good 'round these parts...still getting great surf...and, Spring flowers popping up all over...

Just based on the number of standup paddle boards and SUP paddles that we have been getting our local clients hooked up with...add, to that the numbers that we have been shipping to all points in North America and beyond...recently, Alaska to Cancun, Mexico...Minnesota to Mississippi...Seattle to Sanibel, FL...and, hola! to Jose in Puerto Rico...I guess it's fair to say that standup paddling is THE sport of the new decade...let's just go back to the turn of the century and millenium...Y2K...and, I think it's safe to say that it's grown faster than any other activity in the surfing sports world, since surfing itself...

We've seen a lot of ebb and flow in the last 10 years that we have been serving the surfing sports world...and, the positive energy that standup paddling has generated has topped it all...we strive everyday to pay it forward...we look forward to being "stoked for life" (TM) over the next 10 years...if you're stoked for life...then, you can spread that stoke to others...

Paddle With Purpose::

Speaking of stoke...one of our LA clients, Patti Song, forwarded to me some info on pro surfer Jodie Nelson's SUP for Breast Cancer fundraiser paddle after meeting her last week...Jodie will attempt to standup paddle 39.8 miles solo from Catalina to Dana Point on March 28, 2010...

"Nelson will hope to conquer the race on a solo mission, in an effort to bring attention and raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness. The journey has only been completed by a handful of men solo, and this will be the first attempt by a woman. With a goal of raising $50,000, to benefit The Keep A Breast Foundation and Boarding For Breast Cancer, Nelson will tackle the feat, coined “Paddle With Purpose” on a Stand Up Paddleboard during Ocean Ohana’s annual Catalina Challenge."

Nelson completed the Catalina Challenge race in 2009 as a relay with another woman. “Last year's race was the most physically and mentally grueling thing I have ever done in my life,” says Nelson. “This year I have been training using Emergen-C Pink which offers an electrolyte boost, which is the perfect companion for an endurance mission like this.”

She continues: “I’m setting out to do something that is, for me, super intimidating, unknown, and something that I have a good chance of failing at. But that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t do it! This isn’t about me. People battling cancer go through similar feelings that are magnified to a much grander scale. They are battling a life threatening disease that is intimidating and unknown to them.”

Proceeds from Nelson’s “Paddle With Purpose” will go to leading breast cancer organizations The Keep A Breast Foundation and Boarding For Breast Cancer.

To donate, visit: firstgiving.com/paddlewithpurpose and to track her epic journey visit www.paddlewithpurpose.com

North Pacific Surfing SUP's

2010-02-23T19:01:00.000-08:00

After a killer paddlesurf sesh today, rising swell and no crowds...I got back to the shop to find out that we had just received the latest iteration of the handcrafted North Pacific surfing SUP's that you have been following the last couple of weeks from the factory...dang the luck...;-)

Here's the 9'5" x 30.5" x 4.5" double wing roundpin...and, the 8'10" x 31" x 4.5" winger swallow...all dressed up and ready to rock...

The 8'10" is in twinfin mode...actually, twin keel mode...that's the really kewl thing about the way we are doing the quad plus one fin options...you can dial it in and really tune the fins on this huckleberry...

Sexy...

A view of the belly button...;-)

Double wing round pintail 8'10" x 32" x 4.5"...

Double wing round pintail 10'6" Gun...

More pics in this GALLERY...

Have it your way...we'll build your custom SUP just the way you like it...handcrafted, boutique boards built in a modern factory by American workers...lightweight...high performance...CUSTOM...

Kai Lenny Wins Sunset Beach SUP Pro

2010-02-22T14:50:00.000-08:00

-- Photo Credits: Darrell Wong and Bob Bangerter

17-year old Kai Lenny from Maui. Photo: Hank Foto

1st place prize...three thousand smackers...

-- Photo Credits: Darrell Wong and Bob Bangerter

Congrats to Naish team rider, 17 year old Kai Lenny, for taking down the world's best standup paddle surfers at the Sunset Beach SUP Pro...

Maui teenager standing tall Lenny, 17, defeats some of world's best in Sunset Beach Pro -- Honolulu Advertiser

"Seventeen-year-old Kai Lenny of Maui performed beyond his years to win the contest in difficult conditions at Sunset Beach.

"I was just honored to get in the contest and compete against the best stand-up paddlers in the world," said Lenny, who is a junior in a home-school program. "I can't believe I won."

The contest was the first event on the inaugural Stand Up World Tour, and it drew more than 70 elite wave-riders from around the world.

The final day was completed in wave-face heights of 10 to 20 feet at Sunset Beach. Strong onshore winds made it difficult for the competitors to find quality waves.

Lenny, despite his inexperience at Sunset Beach, said he felt at home in the tricky conditions. The two days of this contest were his first sessions at Sunset Beach.

"Luckily on Maui, I surfed some outer reef breaks that are similar to this wave," he said. "Actually, this would be like the best day on Maui."

In the four-man final, Lenny dominated the 45-minute heat.

His best wave received a score of 8.6 (out of 10), and he backed it up with a second wave of 7.2. His two-wave total of 15.8 was enough to win the $3,000 first-place check.

"We're pretty shocked," said Martin Lenny, Kai's father. "He hasn't proved himself on a world stage like this, so we were happy he got as far as the final. We weren't expecting this."

At the same time, Lenny is considered a rising waterman on Maui.

He is already a full-time member of the Professional Windsurfing Association. He was the No. 19-ranked windsurfer in the world last year, and was named the tour's Rookie of the Year.

He is also a skilled tow-in surfer, and recently rode giant waves at Maui's treacherous "Jaws" spot with expert watermen Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama.

"Windsurfing is still my focus right now," Lenny said. "I'm still trying to do that tour and win events there."

Now he has to consider competing on the inaugural Stand Up World Tour as well. As the winner of the first event, Lenny is the No. 1-ranked stand-up paddle surfer in the world right now.

"I'm all game now," he said. "I want to do this (tour), too, as long as it can fit in my schedule."

The Sunset Beach event was the first of four scheduled contests on the 2010 tour. Subsequent events are scheduled for France in May, Tahiti in June, and Ocean Beach, Calif., in October."

Aldo Tassara from Pure Digital Maui sent us this vid clip of SUP World Tour Sunset Pro Wipeoutz...

If Not Now...When?

2010-02-20T08:48:00.000-08:00

We've already addressed the WHY part of the SUP equation...in a nutshell,
SUP = FUN (x10*nth)...

If a picture is worth 1000 words...here's a million more reasons to standup paddle...;-)

We just had three days of 80* F weather last week...Spring has sprung!

Coming soon to an area near you...;-)

Everyday we get folks in the shop...and, phone/email...who have finally overcome their "paralysis by analysis" and have just thrown their trust to us for their big-ticket, standup paddle board acqusition, because at the end of the day you're gonna have to trust somebody...why not choose the country's first fully dedicated SUP store that is the market leader?...thousands of new standup paddlers have...we'll assist you in choosing the right SUP...the first go around...there is a dizzying array of boards on the market these days...so choosing a knowledgeable, honest, and friendly shop that is fully stocked with ONLY QUALITY products is the first step towards getting the right equipment, the first time...

OUR CUSTOMERS AND QUALITY ARE ALWAYS #1...

We are a year-round, full-time, standup paddle board company...rust never sleeps...
so neither do we...;-)

We have our thumbs on it 24/7...365..so you don't have to...

We are always on top (& outfront) of the newest trends and developments in the sport...it's our job to take our (& your) fun seriously...

Our staff are standup paddleboard specialists...we have been into it from the beginning and continue to be the industry leaders...you get what you pay for...so, if you want the best, buy from the best...we have the best value...best selection...and, most importantly, we offer the best customer service at no extra cost...good old-fashioned, "Golden Rule" business ethics...

You can find real value in the 14' Naish Glide in AST construction for $1599...

From production to custom...wave to fitness...race to touring...

Here's the finished product of the eyepopping, artisanal quality North Pacific SUP's coming out of the factory...we'll have the finished product in hand soon...we'll post up some high rez images in a few days...

The new Starboard blue Touch boards are the best value on the market...

Here are a few shots of the 11'2" Blend in blue Touch...special price of $1169...

It doesn't get more gorgeous than the TAC wood boards by Starboard...

Naish has over 21 boards in the lineup this year...we just got in the new 10' x 32" Naish Mana AST for $1249 and the Naish 11'4" Nalu in AST for only $1249...we're taking pre-orders for the 10' x 32" Mana soft top for $999...everybody needs one of these in their SUP quiver...

We also have the latest SUP offerings from Jimmy Lewis...Hobie...Blair...RRD (Roberto Ricci Designs)...Bill Foote Maui...and, Imagine...

You can pick your paddle board up directly from our conveniently located warehouse...here's Mike trying the fit of a 9' Starboard Fish in his Toyota Prius...

It's bigger brother, the 9'8" Fish is going to the Caribbean by boat next week...

If you can't visit our SUP showroom and warehouses here in Santa Barbara, no worries...we ship paddle boards direct from our paddleboard warehouses all over the world...here's a couple that we shipped to Seattle on Wednesday and they were in the hands of their new owner in less than 48 hours...

Our shipping department is unmatched in the board industry...

Double boxed and ready for shipping...

1st Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & SUP Surf Classic

2010-02-18T09:17:00.000-08:00

We're stoked to be one of the sponsors of the 1st Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & SUP Surf Classic...click on event poster below for event website...

Taking advantage of the great swell that Sayulita and the surrounding area has been experiencing this year, our friends have organized the 1st Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & Stand-Up Paddle Classic, April 17-18.

The 1st Annual Punta Sayulita Long Board & Stand-Up Paddle Classic (“the Classic”) is a surf contest for longboard and stand-up paddle surfers which will take place over 2 days, April 17-18, at Sayulita’s central beach break in beautiful Sayulita. The Classic is open to all levels of amateur surfers (men and women) along with select professional surfers from Mexico and the United States who will be invited by the competition committee. The field is limited to 30 competitors. The following divisions for the Classic are as follows:

Open (Pro) (Men & Women)
Senior – Age 27 and older
Masters – Age 35 and older
Grand Masters – Ages 40 and older
Kahuna – Age 45 and older
Grand Kahuna- Age 50 and older

In addition to the surf contest, on Sunday, April 18, a variety of Stand-Up Paddle races will be held including the “Punta to Punta” race, a 5K and 10K ocean distance race where paddlers will travel between Sayulita and the neighboring village of San Francisco (“San Pancho”). These distance races will be open to all ages and abilities.

Moreover, on Sunday, April 18, an Expression Session will be featured in the event program to showcase top professional short board surfers consisting of a mix of local professional surfers from Sayulita and Puerto Escondido, as well as surfers from the United States.

On Sunday evening following both days of completion, the Classic Awards Dinner Fiesta will be held at the Don Pedros oceanfront event palapa where the competitors and guests will enjoy an authentic Mexican BBQ buffet, live music and a live raffle. The Classic Fiesta is open to the public and tickets may be purchased at the door.

Proceeds raised from the Classic will be donated to the local Sayulita chapter of the Reef Check Foundation and The Punta Sayulita Foundation.

The event has confirmed the attendance of a field of professional surfers and they are still in the process of recruiting more. Below is a list of the confirmed participants:

James Pribram- Laguna Beach, CA (http://ecowarriorsurf.com/ )

Coco Nogales- Top 10 Big Wave Surfer in the World- Check out this wave he road last year at Puerto Escondido which is up for the Billabong Big Wave Awards 2010- http://video.mpora.com/watch/VWcLTJi12/

Angel Salinas (SUP- Puerto Escondido)-a.k.a., The Masked Surfer- http://www.centralsurfshop.com/

Scott Bass- C4 Waterman Team (http://www.c4waterman.com/team/scott-bass.html )

Darren Edulay- http://toesonthenose.com/eudaly.html

Chuck Patterson- http://chuckpattersonsports.wordpress.com/
Ryan Helm- Sayulita Resident (www.ryanhelm.com )
Patricio Gonzalez (past champion Long Board- Sayulita Resident)
Adan Hernandez- Sayulita Resident and Punta Sayulita sponsored rider (http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing/44510/news.htm )

From the actor/celebrity side the event has former Bay Watch Star, David Chokachi, (www.davidchokachi.net/)--

North Pacific Home Grown SUP's

2010-02-17T20:18:00.000-08:00

We're down the home stretch for those of you following the construction process of the next batch of artisanal quality North Pacific SUP's coming out of the factory...we'll have the finished product in hand next week...let's do the math...

THREE WEEK TURNAROUND TIME!!!

That's unheard of in the surfboard industry...even if you are a "team rider"...unless, you're a big time "pro", the standard is 4-6+ weeks...that's if the airbrusher, or sander, isn't in the middle of another personal crisis...;-)

Finished product...we'll post up some high rez images in a few days...

Gloss coat being applied...before final sanding...

Valentine's Day SUP Demo :: Spring Has Sprung

2010-02-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

WOW!!!

Spring is in the air...quite the perfect day...80* air temps...you can smell that the season is changing...prolly really good news to those friends of ours still shoveling frozen water in their driveways...;-)

We have a couple of sharp new beach demo canopy popups...

Tami paddling the new Jimmy Lewis "Slice"...

The 12'6" Starboard Pin...

The 12' Naish "Glide"...

Carrie takes the Starboard "The New" out for a spin...

Starboard K-15...

Boards galore...

We're always stoked at the end of the day if our efforts have helped our clients to make a decision regarding their SUP purchase...it's a way for us to measure how effectively we are doing our job...

GALLERY...

The Shark is Back in Santa Barbara

2010-02-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

We're stoked to be representing the 2010 lineup of Jimmy Lewis SUP's...
As many of you may remember, we imported containers of Jimmy Lewis SUP's straight from the factory...hundreds of the Jimmy Lewis 11' x 30" All Arounder SUP's ended up in the hands eager standup paddlers...back in the day...this was right after Sean Ordonez and myself introduced the world to the first molded epoxy production SUP's, then the Jimmy Lewis "All Arounder" SUP entered the market...for you SUP history buffs, this was before the Surftech "Laird" became available in shops...way back in the day...;-)

Jimmy Lewis has poured his 40 years of shaping experience into the new 2010 SUP lineup...in addition to the boards shown below...there will be a new short and wide model line called the "Striker"...which we will also have soon...

Check out the stunningly gorgeous new Jimmy Lewis 12'6" x 30" "Slice"...$1749...

Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee. It's Jimmy's latest displacement shape. Designed to slice water instead of slogging through it. Less resistance and drag equals speed with less effort. Comes with JL race center fin, built in handle, self regulating air vent, recessed deck pad and optional rail handle inserts.(rail handles not included)

We'll have this new race SUP at the Valentine's Day demo tomorrow...

A killer fitted bag is available for $199.99

Check out the fit...NICE!

The new Jimmy Lewis "Mano" surf series...here's the 9'9" X 29" and 10'2" X 29.5"...
MSRP $1549...

9′ x 27 3/4" x 4 1/8" – 110 liters
9′4 x 28" x 4 1/4" – 120 liters
9′9′ x 29" x 4 1/4" – 135 liters
10′2 x 29 1/2" x 4 1/2" – 150 liters

"MANO" is Hawaiian for "Shark". This wave bullet is aggressive and snappy. The most performance oriented surf stand up on the market. For advanced riders looking to leave their signature on the face of a wave. Feels and rides like a short board, but surprisingly stable on the paddle out. Thruster Fins, Integrated Deckpad and Built In Handle.

JL "Kanaha" Fiberglass Paddle.
This is same blade shape as the QuickBlade "Kanaha"...
Wrist-Strong technology: Unique fiberglass shaft and blade add just the right amount of flex to increase comfort, reduce fatigue, and offer a lively, propelling snap at the end of each stroke...ON SALE $199...

Jimmy Lewis 2010 SUP GALLERY...

2010 Hobie SUP's

2010-02-11T15:40:00.000-08:00

Hobie's Mark Johnson (shaper) and Colin McPhillips (team rider) visited us today to show off the new line of Hobie SUP products...

BTW, Colin McPhillips is a three-time world longboard champ...and, is already gaining success on the SUP racing circuit with very little training or experience...

-- Photo Courtesy Sean Douglas / Hobie

Colin is currently working with Hobie shaper, Mark Johnson, on 3 signature high performance Stand Up Paddle surf models, and 3 signature Hobie Surfboard models shaped by legendary Hobie shaper Terry Martin...

These are some of the shapes that will be offered as production boards...available this Spring...

Here is Hobie's new production race board...clean and fast...fast...fast...

Pricing is very attractive...

Colin McPhillips "CM Ultimate" models are $1199/$1249...
Sumos are $1249/$1299...
Race Elite PFX is $1749...YOWZA!!!

Starboard 2010 Avanti

2010-02-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

Starboard has done it again...pushing the outer limits of board design...

11’2” x 36” Avanti

Stand up paddle boarding for the people.

The Avanti is a ground breaking concept building on the success of the revolutionary Whopper (10’0” x 34’) and adds both glide and stability. Easy to catch waves and wide enough to bring your kids or dog.

Nicknamed the "Whopper Grande"...and/or "Uber Whopper"...this voluptuous new shape performs admirably in the waves, easy into waves, fast down the line, and with an agility that defies it’s proportions.

Testimonial:

Just came off the water having grabbed the ‘Uber Whopper’ and well, what can you say, it’s a different sport. I loved it, you could start at the nose on take off, run down to the back, give it a good stamp to the right, trim to the front and away
you go. It was surprisingly quick, and not bad on the cutback. Can’t wait to take the wife daughter and dog out, all at the same time.

-- Mike Galvin

If you are of a larger body build with perhaps heavy bones...maybe you're a bit balance challenged...and/or have a disability that has kept you out of the water...wait no more...this is THE board for you...GET UP...STAND UP...and, stay standing up...this is definitely not a "stand up fall off" board...

Dimensions:
Length: 343cm
Width: 91cm
Tail Width: 16” / 40.4 cm
Thickness: 4.8” / 12.3 cm
Volume: 206 L

Avanti, widen up your perception of SUP.
Available in Technora, TAC, Candy, Camo, Blue Touch

Here's a couple of Canadian visitors, escaping the cold, hard water of an Alberta Winter, giving the Avanti a go...

AVANTI IMAGE GALLERY...

COME BE AMONG THE 1ST NORTE AMERICANOS TO PADDLE THE AVANTI (SERIAL # 000001) AND OTHER 2010 STARBOARD SUP'S THIS COMING SUNDAY AT OUR VALENTINE'S DAY SUP DEMO & SALE...

The weather is now predicted to be awesome on Sunday...:-)

Hi's in the low to mid-70's...NICE!...:-)

B.Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own Paddle)
If you are already standup paddling and are demoing...or, are bringing a friend(s)...

New Hand Shaped North Pacific SUP's

2010-02-09T07:32:00.000-08:00

Our next batch of high quality, handcrafted, artisanal, boutique standup paddle boards are taking shape...Art Colyer definitely puts the "art" in artisanal...;-)

Here's a new 8'10" x 32" x 4.5" winger swallow tail...

Here's the same board as an 8'10" x 32" x 4.5" double wing round pin tail...

Check out the lines on these 9'5" x 30.5" x 4.5" and 10'6" x 31" x 4.5" double wing round pin tails...

SEXY!!!

Refined rockers and volume distribution designed to take your paddle surfing to the next level...

CUSTOM...

Art doing art...

Kelp swirl influenced 10'6" double winged pintail...

Bottom glassing and rail lap on 8'10"...

Deck glassing...

If you are not quite finding exactly what you want in our ginormous humongous lineup of production molded SUP's...perhaps it's time to consider a standup paddle board customized JUST FOR YOU...believe me, it's very hard to find this QUALITY of handcrafted board these days...

SAVE THE DATE...VALENTINE'S DAY SUP DEMO & SALE...

The weather is now predicted to be awesome on Sunday...:-)

Hi's in the low to mid-70's...NICE!...:-)

B.Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own Paddle)
If you are already standup paddling and are demoing...or, are bringing a friend(s)...

Valentine's Day Demo & Sale

2010-02-07T09:55:00.000-08:00

Save some money for your honey...SUP LOVE...our extremely popular free SUP demos, here in beautiful Santa Barbara, are starting back up this year on Valentine's Day...Sunday February, 14...

The SUP sale starts Saturday and goes all weekend long...

The weather is now predicted to be awesome on Sunday...

Hi's in the low to mid-70's...NICE!...:-)

RSVP for SUP demo...call shop or email...

B.Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own Paddle)
If you are already standup paddling and are demoing...or, are bringing a friend(s)...

Doggy Flotation Devices (DFD)

2010-02-07T08:59:00.000-08:00

You prolly already know about the great fanny pack worn PFD's (Personal Flotation Devices) that we stock from Hobie...

Now, we'd like to introduce you to a flotation device for man's best friend...the Doggy Flotation Device (D-FD)

The D-fa Dogs D-FD (Doggy Flotation Device) was inspired by friends who lost their beloved dog when kayaking on a New Zealand river and has been designed by Clare Cosson and Dave Ritchie, both of whom have a long history in paddling and the design of flotation gear (formerly designed for Macpac and owned Hydraulics).

-- New Zealand Image Courtesy of Adam Kirkcaldie

What makes the D-FD better?

The D-FD is the canine equivalent of a PFD used by humans in sports such as paddling and kayaking. Created by experts in buoyancy and design, the D-FD is the first dog floatation jacket to use variable density, articulated foam and a harness style construction. This combination of flexibility and security allows for a more ergonomic fit, better balance of flotation with a focus on keeping the the heavier chest and head supported, and greater comfort and security when lifting the dog from the water. In particular the jacket is designed to cradle the dog within the floatation harness rather than wrap and hang them in foam and webbing. D-fa has a patent pending on this construction and design.

But my dog is a great swimmer...

Dogs can be excellent swimmers, but often we overlook the fact that just like us they can struggle if required to swim more than a few hundred meters, in moving or cold water, or if they are disorientated, panicked or compromised by age or fitness. A dog's natural swimming mode is to 'sprint' and then rest by returning to shore. A dog that can fetch from the water all day is sprinting and resting rather than swimming continuously. Because dogs cannot rest in the water, giving them some additional flotation can help them to swim more comfortably and confidently for longer. The harness style and the easy to reach lifting handle of the D-FD also makes it easier to steady, support and retrieve a dog from the water.

You’ll Dig:

o Variable density, articulated foam places flotation where it’s needed
o Segmented panels give an ergonomic fit and free movement
o Chest yolk insulates and floats the chest area
o Harness style construction for safer and more comfortable lifting
o Cordura outer construction
o Double strapping for secure fit to a range of body shapes
o Seamless belly panel to reduce snag risk
o Full length lifting handle
o Reusable drying bag for transport and storage (and it means we don't leave you with any excess plastic packaging to dispose of)

Wear It: o For water-based recreation and rehabilitation

-- New Zealand Image Courtesy of Adam Kirkcaldie

Available in 4 sizes for petite to grande size dogs (from 6lb to 120lb).
Retail Priced at US $79.95

DOGGY PFD GALLERIA...

North Pacific Mullet vs. Starboard Drive

2010-02-06T14:41:00.000-08:00

We've had some questions lately regarding the differences between the custom 10'2" x 30" x 4.5" North Pacific Mullet and the 10'5" x 30" x 4.5" Starboard Drive...the latter being the most sold 10' range nose riding SUP on the market...it's versatility also shines on flatwater because of it's waterline and parallel rails...

At first glance one could view the boards as being similar...but, that's kinda like saying that if you've seen one nose rider...you've seen them all...;-)

The devil is definitely in the details...

The Mullet has much more nose rocker and concave...

The tails are also quite different...plus, the Mullet can be run in quad mode...

The rails are different as well...the Mullet having 60/40 "Dick Brewer type" rails and the Drive having 50/50 neutral soft rails...

GALLERY...

More 2010 Starboard SUP's in stock

2010-02-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

More new 2010 Starboards have arrived...

Here's the 6'6" x 30" "Impossible"...13.9lbs.

The 7-11...in Technora...15.2 lbs.

12'6" x 25" "The New" Syzmanski race SUP...will be available to paddle at our next demo...Valentine's Day...save some money for your honey...;-)

We'll have 2010 Starboard SUP catalogs...and, a bunch of other surprises...;-)

2010 Imagine SUP's

2010-02-04T17:37:00.000-08:00

Variety is the spice of life...so just like the varietal selections of good wines grown here in our region, our selection of SUP's continues to grow as well...

NOBODY can match our selection...hundreds of options...with more coming...

We just received the 2010 Imagine offerings...waterproof cores...bamboo glass...low VOC epoxy resins...

Lightweight, strong, and good looking...killer new shapes and sizes have been added...

:: 9' x 30" 4.75" Cutback
:: 9'4" x 31" x 4.85" Chopper
:: 9'6" x 30" x 4.5" Enigma
:: 9'6" x 31" x 4.75" Cutback
:: 9'9" x 29" x 4.5" Wave Rider
:: 10" x 29" x 4.5" Wave Rocket
:: 10'6" x 30" x 4.5" Wave Rocket
:: 11" x 31" x 4.5" Wave Rocket

GALLERY...