pavedwave longboarding

northcoast · Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 64

i got the idea in my head to build my very own kahuna-esque big stick. the "real" kahuna stick is a fir core with cherry laminate on the outside for a "slightly oval" shape, then wrapped in fiberglass...but, mine is a red oak shaft, with a walnut handle. i'm working on finishing it up today, gonna hit it with some polyurethane and wrap a little cord around the end for looks. i'll put up pics when i'm done.

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pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

How's it coming?? I haven't really used mine much, but I'd like to see what you come up with here, and what you're using for the sticky traction down at the bottom.

flogginmonty · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 11

I like the "stick".

I have been doing some stand up paddle surfing here in Florida. I came across these sticks a few days ago and thought they looked awesome for a workout. Any feedback? I have a feeling that I am gonna be riding LDP carrying a big stick. That is sure to draw some more stares on the trail. Although, all the feedback I have gotten from LDP has been positive. Let's see what happens when I add a paddle to the equation.

northcoast · Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 64

well, i was using ice hockey pucks for traction, mounted onto the stick with metal reinforcing brackets. but, within the mile and a half that i tested the stick out, the pucks wore flat, the metal brackets bent, and one puck got torn off of the metal bracket by the screw that was holding it on.

so, i'm toying around with a bunch of other ideas for holding the traction on.

as i said, the main shaft is red oak, with a walnut grip at the top...it's not as light as the kahuna stick, but i think it's a little more balanced.
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Mimosa · Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Lille, France

I ordered a big stick about one year ago. I didn't use it very much during winter. But now I tend to carry it quite regularly. I first tried with my rolls rolls. The inertia of the 98 mm flywheels fits with the wide pushing motion. Moreover the mudgards prevent the rubber from hitting the wheels which is much more secure. However, I miss the carving feeling of my Dervish which needs repair. So I decided to try the big stick with my pumping setup : gravity spoon nose, bennett front with 71mm alligators, tracker RTS rear with 76a avilas. The pumping/paddling combination is very efficient. When I look at the different vids, a lot of people seem only to push with the stick. I feel it's much more efficient If you consider it as a kind of virtual slalom cone. Balancing from right to left while pushing when the big stick is almost vertical. It gives a kind of alternate pumping with a wide amplitude with respect to the classical pumping motion.
Personnaly, I believe that pumping and paddling are very complementary and it is quite easy to get used to hold the big stick in one hand for pumping only, as it gives a kind of balance.
Sometimes I'm surprised not to read more about the pushing/paddling combination. I hope this will come. Wink

northcoast · Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 64

after a few tweaks, i got mine all finished. i actually put new metal brackets on the stick, because the old ones were bent.

a little blurry, but you can see everything. i used a block of mahogany to reinforce the metal brackets, then i ran two 1/4" grade8 bolts between the hockey pucks to keep them in place. the mahogany block is attached to the "bottom" bolt.

my favorite part: the handle

hand carved out of walnut, then i wrapped twine around the lower portion for added grip.

and some wood porn:

i <3 oak
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edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 189

It looks really good! Thanks for posting!