Labour Day is behind us, kids are back in school and the fall surf season is upon us. After a less than stellar summer of waves it is being welcomed with optimistic enthusiasm. Hurricane Jose is churning away in the Atlantic and is posed to bring us the first serious swell of the season next weekend, and with any luck we will continue to get blessed with waves like last winter. I traveled to Nova Scotia last weekend to score some surf with an old friend of mine from the Rock. We lucked out, James and I ended up surfing both Saturday and Sunday at Cow Bay. Saturday was a session at the point and at the A-frame with waist to head high sets. Sunday was smaller, but the A-frame was decent as the tide dropped. Orders for next year will be taking place soon, so if you want a certain Jimmy Lewis board for next spring, drop me a note. There are currently some surf SUP's leftover on a 10% discount. I also have a 5'11 Kwad Kite Surfboard in stock, it will be used as a demo. If anyone is interested drop me a note.
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I have a limited supply of stickers available for $3.50. They are an oval bumpersticker. Drop me an email. [email protected]
SUP New Brunswick is a new group from Turtle's Board Room. The goal is to organize some SUP events throughout the summer and fall. First one on the list is the Bridge2Bridge paddle. A 12.6km run down the Kennebecasis and Hammond Rivers on June 17th.
Other events in the works, like a crossing of the North Humberland Strait to PEI (14km). Circumnavigating Long Island in the Kennebecasis River (18km), and some smaller weekly races in the Kennebecasis Valley area, plus a fall surf festival. Checkout our Facebook page in the link below https://www.facebook.com/groups/SUPNewBrunswick/ Early in 2017 I'll be stocking Bear Wax. It's Canada's own surf wax, specifically designed for our colder waters. They are currently working on some new formulas for different water temps, so you'll be able to have the right wax, for the right surf season. Remember the Bay of Fundy has a temperature range between 16C in late summer, to 5C in the winter.
I'll have stock on hand at the garage (shop) and will always have a few bars in the truck in case you run out. Every year or two I like to come up with some kind of challenge that pushes me physically and mentally. I've done an Ironman triathlon many moons ago, and recently ran a 67km ultramarathon with my good friend Peter Oxley. For 2017 we decided it was time for an aquatic adventure.
Peter was a Canada Games rower from back in the day when we had our youth. He's rowed his single seat shell across The Bay of Fundy........ya THE Bay of Fundy, from Saint John to Digby. So Pete is no stranger to long days pushing himself on the water. The Blackburn Challenge has been on his bucketlist for awhile. Blackburn is a 20 plus mile ocean race around Cape Ann in Gloucester, Mass. and is open to pretty much any human powered paddling craft. It started as a dory race to honour Howard Blackburn a Gloucester fisherman, who while lost in a fishing dory on the Burgeo Banks in a winter storm rowed 60 miles to shore with his hands frozen to the oars. Since I am a proud Newfoundlander and grandson of fisherman who fished from a dory, it's only fitting that I accompany Peter on this adventure. I however am gonna enter the SUP division. A challenge of this distance will require a somewhat speedy board that is capable of handling rough water, so I think the Jimmy Lewis 12'6 Sidewinder maybe the board of choice. The 14' would be faster, but for everyday paddling and downwinding on the Kennebecasis the 12'6 is easier to live with. Training has already started. I'm doing some easy strength training with P90X3 (30min) workouts until the New Year, and then will go to the P90X2 (60min) workouts 6 days a week. I'll also be paddling all winter on the Bay, SUP surfing whenever possible, and running. The race is on July 22, and goes ahead regardless of weather. In honour of my Newfoundland roots and connection to this race, I'll be naming my board "The Newfie Bullet" If you are unfamiliar with the Newfie Bullet, it's the nickname that was given to the train that used to cross the island back in the day, because it was so slow. The POP distributor just told me there are still a good supply of their All Terrain boards in 10'6, 11' and 11'6 sizes. A POP board makes a great Christmas present for the new paddler in the family. Quality construction and killer graphics will make this the best present under the tree.
Prices for the All Terrain start at $1599. Call or email for holiday deals. "I want to buy a Stand Up Paddle Board, but which one do I get?" I hear that a lot, and it's big question, that leads to more questions. In the beginning there was only one type of SUP. It was an all around board like a Jimmy Lewis Cruise Control and it did, and still does everything well. Paddle across the lake, surf some small waves, or go on an easy downwinder. Fast forward 10 years and now we have speciality boards to add to the list. Downwind, race, touring, rough water race, river, small surf, big surf, fishing, and yoga to name a few. For those new to the sport it's pretty easy, and based around your budget of course. If you are looking for a hack around cottage board, a soft top, or inflatable might be the answer. They are relatively inexpensive and durable, combined that with an adjustable aluminum paddle, you're good to go. For those of you who think SUP is something you really like, and those small waves at the beach are calling out, I'd go with an All Around or bigger surf SUP. Something like a POP 10'6 Classico, or if you are a big guy maybe an 11'6 Throwback. If you're looking for a premium top of the line board, the Jimmy Lewis 11'2 Hanalei, 11' Cruise Control, or even a 10' Striker. If you're a big guy 200lbs and over and a newbie I'd go with an 11ft board. I just want to go fast over the water. If you think touring and racing are in your blood, skip the All Around boards and go straight to a touring or race board. They have a displacement hull like a boat, and speed through the water. You'll pay a little more, but you'll save the hassle of upgrading down the road. Have a look at the POP Americana, or Especiale. Want the best, and have more payola to spend go for the Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder, Cruise Ship, or a Searcher. The new JL race and touring boards are stable enough for beginners, and will keep you happy as your skill progresses. Of course this is just a small write up to get you started. I can discuss your budget and what you want to do on the water and get you on the board that suits you best. The craziness of the Christmas shopping season is in full swing. Black Friday in the USA is over and today marks Cyber Monday. The mad rush for the $100 40" LCD TV is over. Then there are those of us that do not need another TV, even if it is free, but a new board..........well that's another story. Big Tide Surfing can still get their hands on some leftover 2016 Jimmy Lewis SUP stock. There are a good selection of Cruise Controls ( the best all around board on the market) and there are a few of the surf SUP's left. So drop me an email or a phone call to have a new JL board under the tree for Christmas. Whether it's a present for yourself or a loved one. Nothing makes the Holidays better than a new SUP. The Saint John surf scene is a small one, but it's slowly growing. What is really nice is the growth is coming from a younger crowd. What once was a SUP surf scene consisting of us guys in our 40's has changed in the last couple of years and a younger crowd into prone surfing has emerged. Prone or traditional surfing has a couple of advantages, it's relatively inexpensive to get into for a cash strapped college student, or someone just getting started in their career. Traditional surfing still has a coolness factor over the SUP crew. Mind you, young kids like Kai Lenny, Zane Schweitzer, and Slater Trout are doing some amazing things on some really small SUP boards. Regardless of what you ride, it's all about catching some waves and sharing the love of the water. One of the "old guys" Joe at Courtney Bay
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Terry BurtThe Big Kahuna of Turtle's Board Room Archives
September 2017
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