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Re: SUP Plan - So I have to ask?
By:Mark N
Date: 12/10/2016, 5:01 pm
In Response To: Re: Review: SUP Plans (Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks)

With all the negative comments regarding SUP performance, I have to ask how many of you have actually paddled with/against somebody that is really good on s SUP? Here in Florida, SUPs are very popular and most coastal races are 75% SUP and 25% Other (surfski/kayak/OC). Previously, I also had a negative view of SUP performance, but that changed last January when I did my first coastal race (Neptunalia Challenge). The course was a 10 mile up and back (N/S) on the Intercoastal Waterway with west winds 20+ and 3' white caps in the open areas. Given the conditions, I was pleased to complete the course with an average speed of 6.1 mph in my 18.5' Wahoo FSK. I was absolutely shocked when the fastest SUP (14') crossed the line only 1 minute behind me, and the fastest in the 50+ age bracket SUP crossed only three minutes behind me. For reference. I was 3 minutes behind the fastest kayak in my age bracket and he was paddling a 21' surfski.
While I agree that a SUP is generally slower than a kayak, they are not really that much slower. During the race conditions above, I certainly would have been beaten by a number of SUPs had I been paddling either of my shorter boats. I suspect that many of us get the impression that they are slow by watching paddlers that don't really know what they are doing.

Messages In This Thread

Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/8/2016, 9:52 am
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Robert Ten Eyck -- 12/8/2016, 3:38 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/8/2016, 3:46 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
scottbaxter -- 12/8/2016, 7:29 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
GCole -- 12/8/2016, 7:53 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 12/9/2016, 9:34 am
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Rich D -- 12/8/2016, 11:09 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/9/2016, 12:26 am
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Etienne Muller -- 12/9/2016, 10:14 am
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/9/2016, 10:52 am
Re: Review: SUP Plans
upchurchmr -- 12/9/2016, 1:52 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/9/2016, 1:57 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
upchurchmr -- 12/9/2016, 4:27 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
JohnAbercrombie -- 12/9/2016, 1:13 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans..in defense?
Paul Sylvester -- 12/10/2016, 5:44 am
Re: Review: SUP Plans..in defense?
scottbaxter -- 12/10/2016, 12:33 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/9/2016, 3:02 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Etienne Muller -- 12/9/2016, 4:05 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 12/9/2016, 4:06 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
JohnAbercrombie -- 12/9/2016, 6:56 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/9/2016, 4:09 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/9/2016, 4:49 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/9/2016, 4:59 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/9/2016, 6:21 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/9/2016, 6:34 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
scottbaxter -- 12/10/2016, 12:45 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Bill Hamm -- 12/10/2016, 12:09 am
Re: Review: SUP Plans
scottbaxter -- 12/10/2016, 12:35 pm
Re: SUP Plan - So I have to ask?
Mark N -- 12/10/2016, 5:01 pm
Re: SUP Plan - So I have to ask? *PIC*
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 12/10/2016, 6:55 pm
Re: SUP Plan - So I have to ask?
Mike Bielski -- 12/10/2016, 8:42 pm
Re: SUP Plan - So I have to ask?
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 12/12/2016, 8:34 am
Re: SUP Plan - So I have to ask?
Mark N -- 12/12/2016, 8:51 am
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Rich D -- 12/9/2016, 9:16 am
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Al Zahler -- 12/9/2016, 11:48 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans *PIC*
Sean M -- 12/10/2016, 9:33 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/11/2016, 10:13 am
Re: Review: SUP Plans *PIC*
Sean M -- 12/11/2016, 4:08 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
JohnAbercrombie -- 12/11/2016, 4:29 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans *PIC*
Sean M -- 12/11/2016, 7:34 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/11/2016, 9:59 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Sean M -- 12/12/2016, 6:43 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans
Mike Bielski -- 12/11/2016, 6:47 pm
Re: Review: SUP Plans *PIC*
Dave Gentry -- 12/14/2016, 9:52 pm