What to wear

It's always tough working out what to wear when you head out for a paddle. As this photo demonstrates, a comfortable bikini is completely suitable, but only on girls.

Wooden SUPS

Came across this amzing site the other day: http://www.grainsurfboards.com/ it's a really cool company that build customs, as well as sell DIY kits and run classes to teach you how to build a wooden board - using sustainable timber. There's a guy at the Mount (Sean) who makes wooden surfboards under the brand "Big Woody" - Ive spoken to him in the past about making a wood paddle board and he's really keen to have a go. Ill add it to the wish list... hope santa's reading my blog

Just a cool photo

Sea dogs spotted on the harbour

Really nice night for a paddle, left from the Sebel and headed down past town to Memorial Park, then cut across to Maungatapu, then back along Matapihi's coast and home. Saw a few stingrays, shags and general fishy stuff. Fluffy the dog (sorry Charlie can't remember his name!) hung ten most of the way and only had one swim, did well for a puppy - we'll make a sea dog of him yet - if the sharks don't get him first!

SUP in upcoming ADVENTURE magazine

Spoke to the publishers of Adventure Magazine (also curl and the snow ski mag) - they're just putting the finishing touches on the new edition. It's their watersports issue with a big focus on SUP - Jeremy from SUPNZ is on the cover, they've also got some contribution from Earl at Naish NZ, will be a good read so make sure you grab a copy and support them. They also have a cool site - http://www.adventuremagazine.co.nz/

This weeks paddle - thursday 19th

Looking at the forecast it's looking like a westerly or sw, with high tide at 10pm. Plan for this week is to launch beside the sebel hotel and head up past town toward's Maungatapu, or if the winds not westerly we can head round past the yacht club and up under the Chapel St Bridge - either way we should be able to get a sheltered run in. Don't forget to bring a beer for the post-paddle storytelling (don't think they'll let us into the sebel dripping wet)

Some cool pics from the web

From the Penetrator Australia website - they make some pretty cool flatwater speed machines

As seen in the NZ Herald

How sick is this wave!

Pilot Bay 12th November

Had 6 turn up for a so called flatwater paddle - didn't see much flat water though ... Headed out to the entrance and quickly realised we wouldnt get across so we downwinded to the port, and then headed back along the wharf edge. Was pretty intense in places, think we'll try and find some more sheltered water next week or nobodys gonna want to join us. Great fun for those who have done a lot of paddling, but too tough on the less experienced. Toughguy award goes to Chris who joined in after already going for two paddles during the day and went in his boardshorts.

Looked like a bit of a Robbie Naish benefit with all but one on Naish boards.

Proof you can ride a half foot wave on a SUP...

This is why I think SUP's are great - you can get out in anything and have fun. Orewa - Jimmy lewis 11. Even when it was that small you could catch the oceanswell at the south-end of the beach outside the mouth and ride it right up the river... cool

Test for pics... see if it works

26km from Cambridge to Hamilton - ferkin legends... (ok, so it was downriver but we keep that to ourselves!)

Purpose of the blog

Thought it might be a good idea to keep in touch with what we're doing each week - would be good to start from different places around the harbour depending on what the wind and tides up to - there's always some sheltered water somewhere if its shitty. Will take some pics tonight and post them tomorrow - once i work out how to do it...

First flatwater paddle

So Ive had this idea of getting SUP paddlers together each week for a flatwater paddle. Going to be interesting to see who turns up. I've made up a quick brochure and dropped it to a few surfshops who seem pretty positive, plus emailed a few guys I know who are all keen.

What I think is going to happen is that it's going to catch on real quickly. We've got the perfect location - both sheltered harbour and surf, plus a few islands to use as targets. Would be good to get the spouses and kids involved too - they can hang around by the beach and prepare snacks while the big kids go for a longer paddle.

Looking forward to tonights paddle - weather is mint!