SurfingSports Standup Paddle Surf & Standup Paddling BLOG

Well, it looks like Patrice Belbeoch and Team Exocet have done it again...

Here's a  pic of the Kona at the Paris Boat Show

"The Kona design is the next logical step to our policy at Exocet.
Our aim was to bring dagger board and long board back to the scene when we started that project 3 years ago
Back then we were all alone, now we have SB and Tabou joining the club, I hope to see many more in the future.

The Kona has a very pleasant ride in many different conditions of wind strength.
The "Duck tail" purpose is for a better ability in light wind conditions, it also allows old style free style.
Second reason for the duck tail is that the fin is now very forward giving the board a very responsive tacking ability
The pure "Surf longboard" outline will allow to SURF descent wave.
And finally with wind over 12 knots the board can get full on the plane, it is actually fairly fast and the jibe response is good.
We are still working on the retail price, our aim is to offer the board to a wide range of sailors, so it will go to the un-expensive side."

--Patrice Belbeoch (Exocet)

"The Exocet team has developed and added just that "missing link" to its 06 program. The Kona is designed with sub planing conditions and simplicity in mind. (Delivered complete with two optional sail sizes) We have given it sufficient volume, a flat rocker, soft rails and a gently curved outline. In other words nothing over stated or Titanic'ish. Our aim was to build a practical, (easy transportable) maneuverable, - thus making it challenging for all skill levels -(executing classical tricks becomes a breeze) good looking, and most of all excellent sub planing performer. This has been an exiting and rewarding project for us, and for those of you that have the opportunity; Come and have a close look at the very first (new generation) longboard displayed at the Paris Boatshow in early December."

Here's a few more pics of the Kona...it's l@@king pretty good...
I like the stepped tail...that's a George Greenough technique...chined rails could be good as well...once planing, fools the H20 into thinking the wetted surface area is smaller overall...

Scroll down to Post #26 - #31... 

I remember it being under 100 liters...with the F2 you could freestyle , jump, and ride waves...
9'2" (280cm)WIDTH 62.5CM (24.6") VOLUME 105L...

http://www.irieman-talma.com/objects/gallery/pages/Img0005.htm
http://www.irieman-talma.com/objects/gallery/pages/Img0021.htm
http://www.irieman-talma.com/objects/gallery/pages/Img0025.htm
http://www.irieman-talma.com/objects/gallery/pages/Img0018.htm 

The stand up paddle surfing and paddling crossover ability is really going to set this board apart... 

http://surfingsports.com/images/laird_standup_paddlesurf1.jpg
http://surfingsports.com/images/standup.jpg

http://www.onelastwave.com/Assets/surfingPhotos/surfSP04/LairdAnimation/index.htm
http://www.allaboutsurf.com/0401/articles/paddle/index.php
http://homepage.mac.com/andeamoller/PhotoAlbum11.html

Then add on how floaty and stable it is...with daggerboard...and it will be an awesome teaching board...and subplaning cruiser/freestyler...and if it planes up like Patrice is saying...what's not to like?!?!

I can't wait...I have a couple of custom stand up paddle boards with mast tracks coming from Sean Ordonez...but, we will have some Konas for delivery this Spring...we've already taken a number of pre-season orders...

I think they are gonna be a home run...

I've built 3 stand up paddles using broken RDM tops...doing down-winders is one of the kewl things to do on a stand up paddle board...stroke and glide...there is now between 100-200 people on Maui doing this...great core workout...even on windy days...your body acts like a sail...

Laird Hamilton has been leading the way...
"Sometimes it might be like a re-candling of an old fire, like stand-up paddle, where you’re bringing back something ancient but with new equipment so it makes it a whole new sport but it’s not really a new sport… There’s a saying in the garment industry : « There’s no new ideas, it’s just a new Application of an old idea »."

Jeff Henderson (Hot Sails Maui) has also been leading the way as he's been using longboards for years now...stand up paddling them and sailing/wavesailing them in combination with his colorful, soft, durable Super Freaks... 

The Kona has a lot of promise...the retractable daggerboard is going to be like having a small motor...it will solve the upwind issues...

The return of the longboard has gotten a little traction in the past...
This was a '96 article in Windsurfing Mag...sidebar..."Following Surfing's Lead"

Maybe we'll get it right this time...and make "defenders of the longboard", like our buddy Jack, proud again...that is, if he hasn't totally converted to FW by now...I know I sent him and his racing buddy new short, wide, FW boards not too long ago...gasp...the heresy...;-)

BUT...this isn't your daddy's longboard...
You would have to be blind to not see the potential here...
John and Jane Q. could be stand up paddling (instead of kayaking, or in addition to), on any muddle puddle anywhere...and learn to windsurf on it in light air...with a colorful sail...the same board that the top athletes in the world are sailing and/or stand up paddling into Jaws with...that's bigtime surfing "kewl" factor...coming soon to Outside Magazine...they follow everything the Uberfamily does...

Check out Laird stand up paddling the Grand Canyon:


Another interesting aspect is that we are seeing the sport of stand up paddling/paddle surfing being embraced by...gasp...kiters...
Trickle down effect...surfing...Laird...kewl...

Starboard's light air effort is the Serenity...non-planing...obviously not a wave rider...freestyle...don't think so...
I would venture that it's also too tippy to stand up paddle...
They must have something else up their sleeve...

http://www.boards.co.uk/main/article.asp?a=1551

http://www.boardseekermag.com/equipment_reviews/equipment/starboard_serenity.htm

Exocet also has a board in the hybrid category...the Pacer...interesting times...