What's SUP dudes?

[Windydoug]

Not a true "wind sport" per se, but I met a guy this morning who lives around the corner from me. He was flying down the sidewalk on a long board carrying about a six foot long pole with two vulcanized rubber tires on the end (about the size of a Dunkin Donuts glazed ring). I recognized it as a Kahuna "Big Stick". Turns out the tires don't turn but allow for grip during a pushing motion exactly like SUP, as well as a balance point for hard core turns when flying down hill like riding a wave... I stopped and talked to the guy and he was really nice (I think his name was Ken). Sixty year old life long skateboarder who was very fit. Reminded me of an older Dave Nunn (owner of Windance). Anyway, he owns/works at the paddle shop on Empire Blvd. at the end of I Bay by the wetlands. I believe it is Bay Creak Pack and Paddle, not Oak Orchard.

They will be carrying Bic SUP boards beginning around June 15! They will have SUP boards available for Demo and are interested in seeing how it takes off. They may carry other brands as well as possibly look into carrying the necessary Bic windsurfing sails to go with the convertible SUP boards if the demand arises.

Cool info related to a board sport.

WD

[gwind]

Hey Doug, Way good news from my view! Thanks for the post. I've been borrowing, renting, demoing SUPs in Hatteras for the last couple of years and taking them out in small waves shen there's no wind and I've cycled enough. Well I'm caught up now. Last Fall a bigger wave got me on my SUP faster than I was ready and slammed the rail of the board in to my left side fracturing 3 ribs. So this Spring on the no wind day I went back and bought that very board. I figure we're joined real close now. First day I did a 5 mile downwinder in a light breeze. The wind came up in the afternoon and I sailed but three flat water sessions were great fun, as much exercise as I wanted and huge lessons in balance.

The real Balance thing came up on a day when the wind died out and the swells were 3 foot at the ol' lighthouse. I went out with my sailing buddy Justin from DC and his bevy of French Canadian "girls" and Josh S. the editor of Windsurfing mag. I swear they all had more skill than I do but man what fun!

I live 5 minutes from the Irond. Bay kayak shops and launch. The creek runs up for miles of great paddling and scootinmg the Bay is just grand.

I'm all there!

Wanna try it? I've got an adjustable paddle. Let me know.

Gary