Gerry Lopez & Dennis "the Duke" Oliphant in Baja

The last week of March (Oregon Spring Break) has shown no signs of spring in Central Oregon. There's been a skiff of snow every morning and night temperatures in the teens. Just to make us jealous Gerry and Dennis have sent these photos of the fun they're having in Baja on their spring break!

Gerry, whats the story on those rocks?

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

About Gear - Ron House and Laird SUP Boards

Surftech manufactures the Laird Hamilton SUP boards. These Stand Up Paddle boards are shaped by Ron House with Laird's endorsement and are available in full gloss deck or soft deck. The first size available was the 12'1" x 31" and it was immediately in high demand and hard to get in 2007.

New 2008 additions to the Laird line include an 11'6" x 29", a 11' x 27" and a 10' x 27". I raced the Laird 12'1" SUP board in the 28th annual Odell Lake Pioneer Cup and loved it in the five mile downwinder. I also rode it in The Gathering-Rogue Longboard Classic. The 12' 1" Laird Stand up Paddle board was my choice for confidence and stability, being my first surf contest. The big 12 footer stand up paddle boards are also great in cold water because they are so stable on flat water that an experienced paddler will rarely fall in. I'm on this board every winter when I paddle places around Bend, Oregon (snowy and cold for about 6 months).

The new 11' 6" Laird Stand up board has a narrower tail that's more responsive when you step back. The 11' 6" Laird SUP board is smaller and therefore more popular with women paddlers. This makes flatwater pivot turns faster and makes for better surfing. The 11' and 10' Lairds are high performance surfing boards. Their narrow width requires more skill.

Ron House recently shaped and introduced his own line of production SUP boards built the traditional surfboard way only lighter and stronger with eps core and epoxy fiberglass. Ron House's SUP boards also feature a 1/4" wood stringer and full gloss finish. The two models we'll feature are the 12' x 30" and the 11' x 29".

I talked with Ron about these stand up paddle board models and he's really enthusiastic about these boards because they reach a different customer than the Surftech Laird models. Thin-skinned wood-stringer boards feel different under foot. It's subtle and comparable in other sports. In biking it's the feel of a steel frame vs aluminum, in skiing its a wood core ski vs foam core. It comes down to personal preference and we're excited to offer a great selection from Ron House!

See our featured boards at: StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

Buy Boards on our Website

Women Friendly Boards

Women have many stand up paddle board options with the new boards that have built in handles and are in smaller sizes. Concrete and steel can float (in the shape of a ship) because volume displaces water. With that in mind, most any SUP board will work for a woman paddler once it's on flat water. The challenge for most women is getting the paddle board from their vehicle to the water's edge. If you're woman stand up paddling in rough water or surf, you'll need to choose a standup paddle surf board that is easier to handle in those conditions.

Here's what women should look for in a SUP stand up paddle board:

• Thin rails because they are easier to grab.
  
• Handles - the Mistral Pacifico has detachable nose and tail handles. You can also purchase from us a Stand up paddle board handle kit if your SUP doesn't have a handle.
• Hand Slot - the Surftech Infinity and Takayama have one in the center of the board.
• Choose a lightweight board - for example: the Amundson 11' Superlight. These stand up paddle surf boards come with plastic handles in the mast slot area of the SUP board.
  
• Choose a smaller stand up paddle board because less volume is lighter. You'll sacrifice glide-factor when paddling, but maneuverability is better.
  
• Be sure to look at our StandupPaddleFlatwater on line store for board suggestions.

To make it easier to carry your board. We're selling a shoulder-strap carry device called The Big Board Schlepper for $24.50. You're going to love it.

www.StandupPaddleFlatwater.com

Are Women & Families the Future of SUP?

Photos of sleek watermen charging down overhead waves dominate the photo galleries on most stand up paddle sites. Though standup paddling originated with the ancient Hawaiians, stand up paddling (or SUP) was re-invented and popularized during the past decade by Laird Hamilton and his compadres. Riding 50' waves and paddling across the English Channel, Laird got SUP into the minds of other watermen and women. Despite his amazing accomplishments, unless a person follows surfing, most people didn't know stand up paddle boarding was anything other than another form of macho surfing until last August when actress Jennifer Aniston caught the camera lens while stand up paddling in Hawaii.

For standup paddling to really grow, the word needs to get out that Flat water SUP stand up paddle boarding is fun, easy and a great sport for women, kids, and ordinary guys whose first thought when hearing the term "six-pack" is a cold beer. Stand up paddling isn't just a sport for the macho elite athlete. Put the board on flat water and SUP is so easy that most people can learn in less than 20 minutes. And with the move to flat water, anyone near a lake or navigable river can stand up paddle. New paddles and boards out this season that is especially user-friendly for women.

Not only is Stand up paddling gear simple and elegant, the sport is pretty detail-free. Strap the board on top of the car, tuck the paddle between the seats and head to the water's edge.

Most women with families are constantly running a mental multi-tasking list that would stun a NASA project manager. Food, beverages, sunscreen, towels, first-aid supplies, extra clothes and bathroom breaks are just a few things on the mind of any parent trying to get the family out the door and onto the water. With very little extra effort and (after production) no extra fossil fuel, a few SUP paddle boards in the garage give families and friends the opportunity to play together on flat water waterways around the country.

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

Stand Up Paddles - You Get What You Pay For

Getting what you pay for is easy when you know what you really need. If you've taken a look at SUP paddles and been surprised by the prices, here's what's going on.
Standup paddling is a new sport, so until just recently all of the paddles have been handmade. On the handmade, handcrafted or custom end of the spectrum, the price varies because of time and materials. Carbon fiber blades will cost more than wood, etc.

Custom paddles are beautiful, expensive (approx. $300.00 to $500.00) and if they are made using modern engineering and materials (either natural or not) and purchased to perform in particular conditions, there is nothing better.

That said, a custom paddle may not be right for you. For beginners that can't justify an expensive paddle an aluminum shaft plastic blade paddle will do. If you can only buy only one paddle to share with a family of paddlers or a pack of kids, you will need an aluminum adjustable-shaft paddle. It will hold up to abuse and you can change the shaft length to suit the height of the paddler at hand. It will also be quite a bit cheaper (less than $100.00 for a fixed shaft or no more than $120.00 for an adjustable shaft).

Here's some paddle guidelines:

• Stand up paddle shaft length is determined by your height and your conditions. The rule of thumb is about 8" to 10" more than your height.
  
• Surf conditions - a shorter length can be easier because the water is active and changes height and the surfer is often crouched down.
  
• Flat water conditions - the longer length is easier so you can stand straighter & get more leverage.
  
• The strongest force on the paddle is when you are pulling it through the water. A carbon fiber blade keeps it's shape under the stress and is much lighter. That means you can paddle longer and faster.
• SUP paddle shafts are made out of: carbon fiber (the lightest/strongest), bamboo or aluminum.
  
• Buy a Paddle Bag. Over time it'll save you a lot of wear and tear and uv damage.

Now you have a idea of what you want, so it's time for a link to our SUP website so you can buy some gear! We offer both the handcrafted and the inexpensive models. Kialoa SUP Paddles, our local favorite (Dave & Meg Chun live nearby) run from $269.00 to $329.00 for their made-in-the-USA handcrafted paddle and the Aquaglide Adjustable Length paddle for $109.00 or the fixed-length for $89.00 are our choices for the inexpensive paddles.

www.StandupPaddleFlatwater.com

What to Wear Winter Paddling

If you live in Hawaii or some other warm winter locale, just stop complaining. Now. We've heard about your struggles with the should-I-wear-long-sleeves-today syndrome that puts islanders in a spin when the temperatures drop below 75F degrees. We have NO sympathy. Sure, you have big waves and knarly reef breaks. But if you want to see tough, come to the inland flat water land of ice and snow in the middle of winter and we'll show you tough.

Or is the word stupid? Well, whatever the word, sometimes the urge to stand up paddle hits after a 3 day blizzard. The sun comes out, the sky is turquoise blue and the water is sparkling crystal clear. It all looks so inviting. Until you put your finger in the river and realize how cold 36F degree water actually is. Step into the water and it'll feel even colder. Fall in and . . .

Since none of the above is stopping the local paddlers, here's the next obvious question. What does a paddler wear when the urge to paddle overrides every bit of common sense? First I'll tell you about what I consider to be the ideal setup. Though I have yet to convince my ideal man to wear this entire outfit, I have guilted him into a wet suit with a few "When I'm a widow (after you've fallen in)..." scenarios.

Here's my what-to-wear-when-ice-water-paddling suggested wardrobe:

1. Wetsuit or drysuit. Yes, your cotton hoodie & down jacket are cozy, but they'll only help drown you if you happen to fall in.
2. Neoprene booties.
3. Life jacket.
4. Leash yourself to your board.
   

Try for at least 3 out of 4 on the list and get out of your dressed-to-drown gear. At least this way, we won't have to read all the good stuff about you in an obit.

Mt. Bachelor President Gets Water Time

Matt Janney, President of Mt. Bachelor (Bend's biggest ski area) caught the camera lens while paddling on the Deschutes River on a sunny winter day. Sunny, but not warm. There are still 154 inches of snow on Bachelor! Welcome to the winter paddle group Matt - nice to see you getting some water time.

The Bulletin published this picture of Matt's feet and reflection.