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2008 Event Schedule
April 12th Shop Opens 10 am for the season
May 9 - 11 ABK Returns to Lakes Bay GREAT opportunity to tune up for the season
May 17th SPRING SWAP MEET Starts 10am to ????
There are lots more in the works (Sailworks & Starboard Demo (late may) SUP Demo Tour, Beach party ect...)
News in Windsurfing
I'm really excited about the new stuff for 2008...I MEAN IT! The sports been on the right track for several years now Boards which are easier to sail (and in 2008 add faster & EASIER). Sails that don't take a doctorate in physics to assemble or use while still being high performance. Masts & booms lighter stiffer stronger and even more suited to the sails. Harnesses, Wet/Drysuits are keeping pace too. I'm just going to hit the highlights in each catagory but there is A LOT more to say Feel free to call (484) 515 5758 or email me I'm TOTALLY STOKED on 2008 Windsurfing!
Boards
It's been done fast freeride boards that are really easy to sail. The Starboard FUTURA is leading the way with the FUTURA's reduced thickness & wider width makes this board super controlable at speed but wide and stable for balance & early planning.BTW Did I mention Starboards have COME DOWN IN PRICE Fanatic's CAD design has taken board refinement to a new level. Designs like the Sharks GPS speed tested as THE FASTEST Freeride board (Shark 145 45KNOTS!) The Fanatic Hawk is an amazing blend of speed,control one of the most popular boards at Lakes Bay and still very reasonably priced. Last but in no way least JP now offers the Excite designs in a PRO Edition (there is no lighter/stiffer construction on the market) & the JP Freestyle waves are some of the most comfortable medium to highwind boards around.
I'LL GET INTO SUP (Stand UP Paddle Boards) LATER BUT SUFFICE TO SAY THESE ARE THE BEST ALL AROUND BOARDS. If I were stuck on a deserted island with one board/rig a Starboard SUP, 5.5 rig, Paddle & a fishing rod would keep me happy & healthy a LOOOONG time!
Sails
WOW, there are tons to talk about but the most interesting is the new Sailworks Retro's the cut out clew makes these bench mark freeride sails easier to handle in the bigger sizes (7M on up) The Retro has a deeper draft which improves its lowend. The Sailworks Huckers are still leading the way in the B&J type conditions. They seem to have more power per square meter and less range than the Retro. Ezzy Sails haven't been idle the SE wave which has been the bench mark of (Real World) wave sails the power & range are still evident but they have tweaked to give it a softer feel not to mention the option of a tack pulley or a D-Ring for those who prefer a grommet. The Freeride has an improved rotation & lighter weight. While still holding tremedous power thru increased draft. This is the sail that finally rivals the Sailworks Retro as THE Freeride sail. Ezzy is offering a fine kids quiver (2 sails, mast, boom extension & UJ) for under $275. Don't make your kids
struggle!
Finally Ezzy is now offering the Zephyr a 7.5 sail (no cam) that has the power of a 9M. This is an area several mfg are working on (Severne, Maui Sails, Aerotech) This has been the "Holy Grail" of sail design.
I could go on & On the Severne Gator (no cam freeride sail), Maui Sails MS-2 (lightest Rec Cam sail) Gaastra, Aerotech but I'll save those for latter.
Masts, Booms, Accessories
Suffice to say masts are getting even more universal with sail designs being less mast specific (exception are Specialty sails like race sails) RDM (Skinny) masts are becoming more the norm thus worth looking into.
HPL is offering a new boom confiruration & New stiffer (retro fitable) Front end. Chinook is offering its Triple Clamp (State of the art Freeride boom) booms both Aluminum & Carbon at better prices
Harnesses Dakine continues to set th mark wit its XT Seat (The MOST versitile seat harness around) The T-3 Waist harness is the benchmark of comfort , support & mobility. The Dakine Impact harness works great as not only a Kite (KS & Windsurfing harness but is a GREAT Option for those who must sail with a life jacket as it is integrated into this harness! Prolimits Type T is really popular & the Prolimits Felix is the only true WS/KS cross over harness.
In the wetsuit.Drysuit realm we are really happy with the Ocean Rodeo Pyro Pro & Surf. GREAT mobility, all the warmth you need any time of year. PLUS Fully repairable almost eliminates wearing out! Drysuits reduce the need for numerous wetsuits, but if you feel you just are windsurfing, kitesurfing, surf, SUP unless you are WET. Neil Pryde, Prolimits are making some of the best suits for these sports.
All I can say is Check out 2008 equipment it REALLY IS WORTH IT!
DEMO/Closeouts
Starboards, Sailworks, JP, and alot more
**Sorry the file is to big it won't fit in this program call (484 515 5758) or email for prices**
Wetsuits
5/3 Size Small (Neil Pryde) $99
4/3 Size Small (Neil Pryde) $99
5/3 Size Med Neil Pryde Jenna) $95
Short Sleeve Steamers
3/2 Med Neil Pryde Jenna $75
3/2 Size Small (Neil Pryde 5000) $85
3/2 Size Med (Neil Pryde 5000) $85
3/2 Size XL (Neil Pryde 5000) $85
3/2 Bare Womens Size Lg $69
Quanity of one on all items THESE ARE KILLER DEALS get'm while they are hot!
20% off all instock boards & sails call the shop for current inventory
SUP ADVENTURES
Ok, by now everyone know's I'm totally STOKED with the SUP. Surfing them, Paddling, Sailing (surf & otherwise) Fishing you name it these things do it. Although I've used/tested just about everything I gotta say the Starboard SUP's are still hands down the best PLUS They are THE ONLY MFG TO OFFER A FULL 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON CONSTRUCTION. I'm very familar with just about all other mfg and there are some good designs Naish, Amondson, Mistral, Bic, Jimmy Lewis, SO, Surftech and various custom builders.
So a new adventure on my SUP.
Since I'm "stuck" here in Pa (soccer coaching & Life) and this falls hurricane season wasn't as active wave wise I was kinda "Jonesing" for some water time. I noticed that the Lehigh River (a Whitewater river in places) runs a couple hundred yards from my soccer practice field & letting my mind wonder I remembered that a coaching contemporary (friend) of mine has a similiar set up in the next town down stream. I called him up his first response was "it's a little late to scout us since you just beat us" Then he asked "you gonna run the river on a SURFBOARD?...YOU ARE NUTS!" Anyway after some more colorful adjectives he agreed if I "washed up" down by his field he'd give me a ride to the hospital or back to my van.
Not being one to think things out ,I kinda jumped on this a bit quick. Since the closest to drowning I ever came to was on this river & also forgoing the flow rate I got a wetsuit, SUP, Paddle and fishing pole (thought I'd catch a few on the way...WHAT WAS I THINK.. I don't know) went back to get my life jacket (rule of PA Fish Comm turned out to be a REAL good idea for this adventure)
So I put in "testing the waters" so to speak found that I could easily paddle up and across stream in the big calm Eddy by my soccer field. I was pretty sure I had this knocked (yeah I got knocked but that is later) I even caught a few bass in the eddy. Yeah I'm ready for whitewater I think....
Whitewater, The river started to pick up speed as I headed down stream to my destination. The First "Rifle" (not exactly a whitewater shute) I line it up facing down stream (not a good idea) I got "pushed into the "Rifle" and I hit a rock broke off my center fin (Starboards come with FCS Thruters (3 fin) setup) Noticing it was a bit "tippier" I decide it was to difficult to walk back up and abort this mission. I continued. (CRITICAL mistake)
Falling in a bit more due to the loss of the rear fin I'm headed to some serious whitewater. Well, to make a long story shorter I got my A-- beat falling smacking my head on rocks, getting my leash tangled in rocks. I did what we all do I decided I had to go back and run this until I figured it out...I messed in this shute for I don't know how long but after I ran it the fourth time I learned a lot (I'll sumerize this later) and did it with some style even setup and rode a river wave. I was happy I thought I got this river knocked but... I didn't estimate how much daylight I had or how long it would take me to float this not mind the time I took fooling around. Recognizing this oversight I decided to get moving. I got over some Rifes and Stood up through some whitewater but in the more serious whitewater I sat/knealt down reduced the falling on my head and thus speeded me on my way. I got myself to my friends soccer field (not easy to find in
thelate fall darkness. So I walk up to the Highschool and wondering around in my wetsuit I find my buddy who "quickly hustled " me out (to avoid embarrassment) Riding back the 6 miles I leaned my head back on his new trucks appolstery and left a lasting memory (a 3/4" blood stain from my head) Luckly his son showed me a way to get it out with seltzer water...how'd he (a HS Junior) know that?
What I learned about running rivers on SUP's
Planning wise
WOW! Go with someone although the solitude had it's own beauty
Plan your trip better (Flow rates/distance)
Only plan on going down stream as far as you can walk back (for your first trip)
Don't run rapids blind (w/o checking them out first)
Equipment wise
Forget the fishing rod Whitewater is serious
Bring a drypak (extra fins, cell phone)
WEAR A LIFE JACKET (I did) & a HELMET (I won't forget again)
Wear a full suit & booties no matter the water temp to protect from abrasions
Get a blade guard (We have C4's $20) avoids chips from rocks
Get a Paddle Grip (cold water made the smooth shaft slippery you lean on your paddle a lot)
The 12'6" Starboard was fine
Ok, will I do it again? ... No & yes. Traveling such a long distance was really tiring not to mention dangerous due to my light constraint. Alone could be a problem too. (this is the NO side) I will (in the spring pending soccer coaching responsibilities) but I'll just run one chute (rapids) over & Over till I get it wired. There are lots of fun stuff particularly standing waves and this part (the re- running) of the whitewater river experience was REALLY fun.
I've experience waves, winds in various oceans all over the world, but I'm gonna give running water a lot more respect in the future. They are bigger (more powerful) than they look!
Another SUP Experience
In January while I was in San Deigo surfing/SUP with my son I went to the ASR show. This is where EVERYONE had their new boards out. In that week at the BIG SUP spot (Cardiff by the Sea) in North County SD. We surfed some of the new products from C4 (both paddles & boards) & Starboard.
Here are some key ideas pertinate to SUP's as I see them.
** STARBOARDS is the ONLY MFG who offers a full 1 yr warranty on SUP boards. Says something for their quality!
** 30" wide (or very close to it) is the most key/versitile dimension
** The Fish Design is more viable as a pure surf SUP again the key dimension is 30" wide
** SUP's are getting shorter and wider (like windsurfers just not THAT SHORT (or wide)
** The overall marketing plan for SUP (ALL MFG's feel this way) is not to "over tech" these boards (like has been done in windsurfing in the past) They work great, tweaks here and there keep it affordable (BTW Starboards DROPPED in price...interesting)
** Thrusters Fin configurations are still the best. Though there are some loyal single fins. Quads & Bonzers (5 fins) seem sluggish rail to rail
** Paddles there is a lot of action trying to get something to work as well as the C4 Carbon paddle at a cheaper price. Fiberglass, various alloys, all kinds of stuff. As of right now C4 has the lightest, most well made carbon paddles, and they are putting the most effort into finding a Better (cheaper) way. Flex patterns are being experimented with.
** Accesories, C4 Paddle Grips really help alot not to mention making finding ones paddle in the after math of a wipeout easier. Blade guards aren't bad; doesn't add any noticeable weight and definitely protects the blade. THE MULE SUP wheeled carrier for beach or road makes moving them a breeze. Something we lamented last year!
BTW: I still think the SUP (with paddle,and rig) is the most versitile and fun beach toy around just take it to any beach and you'll have the tool to enjoy whatever conditions are there.
So if you are thinking of getting into the fun here is a limited time deal
Mistral Pacifico (11'4" X30 wide)
Fin, Paddle & Leash
PLUS an SUP MULE (wheeled carrier for beach & Road)
"Everything you need to get started"
$999 plus shipping
I Almost Never Do This
As with all of us I just don't have time, between Family obligations, Work, Coaching I just don't "check out all the new (old for that matter) videos. This year was different for some reason (I didn't find the magical 25+ hr day) I have even more stuff on my plate this winter than last. All I can think of is that my college age son keeps emailing me trailers or producers (Jace Panibianco) showed up at my house while Roger Jackson & I were unpacking boards (trying to get away to go bass fishing) but whatever it was I gotta say I've been missing out Here is what Brian Caserio (who knows about movies and can sail with the best of them) about
THE WINDSURFING MOVIE
This is a video that everyone who used to windsurf back in the Eighties should have in their library. This is a video that everyone who used to windsurf back in the Nineties should have in their library. This is a video that everyone who currently windsurfs should have in their library. This is a video that everyone who cares even a little about windsurfing should have in their library, even if they don't windsurf. If you want this kind of quality then you should buy this video. That's what I thought about The Windsurfing Movie.
Cost$25
Another one I really like is Ocean Flow I think its because it is a book (shows surfers can/will read) & a Video from Scott McKercher (Starboards/Severne Sails)
Book & DVD
Cost $49
Instructionally Speaking
The Peter Hart (near and dear to our hearts (no pun intended) as he stops by as he's married to a local girl) Serious About Wave (2 DVDS) Cost $39 Faster Cost $27 There are no more definitive DVD's on the topics. Serious About Waves has great vaction Video & freestyle tricks too.
Last but not least I HAVE TO mention C4's How To Stand Up Paddle Surf Vol 1 & Vol 2 Cost $21 EACH These are the difinitive HOW TO on the latest techniques and some cool tricks too. If you are thinking about it or doing it (thus teaching your buddies) This is not only fun but informative
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