Disclaimer: I have already been awarded "kook of the millennium" several years running....now that's out of the way. A few years ago I built this "paddle trainer" at the time there was no gym near my house and I would use it a few times a week to stay in shape between weekend swells or get ready for trips etc bc unfortunately I don't live at the beach. Since making it, 2 gyms have opened near me and I find I don't use this machine. It is SUPER heavy duty. All 1/4" marine grade aluminum and 1/2" stainless hardware..it's ridiculously over built bc I do marine construction and I used spare boat lift hardware and pieces to construct it. Harken pulleys and stainless fitting throughout. I sewed all the straps, seat covers etc. It is 100% custom. Sector 9 skateboard wheels are the rollers to give it a little wiggle to force you to balance on the board as with paddling a real surfboard. It could live outside but I keep it in my garage. It can break down in many pieces but it will not fit under a bed etc as it is fully welded main beams If you have ever seen a commercially available VASA trainer those things are a joke compared to this. So now I would like to sell it or trade it, but I just don't need it with the new gyms in town and I can't bring myself to cut it apart for scrap bc I had so much time and $ in making it. You can do millions of functional exercises on this thing, not just paddle. I can send more pix upon request but here is a link to a brief Youtube video of it, please excuse the terrible video it was my iPhone propped up on the hood of my truck so the volume sucks etc: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAKFAnxgNzM I'd possibly trade for shortboards btwn 5'10-6'3, guns, bicycles, kitesurfing gear, or anything in between. Thanks for looking, enjoy the nor'easter this weekend
That is awesome!! i would buy it but have a vasa trainer already. Truly very impressed. Dont sell it! You will miss it. Amazing workmanship.
Looks good...love the quote, "wife can use it for her Pilates sh*t"...the use of the dog as well was great! Nice sell...!!! Bump to the top!!!! However, my real question... How long and wide is it--widest point? Wondering if I can fit it next to my water heater and boiler in my basement.
lol, always thought I could build one one of these, tried a few theories, then broke down and bought the vasa. Nice work tho.
hi guys thanks for your kind words. It is located in 21601 Easton, MD. Fits easily in the bed of a truck I've had it in mine several times. It does come apart to an extent (but not all the way there are a few structural welds) but it's not push pins or anything it is all pretty much 1/2" SS hardware with lock nuts so it takes a 3/4" ratchet setup and 5min to break it down. Max measurements are about 36" W x 104" L x 42" H but all of these could be shortened/tweaked as desired...it has adjustable height to change difficulty of exercise. In retrospect I could really easily nip 2 inches off the rear cross legs to get it to go through a door much easier (although it does fit fine now you just have to rotate a bit) The leg board is totally removable for space or if you don't want it in the way so you can "paddle" straight legged. I don't think I'd regret selling it just bc my house is small, I need the room, and I do have a viable gym now so I'd like to see it go to a home especially where a fellow surfer might really appreciate what I've put into it. It was one of my first projects when I got a new welder for work just to get some practice before the construction season so it was useful and fun to make no matter what. I have countless hours in it but really I just want to cover my cost mainly on the super expensive sailing hardware that I used as pulleys. I'd really like to get $350 cash and honestly if you have ANY idea how much the hardware alone (or how much a VASA is) would cost on this thing you'd think it's fair I believe. So hit me up with trades or first person with cash takes it. Thanks!
the old original Vasa was over $1000! The freakin new one, with the "water paddles" inside the enclosure is over $1500! I use the VASA all the time - if you could get this one for under $500 - it's a total bargain. The VASA gets me thru winter. Keeps you in tip top paddling shape - no lie. I should use it more.
