The wind famine of 2017 got me thinking about light wind options. Not so much planing around, just get out on the water and catch a few waves. The paddle board idea kept running through my head, but i still wanted to sail more than paddle. Solution- a sup with the ability to take a sail. A phone call to Mark Jordan at Jordans Boating Centre in Port Macquarie had me keen to try a JP 8.5 Fusion. At 131 litres and sporting a 3 fin design, I figured the size and shape would be near ideal for the spilling waves we get here in South West Rocks. I'm pleased to say the JP Fusion is a winner- floats well, turns nicely- perfect for those (sadly too frequent) 5-10 knot days. Anyway, here's a short clip of today's outing.

sweet ride , looks like fun , hopefully some waves next time i come up

Looks great Phil, love sup sailing.

Good one Phil, it's kind of similar to what windsurfing was originally.

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PhilSWR said..
...perfect for those (sadly too frequent) 5-10 knot days.

You could get a hydrofoil for those days... but i'd be scared of what i'd hit with one of those at trial bay. You don't want to piss off the wildlife!

Great vid Phil

Nice Phil, I've got the 10'2 Fusion coz I wanted to SUP in flat water and it goes really well with a sail and wave riding, its a sweet low wind option, but not as zippy on the waves as yours I'm sure !

I've also got the bigger 10'2 fusion. What sail we you using in the vid. I usually use a 6.2 Severne blade when I sup-sail. Certainly a good option when there's not much wind.

Cheers for the comments. Been a buzz trying to dial in the JP. Different world compared to small boards, straps and good wind! Definitely saved me from sitting on the bank sulking a few times now.

Musorianin, used a 5.8 KA Kult. Thinking a 5.4 or so may be better- less weight and still putt out the back looking for waves. Dunno, all new to me.

Looks great, I have been playing with my old Bic 10,6" sup and a flat 6 m NP sail in up to a couple of foot waves and the flat water inside the river at Cotton Tree, Maroochydore.
Awesome gliding with the rail tilted for lateral resistance, and the mast connection is a modified wally T with a lot of gaffa tape stuffed in the hand hold.
Still need my longboard and 8.5 though....

Sweet work Phil good stuff.

Nice!!!

Confirmed Phil!!!!!

My holidays approved by work. I will be down there at Xmas/New years for a few days with gear!

I promised before but I can guarantee I will be there.

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windsurftom said..

PhilSWR said..
...perfect for those (sadly too frequent) 5-10 knot days.

You could get a hydrofoil for those days...

In some ways, that's sort of what longboarding isn't about for many of us. In the tiny bit of hydrofoiling I've done the emphasis has been on hunting puffs to get on the foils and stop slogging. For many of us, longboarding isn't about stop/start gust chasing and top end speed - it's about being able to glide on through the lulls.

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AusMoz said..
Confirmed Phil!!!!!

My holidays approved by work. I will be down there at Xmas/New years for a few days with gear!

I promised before but I can guarantee I will be there.

Good one Ausmoz! Get in touch as we get closer to Xmas.

Catch ya

Got a few pics from a mate (thanks Michael) who was shore based the other week. Shows the conditions we occasionally get in the bay, and the big board turning. Feels odd throwing an 8.5 ft board around. So use to surfboards.. But the 131 JP definitely turns. Video was done on a different day.

Where about in SWR is that phil ?? Usual spot
Don't remember seeing that many roof's, that's all

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HotBodMon said..
Where about in SWR is that phil ?? Usual spot
Don't remember seeing that many roof's, that's all

Yeah, normal spot corner of goal (near 4WD access). Just the camera angle picking up the new houses / units behind Horse Shore Bay. Getting more each year...

Before I spell off my larger freeride board for a fusion I was wondering if a longer freeride board could ride waves. To make this happen the board would need to have three footstraps, with the back one in the middle of the board (just like a FSW or FS board). Changing the fin type may also b an advantage. I am considering this because my 145 is about the same length and width as Phil's Fusion. It can also be rigged with the mid rear footstrap, and becomes reasonably manouverable when using a camless sail. Any ideas?

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MarkSSC said..
Before I spell off my larger freeride board for a fusion I was wondering if a longer freeride board could ride waves. To make this happen the board would need to have three footstraps, with the back one in the middle of the board (just like a FSW or FS board). Changing the fin type may also b an advantage. I am considering this because my 145 is about the same length and width as Phil's Fusion. It can also be rigged with the mid rear footstrap, and becomes reasonably manouverable when using a camless sail. Any ideas?

No real ideas for you Mark, but I know large freeride boards go ok in the surf. By changing the freerace fin in my 111 Carve to a more traditional curved freewave fin, the board behaves much more like a wave-board. Definitely not a loose but still turns enuff for nice bottom and slashy top turns. Worth a shot with you 145, but stick to crumbling-type waves. Anything punchy and round will be a nightmare.

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PhilSWR said..

MarkSSC said..
Before I spell off my larger freeride board for a fusion I was wondering if a longer freeride board could ride waves. To make this happen the board would need to have three footstraps, with the back one in the middle of the board (just like a FSW or FS board). Changing the fin type may also b an advantage. I am considering this because my 145 is about the same length and width as Phil's Fusion. It can also be rigged with the mid rear footstrap, and becomes reasonably manouverable when using a camless sail. Any ideas?

No real ideas for you Mark, but I know large freeride boards go ok in the surf. By changing the freerace fin in my 111 Carve to a more traditional curved freewave fin, the board behaves much more like a wave-board. Definitely not a loose but still turns enuff for nice bottom and slashy top turns. Worth a shot with you 145, but stick to crumbling-type waves. Anything punchy and round will be a nightmare.

Pretty much what I was thinking. The thicker, larger windsurf boards remind me a bit of the paddle boards lifesavers use. As a teenager we would catch smaller runners with them and you could slice along them. They were a bit fragile so wave riding in bigger stuff was out.