Welcome

Welcome to Cruiser SUP and Paddleboard Direct Blog
Welcome to the new Cruiser SUP and Paddleboard Direct Blog - Our Community of Stand Up Paddle Boarders! Our goal is to info and entertain you. And share our passion for Stand Up Paddleboarding.

We invite you to share your pictures and stories with us. Please visit often as we update the site with product reviews and special promotions. Happy paddling from the Team at Cruiser SUP and Paddleboard Direct
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Friday, November 29, 2013

Our Cruiser V-Max Touring SUP Experience - WOW!

After months of wanting to try them I finally had the chance to get on the Cruiser V-Max 12'6 and Bic Wing 12'6.  I did the same test on both boards in order to make a fair comparison, and at the end I had a surge of realizations after this weekend on touring SUPs.

1) A touring board feels incredibly different than an all-round board.

2) Talk about stability!  I could do things on the boards that I can't on dry land! (i.e. headstands)

3) I didn't truly understand what glide speed was until I got on these boards.

4) I like the Bic Wing, but I don't love it.

5) I am in love with the Cruiser V-Max 12'6" and 11'6"!

These realizations were mostly instantaneous.  I expected a little bit of instability at first because my little 5'2" frame had to hop down onto the board from a dock that is about two and a half feet above water level.  Here was the first difference: the Bic Wing wobbled a little as I landed, the Cruiser V-Max didn't budge.

As I began paddling the difference became even more noticeable. It took a few good strong strokes to get the Bic Wing moving.  Now it was much easier to get going than an all-purpose board, only about 5 or 6 strokes to reach full speed, but it had nothing on the Cruiser V-Max, which took about 2 strokes to reach full speed.

This brings us to my next realization.  Glide speed.  I thought I had a good understanding of good vs. bad glide speed before, clearly I did not.  These touring stand up paddleboards just zip along the water like there's nothing too it.  It's clear that the Bic Wing creates a little bit more friction in the water causing it to go slightly slower, but that's what you sacrifice for the durability of it's outer shell.  When paddling the Cruiser V-Max the only description that comes to mind is that it felt like I was flying along the surface of the water.




After about half an hour of paddling I decided to test out the fitness capabilities of the boards, really push them to their stability limits.  The Bic Wing was solid.  I found it fairly easy to balance in bridges, planks, and warrior poses.  It performed better than I expected, but didn't blow me right out of the water.  When I attempted the same things on the Cruiser V-Max I was so impressed I decided to try something I had never successfully done on an SUP.  I placed my forearms on the board in a triangular shape, put the top of my head between my hands, and lifted my feet off the board.  Next thing I knew, I had completed my first successful headstand on an stand-up paddleboard.

While paddling back to the dock I reflected upon my first touring SUP experience and realized the true importance of being on a board that is designed for what you want to do.  In the fast moving current of the St. Lawrence River these paddleboards kept on moving against the current, and flew when going with the current.  Needless to say, it was a weekend full of learning experiences that brought my love of stand up paddleboarding (and CRUISER SUP) to a whole new level.


Cruiser V-Max 11'6 and 12'6 On Sale at Paddleboard Direct - Save Hundreds Now!



Have a great week of SUP fun!
From Paddleboard Direct staff member Gen

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Fun, versatility and ease of use - Cruiser Nalu and Wahine UltraLite Bamboo

The gorgeous Cruiser Nalu and Wahine UltraLite Bamboo are two of the most versatile (and gorgeous) stand up paddle boards offered by Cruiser SUP.

Although these boards were designed to be used in flat water, they also perform great in small to head-high surf. That kind of versatile surf and flat water performance cannot be understated.

The design enables this versatility thanks to a medium nose and tail rocker, but a relatively flat surface in between.  This is part of what allows these boards to be qualified as a high performance SUP.

For beginning stand up paddleboarders this can sound daunting. Not to fear, the Cruiser Nalu and Wahine are plenty stable for a beginner thanks to plenty of width.  This range of performance ability makes them perfect boards for everyone.
Note: The stability of a stand up paddleboard comes from the width of the board and it's volume in relation to the stand up paddleboarder's weight.  This means that a light board can be just as stable as a heavier board! 
Not only are these boards great performance sports equipment, they are also light weight and beautiful.  No more lugging a 50 pound SUP in and out of the water!

These boards are able to be this lightweight because of their sandwich/composite construction.  This construction features very thin layers of very strong bamboo veneer, fibreglass and epoxy resin that are compressed and sandwiched together.

After extensive testing, we found bamboo to be the strongest and lightest material for board decks, and the classic wood appearance is an added bonus.  These boards feature a closed-cell EPS core that is watertight (Keep an eye out for a post about basic board repair coming soon!) 

These boards are an excellent combination of versatility, performance, and great looks.  They allow you to get out in any safe water conditions and look good at the same time!

Have a great weekend of SUP fun!
From the Team at Crusier SUP and Paddleboard Direct

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Cruiser SUP Supports Breast Cancer Research and Awareness



Cruiser SUP has joined the fight against breast cancer, by offering Paddleboard Direct customers the choice of which charity to support.

For each Cruiser SUP women's board purchased by Oct. 31, Cruiser SUP will donate $25 in your name to the charity you choose from the following: American Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Action, Breast Cancer Fund, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Cancer Research Institute, Komen for the Cure, or Unite for Her.

 Here is some information on each of the charities:

American Breast Cancer Foundation


The American Breast Cancer Foundation fundraises in order to provide affordable breast cancer screening and treatment to all women.  They also focus on public education on the importance of self examination and the role in plays in early detection of breast cancer.

http://www.abcf.org/ABCF-What-We-Do.htm


American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is working towards a cancer-free world through research, funding, and treatment options.

http://www.cancer.org/aboutus/index



Breast Cancer Action

Breast Cancer Action seeks to educate people in order to end the breast cancer epidemic.

http://www.bcaction.org/about/mission-values/


Breast Cancer Fund

The Breast Cancer Fund is working to prevent breast cancer by eliminating exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation that have been associated with the disease.

http://www.breastcancerfund.org/about/


Breast Cancer Research Foundation


The Breast Cancer Research Foundation aims to find a cure for breast cancer by funding innovative clinical research and building awareness.  91% of all money raised is put directly into research and awareness.

http://www.bcrfcure.org/about_mission.html


Cancer Research Institute

The Cancer Research Institute has developed cancer immunotherapy and is working to develop a cure for cancer through immunology.

http://www.cancerresearch.org/about


Komen for the Cure

Komen for the Cure is focused on the development of early detection methods and better treatment methods, as well as building hope.

http://ww5.komen.org/AboutUs/OurWork.html



Unite for Her

Unite for Her looks to educate, empower, and restore women through a variety of wellness techniques.

http://www.uniteforher.org/who-we-are.html

Friday, August 23, 2013

Endless Summer 2013 Sweepstakes Winner!

 http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/8a7fc3b0b4ac11e2a3aa22000a1f97a4_7.jpg


WE HAVE A WINNER!


Congratulations Lauretta Welch of Baltimore, Maryland!  You have won your choice of Cruiser SUP - the Cruiser Nalu All-Wave 9'5" Platinum Edition!

This absolutely beautiful and very light stand up paddle board is ideal for small to head high surf conditions. It also paddles beautifully in flat water! For more information on the All Wave 9'5" and the entire Cruiser SUP line, please see our website, or our recent post.




Thank you to all who participated!  Keep checking back, we will be running another board draw soon. Those who registered for this past contest will automatically be entered into the next one. Please make sure you registered for the contest, in addition to liking the Cruiser SUP Facebook page.


Thanks again, and have a great weekend of SUP fun on your Cruiser SUP! 
From the Team at Cruiser SUP and Paddleboard Direct



Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Making The Leap From Renting To Owning Your Own SUP

Shopping for a stand up paddle board (SUP) can be overwhelming, especially when you're unfamiliar with the sport.  From all round cruising, to family, touring, surf, windsurf, and yoga paddle boards, the choices are endless.  And that's without adding over 100 brands into the mix.  With so many options available, one must wonder where to start - and how to cut through the noise from the various brands?

Many people like to start off by renting a paddleboard.  It's a very rational choice: try the sport before investing hundred of dollars. However, the expense of renting a SUP does add up.

If you find that you're really falling in love with the sport (it's pretty hard not to!) then it's time to invest in a paddle board of your own! Not only will you have access to your SUP whenever you want to paddle, you'll also have a board that is designed for your style of stand up paddling.  Most likely much lighter, higher performance, and sized for you.

Due to the strain rentals put on the stand up paddleboard, rental SUP boards tend to be the heavy (durable construction), which in turn affects performance. Many rental centers also purchase larger boards so that anyone can use them. They are very stable and easy for a lighter paddler initially, however, you may find most rental boards huge and not very responsive. Conversely, some centers rent stand up paddle boards that are too small and very frustrating.

Now that you are ready to purchase your own paddle board, where to begin? The first thing you want to determine is the conditions where you will SUP.  Will you be cruising, surfing, or maybe a little bit of both?  Next, how many people will be sharing the board - and how much do they weigh?  Is durability an important factor, or is light weight more important? Ease of use or high performance? These sorts of questions determine the style and construction of board you'll need.

There are also many questions pertaining to chosing the best retailer.  Talk to the team at Paddleboard Direct. They have equipped more SUP customers (with industry leading service, quality products and value), than anyone in the country since 2007.

 See the full list on the Paddleboard Direct website SUP Buying Tips page. 

T
op 10 Questions and Answers Before Purchasing a New Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) click here.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Yoga and Fitness for Everyone!

Yoga has become increasingly popular in the past decade as people look for fitness alternatives outside the traditional gym setting.  With stand up paddleboarding also on the rise, it only seems fitting that the two should merge!  The soothing sounds of the water and ability to completely isolate oneself increase the psychological benefits of yoga.  While the added challenge of balancing on the stand up paddle board increases the physical aspects.

Practicing yoga on a paddle board certainly takes some getting used to, but after the first few wobbly poses you'll be feeling better about the new sensation.  If you want to kick up the fitness element, use your paddle for some extra weight!

Why not give Pilates a try as well?  You'll find that there isn't a muscle in your body that isn't engaged the entire session!  Any sort of exercise is taken to a whole other level by adding the SUP element.  Notice your obliques engage while doing straight crunches just to keep you stable.

You thought planks were tough before? After working out on your stand up paddle board you'll never want to go back to the gym.


There are so many great stand up paddle boards out there that are designed specifically for fitness. Check out the Cruiser Betty or Koa FeatherLite Soft Top or the incredible Cruiser Yoga Mat UltraLite. Both are great for fitness, while have incredible glide and tracking abilities.  The Cruiser Yoga Mat is the same shape and construction as the Cruiser Wahine Bamboo - great for flat water and surf alike! The Cruiser Betty is staff member Gen's favorite paddle board for SUP yoga and fitness due to it's full EVA Soft Top and incredible stability. Plus it looks hot, with black, grey and pink accents!
When choosing a paddleboard for fitness you want a board that is wide and buoyant enough to be stable (but not so wide that it is unresponsive and plows through the water like a barge). A full length deck pad is also great, but not mandatory.  This style of deck pad helps with your grip all over the board and is easier on your hands than a hard polyethylene epoxy deck.  It's also great if you wanted to bring kids out on the board!

You'll find that a bungee deck attachment (included with Cruiser Yoga Mat and Koa/Betty) will also be nice to have.  This will allow you to bring a bottle of water along so you don't get dehydrated, and will keep your paddle on the deck of your board while you're working out!

Yoga and fitness has never been so much fun!

Have a great day of SUP!
From the Team at Paddleboard Direct

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Endless Summer of SUP

It's an Endless Summer with Cruiser SUP

As the new school year begins to draw near, it may start to feel like summer is ending.  But who said that the fun and fitness had to end when September begins?

Look at it this way, with the kids back at school Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa have more time to go out paddling during the day! The beauty of stand up paddleboarding is that it is a sport that allows you to continue enjoying the water even as the weather begins to cool off. Though the air may cool a bit, the great exercise from SUP raises your heart rate and warms your muscles. 



With a nice stable board (like those designed by Cruiser SUP) there's no reason to get wet.  That means the cooler weather doesn't need to slow you down!

In celebration of a great endless summer of SUP, Cruiser SUP is giving away a board when their Facebook page reaches 1500 'Likes'.  The winner will be randomly drawn from the entrants.  Additional entries are awarded for sharing the page with friends, so be sure to share the sweepstake with everyone you know!  Click here to enter.  

Good luck and have a great day of SUP fun!
From the Team at Paddleboard Direct

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

It's Called a Classic for a Reason

2013 Cruiser Kona Classic

A perfect balance between performance and aesthetics make the Cruiser Kona Classic exactly that: a classic.  Starting at 11' long and 31" wide with additional sizes in 11'6" and 12', this board is designed to be super stable for any rider up up to 260lbs.  The Cruiser Kona Classic is designed to handle flat water and small waves for the most part.  Flat water performance is ensured by a long flat bottom and the traditional surf shape of the board gives ample maneuverability in small surf.
Kona Classic is great for fitness!

This is a part of Cruiser's line of Ultra-Lite Bamboo boards with a fibreglass and epoxy composite construction and a bamboo veneer deck.  Bamboo best suits paddleboards due to it's strong, but lightweight nature - the beautiful aesthetics are just a bonus!

What our customers are saying:

This board has received incredible reviews from our past customers, and we look forward to hearing more in years to come!
"It is a giant step up from what I expected as far as workmanship, quality, and looks.  For the time being is stands in our living room as a proud work of art." - Guy
"Stable as can be, tracks well, single fin set up lets it turn on a dime, 3 fin set up lets you play in the surf.  Holds a dog up front just fine, or a 2nd person with good balance." - Doctor Ben from Long Island, NY
"My husband and I bought these as beginner boards and we are so pleased! They look good, track well on the river, are sturdy and perform very well.  I am doing yoga on the board and I am really enjoying the Cruiser SUP" - Tonya from Ottawa, ON

Have a great day of SUP fun!
From the Team at Paddleboard Direct

Monday, August 5, 2013

Maximum Durability for Maximum Fun

2013 Cruiser ECO Dura-Max

The Cruiser Dura-Max was designed with ease of use and durability in mind.  It's the perfect family board, ideal for having an array of people from light to medium build, and beginner to intermediate paddlers. This board features a water-tight polyurethane foam core and a polyethylene outer shell, making it nearly indestructible.  The Dura-Max's indestructibility paired with excellent recreational performance is what makes it the perfect board for cottages, camps, and rental centres.  

This board ranges in size from 10'4" to 11'4".  The larger board has a volume of 205L, allowing it to easily carry up to approximately 22
5 pounds before it starts to feel slightly unstable.  This board is going to perform at it's best in mostly flat water, but can definitely handle some small surf as well!  It's great for learning to surf on as it is designed for ample stability.

Bonus!

The Cruiser Eco Dura-Max is made in the greenest board factory in the world!  The eco-friendly process is due to the following:
  1. No pollution: No gas emissions, no solvents and closed circuit cooling of our moulds means our employees, and everyone else, don't have to worry about what comes out of our ventilation system.
  2. Low Energy Consumption: short production cycles means less electricity is used.
  3. Zero waste production: Wherever possible excess material is ground down and recycled back into the production process. Our steel moulds ensure that only the necessary amount of material is used for each board.
  4. Extended product life-span: our boards are built to last, meaning they don't end up broken and taking up space in a landfill somewhere.

The Cruiser Dura-Max can be purchased online through Paddleboard Direct or by calling 1-888-291-9905.
For more information please e-mail info@paddleboarddirect.com

Have a great day of SUP fun
From the Team at Paddleboard Direct

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

New Paddle on the Market!

Cruiser Alloy Paddle with 7.5" Blade and Oval Shaft


There has been a new paddle recently released (within the past month!).  This new paddle features an aluminum alloy shaft and plastic blade in addition to a new style of locking mechanism to adjust the length. This new mechanism is much more intuitive than the older mechanism.  It is a simple clasp instead of a post that locks the adjustable shaft in place.  This paddle also features an oval shaft, allowing it to fit more naturally in your hand than the old circular shafts.  This is a much more durable construction than a carbon paddle, making it very kid/family friendly! 


Paddle Maintenance

Rinse out your adjustable paddle after using it to prevent the handle from getting stuck inside the shaft. This is especially important for alloy paddles when used in salt water or sandy conditions, as well as after long periods of tie during which the paddle is not used or adjusted. If your paddle does become stuck, we suggest using WD-40 at the collar to free up the two pieces. Don't pull on the end of the handle with excess force as you can break it off!

Also be sure to remember that Cruiser SUP paddles do float for a few minutes thanks to a piece of foam in the shaft.  But it won't float indefinitely so be sure to fish your paddle out of the water as quickly as possible!

Have a great day of SUP fun and remember to e-mail us at info@paddleboarddirect.com if you have any questions!
From the Team at Paddleboard Direct

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Winner! Winner!


SUP Into Summer Photo Contest Winner!


Due to Facebook policy regarding contests we are not able to announce the winner via status.  Therefore we are pleased to announce that the winner of the SUP Into Summer Photo Contest is TINA SWARTS.  She won with this incredible shot entitled "SUP Yoga Girl" featuring herself performing a headstand on her 2012 Cruiser Dura-Max  She received a total of 324 votes and will be receiving a Cruiser SUP 100% Carbon Adjustable Paddle as her prize!


Adjustable Paddle Care

As Tina receives her new Cruiser SUP 100% Carbon Adjustable Paddle, we'd like to take a moment to talk a little bit about adjustable paddle care.  Please rinse out your adjustable paddle after using it to prevent the adjustable shaft from getting stuck.  This is especially important for alloy paddles when they are used in salt water or sandy conditions.  Paddles can also become stuck if they aren't used or adjusted over a long period of time.

Should your paddle become stuck, we suggest using WD-40 at the collar to free up the two pieces.  Please don't pull on the end of the handle with excess force as you can break it off!

Have a great day of SUP fun!
From the Team at Paddleboard Direct

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The Simply Beautiful Cruiser V-Max Platinum Edition

Cruiser V-Max Platinum Edition


The Cruiser V-Max is a great touring board, best suited to an intermediate-advanced paddler with an interest in flat water SUP. This board has the ability to perform up to an amateur race level. But not only does it have superior performance abilities, it also has superior aesthetics.

Sizing becomes particularly important with higher performance boards like this because they have to sit in the water properly in order to perform to their full potential.  Because of this a person who is very light may not be well-suited to a larger board.  At 11'6 and 12'6 the Cruiser V-Max is designed for speed.  The displacement nose is perfect for flat water but doesn't do well in waves, making this board exclusive to touring/racing.  In terms of sizing, an 11'6 Cruiser V-Max has a volume of 200L, allowing it to carry up to around 200-210 pounds easily!  The 12'6 will carry up to 295 pounds without any trouble at all thanks to it's volume of 285L.
Definition Alert! 
Displacement nose: A displacement nose is designed in a 'V' shape to cut through the water.  Unlike a surf paddleboard (like the Cruiser Nalu All-Wave) or an all-around board (like the Cruiser Kona Classic - more details coming later this week!) a board with a displacement nose does not have any nose rocker.  It slices through the water instead of riding along the surface.  This piercing nose actually pierces through the water as the name suggests and this allows it to reduce the amount of friction beneath the board and increase speed.
This board features steep rails at the tail end.  This creates greater glide speed and the tracking abilities of a race board, while continuing to maintain the stability of a touring board.
Definition Alert!
Rails: The rails are the side of your board.  These can be lower volume (for boards designed for surf this allows it to rock back and forth) or higher volume.  Steep rails (higher volume) provide stability, like what is seen with the Cruiser V-Max.
The Cruiser V-Max is an absolutely beautiful board with a bamboo veneer deck and similar to core
construction to the Cruiser Ultra-Lite Bamboo series with a sandwich composition of fibreglass, epoxy resin, and bamboo.  The matte finish completes the clean, simple, beauty of this incredible board that will keep you touring (and racing!) for years to come.

Check out the Cruiser V-Max on our website at www.paddleboarddirect.com

Have a great day on your SUP!
From the Team at Paddleboard Direct

 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

All About Paddles

From Aluminum to Carbon - All About Cruiser SUP Paddles


When you're looking to get set up with your first paddleboard it can be overwhelming.  What brand do I choose? How do I know what size to get? What kind of paddle is best?
  
Cruiser SUP 100% Carbon One Piece
If you're paddling in an area where SUP is popular, you will see all sorts of paddles ranging from a regular wooden canoe paddle (I don't recommend it!) to high quality 100% carbon one piece paddles (like the Cruiser SUP 100% Carbon One Piece Paddle).  Then there's a hodge-podge of paddles in between.  So many to choose from that you end up asking yourself a million questions all over again!

You can narrow it down right away by asking yourself "will there be many people of different sizes using this paddle?"  If the answer is 'yes' then get an adjustable paddle.  Adjustability is key if you want everyone to have a good, comfortable, paddling experience.  Some people find that even if it's just them using the paddle they like it to be a different length in flat water vs. waves - it's all about doing what's right for you.

Cruiser SUP Adjustable Alloy 
Next question: "How rough are we going to be on the paddle?"  Will you be leaving your board up at a cottage with ten people using it every day? Will you have a bunch of kids using it?  If durability is of concern to you then you'll want to go with an aluminum paddle.  These paddles are durable and still pretty light.  Take a look at the Cruiser SUP Aluminum Alloy Adjustable Paddle for the strongest paddle!

If durability isn't a major concern for you, let's say the boards will be used by you and your spouse, then consider upgrading to a carbon/fibre or a 100% carbon paddle.  These paddles are going to be a lot stiffer and a lot lighter too, allowing for you to have a stronger stroke and tire less quickly!  

For the ladies out there are a couple of paddles that were designed with you in mind!  There's a carbon/fibre paddle by Cruiser SUP with a pink blade, letting you add a little colour to your SUP experience.  Now some of you may be thinking "but my 13 year old daughter will be using this paddle and she's not the most gentle paddler."  Fear not, we still have you covered.  There is a new aluminum alloy paddle (it's brand new, only been on the market for a week!) that has an oval handle, specifically designed for women and lighter paddlers!  The oval handle fits nicely to the smaller shape of your hand and feels much more natural to hold than a standard circular paddle shaft.
Cruiser SUP Women's Adjustable Alloy
Cruiser SUP Ajustable Pink Carbon/Fibre 

Tips

  • All Cruiser SUP paddles do float for a few minutes thanks to a piece of foam in the shaft.  But it won't float indefinitely so be sure to fish your paddle out of the water as quickly as possible!

Paddle Sizing

Follow the sizing in this chart to adjust your paddle according to your height and paddling style:


As always remember that if you have any other questions we are more than happy to answer them! You can reach us Monday-Friday 10am-5pm (EST) at 1-888-291-9905 or by e-mail at info@paddleboarddirect.com.

Have a great week of paddling!
From the Team at Paddleboard Direct


Thursday, July 18, 2013

SUP and Surf? Perfect Combination!

Cruiser Nalu All-Wave Platinum Edition!


With so many great boards out there trying to decide which board is right for you can be overwhelming.  There are boards with bigger rockers, boards with displacement noses, some boards have better tracking than others...the list goes on.  Not to fear! You're reading this because we have the information you're looking for!  Over the next few weeks we'll be letting you know all about the different Cruiser Stand-Up Paddleboards.

Today's focus is the Cruiser Nalu All-Wave Platinum Edition.  This board is designed to be used in surf of all shapes and sizes!  Now that doesn't mean you should be taking it out in 10 foot high Hawaiian surf.  This board is going to perform at its best in what we like to refer to as "real world conditions" (a.k.a. small to medium surf!)  Although most SUPs are relatively beginner friendly, this particular board is geared towards the intermediate or advanced rider who really wants to get out in the surf.

Board Specifics

Rodrigo at Praia De Cotovelo, Natal, Brazil
Let's get into the nitty-gritty specs of the boards.  The Cruiser Nalu All-Wave Platinum Edition is part of Cruiser SUP's Ultra-Lite Bamboo/Epoxy line.  This line was designed to combine three main features: aesthetics, durability, and light weight.  After extensive testing we found that bamboo veneer decks were the lightest and strongest skins to complement our water-tight Ultra-Lite Closed-Cell EPS cores.  This board has what we refer to as a sandwich/composite structure.  Essentially this means that the bamboo veneer sheets are sandwiched between successive layers of fiberglass and epoxy resin around the closed-cell EPS core.
Definition Alert!
Ultra-Lite Closed Cell EPS Core: A closed cell core is water-tight in and of itself.  This means that if you're board were to be punctured (let's hope that never happens!) then it would NOT take on water! The closed cell core is just one more layer of protection for your board to keep it from suffering any irreparable damage. 
This particular board has ample nose to tail rocker to make for cleaner turns when surfing and helps prevent you from pearling the nose on a wave face!  The beauty of this board is that it does not have continuous rocker (the middle of the board is flat).  This gives it fast acceleration and good glide, without sacrificing surf capabilities.
Definition Alert!
Rocker: The term rocker refers to the curvature of the board from nose to tail.  The greater the rocker, the easier it is to turn in surf.
Pearling: When the nose of the board digs into the wave.  Pearling is more common with boards that don't have enough rocker!
Cruiser SUP Founder/President Mike in Porto, Brazil
The Cruiser Nalu All-Wave Platinum Edition comes in four sizes ranging from 8'10" to 10'8".  Choosing a board size is entirely dependant on your weight compared to the volume of the board.  Now I'm sure you're asking yourself "what do they mean by comparing my weight to the volume of the board".  Well it's fairly simple actually.  Essentially a board with 145L of volume (the amount of water displaced by the board when submerged) will support a 145lbs beginner in flat water.  It does get a little more complicated once you have more experience and are surfing, so when it doubt call or e-mail our experts to find the right size for you! (1-888-291-9905 or info@paddleboarddirect.com)

Tips and Tricks

Fin placement makes a big difference!

  • For cruising move the fin towards the rear of the fin box
  • For small surf move the fin all the way forwards in the fin box
  • For better control in head high surf and bigger put the fin in the middle of the fin box


Follow this link to see the Cruiser Nalu All-Wave Platinum Edition on our website
http://www.paddleboarddirect.com

Also be sure to 'Like' our Facebook page for paddling tips, contests, and more!
www.facebook.com/pages/PaddleBoard-Direct


Friday, July 12, 2013

Summer is here and with comes SUP season!

After a long hiatus since our last post we're back with lots of new and exciting information to share with you!  We've been developing the Cruiser SUP boards and have a ton to tell you about each individual board to help you determine which one is best for you!  In the coming months we will post some great information about the best places to stand up paddle and what each one of us loves most about the sport.  Here at Paddleboard Direct and Cruiser SUP we're avid stand up paddlers ourselves and we look forward to sharing our love of the sport with you!

Little known SUP tip!

Most Cruiser SUP boards come with removable side fins. These side fins are to increase the performance of your board when SUP surfing.  If you're not going to surf your board, we suggest you don't use the side fins as they create more drag and slow down the board.

The 'Stand Up Paddle Into Summer Photo Contest' has begun!

Enter for your chance to win a Cruiser SUP 100% Carbon Adjustable Paddle ($299 retail value).   The paddle offers awesome power and control, and only weighs 1.6 pounds!
The photo with the most 'Likes' will win.  Contest ends July 24th and the winner will be announced the following day.
We're looking forward to seeing your great pictures with your Cruiser SUP! 

Have a great weekend of stand up paddling fun!

From the team at Paddleboard Direct and Cruiser SUP