Boards and Paddles for 2008 Showcase Arriving

Exciting days, boards and paddles for the 2008 Maui Sup Board and Paddle Showcase are arriving. Good thing that Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport has agreed to receive and store most of them, and several of the Oahu-based manufacturers are coming over with their own vanloads or boards and paddles. My garage is running out of room–compelling me to clean it up when I should be surfing

Here’s part of the Jimmy Lewis lineup for 2008 that I picked up at Jimmy’s place last night. Any of you fans of the JL 11er probably have the same reaction that I do: MUST…HAVE…GREEN…ONE, a 10’6 X 29 scaled down version of the 11er. while the wife is saying “not so fast buster, it’s my turn and I want the blue one. Pretty damned clever of Jimmy to take probably the world’s most popular beginner board and scale it both for increased proficiency and smaller people. I’ll know more today, but my guess is I can step right off the 11er onto the 10′ 6″ and have the board respond the same, only quicker. Bound to be the shortest learning curve for a smaller board.

That’s my personal 11er on the left for comparison. The goop on the nose and tail is tape residue from sticking camera mounts on the board.

The new shapes are gorgeous too, can’t wait to try that pintail. Here’s a better picture.

I hate it when Rachael Ray says “yummers” but… Yummers! Sounds better when I say it.

Saw Jimmy’s new paddle too. Very different, very innovative. A fiberglass shaft that has quite a lot of flex in it, but in a very straight line. He’s using the Quickblade molds for the blades, but casting them in a translucent blue. the shaft is kind of Pearlescent white. I’d think that wouldn’t be my style, but when I saw it together I really liked the look, and the flex was interesting. I look forward to trying it–Jimmy is going to bring one to the showcase, along with the new Distance board.

Speaking of paddles, I received two paddles from Werner. Tried one of them last Saturday, and like it a great deal. I thought I’d HATE the handle–it looks funky and clumsy, but I loved it. It gives great blade control, more than the rounded handles I’m used to. Might not be comfortable for people with small hands, but I was shocked at how good it was.

I wrapped the paddle blade with Mastic tape to keep from dinging my board

wide T-handle provides excellent blade control

Anyway, got to go, I need to do a pre-showcase shakedown of the boards. Yeah, that’s what I’m doing. Making sure everything is OK. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.