BassSup, Ocean Grove & the new PSH Hull Paddler.

Yesterday I went to Bass Sup's second event down at Ocean Grove and on the way down I popped into SHQ to picked up the new Paddle Surf Hawaii Hull Paddler.

It's the 10'2" x 33" size and designed as an allround paddler with flat water speed and stability and also surfing ability for the recreational paddler.. They come in three sizes and the other two are 9'7" x 32" and 10'10" x 33 3/4".

The thing that surprised me the most was the price.. $1299.. with a PSH colour matching paddle.. Wow! .. Note that this is not the new Hull Ripper.. That's a whole different board and designed for performance surfing.

Here's a few pictures that I took at the shop.















I thew the new PSH on top of my Mana and hit the road.. Almost there.. Ocean Grove is just down the road a bit.



I saw Phil's big pimp-mobile so I knew I was at the right place.. The surf looked small but great.. and very glassy..



Matty Martin rolled up with all his GSI gear.



So.. What board are you going to paddle Matt?



I put the new PSH on a stand while I got my wetsuit on and Rich and Leon checked it out.



Notice the very rounded bottom.



Also notice the Gor-Tex vent plug.. Time to get this baby wet.



I followed Phill down the boat ramp.



Paddling out the first thing that I noticed is that it didn't pop over the white water as easy as my Mana but that may be the flatter rocker and just something to get used to.. I caught the first wave with ease and I didn't expect to catch it because these waves were often a bit fat (and this wave was) but the flat water paddling speed seemed to help get onto it.. Once on it I could also feel the flatness of this board compared to my Mana.. It didn't nose dive or catch a rail.. It cruised along quite nicely as I surfed the wave and paddled out to catch a few more.. It was great fun.. I talked Phil into coming in and having a go.





At 33" wide it had no problem floating Phil and he said how stable it was for him.





Even Kristi couldn't make her dad fall (with a nudge of her paddle).



Phil continued to catch wave after wave and was starting to really like it.







Sorry I didn't get any great action shots but maybe someone else did.. I stayed out on my Mana for a while having a ball in these nice little glassy waves.. After a while I could smell the BBQ so I headed in and took some more pics that I'll post soon. (later)

Gotta go paddling right now..

DJ

Classic DJ
Spent the night in Melbourne Friday and came home via Barwon Heads on Saturday morn. As we approached the entrance to Barwon Heads the wife commented on some crazy guy out of his SUP stacked micro mobile taking photos of the welcome sign. Never met but recognised you immediately! Would have stopped to say hello but had a car full of kids and had to get home and unpacked so I could get over to Grove. Cool pics as ever and an interesting looking shooter.
Cheers
Sparx

While we are on the topic, thanks to all of the BassSup committee crew including Rich, Kevin, Lummers, Phill and Matt. Have probably missed someone and if so sincerest apologies. It was a bloody fun afternoon with just enough surf to keep the interest level high and everyone happy. The barbie went down a treat and it was great to have a yack with some of the Melbourne crew and the guys from the East Coast. Leon was a bit of a suprise package coming out of left field or left coast as the case may be. The guy was shredding!! Bring on the next gathering of the tribe!!
Cheers
Sparx

Well the gods were smiling on us yesterday thats for sure, small and clean at lunch and a bit more size in the afternoon. Was great to see DJ, Brendon, Mike and his son and others down from Melb as well as all the local crew turn out!

Thanks to DJ for the pics, thats the only shot i have of Kristi and I on the water so its one for the album. DJ also brought down the Hull Hybrid what a fun board.

The free surf format had everyone out in the waves having FUN and thats what its all about! Party waves were often the name of the game but no one really cared they were just hooting each other into next one.

Sparks who thinks 3 is a crowd had a little trouble with numbers and possible carnage but, he just headed to the reef and had a blast tearing into one wave after another.

The new space age looking toilet block has hot showers and there were a few that took advantage of that at the end of a cold day.

I got to try out the new Hull Hybrid and its a pretty special board IMO. It has a weird feel under foot when you first get on it sort of shimmers a little as it cuts through the water. Stable as the day is long but loose when you want it to go, I would love to try it in some real size later in the year.

With my weight 120 KG in a steamer it penetrates through the wave rather than goes up and over on the way out. It paddles on very easily and is quite forgiving.

You can rip some solid bottom turns on this baby I pushed it as hard as I could and got it up on the rail easily. It comes of the top like a dream and close outs over the white water were no problem. The amount of FUN I had on it yesterday put simply when I save the brass I will buy one!

I will write up a full review when I get the time.

Thank you to all of the guys who put time and effort into yesterday and to those who traveled down from Melbourne it was a meeting of the tribes and we should do it more often.

Personally it was the best fun I have had in 18 months and I had a absolute blast SUPing with family and friends it was a little like old times, I really didn't want it to end! They eventually had to drag me out of the water for the presso laughs.

It was a fun social event and what SUP is really all about.

Phill.

Andrew,

The 10'2 IMO loves being driven off the tail the further back the tighter the arc possible. With this much volume surfer weight is a significant factor in how they perform in waves big bruddahs have a serious advantage!

If the Hull Ripper are more fun than these things bring it!

Phill

AA said...

Great shots DJ! Thanks for posting.

I have held off posting shots until we had a bit more feedback on their performance.
With about 5 boards out there, that feedback is coming in.



This is the first board from Paddle Surf Hawaii where the focus is more on paddling performance and ease of catching and riding waves, than tearing them up.



Here is a mini review from Jason who recently rode the 9'7 x 32"

The hybrid was fun. Paddles very nice and is stable for a 9'7 board. Catches waves very, very easy with heaps of speed on tap. These boards are quick paddlers and will help anyone to paddle into a wave with ease. Slight flipped nose saves you in late drops. In the waves these boards are for cruising not slashing. That's reserver for the Hull Rippers.

For anyone looking for a first board that is not twice their size, that paddles like an 11' board and wants to get into waves. These will be a hands down winner.
Overall excellent $1299 package, as 1st board that does everything well.

For any experienced riders testing these boards in waves, it is a very different experience as they are aimed squarely at beginner or recreational riders getting into waves.

Here is some feedback on surfing them -

These boards turn from about 3/4 back, not off the tail.
Try popping over the biggest white water you can - they love pop overs.
Keep paddling, these boards love linking up sections and taking you all they away to the beach.

As DJ, said they are not Hull Rippers They are coming in Spring!

Weird not testing them myself [}:)]

Looks like great conditions for them down there at Barwon! Have fun!

mate that is one off best the things i have read, you made me stoked about the day and i wasnt even there. good onya and i hope you get that board sooner than later

Thanks for all the pics DJ. Great to see Phill back out there.

Yeah! I had a great time at the BassSup day yesterday, Even though I am from the Peninsula, I decided to join the club. They are a great bunch of guys and girls and well organized. They where very welcoming and generous and considering the amount of talented suppers within the group there was no ego, just absolute stoke and fun.
Great day, nice to meet all you guys, bring on more events!

excuse my ignorance... i searched club talk and didnt find anything.
what is BASSUP ??

Here ya go... basssup.blogspot.com/2011/05/bass-sup-event-2.html

DJ

Hey Dan,

That was the best surf of my life man, DJ bringing down the Hybrid really topped of the day for me. I have wanted to try one of those boards for ages as I am looking for more stability without sacrificing too much performance, until I can get back onto my shorter boards.

There were a lot of new faces yesterday but it was like surfing with people you had known for years, all had a common purpose. Plenty of board swapping and chat back and forward over snags and drinks at the BBQ, more like a family catch up.

Would be great to set up a coastal paddle next time and get the longer boards out in the morning or afternoon before or after the surf session.

Maybe we could hit Simmondo up for an OC session?

There was lots of talk about street sup yesterday too!

Really depends on what the members want, the committee is open to any ideas.

You will have to join us again Dan when your down!

Bring a board of two we would love to try them out.

Phill

Hey Brendon,

Everyone should get together and work on a calender for next year to minimise the overlaps, that would take the pressure off everyone and allow maximum participation!

Phill

Hey Lazza,

Great to meet you and congrats on the best surfer on the day!


PT Woody,

Wondered where you were, you would have had a ball. I agree its so important to make time for the kids special days hope to catch up soon.

Thanks Casso,

did me a world of good and then some.

Phill