March 3, 2010 · Leave a Comment
…this is getting crazy. Every day it seems to get a little more extreme, like some kind of Stand Up Paddle whale slalom. Today started sort of uneventfully, the wind didn’t look that great–strong at the Canoe Hale up by the Kehei Pier, and positively nukin’ on the North Shore, but when we drove down to Makena Landing to drop off the shuttle truck it was dead calm and whatever windline we could see was five or more miles out. Still, we decided to suck it up (Chan is going to get tired of hearing that)... [Read the full story]
March 6, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Inspired by Tim (Strand Leper on the Standupzone) I modified a mule to fit my F18. Dropped bicycle and trailer (in a little bag about the size of two books) off at Wailea Beach (Four Seasons Maui) and drove back to the Kehei Pier for a light wind downwinder. Paddled hard the whole way, partly because I was trying to catch micro-swells, and partly for training for the upcoming Maui Canoe and Kayak Club races. Hit the beach semi-pooped and sweating, rigged the trailer and discovered the tires were flat. Ah well, I figured... [Read the full story]
February 23, 2010 · 1 Comment
It’s been a great winter for surfing, but Monday was enough to astonish even my jaded eyes. The morning started just so-so. We got to Kenaha at 9:00 and the wind was up a little more than the five MPH that Wind Guru had predicted–but not bad. The swell looked messy, but it seemed there were quite a few people out. My friend Paul and paddled out, and were greeted by an immense throng. Probably 20-30 stand up paddle surfers and 30-40 prone surfers. They were spread out across the good breaks of Kanaha–the... [Read the full story]
March 6, 2010 · Leave a Comment
I’ve been helping Dave Kalama put together a website–a blog. It’s still a work in progress, but its pretty cool. Last night ABC Nightline ran a long segment on big wave surfing featuring Laird and Dave and it’s posted as a video. Nice segment on this season’s amazing swells, riding big waves in general, and doing standup on Hanelei Bay. http://www.davidkalama.com/ Some squatter got DaveKalama–so it goes. Dave writes like he talks, which is good news. Straight from the shoulder, funny,... [Read the full story]
February 20, 2010 · Leave a Comment
In the last installment of Doing Downwinders on a Stand Up Paddle Board we covered selecting a place, some of the safety aspects and what to look for in swells and wind. In this installment we’ll cover catching and riding swells. Many downwinders start with small swells, then progress to larger ones that are easy to catch, then move to even larger swells that are surprisingly difficult to catch, and finally to large swells that are easy and fun. You’ve got to wonder why this is? The answer is mostly about fetch... [Read the full story]
March 12, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The funky puffins at Funky Puffin sent me a beautifully assembled press package for what sounds like an seriously challenging race. I’m not going to ask what a funky Puffin really is. I’m picturing some kind of dance that includes splaying your fingers out over your butt. Here’s what they said: Funky Puffin, the lifestyle brand that’s growing out of Jersey (Channel Islands), is the 2010 sponsor of the Paddle Round The Pier Euro-Enduro stand-up paddleboard (SUP) race, taking place on July 3rd and 4th in... [Read the full story]
March 5, 2010 · Leave a Comment
I’m still humming and sometimes singing that song this morning (much to Sam’s dismay–he really hates my singing). Diane and I went to see Pink Martini last night. What a great band. I probably should have posted something sooner in case folks on Maui weren’t aware they were doing a show. Pink Martini is a Portland-based band with a tremendous international following. Diane was in Provence a few years ago and was introduced to a friend’s french husband who didn’t speak any English. When... [Read the full story]
Corran Addison is a is a South African slalom canoer, white water kayaker, Stand Up Paddle surfer and designer/founder of ECO Imagine Surfboards, now based in Montreal, Canada.... [Read more]
Anyone in the sport more than a few days knows that Stand Up Paddling is not just about surfing. Stand Up Paddle boards are probably the most versatile human powered watercraft... [Read more]
Women are embracing Stand Up Paddling in great numbers. While there are plenty of great women surfers and all-around waterwomen embracing the sport, it has also emeged strongly... [Read more]
In this segment Stand Up Paddle industry players like Jim Terrel, Steve Bohne and Charlie Burnwell discuss the growth and impact of SUP on their business and the water sports world.... [Read more]
The art of stand up paddling. a fine session at Oceanside with Noah Shimabukuro, Chuck Patterson, and Colin McPillips. Read More →
Chuck Patterson is one of the most dynamic surfers in Stand Up Paddle surfing, and a powerful racer (winner of the 2009 Battle of the Paddle). In this episode he shares some of... [Read more]
Colin McPhillips is a three times world longboarding champion. He’s been hooked on Standup Paddle Surfing for some time. Here he talks about how he started, and the equipment... [Read more]
Years ago Mark Raaphorst of S.I.C. said “keep an eye on Slater Trout, he’s the future of Stand Up Paddling”. How right he was, not only is Slater a talented SUP... [Read more]
Our Hood River buddies Dan Gavere and Nikki Gregg talk about whitewater SUP with some nice footage from the White Salmon river and other whitewater venues Read More →
Jeff Warner of Legends Surf Shop talks about flat water paddle touring in Carlsbad Lagoon Read More →
Gillian is a lifeguard, surf instructor and fitness expert. In this episode she give great tips on exercises to help you Stand Up Paddle Surf better. Read More →
Stand Up Paddle Television started airing last year as a special segment of My Local Lineup TV on every third week of the month on iTV San Diego, channel 16, covers everything... [Read more]
Yesterday I did the Maui Canoe and Kayak Club race in the Stand Up Paddle Board division from Napiili Bay to Canoe Beach. Favorable wind and small bumps at first, followed by wind... [Read more]
Last year at the Battle of the Paddle, just before the first race, an older gentleman came on the PA system and told the crowd about John Zapotocky, and how he was the true father... [Read more]
Just how spoiled are we downwind Stand Up Paddlers on Maui? Outrageously spoiled. Not only do we have the incredible Maliko Run, but Kihei can toss off a pretty good run when the... [Read more]
What’s this got to do with Stand Up Paddle Surfing. Not a thing, except that you COULD stick a rack on that ‘Cuda and you really couldn’t on the Enzo. This is... [Read more]
So if you wanted to get some paddle coaching for SUP, who would be your absolute, top of the line pick as coach? No question in my mind that my choice would be Dave Kalama, and... [Read more]
Mark Raaphorst sent me this short movie on the new S16. Very fast. Sustained speed of 6.5 MPH, comparable to a OC1. Click the little four arrow symbol down near the vimeo logo... [Read more]
There’s two words I didn’t expect to use together. Went out at Kanaha this morning. The waves looked big, they were closing out decisively in the middle and off to... [Read more]
The wind has been blowing trade on Maui’s North Shore for the last two days, and the swell from the Northwest has gone down enough to make Maliko runs possible. so naturally... [Read more]
The first thing Diane said was “this guy must not be married”. That from one of the most tolerant wives on the planet. I have no idea, but I deeply admire not only... [Read more]
One of the most popular elements of Ke Nalu is the Stand Up Paddle Board reviews, followed closely by the Paddle reviews. They are woefully out of date and not very accessible.... [Read more]
One of the best things about being on a Stand Up Paddle board is the marine life you can see. It’s always a privilege, even just looking at a little school of fish, or a... [Read more]
Apple’s iPhone is a great tool for anyone, but it has some features and available applications that make it particularly great for Stand Up Paddle Surfing. The phone I’m... [Read more]