Wind sup's

[jingebritsen]

i've been trying to discuss this issue for nearly a decade now. our leadership and culture is based in very windy venues. meanwhile, the majority of the world is not. upon deaf ears i've tried. even exocet has started to pander to the dogma of specialist boards for perfect conditions.

i have some opportunity to use geography to seek perfect side off, but it remains fairly elusive. why? other parts of my life and the fickle nature of temperate atlantic weather. i have demo'ed my planing long boards to a fair number of folks with little success. reminds me of a saying, "a man convinced against his will, remains unconvinced still." the tiny gear/planing culture sticks in our heads too much thinks.

it's insane, in my mind, for the windsurfing industry to abandon its base to pander to the surf culture for short term cash....

[boardsurfr]

[rollerrider]

Yeah. Most of these "Wind SUPS" have too much rocker and rounded sticky rails so planing is not a priority. Also its hard to stay upwind on a big surfboard. Why bother putting a sail on one of these things when you can't plane. Just paddle.
The only one I have seen that can be really be windsurfed is Exocet.

[beaglebuddy]

Let's be clear here, Op say he wants a SUP for small waves and freestyle, my advise would be to take any old SUP, preferably one with a domed deck and have the local ding repair guy slap a mast track in it for $100.
For lawn mowing that rocker line isn't going to work, obviously.

[GURGLETROUSERS]

Fighting against the windsurfing industries radical high wind only death wish (Jingo) is a lost cause. SUP is now what sells, and draws in 'normal' newbies for water fun and enjoyment.

I, and most other windsurfers I mix with, no longer buy new boards, or even windsurfing magazines. A quick flick through the magazines pages shows nothing but extreme action shots, and articles, which have no relevance whatever to any windsurfer I know.

I got tired of pointing out that a GOOD longboard, which can be used in a huge range of conditions to actually GO places, and safely get you back again, really does satisfy that urge to 'get out there' and explore, on our own 'magic carpets.'

The pity is that most big SUP boards are not up to that standard. If SUP designers CAN combine the two (good SUP and excellent long board performance) in a single package, then the windsurfing industry can pursue its high wind cause only, and go to hell! (Most of us have a shed load of older low volume short boards which will last us out, and are far in advance of our abilities anyway, so why would we need better!)

[MalibuGuru]

I have a Star Board Sup which is almost useless as windsurfing board, but pretty good as a clunker sup. I own 8 Exocet's from the 95 exo wave to the 111 liter x-wave. (PS, the x wave 103 is for sale at $595 ) I love them all, and still think they are the best board for the money on the market today.

However, I was in the market for the Exocet 9'2" Wind-SUP that is BTW a very good deal. However I spoke to Steve at Progressive sports, and another friend who cleared my head as to what those boards can and can't do. The wind SUP is twice the weight of the x-wave 111 for only 19 more liters in volume. And...Goya has their new Quad 118 liter out. I decided to buy the Quad. (also half the weight) So... my conclusion is that for the weight and shape, the Exocet and Goya are your best bet instead of a small SUP. For you average guys who want a great wave board that is $400 less than the Goya and has 111 liters, the X-Wave 111 is your best bet. If money is no object and you're a bit larger like me, squeeze onto that Goya 118.

PS, both boards feel and ride much small than their volumes suggest. My 111 jumps and turns like a 95, yet holds my large frame above water! Any of you guys in LA are welcome to try my Exocets.

[GURGLETROUSERS]

I'm an Exocet fan too. A favourite board still, is an 'old' (time flies ) Exo Cross 118, which has a wide range of usage. It's a great gyber, and not a bad light wind surfer with a 6.0 sail.

The smallest now regularly used is the Cross 111 84 litre, which is fine on those good windy days, down to 4.2 sail conditions. The days of storm chasing on 73 litre 'tea trays' and small sails (North Zeta 3.2) are over - and not missed!

Still waiting for that big, light, strong and durable, do it all longboard. Come on Mr manufacturer. Men have walked on the Moon, and may soon be going to Mars, yet you can't be bothered catering for us fans of your sport.

Shame on you!!

[UncleRandy]

thank's for all. Your your comments real helpful. I did pul the trigger and picked up a new 11'8 exocet winsup bamboo con. Can't. Wait to get it on the water.

[windrockwater]

I have posted this already but after 15+ years of windsurfing, all the equipment upgrades within those 15 years, and, endlessly chasing wind, the WINDSUP has opened up a whole new type of fun on the water for me.

I can SUP on the 11'-8" Exocet, let people learn on it, and plane in pretty light winds. Its so big and stable, i can point in any direction, and i can put an 8.0 sail on it no problem.

I went out in 20-25+ winds last fall and was planing all over the place and was in the footstraps (which i am still not that good at). Granted the board felt oversized in that wind but it worked great!

I think the smaller 10' WINDSUP could be my new best friend. We shall see.

I used a clew-view cam with my gopro on the Exocet. If anyone wants the link to the video to see my exocet in planing conditions (chop) , PM me....

[capetonian]