Took my relatively new 10" Fanatic Fly SUP to the beach yesterday. Had a paddle in the small waves (1'-3') for about an hour and had a great time but the wind started to pick up. Came in as it was becoming difficult as the wind was blowing me inshore.

So I rigged my 5.9 wave sail and went out it on the SUP for the first time with a sail on it. To my suprise and delight, it was fantastic in the light 5-10 knot onshore conditions.

Even the kiters had trouble getting going, but I was able to get out through the break, gybe or tack the SUP, pump it onto the rolling waves and surf it in. Quite a lot of fun and fairly manouverable as long as no cut backs were called for. Had a 1 1/2 hour session doing this and found a new alternative for when the wind is less than ideal and the beach is calling.

Great stuff, good to hear you had such a fantastic time! SUP sailing has certainly shed a breath of fresh air into my windsurfing. I guess it brought it back to basics, and relish the fun you can have without planing in 20+ knots.

My wife and I are doing a road trip up to the Sunny Coast next week, and I can't wait to take the SUP for a burn up there if the conditions suit.

Where did you sail on on the weekend?

I have a Fly 10' as well. Use the back mast foot position. The further you step back towards the tail the more manouverable it becomes.

I got sick of falling off while paddling in the surf last week so I had a session using it as a big Malibu board. Worked great, 2 or 3 paddles and you on the wave and super stable once you get going.

My humble opinion on SUP, don't rig too big, since SUP have a lot of volume, you can use a 5.2 and it will be sooo muuchhh easier to handle if your goal is to surf the wave. Some rider rigged as big as 6.7 on those cruzing machine and they are out and having fun, question of preference I guess!

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wbailey said...

Took my relatively new 10" Fanatic Fly SUP to the beach yesterday. Had a paddle in the small waves (1'-3') for about an hour and had a great time but the wind started to pick up. Came in as it was becoming difficult as the wind was blowing me inshore.

So I rigged my 5.9 wave sail and went out it on the SUP for the first time with a sail on it. To my suprise and delight, it was fantastic in the light 5-10 knot onshore conditions.

Even the kiters had trouble getting going, but I was able to get out through the break, gybe or tack the SUP, pump it onto the rolling waves and surf it in. Quite a lot of fun and fairly manouverable as long as no cut backs were called for. Had a 1 1/2 hour session doing this and found a new alternative for when the wind is less than ideal and the beach is calling.

I agree on the small sail as you don't get much more performance with a bigger rig.

Check out Ant Baker on the 10' Fly

I know in Tasmania there is a good place for wave sailing that is Lauderdale.
God bless and goodnight

Hi Laff77 and others,

I usually sail at Umina Beach if it is a Southerly of any description, but try to avoid a high tide as it is a bit lumpy in spots, but not unsailable. Just keep out of the main channel and you should be OK. Mid-tides are normally pretty good or even low tides but you have to watch out for the numerous sandbars that can claim a scalp or two especially at the low low tides.

I did use the back mast position for the first sail and found it really suitable. Gybes were not a problem and when I get more confident on it I will try some serious cutbacks like in the impressive video. Well done. I want to do that on my Fly 10'.

I didn't use my 5.3 wave sail as I thought it wasn't windy enough to try it and was very happy with the 5.9 but will give it a go next time. Had no problems with the 5.9, it was very manageable. Used the harness though.

The best thing about the afternoon was that I was the only one out so I had it all to myself. The kiters could not even get going on their modified surfboards.

Ive used my 6.2 wave sail on my Nalu 11'6" and it was a blast. easy to get onto waves but I would like to try my 5.4 to see what you guys mean by going smaller.
Other bonus of a SUP with mast box is you can take kids for a sail and teach others.