We should never forget that the longboard is where it all started for surfing, and also where it all started for SUP. A SUP longboard makes for a long list of wins without much against it: you can cross distances as easily as on a 'big boy' 9'6 cruiser but with refined rails that let you surf with style. A performance tail lets you crack it off the top without wobbling on the paddle back out like a pro-board. In short, easier to paddle, suds better. Starboard have just released their long-awaited Longboard SUP range and we spoke to shapers 011ie greatly, Zane Schweitzer and Benoit Carpentier to find out the design inspiration for these boards, and more importantly, how they surf.
“ One of the biggest attractions of the longboard over my 7’2 Pro board is the sensation of ease and grace from start to finish of a session.”
ZANE SCHWEITZER
Ollie’s Design Brief The brief was simple: design a high performance longboard that was versatile, incredibly responsive and smooth to turn. This led us to create our new high performance 10’0”x29” and 9’0”x28” Starboard Longboard SUP models.
Designed them to perform in small beach breaks to head high reef breaks, these boards offer fast down-the-line surfing, as well as the ability to turn the board very loosely and powerfully off the top of waves. Not only is it solid off the top, but it is also incredibly stable when walking and riding on the nose. You can call it a “performance” board, however, it is incredibly versatile, covering a broad spectrum of a longboarder’s specific needs.
When we started planning the design of the longboard, it was clear which direction to go in. We asked Zane Schweitzer, Benoit Carpentier, and Connor Baxter what their all-time favourite longboard was, out of any board they could choose from. Between all three, the answer was unanimous: the 9’1”x22” Mat Moir Starboard Surf Longboard, originally designed by Dave Stubbs. Seeing their passion and excitement, we decided to transfer the main design concepts into a SUP longboard.
There are multiple design features that make this board perform so well and perform unlike any other board in the Starboard range.
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Turning Points
With spring in the air and the start of a new decade, thoughts naturally turn to what we can do differently in the name of betterment. Finn Mullen reflects on some changes to consider when looking to improve your SUP surfing.
THE CLOSE OUT- TREV'S GREAT BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE
I have had my fair share of great birthdays, usually coinciding with a national holiday in a country that Iâm visiting. But this one was a bit different.
Paddle Science #18 - The Body Fortress. Boosting Immunity
At this time of year, the rate of infection for colds and flu normally tends to slow down as we enter warmer, springtime months. However, if youâve been anywhere at all in the world recently, then thereâs one word you canât escape at the moment: Coronavirus. Infection rates, mortality rates and prognostic data are changing daily at the moment. As a new virus none of us have previously been exposed to it, meaning that currently, we have no immunity to it. Itâs only through being infected by a virus that our bodies are able to make the right antibodies to not only enable us to recover but to also help protect us from any recurrent and future infection from it. If youâre keen to stay well and keep getting out on your SUP board this spring, then focussing on boosting your immune system is a positive step to take.
Ceylon Stories
Like a teardrop on the tip of the Indian sub-continent, Sri Lanka is a little tropical El Dorado of beautiful landscapes, rich cultural heritage and people with incomparable kindness. Thanks to its favorable exposure to the swells of the Indian Ocean, the has a large number of good waves along its incredible southwest coast where French pro Alexis Deniel and his partner Melanie had an unforgettable experience this winter. Discover their colorful journey through this dream destination sharing its jewels after decades of civil war and the tragedy of the 2004 tsunami.
Polar Bear
In 2019, the Polar Bear showed the world his teeth. After a fourth place in the toughest SUP race in the world, the Red Bull Heavy Water, the now 19-year old Christian Anderson became World Champion in November in the Technical Race at the ISA World Championships in El Salvador. He also won the U-18 title on the Euro Tour with an 11th place overall. Whatâs behind the young Dane's rise to power?
SHADENFREUDE
TEST REPORTS
Desire Lines
We were on the outskirts of Helsinki, scouting a new destination for our sup camps. Just 45 minutesâ drive from the city, the untouched nature of the Nuuksio National Park stretched out before us. Mirror-smooth lakes, wild herbs and an impressive fauna waiting to be explored over on board or on foot via the many desire lines made by the land mammals.
Magical. Mystical. Epic.
Alexandra is a club ambassador and SUP racer for Bray Lake; relatively new to the SUP scene she completed her first race season in 2019. She participated in her first international event, the Gla Gla, 2020, and placed 1st Brit, 8th lady and 81st overall, out of a mass start of 637 paddlers. Here she shares the highlights of her first Gla Gla experience.
Green Medicine
As a keen outdoorsman and busy GP, Paul Sampson has come pretty close to attaining the mercurial work-balance. When not busy with his patients, he can be found hiking, climbing, paddle boarding, wild swimming⊠anything that gets him outside soaking up the great outdoors and reconnecting with nature in the beautiful South of Cornwall.
Depth Charge
Many of us have are staying away from the beach for a while, some are confined to our homes, but that doesnât mean we canât still train for the surf. If you try the following for just one week youâll see results, never mind three monthsâŠ