After slogging myself for 4 hours over 28kms on a cruiser in the recent Dr race my wife agreed that I needed a real race board for this sort of thing. After meeting up with Dale Chapman I found what I think is the perfect board for me. I was after something stable as I felt that you can have the fastest board around but if you are always in the drink you don't go so well. Also over long distances, constantly getting back onto your board was the most tiring part of the past 2 Dr races.
This board is 30" wide so super stable. Dale was a great help in giving me advice on boards and shapes as this is something that I know very little about. As this is my first race board, I can't wait to spend plenty of time with it in the water and for me I think the sport of stand up paddling and down winding is about to become a lot more fun
Having trouble uploading pics so will try again soon.
The biggest lesson I've learned is how important it is to get the right gear. The biggest board I'd ever paddled was a starboard 12'6" cruiser which was fun and thats what I thought paddling a big board was like. I've only paddled this new board once but straight away I now know that paddling the real deal is completely different and you can't even compare the two.
I checked that board when it was just shaped. Dale is making me a 14' also and I liked this board so much I just said to make it the same.
Nice work Hawk, stoked. The spray came up awesome as well eh.
Nice Adam, saw the board the day after the race
Andrew are you still only good for late? Probably go earlier than 5.30 with Nat
Only if you surf the rights on your backhand at low tide.
What time have you been going out Hilly?
Anyone keen for one around 3.30 tomorrow?
i got a DC14 and i recon dales down winders are some of the nicest and fastest boards around they go unreal
if anyone is interested i know dale has got a really nice dc 16 forsale. probably one or two of the last ones made. it was made for a bigger bloke so it's a bit more beefed up then the usual type. this one is the best one i've paddled.
there's nothing in it for me, but its a good one. i think it might be in the forsale section
cheers
yes ive been looking at that board sure is a good deal if only i drank more beer and ate more pies i would get it except at 72kgs im tiny
That's a beauty, you should be happy with that.
I recently got a DC15er, a bit of an odd length but geezz what a great board.
Paddles on to fat swell AND turns!
28'' wide and 13'5KG.