When I first started looking at race boards I was concerned that everything was designed for flat water conditions.  I’ve only done a few races but mostly I’ve encountered fairly rough water or “real” conditions and I didn’t feel that those boards really performed as they should unless it’s fairly flat (or only are optimum for the top paddlers). It’s like modern surfboards, everyone wants to ride the same board that Kelly Slater rides but it doesn’t mean that it’s good for their surfing. So Andy and I worked with Ed to design a really light 14’ (only 20 lbs with deck pad and fin) with a bit more rocker to handle the chop and excel in the downwind legs. Well the results are impressive, it’s fast and everyone that has been on it loves it. We’re making another one right now that’s a bit wider and has a touch more volume, first one is 28.5 and the new one is 29.5 (I believe). Ed convinced me that he can make a board a bit wider and stable but just as fast so you’re energy goes into efficient paddling, not just trying to stay on the board while putting the hammer down. Andy has all options covered, there’s a flatter version 12’6” and added rocker 12’6” also but for myself I appreciate the added rocker and performance of the new Tiger.

Hiz

The SUP experience is a recreational pursuit, an athletic sport and an expression of individual form.  One thing that bothered me about my lack of progress in the sport was my inability to reproduce some of the moves that I saw people making in the videos and my own difficulty in learning them.  These included bottom turns, turns off the lip, basic wave carving and also a decided bias towards waves that broke right, I surf normal with my left foot forward.  It occurred to me that perhaps the length and size of my board could be the inhibitor of my ability to pull off some of the more advanced moves.

It was during some wave talk with a local friend and fellow SUP enthusiast that I was encouraged to contact Ed Angulo about a new board.  He knew Ed and his family and told me Ed had a solid reputation in the community shaping and making excellent boards.  I looked up Ed’s website and found his phone number.  Ed answered the phone on my first attempt to call him and listened as I explained my circumstances.  He immediately suggested that I try his 9’8×32’’x41/4’’(?) SUP board.  We arranged to meet the next day and he generously allowed me to try the board all day.  I took the board to Puamana and spent about two and half hours with it.  The first two hours were very challenging for me as I started to relive my original experiences, falling frequently and trying to learn the board.  The sweet spot was further forward for me and the paddling techniques changed as a shorter board is much more responsive to turning on single strokes.  The next half hour revealed that there was potential for me on this board as I caught a few waves and began to maneuver comfortably as though I were on my own board.  Time ran out for me and I had to bring the board in for the day.

I called Ed and we talked about my trials and the frustration of “just starting to get it” when the day came to end.  He graciously offered to extend my use of the board for another day.  I thanked him and returned to Puamana the following day, March 16, 2011, and entered the water just after noon.  The conditions were very difficult as the wind was blowing hard and the waves were choppy.  For the next three hours I paddled and surfed and began to learn what I could do on the Angulo 9’8”” and it was a blast.  The board was so responsive and the moves I saw people doing in the videos were rapidly becoming part of my own techniques.  I could easily go down the left side, turn quickly in time to catch waves that I could never have caught before, carved several times on the same wave to make the ride more fun and last longer and paddled out over breaking white water that previously would have knocked me off my board.  It was much easier to stretch my right leg back and reach the rear fin, as the distance on the board is shorter, and place my foot on the left or right rail depending on the direction I wanted to take down the wave or to cut back.  Some of the other surfers were actually commenting on my ability to get out over the breaking waves and stay out in such rigorous conditions for three hours without coming in once.  I weigh about 220 pounds and at 50 it is not like I am an athlete. 

I literally began to feel the board almost become a part of me like an extension of my legs and the balance I could achieve was uncanny.  I came down a few really harsh waves that broke all around me which normally would have sent me into the water for a nasal enema but on this board I was able to ride it out.  One time the nose of the board literally dived into the water and submerged fully for two or three seconds and I was able to pull it out and remain padding.  As my body and mind adjusted to the board I got the feeling you get when you have owned and ridden a board for several months; I couldn’t believe some of the things I was able to pull off and survive without getting wet.  This board is incredible, light weight, highly maneuverable and very forgiving.  In my case, having no surfing back ground and less than six months of experience with an 11’ board, it was challenging to get started.  I doubt that anyone who has spent more time SUPing or surfing would have to go through this same acclimation period, about four hours to really get comfortable on it. 

           There is a lot of information to take under consideration when choosing a SUP board, especially your second one, but ultimately it comes down to the feel and experience you have on the waves.  I leave the technical aspects of rocker, dimensions, volume, materials and manufacturing process up to the pros that have been doing this for generations, more than twenty years.  What I know is this board has added a whole new dimension to my SUP experience and I am looking forward to exploring the further capabilities it has to offer me, currently only limited by my developing skills.  This is a board that enhances my time in the waves now and will grow with me for the foreseeable future.

David

 This event will be the first Saturday (9:00 am – 1:00 pm) of every month through November. The location from April – on will be atthe beach in Capitola. Try all the 2011 Angulo SUP boards for free, sponsored by Capitola SUP. Looking to demo, rent, or buy Angulo Boards see the staff at Capitola SUP or contact Andrew @ Angulo Designs…

So many customers ask, “Is this board epoxy?” The answer always is the same, “yes, its epoxy”… What does this really mean? Are all boards made the same way? How come one is more money than the other? Why is one so heavy and one so light? The real answer is, all boards are not the same, but many think they are, lets try and decipher between the different lay ups for these so called epoxy boards.

The first and least expensive way to build a board uses eps core/blank, epoxy fiberglass laminate, and epoxy seal. This hand built board is not very strong, and is normally very heavy. No paint, pick them up; you’ll know which construction this is!

The second way is very similar to the first construction, eps core, epoxy fiberglass laminate, epoxy seal, and finally“auto body” type paint. The real problem here is until you pick these types of boards up, you can’t tell how there built, because the paint fools the buyer. Pick it up, they are even heavier than the first construction; remember if you can’t get it up on your racks, then don’t buy the board!

The third type of construction and quickly becoming most common is called AST. This construction is stronger than the first two, and is a little lighter, and rather than being hand-layed up, a mold is used. The layering follows as such; eps foam core, epoxy fiberglass laminate, wood veneer shield, epoxy fiberglass matting, epoxy sealed, auto body paint. This is a great way to build a good board, at a competitive price.

This is where you separate the good from the Real GU’d! Very few companies will spend the money for this lay-up, but the team at Angulo feels it’s totally worth it; the ultimate in weight to strength ratio. C-fusion eps core, epoxy/fiberglass bond, high density PVC layer, epoxy/fiberglass shell, epoxy seal, duro industrial seal, all sandwich-molded for 3 hours under extreme pressure, and heat. Truly the best way to build SUP boards, really light, and very strong, pick these up, and you’ll know!  

 Know what your buying before you buy it, either its “REAL GU’D” or just good enough…

One thing we found during these wonderful days is that the interest in SUP is off the charts. My suggestion is to take these next few weeks and contact Ed Angulo or Andrew Whitman and get your new Angulo Board purchase underway. We have plenty of boards in stock, and more on the way. We can also build custom boards for those who have special requests. 

We look forward to your email or phone calls, and stay tuned to our site as the 2011 dealer list will be posted soon, along with plenty more information about the upcoming Spring and Summer in the Gu’d world of SUP…

ask yourself do I want my next board purchase to be REAL GU’D or just good enough…

Thanks Dave; our belief is once these race boards all get to a certain speed then the real key is the Indian rather than the Arrow, keep charging the coastal waters of Florida, enjoy your Gu’d Ride…

if your lucky, you will come across a chance to ride some of the best SUP boards in the world. If you are really fortunate, and happen to visit Austrailia you have to look up our distributor, and have their team take you for a cruise. By the way Adam, Nice Trailer, you know how to roll !

Angulo had left us with an extra day just to hang in Florida and possibly get some paddling in with a new dealer or friend, well we met that guy the second day of the show. Jim is from Central Florida, paddles & surfs nearly everyday. He was so gracious to invite us to his home which served as a way for us to deliver his new 12’0 Dawg, and to get in an awesome afternoon of paddling. This was only the beginning, as we drove to his home we had no idea that Jim is a surf board collector, and has one of the world’s finest collection of surf boards. Ed was literally silent for quite a while as he studied this fine group of boards. We have no idea how much our new friend had invested in these babies, but we do know he has quite an eye for the good stuff. That’s probably why he stopped by the booth, or was it the fishing model that caught this avid angler’s eye. We then took off for a 9 mile down-wind paddle through Central Florida, and checked out all the fishing spots we are going to hit in the near future. Jim even bought lunch at one of the area’s killer seafood/bars. Good fun and music, most of all Team Angulo has another rider in Central Florida, headed that way? Send me a note, and I will put you in touch with one of the best afternoons you will ever have!

Angulo SUP, it’s SUP2U

Ed,
  Wanted to touch base and say thanks for the sweet board from the expo in orlando!  I got to go for a paddle this morning and ive got to say that thing is fast and light!  I was rusty at first due to an elbow injury but after minute I realized how sick this board is!  Super stable and cuts through chop like butter!  Its also real easy to turn and move all over the deck.  I cant get over how light and fast the thing is… Unreal.
Ed you were great to talk to as well as Kyle ( sorry i bought your board) and Andy.  Great info and and a true love for design and the aloha spirit. Please feel free to use this on your website. I will attach some pics.  I cant wait to race this thing! Soooo fast!  Sooo light!
Thanks again
Dave Baricevic
Tampa FL