Standup Journal Joins With Kenalu.com To Host The 2008 Maui Sup Board And Paddle Showcase.

We have a big announcement: Standup Journal – the first Sup print magazine – has joined with us at Kenalu.com to host the 2008 Maui Sup Board and Paddle Showcase. Standup Journal is a high quality, photo-driven journal–exactly the kind of magazine all of us have been hoping for to drive awareness of Sup surfing.It’s really exciting to have these guys on board. This is part of a loose partnership between Ke Nalu and Standup Journal to help the Sup community build the stoke, as if it isn’t pretty hot already. Clay Feeter and Steve Sjuggerud from Standup Journal are in Florida for Surf Expo, and they tell me that nearly every booth had a standup board in it. Sup was the main topic of conversation everywhere.

Everyone they spoke with is convinced that Sup will be big everywhere, because you can do it anywhere. Even more than windsurfing was during it’s boom. You still need a special place where strong winds combine with big water to windsurf, but you can Sup in a millpond and still have a good day. It’s a good thing too, otherwise big growth might be more of a two-edged sword. I saw a bumper sticker today that said “Surfing sucks, don’t bother trying it.”One of the articles I’m working on for the launch of Ke Nalu is called “Twelve Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Do Sup.” While it’s tongue in cheek, everyone who does Sup now understands the sentiment. But with industry analysts (who ARE these guys?) looking for Sup growth in places like Red Oak Iowa, we don’t have to worry so much. Besides, it’s nice to see a few friendly faces in the lineup, and as we’ve already seen, growth in Sup means a lot of new and better toys.

While I’m babbling, how about some suggestions for a different name than SUP. I’ve already decided to ignore the standard style for acronyms and spell it Sup. If you don’t do that then any article starts looking like a ransom note in short order. I can live with Sup, but its kind of lame and reminds me how powerful names can be. No one fishes for Chum Salmon, though they are almost as fun as King Salmon on a fly rod (well…, sort of), and taste just fine. Call them Tiger Salmon (they have stripes) and there would be people flying into Bethel, Alaska from all over the world to chase them.