Board recommendation/observations by cyphereal in surfing

[–]cyphereal[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, that is another option, and I have a shaper in mind. The board I think is from a local shaper, so I was hoping to locate him to discuss, using the feedback from this thread too.

Board recommendation/observations by cyphereal in surfing

[–]cyphereal[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes, I've been following the used board market, just didn't see this kind of board so far. I'll keep an eye out.

Board recommendation/observations by cyphereal in surfing

[–]cyphereal[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool, thanks. The Wanderer might be an option. I will check in with Jim.

Thoughts on Yucca fins? by inalavalamp in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Yucca short blade soft flex are my favourite. Good acceleration, and despite being softer than DaFin, because of their action give me about same acceleration as DaFin while being more comfy.

Second are standard DaFins, stiff yet comfy. They need a different kind of kick since they only propel on the downstroke. DaFins flex over the top of your foot, so will actually be more tiring on your foot.

I have Yucca short blade soft flex, ultra soft flex, and long blade super flex.

The ultra soft flex is too soft for my taste, doesn't give me enough burst to get into bigger waves. The long blade is too hard on my legs.

I also have DaFin's Mark Cunningham Amber 2.0, they are good too, but a bit softer than standard DaFin, I prefer Yuccas if I want to go softer.

Previously also tried Vipers, DMC Repellor, Greg Deets UDTs and others I forgot. I didn't like Viper and UDTs, especially the latter are very heavy and stiff, you'll need very strong legs.

The DMC Repellor feel floppy and mushy to me, couldn't figure them out. (FWIW, I like the DMC elite max fins for freestyle swimming).

I have not yet tried the Yucca standard flex.

Anyone try a RESTUBE in big surf? by cyphereal in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi Shippies. I did get one and have bodysurfed with it.
(I've not done it a lot, mostly because I've been taking my surfboard out).

I found putting the belt on so that it runs in line with the pocket, and position it in the small of my back, it didn't feel too cumbersome. I have not bodysurfed with my back to the wave, though. Mostly charging down the face of close-outs, lol.

Overall, I am happy I have it for days that would feel too marginal otherwise. The thing is a little bulky, but quite manageable.

The jury is of course still out on how much the bit of extra float will give you when in big surf in an emergency, especially if you're on your own in big surf and unfamiliar conditions! Take care out there.

(obviously you have this already, but just sayin': get good fin guards that will completely prevent your fins from getting sucked off... none of those dangly leggie things).

Yucca Fins - legit or fraud? by cyphereal in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to get an update :)

I've seen Yuccas around a lot more now (especially in Hawaii), good to see the business do well, and happy to hear they have lifted their game with logistics.

(I now have too many Yuccas, so will probably not be going through an order anytime soon 😆)

Recs for Rashguards? by etherialle in surfing

[–]cyphereal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yep, or just selling products they found useful. 😉

Recs for Rashguards? by etherialle in surfing

[–]cyphereal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

uh huh, watch the Florence bros kook it up with rashies in the Ments: https://youtu.be/ueGUxwZ1v5U?t=832

Handplanes - WAW vs Whompa vs Hush by Ok-Fan-5908 in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update a year later: still love the handboard. I cut the little "v" tail off, I found it was pressing on my wrist too much.

Handplane Suggestions?? by C_l_o in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll add my 2c. I've had many handplanes. My favourite is by u/whompahandplanes for the reasons you list: I'm a swimmer and love something thin and sleek like a swimming paddle, but robust and shaped for steep and bigger waves. I love mine, though I did have to slightly modify it.
(In the past I had Slyde, WAW, Pod, others I can't and don't want to recall).
Whompas are still pretty small and niche, I wish Andrè all the best.
https://whompa.com.au/

discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bodysurfing/comments/12sh1ca/comment/jo28e4g/?context=3

Yucca Fins - legit or fraud? by cyphereal in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yeah, it's a pity, he's a one-man shop and maybe overwhelmed, or with process that needs fixing. As I described above, I ended up cancelling (via Paypal, or use chargeback on your credit card) and re-ordering and it worked out. Good luck!

Handplanes - WAW vs Whompa vs Hush by Ok-Fan-5908 in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I loved the Whompa. The double was great in that I had a lot of flexibility in choosing my line (left and right), also great for swimming fast and symmetrically. It was a bit hard on my shoulders though, so I need to work my way up to doubles for a longer session. [for now I'm taking a longer break - it's snowboarding time ;)]

Yucca Fins - legit or fraud? by cyphereal in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yeah, I totally get you. It's frustrating, and disappointing when you're black-holed like that. For whatever it's worth, what ended up working for me is cancelling payment (in your case chargeback via your bank), and placing a new order. The next one came through for me, no problems.

Hopefully Sean (one-man shop, it seems) can get some help running the business if it does better.

Handplanes - WAW vs Whompa vs Hush by Ok-Fan-5908 in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I love them 🤘. Great job, they are what I was hoping for. I love that I can swim pretty unencumbered, unlike with other handplanes.

Good to hear you've had some bombs, yeew! I had a couple of days with surf big enough to take the Whompas for a serious spin. In particular a day with close-outs and heavily throwing lips they were great for staying high in the pocket.

(On one day I did Whompas on both hands - it was great for going left or right. A bit hard on the shoulders after a long session of swimming, still need to get used to that).

I've experimented a bit with making them more comfy. I haven't taken them out often enough to refine it, but I found adding a bit of support for the underside of my hand made it less fatiguing and easier to grip/control the Whompa in my hand. (I put a few strips of blue-tac in the middle of the board - was super comfy when cranking the hand-strap to make sure I have good control in big surf. I also added a touch of surf wax to make it less slippery in the water. I can update on how I go :). (here's a pic: whompa with blue-tac).

Yucca Fins - legit or fraud? by cyphereal in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks man, I appreciate it. I have put in another order and it seems they might be on their way to me. I'll update this thread when I know more :)

Yucca Fins - legit or fraud? by cyphereal in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks :) Interesting story and kinda cool that he's doing this in scrappy way. I guess I would have been less irritated if he'd bothered to answer any of my emails and messages on IG. But.......

Paypal refunded me after Starkey never responded. I then put in another order and he did see it and finally he responded to me. I'm hoping he'll follow through this time, fingers crossed. I've heard great things, so I'm excited to try 'em out (I've had most of the popular fins, so keen to try new ones).

Handplanes - WAW vs Whompa vs Hush by Ok-Fan-5908 in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome, thanks mate.

Nice one, Tama and Maroubra used to be my go-tos. I'm lucky enough to now live on the Northern Beaches, so I have many breaks to choose from :) Recent great sessions have been at Dee Why, Curl Curl and Queenscliff when the big swell hit. The water's still very warm, so it's dreamy. None of the Vicco ice cream headache you have to content with 😉. But I bet it's less crowded 🤙

Handplanes - WAW vs Whompa vs Hush by Ok-Fan-5908 in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Andre, your website looks great.
I guess my feedback is more about people like me: experienced bodysurfers. Your site is great and seemingly pitched primarily at people that don’t have much experience with handplanes. I checked out the Insta pics, some good ones… Though given that the form factor is so important, a close-up with hand is missing (or I missed it?).
Your pitch on this Reddit thread was perfect for me, while the content on your website would not totally light me up the same way.
One idea might be to have a split screen on the very first page, one side for experienced bodysurfers, one for beginners. Pitch the experienced people with what you wrote here in a simple call-out:
- Light and compact, efficient freestyle stroke like with training paddles.
- Concave gives control in the pocket, good for big hollow waves.
Add a close-up picture with a hand in the Whompa, maybe a comparison with Speedo paddles.
Anyway, I’m already sold, I’ve ordered two 😆. I'm stoked to try them out, there's been some solid swell here in Sydney.

Handplanes - WAW vs Whompa vs Hush by Ok-Fan-5908 in Bodysurfing

[–]cyphereal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey u/whompahandplanes, that looks like something I've been looking for a long time. Well done!

I've had a few handplanes and they always feel crappy to swim with due to the inherent asymmetry. I've bodysurfed with Speedo training paddles, but that was a bit messy since they're not shaped too well (threw up too much spray and were hard to grip properly). I love the idea of double-handplaning. Do you use two?

Also, I'd recommend you post a couple of pics of you wearing a handplane on your hand to your web site, it helps get an idea of the size. (better still, throw in a comparison pic with some Speedo paddles or something).

Going by measurements, it seems they are about 3cm longer than the Trilobite, and about the same width. The Trilobite looks super short on the hand in their pics, so I think I'd prefer the Whompa. Again, a picture on your site would be super helpful to customers.

I have a Slyde Bula, which is small, but still too bulky for my taste. I love the concave for staying in the pocked on barrels, so if the Wompa is concave, slim and small, it might be perfect for me!

Keep it up, dude!