Custom Stamps 9.0: Zach's Board

Another custom Stamps hit the water today. My friend Zach ordered this one up and I can tell his mind is blown. Here's the story in his own words:



Photo: Shop foreman, design guru, warrior-poet... Cowboy.

"So, when I arrive I'm greeted by Cowboy and Tim. Really nice guy. He was working on a board. I get my first glimpse of my board and am pretty stoked."



Photo: Rhymin' and stealin'...

"Tim puts the fins in and I pack it into my bag, then strap it on the roof. I'm off! That was the longest 85 miles of my life. I popped in some 1969 Grateful Dead in order to make the ride seem shorter. 40 minute jam sessions have a way of doing that."



"I finally arrive at La Jolla Shores. I unpack the board and am super excited once I pull it out of the bag and see how light and tiny it is. The shape looks killer. I can only anticipate how this thing is going to perform. Still, I am thinking I am going to have go through a few sessions of the wobbles before I can enjoy it. I check the surf. Fairly flat, but glassy. Nice! Just what I wanted for my first day out. Just some clean, small waves."



"I hit the water. I really like how Tim puts on the track pad in 4 sections. I stand and start paddling. What? This thing is super stable. No way! Well that was easier than I thought. Here comes a wave. I try the 180 turn to get set up. Wow! That was easy. Nothing like trying that on my boat. Okay, time to paddle. Damn, this thing is a super fast paddler. In the wave. Drop my foot back to the rear track pad and begin pumping up and down the little face! Big smile on my face at this point.



"Long story short. This board had no learning curve. It paddles into waves way faster than my 10'. Not sure of the physics on that one, but I know for sure it's a faster board."

"Speed! This thing is like lighting on a wave. For the first time in a long time I am ahead of the curl! Now I've got a real reason to work on that cut-back. I was even going for some mini-floaters on this thing!"



"Thanks for hooking me up with Tim. Damn, I'm excited about this board!"

How rad is that? Can't wait to get a look at this little nine foot rocket. Once again, I'm digging the numbers on this board. Short at 9.0' but with a 29" gut right at the sweet spot, the board is accessible. Zach was surprised at the paddle-ability that Stamps built into his board.



Photo: A bigger Viking for a bigger boy. This one comes in at 9'4" x 29.5 x 4.5", I come in at 5'9 x 235lbs. With a big single concave running into substantial double scoops out the tail the thing has got a ridiculous amount of top end squirt.

This isn't surprising to me, I felt exactly the same way when I first hopped on my Viking. In fact, I remember having a conversation with Tim about the very first version of the Viking that he built for himself.



After the board came off the mill and he'd scrubbed it out, Tim told me that he got really bummed because as he looked it over he thought to himself that he'd just wasted a pretty substantial amount of cash designing a stand up that looked way to small and squirrely to paddle.



Well, you can predict what happened when he got it onto the water. The thing was magic!

Stamps is on to something with this design. The Viking is a hot, shortboard style, stand up board. It's meant to be driven, not cruised. If you come pre-programmed with a need to pump and weave, carve and crack the lip- this is your board. It combines speed with rip-ability and stability. If you get a chance, check one out - you won't be sorry! Just ask Zach!

Check out Tim Stamps' boards at www.surfboardsbystamps.com

Stand Up Paddle Surf Lessons in San Diego. If you'd like to be a part of the coolest new, sport to hit the water give me a call 619.213.6622 or email me at john@paddlesurf.net to set up a private lesson with me on my equipment. Here's your chance to try out some of the boards we've written about here- don't wait... summer's right around the corner! For more information and customer testimonials click here.

www.surfboardsbystamps.com: Shaping one up video clip

Cowboy took some time to set up the video camera and film Stamps shaping up a little rip stick. I got so stoked on the clip that I poached it off YouTube and brought it here for your viewing pleasure. This one's not a stand up board but I'm pushing Cowboy to give us a SUP specific shaping film. And I happen to know that a smaller Viking model is in the works, so you never know....



Stand up paddle surf lessons in sunny, warm, beautiful San Diego. If you're interested in getting out and learning to stand up paddlesurf- you've come to the right place. Our lessons will get you started safely and correctly. Your first lesson will be held on the calm, flat waters of the San Diego Bay. We've put over a hundred people on stand up boards and have found that starting in water that you can handle is the way to go. Give us an call (619.213.6622) or email john@paddlesurf.net and we'll get you on the Lesson Calender today!

Hawaiian Style: Always Cool!

I got a tip that my friend Sheldon was shooting some cool Go Pro nose-mount photos up the coast and so after a couple of emails, I got the goods. I thought I'd just post one or two of the shots but they're all so good that I just had to get 'em all up. I'm digging the paddle style- keep ripping Sheldon! And- next time when you get some good shots don't make me come beggin'! Shoots.



Photo: I'm digging the little slice of horizon in the corner of this photo- and the positioning. Go Pro nose shots are cool when you can frame 'em up with something to ground the shot- this one's got it going on.



Photo: How rad is the back lighting on this one? Now we just need all that and six foot, open barrels! Gonna have to stuff that 9'6" Paddle Surf Hawaii right into the hole- 'cause the camera's watching.



Photo: Slidin' one, cool style.



Photo: And that's a wrap- the fish eye on the Go Pro gives you a neat perspective- made to shoot surf but givin' up a pretty nice landscape shot too. How killer is this little camera? For $149 bucks nothing else does it better!

Thanks for the shots Sheldon!

Southern Baja Stand Up Paddle Race: '09 La Ventana Classic and Kite Expo

Do this right now, pull out your calender and block out time in January, 2010. Believe me, you will want to be down in La Ventana (30 minutes from La Paz International Airport in Southern Baja California) for next year's La Ventana Classic and Kite Expo. Last week, Kiwi and I had a chance to participate in the Classic's stand up paddle events and I can tell you that there is no event in the stand up paddling world that comes close to this one for pure FUN!



Photo: I didn't get a chance to get these two out paddling- but there's always next year!

The Classic is a four day water sports festival conceived and organized by Tim Hatler, owner and proprietor of Palapas Ventana. The goal of the festival is to raise money for the renovation and development of the small town's elementary school. Last year, Tim was able to raise enough money to paint the school and build the students a new restroom. Before the new bathroom was built every student in the school had to share one toilet!



Photo: Start of the qualifier.

This year's Classic was the biggest in the event's four years of existence. The event drew every major kiteboarding company as well as top ranking kiteboarding pros and more than a hundred amateur kiteboard competitors. The beach was covered with the latest models of kites and boards, all available for demo. There were Pacifico Girls walking the beach and local folk dancers on the main stage. As expected, the beer tent was going off and was almost rivaled by the ice cold margaritas being served off the adjacent table. Mix in a DJ spinning thumping tunes and a professional emcee keeping the whole deal rolling and it was obvious that the Classic had grown up.



Photo: Hard to believe that the small beach in the back ground is almost ten miles away. Leg 1 of the qualifier with Kiwi leading the way.

Although the Big Air and Old School Trick contest were cool (two words to describe who dominated these events: Richman brothers... unreal) the Classic's real draw is the ten mile, Cerralvo Island to La Ventana race called "The Crossing". The ten mile channel crossing is completed by the pro riders in twenty five to thirty minutes of hardcore, pedal-to-the-metal racing. The amateur division can take an hour or more to pull it off. It's a radical event, definitely worth hanging around for, if only to see how exhausted these guys are when they come blowing across the finish line.



Photo: Stickered up.

This year, Tim asked me to organize a SUP race for the event. In addition, Tim needed me to hand out demo SUP boards and to give basic instruction to those looking to try out stand up paddling. Isle Surfboards, the only stand up company to sponsor the Classic, stoked us out by sending down four stand up boards and paddles for people to demo. I'm a stand up paddle freak so when I'm tasked with spreading the stoke, I take it seriously. I wanted to be sure that everyone got a shot at trying out their equipment. If you've paddled the Sea of Cortez than you can understand why stand up paddling has blown up down there. In the small town of La Ventana alone there are over twenty regular paddlers out every morning laying down tracks in the perfectly still water. The Classic brought out many more takers willing to demo Isle's SUP boards- I was happy to oblige them.



Photo: Next year, this photo will be taken from the island offshore, and these guys will be a lot more worn out at the end of it all.

The Classic is one of those events that has a rootsy, down-to-earth feel about it. If you've never raced before and you want to try it out in a low key environment, this is your event. The emphasis this year was on having fun and there were events for all skill levels of paddlers. The day I arrived Tim had just completed the buoy-to-buoy, "Chase Race". In this race competitors started at either end of a two buoy course and raced around the closely set buoys trying to lap each other. The race required skill, stamina- and that you wear a Mexican wrestling mask. Like I said, the emphasis was on fun.



Photo: What do you think, easy to breathe in that thing? Kent, trying to kill it before it kills him.

The big day came on the third morning of the contest. Conditions were perfect for the SUP course race. The morning brought us sunshine and perfectly flat, seventy degree water. The twenty two competitors were sent to race a three mile course with the top five men and women finishers moving on to the final event.



Photo: Women's Division Winners: 1st Cynbad Brown, 2nd Tonia Farman, 3rd Michelle Koff

I chose a sprint distance course because it keeps the racers in sight of the fans the whole distance and because three miles is a friendly enough distance to encourage new paddlers to participate. The final course was a half mile, three buoy course that had to be completed three times before sprinting for the beach finish line. Next year, the major SUP event will be a 10 mile SUP version of the Crossing. Stand up paddlers will race from Isla Cerralvo to La Ventana for a cash prize.



Photo: Men's Winners: 1st Mark "Kiwi" Field, 2nd Ozzie Lenzsch, 3rd Marco Pena

In the end Kiwi dominated the Men's field by winning both the qualifier and the final event, taking first place on a stock Isle Surfboards 12' x 30" stand up paddle board. Michelle Koff, the women's third place finisher also won on a stock Isle 11'6" stand up board, using one of Ernie Johnson's, Johnson Big Stick ply paddles.



Photo: Cranking it home, 3rd place Michelle Koff

With two contestants finishing first and third it seems that Isle's onto something for the stock paddle class. Are they the fastest on the water? The gauntlet has been thrown and it's unknown as to who in the stand up paddle racing word will accept the Paddle Crossing Challenge. The only way to find out is to come on back down next year and try your luck in the water. See you there!



Interested in supporting the 2010 La Ventana Classic? Contact Tim Hatler at www.palapasventana.com or email him: tim@palapasventana.com

Tahoe Masochist Tour 2008: Part III

Lake Tahoe Masochist Tour 2008, wrapping it up and heading home:

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Photo: Sand, sun and fun- just another day on the lake.

P.net: So how long of a paddle was this circumnavigation?

Rich H: If you drive a car around the circumference of the lake you’ll tack on 72 miles. When you paddle, you don’t need to follow all of the bends and curves of the road – estimated guess of 55-60 miles…? Four days.

P.net: Do you think this trip could be done without a support boat?

Rich H: No.



Photo: Close your eyes and imagine paddling through this little scene- feel the glide, smell the pine? Stuff like this just gets me fired up to get out and on the road- you can stand up paddle anything!

P.net: Was there any one moment on the lake when you saw something that just blew your mind?

Rich H: At one point we were paddling across and looking down at the deepest spot of the 2nd deepest lake in North America- that's a mind blower!



Photo: Camp food bandit.

P.net: Now that you've finished your trip and your looking back at it, is there anything you'd do different next time? And how about board design, any ideas about how you could improve "touring type" stand up boards?

Rich H: If I did this trip again I'd be sure to drink more water. Also, I'd bring bee traps for the campsites. The yellow jackets run like crazy in the fall and get inside of everything. No design improvements, not any that I’m willing to share anyways…..paddle season is about to start again.

P.net: How was the boat traffic on the lake- were you constantly getting buzzed by jet skis and power boats?

Rich H: We paddled the lake in mid-September. Like most seasonal destinations, things really slow down in the basin after Labor Day.



Photo: Rocky landing, beautiful spot.

P.net: Where are you paddling next? Any paddle trips in the works right now?

Rich H: None at the moment, we're still trying to figure out if we’re going to compete in this year’s Catalina Challenge. Tyra and I have been very fortunate and had some great paddling moments in 2008 besides Lake Tahoe. It would be a pretty hard year to follow-up.

P.net: Anybody you'd like to thank for helping support the trip?

Rich H: Lots of people to thank for helping us out on this trip. George from Patagonia for styling us out (again), Alexa from DaKine, O’Neill Wetsuits, Mark from Stay Covered Surf Accessories, Kapitol Reef, and Steve Boehne of Infinity for making such a wonderful SUP craft. Steve got together with us before last year’s Catalina and cranked out an amazing 14’ SUP that’s been raced, battered, beaten, and transported all over the western states.

P.net: Thanks Rich- keep us posted on what's going on next!

Rich. H: No problem!



Photo: Masochists, all of 'em!

Stand up paddle surf lessons in San Diego. Spring is right around the corner and summer's not far behind- let's get you out and paddling now so that you're a pro by June! I specialize in one-on-one, private stand up paddle surf lessons. Click here for more information and testimonials from satisfied paddle clients. Give me a call now and let's get out and learn to stand up paddlesurf: 619.213.6622 or john@paddlesurf.net.

Tahoe Masochist Tour 2008 Part II: The Pain Continues

The Pain Continues, Part II of the Tahoe Masochist Tour:

P.net: Have any of you ever done a long paddle like this before?

Rich: Joel, Tyra, and I competed in the Ocean Ohana Catalina Challenge in March of 2008. Catalina to Dana Point, 40 miles on a SUP, good fun.



Photo: I'm not sure if the descriptor "glassy" really covers what we're looking at here.

P.net: As far as gear goes, did you have any specialized boards or paddles? Talk about the logistics of an adventure like this; was there a safety plan, a paddle plan?

Rich: We brought four SUP boards: One 12’ Ron House custom (thanks Jay), one 12’ Laird, one 11’ 11" SOS Big Red (thanks Matt), and a 14’ Infinity custom that was first raced in the Catalina to Dana Point race and then used by me throughout the paddling season in various events. Also en tow was a 14’ IRB (inflatable rescue boat) with a four-stroke 25 hp motor. The boat was used to transport all the camping equipment, food, ice and beer for the duration of the trip (thanks Capt. Stabenow).



Photo: In the company of life guards, you never dive in head first- and no running on the deck!

Logistically, we covered the entire circumference in four days of paddling. Over the five days we were on the lake we each spent one of the five operating the boat and the other four days paddling. Whom ever was in charge of the boat for the day ran support; bringing up water, passing food and setting a course. Everyone took a different shift operating the boat and it worked out pretty evenly in the long run.



Photo: Paddling what looks like an inland ocean.

P.net: Did you train for the trip? Any words of advice to others who might be considering a trip like this?

Rich: No more training was done then what we normally do – if there were a way to train your hands not to crack and blister at 6800 feet, I’d look into it.

P.net: What was a standard day on the lake all about.

Rich: Morning wake-up with coffee and chow, clean-up camp, pack the boat, pick a destination, and shove off. We’d paddle to a pre-designated location and call it a day. Paddling times varied between 4-6 hours per day depending on where/how frequently we would stop. Pull up to camp, check-in and set-up for the night. Cold beers and campfire awaiting the next day’s paddle.



Photo: Done. Cashed in. Out. Five hours of paddling, some food and a few beers... the ultimate insomnia cure.

P.net: Where did you camp out at? Did you need reservations? Was it crowded? What were the conditions like- cold, hot, mosquito infested, perfect?

Rich: We camped at various locations throughout the basin and even made more reservations than those that were needed (due to the fact that we were unsure just how long we could paddle towards the end of the trip). Towards the end, we all decided to make a run for it and skip the last night of camping. Good idea? 5 hours of paddling and we reached our intended destination. Conditions were pristine for almost the entire paddle – the last day of paddling we pulled the boards out at our final destination and a thunderstorm and rain storm ensued for the next two hours.



Photo: Tahoe pit stop, change the tires, fill the tank and burn it up out of there.

P.net: What was the toughest part of the trip?

Rich: The third day of paddling, covering the entire west shore of the basin in 75+ degree heat and dead calm conditions. Good paddle, long paddle.

New Stuff: Down the Line II Video, La Paz SUP Race, More Tahoe Madness

Great to be home again. I've got lots of new stuff and some unfinished business to take care of but to tell you the truth... I'm dead tired! Here's what's coming up this week:

1st: Check out the video clip I'm posting today. Down the Line II Rough Cut- I added some new footage from this last swell- some good stuff. Things to see include, Matt Wilson surfing in front of me- jiving and weaving inches from my rail and be sure to pause the clip at 2:17 that's a shot from inside of the wave looking at me in the pocket of the barrel- super cool!


Find more videos like this on Stand Up Paddle Surfing

2nd: The La Ventana Kite Festival's 1st Annual Stand Up Paddle Race was super fun this weekend- perfect race conditions and a really fun and fired up group of racers made for a excellent morning of racing. Check back for photos, a video clip and the full results.

3rd: Tahoe Masochist Tour Part II coming at you in the next couple of days- the pain continues!

Tahoe Masochist Tour 2008: Running the Lake the Long Way

Anybody who says, "It's all been done" or even worse, "Been there, done that" obviously hasn't looked at a map with a stand up paddle in hand and a sense of exploration. There's tons of adventure out there and it just takes an open mind and a ready spirit to go do something remarkable.

Last week, we got a chance to chat with Rich Hidalgo of the Imperial Beach Life Guards about his recent circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe. As far as I know, this band of masochists are the first to circumnavigate the lake. Approximately seventy miles of paddling and a whole lot of blisters later Rich and friends completed their trip- here's the story:



Paddlesurf.net: So, who paddled the lake with you?

Rich Hidalgo: Joel Larimer (IBLG), Chris Harper (IBLG), Justin McHenry (Silver Strand State Beach LG), The Hidalgo’s (Rich and wife Tyra).

P.net: Where did the idea to circumnavigate Lake Tahoe come from?

R.H.: Joel and Chris originally came up with the idea of visiting the Tahoe area in the fall season. The idea morphed into a SUP circumnavigation of the lake. Originally there were going to be prone paddle boards, mountain bikes, and we even flirted with the idea of a catamaran. Stand up paddling was the final option and we rolled with it.



P.net: So Rich and Joel planted the seed, how did you and Tyra come into the picture?

R.H.: Tyra and I caught wind of it and just started amping to do the thing. Chris was held at gunpoint to purchase some Lake Tahoe ‘Water Maps’ and we planned the trip soon thereafter. Chris was able to find these ‘Water Maps’ of the lake (highlighted areas of camping, fishing, docks, expected air and water temps, windage, etc.) from a kayak store in the Tahoe area that sold them online. We reviewed the map, plotted a course, made some camping reservations, and set a departure date. Kind of organized, kind of loose.



P.net: So what's the experience level in a group of paddlers like yourselves? I know you're all life guards (except Tyra who is an Imperial Beach fire fighter) but what's the sum of your experience?



R.H.: Everyone involved has a ‘water background’ – Chris is our resident corporate donkey; works for ‘the man’ 5 days a week and Lifeguards throughout the year in Imperial Beach. Joel is currently Lifeguarding in New Zealand and will return in a few months for the summer season in Imperial Beach. Justin is attending the full-time Lifeguarding academy at Asilomar, Monterey, CA for the CA State Parks system and is a long-time Lifeguard for Silver Strand State Beach. Tyra and I both work and live here in Imperial Beach. Everyone involved lives, works, and recreates in the ocean and the paddle seemed to be something different and challenging for us all to do.


Check back for Part II of the Tahoe Circumnavigation!

Stand Up Paddle Surf Lessons in San Diego: Give us a call! 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net Click here for more lesson information.

The Big Chad Report: Surprise!

Editor's Note: Remember Big Chad? Every so often my buddy Big Chad will score some ridiculously good surf- or come across a hot board and next thing you know he's all fired up to post it up. Of course, his stoke just pushes me over the edge and I'm always happy to get a fresh perspective on ol' p.net. So here's Big Chad's latest report... and from the looks of it- he killed it out there!

Ever had one of those sessions where you thought you were just paddling out to get wet, hoping to just catch a few, but not really expecting anything special. That is exactly what I had today. Sure there were some gnarly looking fast paced barrels breaking right out front, but I wasn't feeling like they were makeable on my paddle board. I chose to move down the beach and try my luck with a fun but usually mushy break. What I found was wonderful. Instead of it's usual mushy self I found a walled up, peeling left that made my heart pound! So much fun, if you were out there somewhere I am sure you know what I am talking about.

Typical in between sets wave.

Plenty of wave to do full top and bottom turns!

OOPS!

Nothing like having a view between sets!

Beach break barrels

You had to catch it just right: tide, crowd and wind. If you worked it out, or just got lucky then you know how good it got today. Phenomenal, unreal, stupid-good. The guys surfing the right were getting unbelievable tubes- deep clean and fast. Shallow too- some guy got butt bounced and had to crawl up onto the sand. I tried my best but we're talking doubling up, pop up peaks with no real set take off spot- tough conditions for stand up. I'm out there again tomorrow!

Here's a few from the paddle camera:



Photo: Looking for an escape route.



Photo: Pedal to the metal.



Photo: Caveman squat.

Stand Up Paddle Touring: Circumnavigating Lake Tahoe

Seventy miles of paddling, sheet glass, sunshine, blisters and bears. Sound interesting to you? Check back for the full story Tahoe's first circumnavigation by stand up paddle board.



Photo: Bear country... or maybe he's just looking for his Kialoa!



Photo: Blisters... paddle the lake, pay the price.



Photo: Beautiful water... out there and waiting for you.

Stand up paddle surf lessons in beautiful San Diego! Don't stand on the shore and miss out on the all the fun. Jump right in and learn from San Diego's friendliest stand up paddle instructor- me! Email me at john@paddlesurf.net or call (619.213.6622) for your lesson today! Click here for more information!

Waiting, dreaming, waiting!

I was able to get out into the water today for an hour before low tide. Sheet glass and a nice little left running off into the big hole at the foot of my street. It was a super fun and clean little wave but nothing like what we've supposedly got coming.

Now it's just a waiting game. And it's killing me!



Photo: Paddle cam photo from last weekend. Dropping in and hoping that this one will stand up enough to get worked.



Photo: Here's a shot from a hot little swell that pushed through town last summer. What a day! Glassy, warm, fun little waves zipping through the pier and throwing out nice little sections. This day was all about building speed and STICKING the rail off the bottom.