Hit the road- saw a few things

I had some business to take care of up in Los Angeles/Ventura County so I made a little road trip out of it. Here's some of what I saw along the way:

Top Two Photos: The Dog Patch never fails to please. I got a bit later of a start than I like and didn't pull off at Basilone until around 10am. I didn't think I had a shot of getting in without waiting at least forty minutes in the yawn patrol line.

Summer days can get crazy up there and if you're not an early bird you're stuck in the queue wondering what kind of fun you're missing down at Patch. On this occasion, I lucked out. I rolled right in and even found a parking spot on the first pass.

The surf had been so small that I figured if I could just get in a paddle I'd be set for the day- but like I said before, the Patch always seems to deliver. There were knee to waist high southerly lines rolling in and the wave was actually putting up some fun little speed sections and fat, little shoulders just begging for pole-plant snap pivots.

You never know what you're going to get down there. Sometimes you've just got to roll the dice. Here's a couple of locals stoked on their good fortune.

Second Photo: Tim Stamps has been shaping boards since he was a teenager. First sweeping the floor of Rich Harbour's shape room and eventually inheriting the keys to the kingdom. It's not a stretch to say that there are thousands of Stamps shaped boards floating around out there.

Tim's also doing his own thing under the label that carries his name. Here he is in his throne room, writing orders, bringing ideas to life and ruling over his minions (or at least his little buddy Cowboy). And stoking out those who know the path to his door.

Last Photo: Sometimes Patch offers other points of interest.

Next time: Paddling in the Land of Laird

Looking for stand up paddle surf lessons in San Diego? Contact us at paddlesurfbaja@gmail.com or (619) 213-6622. We can also set up stand up paddle board rentals with drop off and delivery. Click here for more information.

Flip Flop #3: T-grip versus molded grip

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Top Photo: The bail-out, an integral part of the paddle surfing experience.

A multi-flip/flop story: Loved the molded, bulb grip that came on my first paddle (Pohaku 2 piece). I swore that I'd never use any other type of handle- the thing just fit. Unfortunately, I snapped that paddle in six months. As a replacement, I bought another C4 paddle (Thanks Emerald City!)- this time with a one piece shaft and the same style of grip. The one piece was stronger and the paddle worked well- I thought I was satisfied.

Until I started paddling with a Kialoa Shaka Pu'u. This paddle features a very aggressive T-style grip. I'd never used a T grip before I bought this paddle and I was a little leery of how it'd work out. That paddle blew my mind! The thing fit my hand and the arms off the T-grip nestled across the palm of my hand gave me lots of leverage over the blade. I was loving it- until it snapped after three months of use.

Back to the C4- after paddling for three months with a T, the bulb felt big and overly rounded in my hands. Eventually, I got over it and it worked fine. But I needed a back up paddle- so I went with a paddle I'd heard good things about. I bought a Quickblade- the only brand that I haven't seen snap. The paddle came with the padded T-Grip, which predictably, felt strange all over again- but I've since gotten use to it. The padded grip is worth the extra money- believe me, you'll like it. This paddle is my latest fixation.

Moral of the story: You can get used to anything- best bet is to find a paddle that will last. I haven't snapped my one piece C4 yet and it's been almost a year. However, I've come to prefer the fly weight lightness and T-grip of the QuickBlade. The plush T-grip is something you've got to try too- it may become a requirement for me. At least until I flip/flop back to something else.

Looking for stand up paddle surf lessons in San Diego? Contact us at paddlesurfbaja@gmail.com or (619) 213-6622. We can also set up stand up paddle board rentals with drop off and delivery. Click here for more information.

Flip/Flop: I'm conflicted...

I've got to come clean- I've flip flopped on a few paddle surfing related items over the last year. Here's the first in my series of personal flip/flops:

Top Photo: Kiwi out this morning- I call this photo, "Noise" seems like there's a lot going on birds, bottom turns, barneys... it's noisy.

1. Electrician's mastic on the edge of the paddle: I used to come out with these really strong opinions about how you can't feel the difference between taped and non-taped paddles. I think I may have been seriously wrong on that one. A few days ago I picked up a new Quick Blade paddle and, because the surf was firing, I got right out into the water before I had a chance to tape it up.

Bottom Photo: Now is the season to learn to stand up paddle surf! Sign up for a stand up paddle surf lesson and be happy! Or, if you've got the skills- rent paddle surf equipment right here in San Diego- I'll deliver it to you!

Guess what? You can feel the difference! Not so much in the release but in the catch. The blade just feels like it's got more bite to it- catch is the wrong word for it- it's more like a grab. I don't know, it could just be the paddle, but it just feels fast. I don't think I'm going to wrap this one- I really like how clean it feels.

But... I think the electrician's mastic wrap definitely does have its place. First of all, if you're a beginner you'll save your rails, prevent dings, and if your board is a molded product, you'll reduce the notorious paint chipping disease that comes from paddle knocks. Once you've got some paddle handling experience, you won't hit the rails of your board as often- and you won't need to wrap your blade. Unless you're Mondfrans, but that's a different story.

And... I think the electrician's wrap may just be a smart idea from a safety point of view. Last week, as I was pulling into the tube, the whole wave shut down on me and basically blew me off my board. Stuff went everywhere. The blade ended up wacking me across my shins- edge first. The hit was hard enough to make me really nervous about feeling around down there. Fortunately, the paddle I was using had a wrapped blade and I got away with a nasty bruise.

I can't say that the mastic was the factor that saved me from being filleted but I don't doubt that it helped in some way. I've seen some nasty fin cuts in my years in the water. Some of them happen for obvious reasons, one surfer running over another, for example. Others, though, occur under weird circumstances. I've seen surfers come out with bloody gashes under their wetsuits- without even cutting the wetsuit.

Weird things also happen when you're swinging around a six foot, carbon fiber blade, in firing, overhead barrels (or, actually, two foot mushball waves, which are where most injuries occur believe it or not). You may think the paddle just nicked you but on closer examination you might find something that turns your stomach. Fins may be slightly sharper than paddle edges, but not by a huge margin. And if a fin can gut you so can the edge of your blade.

The moral of the story may be this: If I'm at home I'll used a mastic-less blade. I'm at the point where I'm not banging my rails and I like how clean the bare blade feels. But if I travel to a third world wave, or an out in the boondocks bombora, I'm going to use a wrapped paddle. I don't savor the idea of having to drive hours for emergency care or biting down on a wood stick while my friend sews me up with dental floss (I guess that's why I pack gel-Krazy Glue in my First Aid kit- but still).

245 Posts Later... Happy Birthday to Paddlesurf.net

Light the candles, we're one year old! According to my blog records we've also thrown up 245 posts- so how many hours have I logged at this computer? Maybe this might be a good time to hit the archives and take a trip down memory lane... or you can just read about the fun surf that's rolling into town RIGHT NOW!

If you're on a stretch of coast that can take a south then you know there's been some surf sweeping down the beaches. I'm not sure what's happening in other parts of the county but it was stupid-fun just now at sunset. Hope you got some!

Top Photo: Paddle up the beach, away from the peak and guess what... you've got it all to yourself- the mobility of our boards translates into surfing freedom.

2nd Photo: Stand up paddle surfing lessons in San Diego are going off! It's all smiles, laughs and good times when you're learning how to cruise the bay in style. Be sure to check the Paddle Surf Lessons Page for more photos and information.

Photos 3 and 4: Ripping through a cutback at "The Left"... I know it's not paddle surfing but it's still a nice turn. Tracy snapping a clean one.

Photo 5: This is called a "teaser"- check out Trent's new board. It's called the "Zapper", Stu Kenson made it and it's a board I'm dying to try out- check back for more on the Zapper!


Your surfing photos are available, send me an email for more information.

Paddlesurfbaja@gmail.com

Loop Race Photos by Andie Johnson

Here are a few more Loop Race photos. These were taken by EJ's wife, the gracious and talented Andie Johnson. Thanks for the excellent photos Andie!

Top Photo: Chris Koerner (SUP 2nd Place) powering home on an 18' Tony Mueller race board.

2nd Photo: EJ on the new Ron House Stand-A-Maran winning the SUP division in two hours flat.

3rd Photo: Kiwi, first of the stock length SUP paddlers to finish on an 11'6" Stu Kenson paddle surf board.

Last Photo: I don't know, does he look a little tired to you? Where's the cold beers?

Here's my bet: the biggest growth areas for stand up will be racing and flatwater paddling. I had people on the sand, at the start of the Loop Race, asking about paddle surfing lessons and rental equipment. The interest is there!

I'm off on a little business trip for three days- I'll try to update from the road. See you Friday night!

Our SUP Community: EJ - let this man make your next paddle.

This is EJ. EJ paddles fast; check him out in the River Run video- he's the guy in the yellow C4 jersey going by me as if I was long lining carp. EJ races in the ridiculous Unlimited Class in all of the local stand up paddle races- head to your local beach on race day and chances are you'll run into him.

EJ also makes paddles. Custom wooden paddles, a few at a time. They're beautiful. His paddles are functional, hand-made, wooden works of art. I've seen them, if your a SUP geek (like me) they make you nervous. You realize that you need one. Your debit card gets all hot and bothered. They're that good.

EJ knows paddles. The guy logs more weekly SUP miles than your Prius can suck from a gallon of premium. EJ lives on the water- literally. Remember Kevin Costner in water world? With the gills and jacked up toes and everything? Next to EJ... child's play.

EJ's a good guy. He lives clean, makes friends easy, is quick to smile and seems to always be on hand with an extra cold one when you need it. And isn't it always true that good people own good dogs? Just wait 'til you meet Taco- you'll dig him. EJ's an ambassador for our sport. Can't figure out why you're stroke is all jacked up? Ask EJ. Got a question about paddles? Chat him up- he loves this stuff. And, if you get a chance, check out his handy work- just be ready to get nervous...

EJ's label is JohnsonBigStick- click on over.



What are you waiting for? Get your bumper candy NOW!


Also: Go check out my nifty San Diego Paddle Surf lessons brochure I just uploaded onto the Lessons page!

My California Day

I don't know how hot it was in El Cajon today but I'll tell you it was just perfect down here at the beach. Some type of high pressure magic slid in and showed us what summer should really be like. I had a great day. It would've been a perfect day if my X-acti (you know Sanyo's five hundred dollar water proof video camera, my second one after the first just decided to die on me) hadn't made a frying noise and emitted a little puff of electric smoke. It was kind of like when the tapes burn up in the old Mission Impossible shows- just a buzz and a poof- toasted.

Including my morning paddle surf, I completed three seperate paddle sessions today. One of them was a lesson on the bay (yep, it's starting early this year- this could be a big summer for stand up paddle surfing) and the other was a three mile back bay cruise with my wife Kathy.

The lesson was great; two friends who'd heard about stand up paddling and wanted to give it a shot- both were naturals at it. We spent a couple of minutes on the beach and then pushed off into the bay and cruised around the yachts and hidden waterways of the San Diego back bay. Lessons are great- it's really rewarding to watch a person realize how fun and accessible this sport really is- and it's just fun helping someone learn something that's undeniably cool.

Kathy's three mile paddle turned into a bit of a workout when the north wind came up and pushed back against us as we paddle back to the beach. The wind also got my old kite surfing hackles up and so I was pushing hard to get us back so I could pump up before the wind died completely. No luck- I flew the big kite and ended up doing a couple of mushy runs as the wind was slowly leaving the beach.

A dying evening wind isn't such a bad thing. Especially when it means that there'd be a chance for a nice little sunset glass off- which did happen, but I was too tired to even think about it. So I did the next best thing, I sat under a palm tree in my back yard and sipped a margarita. Don't need a million dollars to live like a millionaire. And tomorrow's supposed to get even better!

Paddle Surfing Lessons San Diego

For Lessons, Contact us at: paddlesurfbaja@gmail.com or call 619 213-6622

Learn to stand up paddle surf! Stand up paddling is for everyone- it's fun, an excellent workout and a great way to get out on the water. It's become my favorite way to surf and has changed the way I look at bodies of water- I now want to paddle them all!

I've taught students of all ages from gung-ho 13 year olds to fired up 71 year olds. Every student I've instructed has been successful and has left excited for more. If you've seen stand up paddling on television or in the magazines and have dreamed of doing it yourself - here's your chance! Come learn to stand up paddle with me this summer!

Stand Up Paddle Surf Lesson 1 Flat Water Paddling: This is lesson is an introduction to stand up paddling. Our goal is to provide you with the basic techniques needed to safely paddle a stand up board. You will leave the lesson with enough skills to confidently handle a future board of your own or rental equipment.

In this lesson you will learn correct stroke technique, how to turn the board using three different paddle strokes, foot placement and stance, and, importantly, how to self rescue. We will also discuss how to lift and transport the board without destroying your back or expensive paddle equipment. The lesson will culminate with a 2 - 4 mile paddle through the scenic Coronado Cays and San Diego back bay.

The entire lesson is conducted in calm, flat waters. It is important for new paddlers to begin in relatively tranquil conditions. These conditions allow us to focus on the important elements of board, paddle and stroke. As a beginner, you can never get enough flat water paddle time. The more you paddle the better you get!

Cost for Lesson 1 is $100/person, the lesson takes 1.5 hours to complete.

Email: paddlesurfbaja@gmail.com or call (619) 213-6622

Paddle Surf Gear Rentals Available: With Pick Up and Drop Off!!! If you've got basic paddling skills and would like to rent a board and paddle I will deliver the equipment to either Glorietta Bay or Grand Caribe Beach in Coronado (flatwater) or Silver Strand State Beach (surf paddling) and pick it up at the end of the rental period. These boards are big and difficult to handle unless you've got a truck - let me take the hassle out of paddling. Rental with Delivery and Pickup is $60/3 hours, board and paddle. If you'd like for me to deliver the equipment to a different beach in San Diego there will be an additional charge.

NEW OFFERING: Paddle Surf Touring in San Diego. If you've completed Stand Up Paddle Surf Lesson 1 or have basic paddling experience (including surf entry and exit) let me guide you on a scenic tour of San Diego's best paddle spots. Contact me for more information: paddlesurfbaja@gmail.com

Pay with Pay Pal! Let me know if you'd like to pay with a credit card and I'll send you a Pay Pal invoice.






For more information check out our brochure below.

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