Smorgasboarder_16_March-2013
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Short board, long board, fish, nugget, pintail, swallow tail, squash, square,<br />
single fin, thruster, quad, body board, body surf, skate board, snow board,<br />
skim board, balance board... Been there, ridden those, keep riding them. The<br />
observant reader might have noticed my list is long but not complete. I have<br />
to admit: I have never used a paddle before, while riding a board. And yes, I<br />
am pretty zesty to try that Stand-Up Paddling!<br />
WORDS: RENATE MOERMAN<br />
<br />
DOES IT<br />
WORK?<br />
SMORGASBOARDER<br />
TRIED AND TESTED<br />
Photo: Mark Chapman<br />
GOING BIG<br />
THE FIRST SUP EXPERIENCE ON THE FLOATIEST OF ALL...<br />
The best thing about<br />
soft-tops is you are less<br />
likely to kill yourself or any<br />
other surfer in the water.<br />
Having said that, I would not<br />
recommend taking this huge<br />
puppy (10’4” by 32 ½” wide)<br />
to a busy break.<br />
Because this board<br />
resembles the Titanic it’s<br />
super stable and allows<br />
a stand-up virgin such as<br />
myself to jump on it with<br />
ease and paddle away on the<br />
fl at water of the inlet.<br />
I’m quickly able to build my<br />
confi dence on the board,<br />
enough so I am game to<br />
tackle a small break with no<br />
one out.<br />
The board is thick - which is<br />
great for fl otation, catching<br />
waves easily and it’s stable,<br />
as I mentioned - but I have to<br />
watch out not to dig the big<br />
rails in the tiny ripples I take<br />
off on! The fact I manage to<br />
ride my second one nearly<br />
to the shore shows it’s<br />
defi nitely do-able.<br />
WORDS: RENATE MOERMAN<br />
GERAGHTY<br />
SOFT SUP<br />
PROS<br />
The overall size of the board in<br />
terms of its length, width and<br />
thickness make it an easy board<br />
to learn on.<br />
CONS<br />
The board’s sheer width, which<br />
makes it so stable, in turn makes<br />
it a little more difficult to turn.<br />
Pivoting around on your paddle<br />
takes a bit of effort.<br />
THE WRAP<br />
Great board to take out on<br />
flat water and practice in<br />
uncrowded, small waves. Will<br />
build confidence quickly to take<br />
your SUP’ing to next level.<br />
EXTRA<br />
I love the adjustable carbon<br />
fibre paddle. You can adjust the<br />
height and the sound the wind<br />
makes brushing the pinholes<br />
makes it sound like a flute (and I<br />
sing along).<br />
MORE INFO<br />
For more on the Geraghty range<br />
of softboards, see:<br />
www.geraghtyshapes.com or<br />
call Dean 0422 442 044<br />
142<br />
SMORGASBOARDER | MAR/APR <strong>2013</strong>
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