Jeremy Riggs is one of the top downwind paddlers in Maui. I'd love to do a downwind lesson with him in Maui. Here's his web site: http://paddlewithriggs.com/
Here, he's riding a custom SIC Bullet that's 17'4" long and just 24" wide. Some people have said that he must be an alien with balance like that.
Downwind SUP blog. Content on downwind stand up paddling technique and instruction, downwind route maps, downwind paddling videos, local session reports, board tests and other SUP gear reviews.
Thursday, 27 September 2012
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Humber Bay to Cherry Beach in Light Wind
There was only 12-14mph of west wind on Sunday but I needed
a fix of downwind paddling, no matter how light it was. I missed the good wind
the day before. At least it would be a good workout. In a west wind, one of the
only routes available is from just west of Humber
Bay Park
to Cherry Beach
We paddled the Dominator and the 2012 JP 14x28. The JP has
quite a bit of nose and tail rocker. It's slower than the Dom in flat water but
it seems to catch the bumps with more acceleration. The Dom's also pretty fast
in these mild "downwind" conditions but it seems to catch the bumps
in a very subtle way.
At the start of our run, it was very flat in the offshore
wind until we got further out. We eventually got some nice groundswell as we
approached Toronto
Island
Nothing exciting but here are some pics.
Setting up:
Downwind fin on the JP:
Lots of rocker on the 2012 JP:
Plenty of nose rocker on the JP:
Dominator on the stone "beach":
Nice clear water:
Starting out:
JP and my Werner Nitro:
Finally some small bumps:
Toronto skyline:
Monday, 24 September 2012
Great downwind footwork
In downwind conditions, when you're chasing a wave, you want to be forward on the board so the energy of the wave can more easily push your board along with it. However, once you catch the wave, you want to step back on the board to avoid the nose of the board from pearling into the wave in front of you. Stepping back also allows you to steer the board by surfing it from the tail.
Here's a 1 minute clip of Ivan van Vuuren's considerable downwind surfing skills on a really big day on one of the world's most famous downwind runs. Table Mountain in Cape Town in the background. Amazing footwork. Amazing conditions.
Another good footwork video, this time from one of the top downwind paddlers, Jeremy Riggs of Maui:
Here's a 1 minute clip of Ivan van Vuuren's considerable downwind surfing skills on a really big day on one of the world's most famous downwind runs. Table Mountain in Cape Town in the background. Amazing footwork. Amazing conditions.
Another good footwork video, this time from one of the top downwind paddlers, Jeremy Riggs of Maui:
Welcome
Welcome to SUP Downwind, a blog on downwind stand up paddling in Toronto and other locations.
I'd like to help grow the number of local SUP paddlers getting into downwind paddling and spread the fun. It's always more fun to do a downwinder in a group.
Typically in downwind paddling, one starts at point A and finishes downwind at point B. This allows you to enjoy a nice long downwind paddle without dealing with the upwind leg. In strong winds, it's the only viable approach since it'll be too windy to paddle upwind.
Alternatively, if it's not too windy but windy enough, you can paddle into the wind first to earn your downwind ride back to the starting point. This is more work but more convenient. It's also the easiest way to get introduced to downwind paddling.
This video gives a good introduction to what downwind paddling looks like with several skilled paddlers in Cape Town, South Africa on a well known downwind route:
For a more realistic local view of downwind paddling out of Cherry Beach with a mediocre paddler (me), here's a video:
Regardless of skill level, you just have to catch a few bumps to have a great time. While pushing yourself to catch the bumps, your heart rate will often hit 90% of max and you won't even notice it since you're having too much fun. No need for the "no pain, no gain" approach to exercise. As your skills improve, it just becomes even more entertaining as you're able to catch the waves easier, ride them longer, and get out in bigger conditions.
On really windy days, conditions right here in Lake Ontario can get much more impressive which ups the ante for fun and skill required to take advantage of the waves.
Downwind SUP paddling has been going on in Toronto for a few years but it's still early days with just a handful of regulars. For SUP fans that have tried it, it can become addictive due to the fun quotient. Anyone that has a few months of SUP experience and is comfortable in choppy conditions can give it a try. If you're a beginner, just make sure you're going with someone more experienced, or paddle a familiar route in conditions you're confident you can handle. Also seek out info on safety precautions for downwind paddling before going. It's always safer to go with a partner. A lifejacket with a whistle is required by law and a leash is also a necessity. A phone in a waterproof case is a good idea.
Among other things, I'll be posting reports of downwind paddle sessions in Toronto as well as maps. I'll also post links to helpful resources for those wanting to learn more about downwind paddling as well as selected downwind videos from around the world.
I'd like to help grow the number of local SUP paddlers getting into downwind paddling and spread the fun. It's always more fun to do a downwinder in a group.
Typically in downwind paddling, one starts at point A and finishes downwind at point B. This allows you to enjoy a nice long downwind paddle without dealing with the upwind leg. In strong winds, it's the only viable approach since it'll be too windy to paddle upwind.
Alternatively, if it's not too windy but windy enough, you can paddle into the wind first to earn your downwind ride back to the starting point. This is more work but more convenient. It's also the easiest way to get introduced to downwind paddling.
This video gives a good introduction to what downwind paddling looks like with several skilled paddlers in Cape Town, South Africa on a well known downwind route:
For a more realistic local view of downwind paddling out of Cherry Beach with a mediocre paddler (me), here's a video:
Regardless of skill level, you just have to catch a few bumps to have a great time. While pushing yourself to catch the bumps, your heart rate will often hit 90% of max and you won't even notice it since you're having too much fun. No need for the "no pain, no gain" approach to exercise. As your skills improve, it just becomes even more entertaining as you're able to catch the waves easier, ride them longer, and get out in bigger conditions.
On really windy days, conditions right here in Lake Ontario can get much more impressive which ups the ante for fun and skill required to take advantage of the waves.
Downwind SUP paddling has been going on in Toronto for a few years but it's still early days with just a handful of regulars. For SUP fans that have tried it, it can become addictive due to the fun quotient. Anyone that has a few months of SUP experience and is comfortable in choppy conditions can give it a try. If you're a beginner, just make sure you're going with someone more experienced, or paddle a familiar route in conditions you're confident you can handle. Also seek out info on safety precautions for downwind paddling before going. It's always safer to go with a partner. A lifejacket with a whistle is required by law and a leash is also a necessity. A phone in a waterproof case is a good idea.
Among other things, I'll be posting reports of downwind paddle sessions in Toronto as well as maps. I'll also post links to helpful resources for those wanting to learn more about downwind paddling as well as selected downwind videos from around the world.
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