Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Just Plain SUP

My dad requested that I do a sail-less standup paddleboard video to show what s.u.p. is like from a first-person perspective. I managed to do that Monday evening, in some very small waves at Nahant Beach. The hardest part was getting over my embarrassment about wearing a helmet camera in plain view of multitudes of beachgoers, while doing a slow and mellow sport that clearly doesn't require a helmet. But thanks to my extensive prior life experience of being dorky, I was able to do it. Here's the video.



The board is a 9'8" 'Suppah Slippah' from Angulo, which has a sturdy core but a padded deck. It's shaped to be stable and to catch waves easily, and it's meant for beginner and intermediate paddlers who weigh 160 lbs or less. (There's a 10'8" version for people up to 196 lbs.) From my experience demo'ing the 9'8", I think it will also work for a bit heavier rider if they have surf or windsurf skills.

6 comments:

Brian said...

What's the width of the Angulo 9'8"?

PeconicPuffin said...

Looks like your nine feet tall! How do you like the Angulo board in bigger waves?

BLCS said...

No, no no! To do a standup video, you've gotta go w/ paddle cam. Like this guy did:

http://vimeo.com/19937947

What I really need to see is a video of you going into Dunkin' Donuts w/ helmet-cam. Medium iced, cream, 2 sugar.

GoPro or Go Home!

James Douglass said...

Brian- It's 31 inches / 78 cm.

Puffy- I reckon that's the effect of the wide angle combined with having the camera on the helmet so it's actually ~6 inches above eye level. The Angulo is actually nice in bigger waves, too. It can go down the line and do turns and stuff better than I know what to do with.

BLCS- Ooh, paddle cam is sweet! I'd have to lose a bet or something to go into DD with the helmet on. :)

Bruno Courtemanche said...

James, how soft is the deck ? I am looking to suggest maybe this model for a yoga/SUP class style at a sailing club...

James Douglass said...

arpix- The deck is 100% foam covered and you can kneel sit or lay on it comfortably. It or it's big brother ought to be an ideal SUP yoga board.