RPS Sunrise Session 4

Sounds good to me. Just remember everyone that traffic is diabolical up around StKilda and Port Melbourne this week due to the Grand Prix so best to avoid that part of town when heading in to work post paddle.

Is there still a forecast of clearing fog? I was all set with my 'Nam style camouflage warpaint and Rambo headband.

I might pass on that paintball SUP plan. This is what happened the first (and last) time I played paintball...

Very nice session this morning.

Thanks to Jonathon and Paul for doing the supswap with Hock and myself for the return trip.

Always interesting to compare boards. In this case it was 2 x Naish 14'0" Glides and 2 x Starboard 12'6" Pins up for a head to head.

Both are winners!

Another splendid morning paddle.

Ok, but just a quick couple of lines about the strengths of both boards.

Conditions tested - Thurs 25th March 6.40am, Perfect flat water, light conditions dark to early sunrise, air temp...? Eventually around 17 degrees, company....yes, actually brilliant, water temp.....21 degrees approx. [but when you're on the Naish 14, you don't get your feet wet!, hangover...no, anything else? no.

Naish 14'0" - The Naish exhibits long, sleek lines which suggests it's a bit of a weapon in these conditions. The hull is essentially flat throughout, with high rails, quite hard from the tail, slightly tapering to a mild tuck through the nose area.
It has a generous amount of nose lift which accounts for small to moderate chop with ease. I own the wood model which is a tad stiffer and lighter that the ast.
[Sexier in my mind anyhow]. It glides well as the name suggests, but needs to be kept on the move. In this, I mean a sound paddling technique will be helpful. For the uninitiated, the width [narrow] can prove to be a sticking point if caught momentarily off balance. I love this board for the fact it allows me to cover long distances with ease when not too choppy, pinch hits well as an occasional raceboard, loves a down-winder and helped me sail to a top 10 finish in the 2009 Breakwater to Beacon. Pretty versatile, hey?

Starboard Pin 12'6" - When you spot the Pin for the first time, it can sometimes leave the punter alittle confused. To the paddler that has an eye for efficient underwater hull dynamics, it all makes perfect sense. It is pinny!! Both the nose and tail. At first glance you're not sure which is the nose or which is the tail. The all in ingredients which form a real synergy with this board are a real semi-displacement nose to mid section=[speed], it's beamy= [forgiving], slighty scooped deck=[lower centre of gravity which aids stability] and a pintail for reduced drag.
One thing you notice when you get the board up to speed for the first time, is just how quiet and unfussed it is. You're actually travelling quite abit faster than you realise. This board is ideal for the paddler who wants a sub 12'6", slick, affordable thorough-bred which is able to cover distances in anything from flatwater to ugly Port Phillip bay chop. It's not as quick as the Naish on an all out down-winder, but it is more forgiving. For the record!! Cam Hosking has been blitzing on one of these in all of the Victorian races this season. So, if it's good enough for him!!!

So there you go. Brief I know, but hopefully it gives you abit of insight to how both feel.

As I said, they're both winners!