Ready – start – go!

The Swiss ICE SUP Race is on for April 30, 2017. The race is 16 km and can be paddled solo or in Teams. FIT OCEAN will participate in a team-effort. 2 men (both 6km) + 1 woman (4 km)

At least that is the plan… 

• Have done 2 training-sessions this far on FIT OCEAN Speedster (12’6 x 29’’x 5’’) and on the FIT OCEAN Ultra (12’6 x 25’’x 5’’) I am managing 8 km/h average over a 3km run.
• No idea if that is good or bad.
• It is definitely not getting everything out of the boards as Dani from supsafari.ch can do 10 km/h on the FIT OCEAN ULTRA. ? Why the FIT OCEAN boards are that fast you can read at the bottom of the article.

So I need to crank up the condition/ skills/ mindset. And stop playing with the go-pro, gliding just from the wind…

Training goals:

-Less ‘way’ (zig-zag). Going more in a straight line and stop wasting energy. Here is a link to a thread I found useful

-feathering the blade. Link

-Build up condition. I need to be able to paddle 6km non-stop at a decent speed.

? Why the FIT OCEAN boards are that fast?

The boards are that fast because of the combination shape + design details + construction.

We develop shapes in our backyard in Switzerland, here is Marcel testing a sample. We are a bit addicted to ordering samples and drive our factories crazy, but creating 3D shapes on the computer is one thing, but the real input comes from testing.

The design-details (width, thickness, fin, etc.) results also from testing.

One of the main points is that we make the 12’6 length (which is an official race-class) boards not 6’’ (15cm) thick, but we make them 5’’ (12 cm). This has several advantages that contribute to speed: Less weight, more stability (lower center of gravity) and sharper rails (better water release). This thickness is also used on some starboards, red paddles and especially the ULI Race-board (ULI won the Molokai 2 Oahu race). Some think it is a disadvantage from having a thinner board, and that will bend more, but the 20 PSI fused double layer takes care and provides a super stiff boards easy.

Here is a test-report from a happy customer on Amazon (German)

The construction is very stiff because they are made out of fused double layer MIRASOL drop-stich. We call it Premium Double Layer Light (PDLL). This fusion (melting together 2 layers) is much lighter and stronger then gluing the layers. The boards can therefore be pumped up to 20 PSI and are much stiffer.

Here is a link to buy the speedster online in Europe or in Swiss

Time to make time to do more paddling.

The summer is over but you still want to keep stand-up paddling in winter?

Well you are so right. Why stop? But you also do not want to freeze your butt of in the cold or come into unsafe situations.

Here are 5 tips to help you along.

Tip 1 – What to wear, when stand up paddling in the winter?

Before you step out of the door. Check if you are wearing the correct clothing.

The wetsuit

The wetsuit has been the winter choice for a lot of  stand up paddlers. Check out the world wide web for all the different choices, designs and prices. There is a huge choice of wetsuits available from 7mm full on winter suits with built in hoods to 2mm summer suits. It all depends where, when and how long you want to paddle. Just during a bit chilly weather or during deep cold winter days?

The thicker the suit the warmer it is but with a trade off in flexibility, and each paddler will find their preferred combination of warmth and flexibility.

Wetsuits can be relatively inexpensive, it’s very easy to find one that fits perfectly and they are pretty robust and will last for years with a little care.

Dry suit

A new development brought to the paddling world is the dry suit. Filling the space between wetsuits and more traditional dry suits these are designed specifically for Stand Up Paddlers who do not need the protection and bulk of a surface immersion suit, for faster paddling and limited time in the water.

Like the more common dry suit there is no insulation in the SUP dry suit so a base layer will need to be worn underneath, top and bottom. Marketed at those who want to paddle fast the semi-dry suit is also a great solution for many more leisurely paddlers.

Do not want to buy a wetsuit nor a dry suit?

Well you can wear a pair of warm longjohns /ski underwear under your rain trousers as an option.

For your upper body, you can wear a warm midlayer, but try to avoid cotton, this soaks in the water and that will keep you longer cold. Over your midlayer a waterproof jacket is fine.

Tip3: What to wear for head and feet?

A fleece or neoprene tuque is great for the head. A fleece beanie or anything warm you prefer to wear is also good.

For your feet a pair neoprene shoes are great.

You will need some waterproof gloves or neoprene gloves for your hands. Do not want to invest? Then just your wintergloves. Preferable not the thin knitted gloves. These do not protect from the wind.

Tip 4: What to take with you during a tour in winter?

• Keep it safe, use a leash
• When it is getting darker a waterproof white light attached to your board or body is good for visibility and others can see you.
• Dry bag
• Thermos with something warm to drink
• Water
• Snack of own choise
• Towel
• Waterproof bag for cell phone.
• Extra pair of clothes

Tip 5: Going to paddle in dark cold weathers?

Let somebody know where you will be paddling and for how long you are planning to do so.

When the weather changes a lot that day. Just recheck the weather forecast, so you will not be in the middle of heavy wind or a rain storm.

Woohoo we had our photoshoot in a very sunny week in France. Right now we are cutting, pasting and rendering images. Getting our catalog 2017 ready. Stay tuned

Merci France!

Driving into Hyères, you feel that your vacation is starting. With all the palm trees around you, clear blue sky and a lovely soft wind to cool you down.

Hyères is situated in the South of France on the Mediterranean coast, it is the oldest resort in the French Riviera. With over 30 km of white sandy beaches, 3 beautiful and unspoilt islands Hyères has been a popular tourist destination for years.

There is a stunning old town in Hyères with a wonderful selection of medieval buildings which is well worth a visit. The old town is a dream location for architecture lovers with stunning Gothic churches, renaissance doorways and beautiful châteaus all set against stunning sea views.

Palm trees form an important part of Hyères and can be regularly seen throughout the resort lining the wide boulevards. There is a great variety of Mediterranean architecture around Hyères including a number of exotic hotels and villas which lend the resort a Moorish feel.

WATERSPORTS

Love to be on the water?

Well, Hyères is a great place to be for your water activities.

Hyères  is a popular watersports destination. The Almanarre bay offers particularly good conditions for sailing, wind surfing and kite surfing. Throughout the year there are a number of prestigious regattas and competitions held in Hyères and a number of top professionals choose to base themselves in Hyères as the ideal spot to train.

SAILING

Hyères is a superb location for sailing with generally stronger winds during the spring months and calmer breezes during the height of summer. There are plenty of sheltered bays, marinas and harbors and it is an excellent location for both beginners and experienced sailors.

WIND SURFING

Hyères is extremely popular with windsurfers and is often referred to as the European capital of windsurfing. The conditions around Hyères lend themselves particularly well to windsurfing and it is a great location for both beginners and experienced windsurfers.

KITE SURFING

waters of the Mediterranean are the perfect location to develop your kite surfing skills. With a lot of Kite surfers around, there is always someone to help you when you just got started with this sport.

STAND UP PADDLING

The great thing about Hyères is, that there are great water activities where you need wind. But there are as well enough places, with beautiful beaches for Stand Up Paddling.

Stand up paddle is a great way to discover the hidden paradisiacal creeks, caves and beaches only accessible by water.

As a beginner, you can try the sport out by yourself or get your first lessons. When you get the hang of it you can get more adventurous and try out Stand Up Paddling over waves.

Stand Up Paddling is a great way to relax and still get some exercise done. You can take it to any level where you want it to go. At any time, you can just jump in the water, have a swim and continue paddling.

A