Got a message from Warwick from KRSup on Sunday that something had come in for me.
Family Christmas get together meant it was Monday before I could go and check it out.

It's the one in the bubble wrap.
Unwrapped.


OK, it's not a SUP, but a 12' prone board.
Got interested in these maybe a year ago, but didn't seem to exist, at least in Victoria.
Finally lucked on to an advertisement for an 18' prone board, went and purchased very cheaply.


At 18' x about 18", it was fairly tricky to balance on.
The steering complicated things further.
And I decided June in Melbourne wasn't the right time to learn to prone paddle, when "paddling" involved a lot of time lying in the water next to the board.
Continued to look around, mentioned to Warwick, he said he could probably organise something.
Ordered in September I think, got it back to my factory yesterday.


Finish is immaculate.
I'm not a big fan of the wet sanded look, but it is gloss over the top.
About 21" wide.


Feels crazy light, particularly after 16kg PSH boards.






First try this morning.
Strange south westerly had filled in instead of predicted northerly, but that's the main reason I wanted a prone board.
If no good for SUP, prone extends the available water play options.
Looks pretty hot in the water.



But just how to get on was a bit of a challenge.


More stable than the unlimited, but less stable would have been impossible.
Balance "challenging".
Belly paddling relatively easy balance wise, but brutal physically.


Knee paddling even harder.


But the whole thing great fun.
Little wind ripples from the south westerly look monsterous from water level, but great fun to surf.
Wind died totally.


Wary of injuring myself, did about half an hour then returned to something more familiar.


Ignored the kids from the Lifesaving Club paddling their prone boards without obvious effort.
Looking forward to extended range of water activities.
Thanks to Warwick at KRSup for organising, and Deep for producing an awesome board.
And Warwick, you forgot to put a sticker on it....

and I finally found them on the Deep website.
www.deepoceanboards.com/horizon/
A bit well hidden.

Nozza, your new slide looks slick... and in Sunday winning colors!

nice board Nozza, I like prone it now and then.
going to visit KR Warwick sometime this week or weekend .

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supthecreek said..
Nozza, your new slide looks slick... and in Sunday winning colors!

Thanks Rick, but you've lost me with the colours reference (?)
Tomorrow looking good for next go on it.

I've been riding a DEEP 70kg Horizon, the last few weeks.Its a great feeling (especially down winding) and brings a new aspect to being on the water.

My SUPing (especially surfing) has benefitted from the strength i've gained from riding a prone.

Enjoy.

Fun to catch runners on too

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JBFletch said..
Fun to catch runners on too

Great shots!
Have you got any video of moving from prone to knees, forward and back on the board?
I'm a bit lost at the moment.

Hi Nozza,Not really.Best thing is to watch the OCEAN 6 iron man series and see how they do it.I've found making sure the board is moving makes it more stable, just like a sup.If it's stationary, being on your knees is hard work.Also, get right up the front, when prone.It might seem far forward but having the nose pearling seems perfect.

Got this from Iron Phil.
Shows a lot of things, mostly how far I am from paddling this thing properly.
Phil said very average conditions.

I have a 15km race on Saturday. Will let you know how it goes and any feedback I gain

I can do about 200m at the moment, so don't wait for me!

Longest prone session this morning, about an hour.
Got confident enough to paddle, rest, sit, drift with the tide.
Belly only at first, feeling good, moving, thought I'd try a belly to knees transition while moving.
Gopro looking forwards.










Will stick to belly paddling for a while.

great video of phil, i know a few guys that are prone paddling now and i actually have the same 18 footer that you do, yes paddling on your knees is different if youve never done it before, i've paddled stock clubby boards so the 18 was a completely different beast and like you said the rudder was weird at first, you will get used to it eventually, and it will just be another tool for when the winds blowing the surf is **** or there is no surf

Jarryd

So after 12km in 20knots I'm feeling pretty good.
Only went for one swim.
I think size is key.
I was on a 70kg horizon and I'm 73kg.
IMO I'd go bigger. So I thinking I'll buy the 80kg. For some more volume and stability.

Its a different view of the ocean and I'd highly recommend for people to try it.

Good fun

Made a drink bottle holder for the Horizon.
Paddling progressing to about an hour on the water, feeling the need for water.
There's a fin box on the front deck to mount it something, but noting seems available, especially down here.
Selected an old fin.


Measured, drilled, trial fitted two bike cages back to back.


Given I was using whatever bolts I could find lying around, tricky to get them in and tighten.
Trial fit.


Seemed to work but I didn't fancy head butting the fin.
Trimmed and sanded.


Re fitted the cages with the blunt side of the fin facing me.


Works well but I might add something to move the cages and bottles forward, away from the handles a bit.