Update on my SUP experiences
I started paddling 2 years ago and the first year I used a 12' 33inch surf type board (ATX). Great stability and good for learning on but slow in the water. So last season I upgraded to a 12'6' 30 inch (Wai-Sup hybrid) displacement hull board. A definite improvement and a nice board but still not as quick through the water as i had hoped. So this season I went for a semi-race 14' 27inch board (Hobie Apex). Quite a difference! A lot less stable (which has meant me falling off a few times
) but a whole different experience, and, as I had hoped , moves a lot faster through the water.
But what I have started to notice is that with this board, there is a lot more cross-over to skiing than I had ever realized with my other boards. Because it is a lot less stable you need to be much more active with differential knee/leg/foot pressure and being more fluid from the waist while still keeping a vertical upper body. In lots of ways, just like letting rip in the course where you are focused ahead and letting the legs absorb the terrain. And, just like a race ski, the board is a lot more stable with some speed . Also been playing about a lot more with position on the board ( a lot easier when you dont need to drill!) and am now 12 inches further forward than when i started the season, getting the board trimmed a lot more flat to improve glide. So, now as well as getting a core work-out I can see other benefits which have justified the upgrade. Still more board than my skill level justifies but i am starting to get to grips with it and experimenting with stroke style, position etc - although big boat wakes still present some challenges
Some shots from earlier in the season, courtesy of paddle images.com