Wave Storm Stand Up Paddle Nightmare!
by Mr Christian on March 8, 2010
It seems that the ire once directed toward longboarders in the line up has been displaced by the FUD aimed at the newest type of surfcraft… the stand up paddle board. Overnight SUPs have become every surfers nightmare. Adding a new type a craft to the lineup has definitely shaken up the status quo! Those paddle wielding janitors or sweepers as some surfers like to call them can dominate a spot and that is very threatening to surfers especially if the stand up paddle surfer is someone completely new to any kind of surfing as they know very little of the rules of the road and can be potentially dangerous.
Stand up paddlers can see everything coming down the pike as they intimidatingly stand over the rest of the prone paddling masses. They can catch waves much further outside then even the previously hated longboarders. With increased mobility and paddling speed they can catch anything and everything. Add a couple of half competent SUPs to the mix in any line up and they can quickly dominate every wave coming through which isn’t exactly the best way to inspire good will from other fellow surfers. That was how things stood before Costco…
I was at a Costco in West Palm Beach the other day picking up some staples for our vacation at the in-laws in Juno Beach, FL when I noticed a palette of these Wave Storm stand up paddle boards amongst the rest of the seasonal summer stuff. At $449.99 these Doyle/BZ like soft SUPs include adjustable paddle, fin and leash. So they are surf ready and at a price on par with cheap ass Chinese polyester pop-out surfboards that you can find at a surf shop. Better prepare yourself for the onslaught… the Wave Storm stand up paddle nightmare is coming to a beach near you New England!
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Stay away from the points………..
I surf Juno Beach and it got very small as the tide came up. The guy on the paddle board was still catching waves. I tried a local shop and they had an inflatable paddle board that flexed too much for ocean use.
This looked pretty good as a learning board. We have many flat days out here in Juno Beach and I am usually out in the Kayak. Not sure how much I’ll be surfing it but on calm days/small days this could be fun.
I’ve surfed the Uli inflatable stand up paddle boards and I have to say that they definitely feel a little weird. They are meant for surfing and they do surf OK but no matter how hard you get them they still have a flex. I liken it to trying to surf on a water bed.
I’ve never been on one of these Wave Storms from Costco, but for the price they can’t be beat if you are just trying SUP out. You’ll probably want to move on to something else if you stick with it but it’ll work for now, especially in micro waves.
Make sure there is swell next week as I am heading down your way on Saturday!
Tell the Steamship Authority and HiLine to place a hefty tax on Costco SUP’s.As for NH, there will be a line up of paramedics at the “Wall” treating head wounds.
Mike (PBG)
ps.
I will do my best with a swell. 30th looks good. Contact me if you want to use one of our boards if you are in town.
Mike Thanks for the offer, I’m always looking to try something new! What kind of boards do you have? Hy-Line already had a board tax in the form of some idiot luggage guy in Hyannis trying to charge me $20 one way to Nantucket when the real price is $6. I actually haven’t seen the soft SUPs at any Costcos in New England… yet.
I have 3 SUPs and a quiver of surfboards down there already. Just heading down for a week to collect all that gear, my wife and youngest daughter to drive them back home to Nantucket.
Christian,
We have our own line that we have made “Synergy”. Like most of them, I worked on the shape and then had it made OEM in China. If you are in town, look me up, shoot me an email or give me a call. Looks like the swell is here too. (Sunday night). Monday has all the making to be a great day of surf. I grew up on Cape Cod (Dennis) and used to make that trip all the time on the fast boat to catch hurricane swells. Nantucket is a great place for sure.
I got the board from Costco and on Day 2 the paddle broke. I was left trying to paddle with a stick after catching a wave. The board is fun but not without a paddle.
Check out the pic. I sent an email to the manufacturer but no response. Good thing the Costo Return policy is the best. This will be going back.
Lesson Learned
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gZ6-vTZiF08/S7PhI1ogKcI/AAAAAAAAKu4/wNbLu-sgdF4/s800/photo.jpg
Gee Mr Christian, you ought to be applauding the “janitors and custodians of paddling” for even being out on the water participating in a leisure pasttime that is healthy and promotes fitness. There is plenty of ocean for everyone so keep your surf-snobbery to yourself. This costco SUP is pretty cool and works just fine for a beginner. Upgrade the paddle and your golden.
Terry,
I thought I wrote a pretty objective post but it ended up turning a little more on the snarky side. I’ve been surfing 23 years and SUPing for 3… I think I’ve only surfed maybe five times on surfboard in the last six months! Any other time in the waves or on the water has been on one of my stand up boards and I’ve been in the water a lot!!!
Great info guys. I am heading to the Vineyard next week and have been looking at the board at Cotsco for my kids Daniella 13 and Mike 11. I thought it would be great in most of the bays and harbours of the Island waters. I alos have a condo on Juno Beach and am familiar with SUP’S in the summer months when the surf is down. Do you think it would be a great starter board for the kids? I am still trying to figure out how to transport them in my soft top jeep rubicon.
Check out thesurfingblog.com for a review of the Wavestorm SUP. By no means would i consider it a performance board, but if you are just wanting something to paddle around on they are great. I too hate the idea of SUP surfers that don’t know how to surf or understand etiquette but unfortunately they aren’t going away anytime soon. hopefully they stick to the fatter waves where you won’t find most shortboarders
Looks like a sweet board. @Pike thanks for passing along the review.
Hi..I am 6′1″ 200 pounds and love the 8FT wavestorm. As everyone knows,you can purchase this board at Costco for a mere $99.As much as I like the 8ft model, I would really love to get the 9ft model of the Wavestorm.I am sure the float would be abit better and allow me to catch the waves abit sooner while waiting in the line-up.The problem is that all the Costcos in my area (Orlando Fl) only carry the 8 ft model and Costco’s customer service is so pathetic that you can not order it.I also don’t want to buy a 9ft version from Ebay where the guy is marking it up $100 plus $99 shipping.Any help I could get with obtaining the 9ft model would be greatly appreciated..
I compete on the sup world pro tour, and live northshore, I have had a couple of these boards given to me, and will use them for visitors or trainee rentals, me myself Ill charge on a big wave for kicks with them, but never in any lineup because they are just big sponges and kind of funny looking, just a cruiser but great for laughs and screwing around!! Going scuba diving off them would be great, just put an outboard on the back!