SurfingSports BLOG
2009 Naish 9'6" Quad
Hey now,
L@@K what just showed up on the doorstep today…
Chined rails…perfect finish work…integrated handle…custom pad…and SUPER lightweight…
Holy Shmoly it's L I G H T !!!…this puppy is gonna fly…
Click above pic for more images of the 2009 Naish 9'6" quadfin…
Stay tuned for lots more killer new stuff…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Paddleboarding With Man's Bestest friend in Utah
One of our longtime waterman amigos,
John Becker (surfer,windsurfer,kiter,fisherman,diver,snowboarder,snowkiter…etc)…Santa Barbara and Utah paddle boarding pioneer, sends us a few shots standup paddling with his pup Kamiah, from near his lake front home in Utah…
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Here’s a kewl vid clip of Utah paddleboarding…
It’s Summertime and the living is easy…;-)surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
HOBIE STANDUP PADDLEBOARDS
Hobie surfboards need no introduction…the surfing lifestyle brand started 50 years ago by Hobie Alter continues to break new ground with a killer new line of SUP's…
Durable , lightweight, beautiful finish…comes with integrated handle, pad, and fins…
10′6″ ($1295)…11'2" ($1350)…12' ($1395)…
We’ll have a limited supply in a few days…if you miss out on those, we'll have more coming in ~ 2-3 weeks…
We’ll also have a couple of the 9'9" x 28" x 4.25" Chuck Patterson winger swallow models…click image below for a SUP vid clip of Chuck Patterson…and standup paddleboard wakesurfing at Lake Mojave on a 11'2" Hobie SUP. A great way to enjoy a little surf on the lake.
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
HEY YA'LL!!!
We actually do say YEE_HAW and hey ya'll 'round here!…at least when Fiesta, the rodeos, and the Mid-State Fair are in town…;-)
Are we having fun yet?…seriously, is everbody S T O K E D ?!!!???
We hope everybody is having a great Summer standup paddling…sure sounds like it from the reports that we're getting from all over this continent…Witchita, KS…Fairmont, MN…Pensacola, FL…Buffalo, NY…Coure D' Laine, ID…Put In Bay, OH…Hendersonville, NC…Myrtle Beach, SC…Redondo Beach, CA…just to name a few…
Heck, we just had a client from Alberta, Canada drive down with his family, and picked up a couple of Starboard Fishies from us…Brad was sporting a really kewl new Airstream "Basecamp" full of toyz…he promised us some piccies from his home waters once he returns home…
This just in from a hard core windsurf/surf nut on the Central Cali Coast…
Subject: The Stoke
“A.L. today, all by my lonesome, hot, glassy, inconsistent but waist high
waves, a pod of dolphins hanging out the whole time, just past the impact zone,
with pelican hell divers, and me. There is nothing like dragging your paddle
across the top of the lip, and that's all I have to say about that."
Never really told you how stoked I am.
Sea ya ~ GB (Cambria, CA)
Read more of our customer testimonials…
Some of the kewlest newz of all this Summer comes from Brian Caserio at Side-Off Video…BTW, he's holding the best selection of windsurfing and kiteboarding DVD's on the planet…
Hey Warren and Debbie,
Thought you might like to see little Spencer in action. Now he asks me to bring "his" standup paddleboard to the beach when we go. He's hooked. He mostly uses one of my dad's super old surfboards.
A little background on Spencer Rocket Caserio…
On September 2, 2003, at 2 years, 10 months old, Spencer was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). This is a somewhat rare and aggressive form of childhood leukemia.
“As of July 1, 2008 Spencer was given a completely clean bill of health. No issues whatsoever. In any tests that gave instant feedback he is normal to above normal in all of them. Don't know what else to say besides Spencer is a rock star. Keep it up. We could not be happier."
…and neither could we…way to go Spencer!!!…SOOOOO STOKED!!!!surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
New Standup Paddle Sports T-shirt Line: 1st L@@K
We are getting ready to launch a really kewl new line of standup paddle t-shirts and hoodies…as if our current line isn't kewl enough, huh?…;-)
The artwork is by a world renowned local Santa Barbara surf artist…here's a first L@@K at the rough concept draft…believe me, the finished product is going to be an instant collectors item…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
QuickBlade Colors
Jimmy Terrell at QuickBlade has added some bling to his carbon standup paddles with colorful new graphics and ABS edging…
You can keep these paddles protected in our new heavy duty paddle bags…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Shiny happy Footes
The new shipment of 11' x 28" & 11' x 30" Foote SUP's have landed, also the new 10' x 27" winger swallow…and they are C O L O R F U L…a few of the 11' x 30" boards have mast tracks…click image below for full gallery of pics…
These boards are incredibly lightweight and strong…going fast at $1399…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Bill Foote Standup Paddleboards
We will have a new batch of Bill Foote SUP's in a few days…
The ever popular 11' x 28"…and the new production 11' x 30"…
Click above picture for more images of the prototype 11' x 30"…
These will be solid color boards…available in red, orange, yellow, fuschia, & blue…high quality epoxy vacuum bagged boards from the Sumitomo factory…
We will also have a few of the 11' x 30" with mast tracks…new pics coming in a few days…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Starboard Signs Ekolu Kalama
Breaking news on the coconut telegraph…
Big news for a BEEEEG Molokai boy…
The two time winner of the 32 mile Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard race , Ekolu Kalama, has signed on with Starboard…
Pic below shows Ekolu on one of the new 2009 Starboard SUP prototypes…
From the Molokai Dispatch
By Jennifer Smith
Is there anything more pure and fantastic than a boy’s dream? How about when that dream becomes a man’s reality?
For as long as Ekolu Kalama can remember he wanted to be a professional surfer, but for almost just as long, people have told him he couldn’t do it. To those people Kalama says, "if it's your dream, it's your dream-and no one can criticize it."
After several years of hard work and trying dedication, Kalama made his dream a reality last May when he became one of the first Stand Up Paddle (SUP) surfers to receive a sponsorship.
SUPing is a newly popularized sport where surfers use elongated canoe paddles to propel themselves on longboards. The oversized surfboards allow SUPers to keep their balance and remain standing whether they’re on a wave or not.
Starboard, a famous board making company in the windsurfing industry, snatched up the Molokai born paddler and surfer in hopes that he will assist in designing a signature SUP board, and help to further popularize the sport.
To understand how a former Molokai High School graduate ended up on the beaches of Maldives testing boards and taking part in photo shoots the story needs to rewind two years.
Kalama was turning 30 in a few hours, and felt what he describes as a “mid-life crisis of sorts.” Sitting on Makaha beach, waiting for midnight to hit so he could jump in the water, he saw his friend Duane DeSoto playing with his kids.
Something about the image stuck with Kalama and while out in the water catching waves and contemplating his life, he stopped. "I said ‘this is the life I want!’"
“Everybody thought I was crazy," Kalama said, explaining how people reacted when he gave up one of the best jobs on the island, as a firefighter. Friends and family argued that the 10 day per month work requirement left him with more than enough time to surf.
But, Kalama realized he had to make sacrifices if he wanted to go all the way, and it would take nearly two years, and several tries before he would realize he made the right decision.
Broke and worn, “it didn’t seem like the doors were going to open,” Kalama said. The fire department gave him three years to go back, and every month for several months he filled out the paper work to return, but each time "it was like pulling teeth for me to go back."
Now with a sponsorship and a busy summer schedule that includes stops in Bali, England, California, Spain, and France, Kalama knows his sacrifices were worth it. "I feel like I have natural abilities God gave me," and I wasn't able to use them at the fire department.
Kalama credits his cousin Dave Kalama and infamous big-wave rider Laird Hamilton for introducing him to SUPing. "Laird gave me my first board and paddle" nearly two years ago, he said.
“I was surfing before I can even remember," Kalama said. And coming from a well-known family of canoe paddlers, "it was a common sense natural match for me."
“It’s been my childhood dream to be a professional surfer," Kalama said, explaining how excited he is to be doing what he loves. His experience has taught him that you can accomplish your dreams, no matter how great, and he hopes to pass on this attitude to his two young sons.
A two-time World Paddling Champion in the Molokai-to-Oahu race, he said now he just needs to earn a surfing world title.surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Gerry Lopez 10'3" SUP
Gerry Lopez has 40 years of shaping experience…and, it shows in his latest creations…9'6" & 10'3" SUP's…click pic below for gallery of the latest Gerry Lopez 10'3" SUP shape…in stock now…($1299)
Pics are from Gerry's new book… SURF IS WHERE YOU FIND IT…
New from Patagonia Books: "Surf is Where You Find It," by Gerry Lopez, is a collection of stories about lessons learned during a lifetime of surfing.
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Ron House High Performance SUP's
We've recently added two new high performance quadfins to our new Ron House SUP lineup…a 9'1" x 28" bat tail and a 9'11" x 28" winger swallow…MSRP $1199…
If you know how to surf, or just want to challenge yourself with improved maneuverability, these new sticks will take you to where you want to go…
GET IT…RIP IT!!!surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Red Bull Stands Up
The folks at Red Bull
are a major sponsor of pro surfing and many other watersport events…so it was only a matter of time until they decided to give standup paddling a go…of course, they chose Santa Barbara (the SUP mecca of North America) for their initial baptismal…go figure…;-)
Live music…a flotilla of Naish standup paddleboards, great food & drink provided Shoreline Beach Cafe…and a supply boat just offshore loaded with (what else???) Red Bull and dancing girls…talk about a carrot on the end of a stick…;-)
Everyone was game to standup paddle at our dynamic waterfront venue, even with the brisk afternoon sea breeze…which BTW, was enjoyed by Wet Wednesday boat racers…and Nite Moves swimmers and runners…powering upwind and current…
Pro Red Bull athlete Kai Lenny (Maui) was flown in to help with the standup paddle instruction…he took advantage of the breeze to do a downwinder from the offshore Red Bull mother ship, using a surfboard as a sail…
More pics in this gallery…
If you are interested in doing a corporate team building event or retreat, or private group clinic / party, involving standup paddling at this venue in Santa Barbara, we can arrange event and hotel logistics for you…just give us a shout out to schedule…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Santa Barbara June SUP Demo
Another Santa Barbara standup paddleboard demo goes off in sunny gorgeous weather…
The ocean conditions were a bit raw early…but, laid down as the day went on, becoming glassy with some serious wind swell…very challenging for our local first time paddlers and visitors…some of which came from as far away as Oklahoma and North Carolina…to pick out standup paddleboards for us to ship back home for use on their lakes…
They had to choose from offerings by Ron House, Gerry Lopez, Starboard, Naish, Jimmy Lewis, & Bill Foote to name a few…
Standup paddles from Quick Blade, Werner, Sawyer, & Aquaglide…
We also had some gorgeous locally hand made standup paddles on exhibit…
Check out these sweet Hawaiian print and snake skin standup paddleboard paddles…
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about our standup paddling clinics and corporate team building events…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Old School Paddleboard
I came across this 1920's vintage paddleboard at Eva's (the Board Lady) workshop the other day…
She affectionately referred to it as "charming"…click image for more pics…
So the next time you hop up on your fancy new standup paddleboard with wood veneer and epoxy vacuum bagged lightness, with pad and featherweight carbon paddle…you can connect the dots back to one of these…and obviously further on back…
You can also put away the magnifying glass that you used to find a slight perturbation in the pin stripe, or natural "flaw" in the wood grain…;-)surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Standup Huge South Africa Wave
Check out this picture of Chris Bertish riding a Naish (production) 10'6" on a South African GIANT! Based on what's coming of the back of the board it looks like he's holding a pretty good line on what is clearly a steep freaking wave. I'd like to see the rest of the ride, but from this shot; I think it's safe to say Chris either got completely shacked, or stuffed into a coffin.
Ride on!surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Laird on ABC News : Standup
This segment with Laird Hamilton aired on Good Morning America May 28…
Asked if he could only do one thing, what would it be?
He chose standup paddling…"because of the diversity…lakes…rivers…bays…giant waves…small waves…cross the English Channel…like a dance on water…great for hangovers"…
Gotta give Bill Weir a little credit…first sesh on a standup board in the wind/chop without pad and with slippery wax…the pressure of the TV camera…and King Laird as instructor…can you say "humble pie"?…;-)surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Naish SUP's in Santa Barbara
PWA pro Levi Siver…waterman (wunderkid) Kai Lenny…and his dad Martin, made the sojourn from Hawaii to do a little standup and windsurfing in Cali…here are a few shots of Kai ripping on the new Naish SUP ripper…
Tucker Ingalls was ripping as well on the Naish 6'6" surfboard…
Full gallery here…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
That was PHUN!!!
What a day…(& evening to remember…;-)
Sunshine…warm water…lots of smiles…heaps 'o fun…
Is it any wonder why the sport of standup paddle surfing has exploded here in Santa Barbara (& around the world) these last couple of years???
Click image below for some snapshots from this event…
It’s not everyday that a legendary shaper like Ron House shows up at your local beach just to chill and spread the stoke of standup…heck, Jimmy Messina (Loggins & Messina) came down to the beach to visit with Ron, who is also an accomplished musician…RH shown here stylin' a new line of colorful standup boards that we are queuing up to be produced in a few months, with graphics by another legend , Drew Brophy…check out his website here…
Jimmy Terrell (Quick Blade), 4 time Olympic Canoeist, and owner of Quick Blade also came up to chill…this guy is a stud paddler…
Shown below muscling a little 6'6" Quadfin kid's standup paddle board around…
Muchas gracias to Jimmy Brewer (Blueline Paddlesurf) who is the proverbial Energizer Bunny…bottomless energy, enthusiasm, & stoke…his business card reads "SUP Stokemaster"…also, known as everyone's "Huckleberry"…;-)
Regardless, of it's origin…Jimmy Brewer adopts the useage from the movie "Tombstone", where Doc Holiday (played by Val Kilmer) repeats several times in the movie, "I'll be your huckleberry"…translation…BRING IT ON…whatever "IT" is…;-)
Major props to Santa Barbara dentist, Dr. Mark T. Weiser who enlisted Steve Marsh and his staff at the Shoreline Cafe in styling us out…ceviche…guacamole…buckets of Coronas…empanadas with the Chipolte dip…not to mention the final touch of the best damn corn dog in the world (mustard…ummm…) served up under a nearly full moon…;-)surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Ron House in da house!
Fun…fun…fun…hot & glassy fun with waves…
We’ve got a meet & greet with SUP shaper extraordinaire, Ron House, and Quick Blade SUP paddle manufacturer Jimmy Terrell tomorrow at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara…
There will be one of Ron's 14' "Standamarans" there to demo…and a new kid's board that we're introducing…also, the new Gerry Lopez standup paddle boards…
We’ll get started ~ 9 AM…culminating with a party at Shoreline Cafe at Leds
from ~ 5 PM until sunset…Shoreline Cafe shown here at end of grassy area…
There will prolly be another demo where all of our boards will be represented
on June 7…barring inclement weather…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Naish SUP's
We have recently welcomed the Naish product line into our store…some really kewl things coming down the Naish pipeline…stay tuned…
I think this vid clip from Robby Naish totally encapsulates the essence of standup paddle surfing…pretty kewl…
Check out the Naish standup paddle boards…
Also, check out this vid clip of ski racer Julia Mancuso talking the talk…and walking the
walk, on standup that is on ESPN…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Spicy Hot Sawyer Standup Paddles
Sawyer spices thangs up with the new Zephyr standup paddlesurf paddle…
Stay tuned as thangs are starting to get real colorful 'round these parts…;-)surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Quick Blade Standup Paddlesurf Paddles
To keep up with the raging demand for standup paddlesurf gear, we've added Quick Blade standup paddles to our product lines…(MSRP $320)
QuickBlade products are the natural evolution of paddle performance founded on years of competitive racing by Jim Terrell. Jim's paddling career began in southwest Ohio on the Little Miami River near his hometown of Milford.
The signature feature of all QUICK BLADE paddles is excellent performance. A quick catch at the beginning and a clean exit at the end of the stroke prompted the name QUICK BLADE. Only after determining the ultimate requirements for performance, was the compromise of strength, durability, lightweight and cost addressed.
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
7'2" SUP Rips!!!
Treve switching foot on South swell rights and lefts in Cali…
Full Gallery…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Gerry Lopez & Ron House SUP's Part Deux
Alrighty then…
We’ve gotten the new production epoxy Gerry lopez & Ron House SUP's all wet…and they are no longer wave virgins…
These puppies rip!
For high performance standup paddle boards, they are stable and paddle nicely…the stock fins are also quite acceptable…
They are all molded EPS blanks…cut in half and a stringer is glued up…then hand shaped and hand glassed with American glass and Resin Research epoxy resin…
Perfect pinlines and logos are added…very nice flex with a custom surfboard feel…
(MSRP Ron House $1199…Gerry Lopez $1299)
Gerry Lopez 9'6" x 27.5" x 4.25"
RH 9'6" x 27.5" x 4 1/8"
RH 10'6" x 27 7/8" x 4 3/8"
RH 11' x 29" x 4 5/8"
RH 12' x 30" x 4 3/4"
Ron House 11'er…click pic below for more angles:
Many more pics in this gallery…
If you're in Santa Barbara…or nearby…you may be interested in hearing Gerry Lopez talk about his new book May 6 at UCSB…"SURF is Where You Find It"…intro by Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia)…
“- surfing any time, any where, and in any way…"
With a standup paddle board…you can just meditate on the mantra that I coined years ago…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Gerry Lopez & Ron House SUP's
Hey now…
Just a quickie gallery to start to showcase the new Gerry Lopez 9'6" (10'2"/10'6" coming soon)…
also, the new Ron House 9'6" and 10'6" to go along with the 11' & 12'ers…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Santa Barbara Standup Paddleboarding
The newest members of the Santa Barbara standup paddling community, led by Ericka D, did a phenomenal job of "getting it' in quite challenging "never-ever" conditions over the weekend…they had it all thrown at them…and were game…despite the wind, waves, current & chop they all succeeded in doing several down-winders standing up, and winding up back at the takeoff spot…knee paddling was the call in the wind…but, several of our class persevered standing up…several windsurfers and kiters were seen ripping around right after these shots were taken…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Big Ol' Pile O' Fun…& Mo' Miles O' Smiles…
L@@K what just arrived…more SUP boards…imagine that!…;-)
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Werner Adjustable Carbon Standup paddles
Just received the new Werner adjustable carbon standup paddles with the new ergonomic palm grip with thumb control…MSRP $339…
Weight is 23 oz.
4 settings (via double push pin at 1.5" increments)
Available in 4 sizes:
74-78.5″
78-82.5″
82-86.5″
86-90.5″
:
: 
Performance Core Blade Design
: Light and buoyant in aerated water for enhanced performance
: Tough Dynel™ edging for greater durability
Blade Shape and Construction
: Mid size teardrop shaped with rounded corners that reduces torque
: Slight spoon shape at blade tip that provides a catch that is smooth and quiet
: Dihedral back reduces blade flutter for a stable stroke, more comfort, and less fatigue
Shaft and T-grip
The shaft is durable carbon construction which is light weight
: An oval index for added control
: An enhanced ABS T-grip is designed for maximum blade control and great durability
: Light swing weight
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Was It Fun Out There?!?!
Geezus H. Murphy!!!
What kind of a question is that???
As if being out in blowing sand, salt spray, 5kt current, and wind isn't enough
I reckon everyone's definition of fun is different…
I’ve written a treatise on it, actually…but, how do you really answer that???
The problem is, it wasn't a civilian asking the question…it was kind of a quasi-lukewarm blowboarder…with the him-haws…didn't really want to go out…just kinda likes the semi-drama of raining on someone else's parade…"what size sail is that"???
Maybe it's the one that I determined could be right for the conditions…huh, hoss???
The dood really didn't want a piece of it…
That’s kinda like asking…oh, nevermind…;-)
Anyways…on the Exocet Kona Mini Tanker…it was a blast and sumpthin' to do on an otherwise blownout day…even Rincon was wavesailable today… here’s the gallery…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
New 2008 Booms and Masts from HPL & Powerex
It's been windy lately…so we've been testing lots of new blowboarding hardware…namely, masts and booms…critical components of the sail rig…this was yesterday with the 2008 Hot Sails Maui "Fire"…
We have the new long awaited 2008 carbon HPL wave and freeride booms in stock…
The new boom head is much improved…as is the collar adjustment…dual clips increase torsional stiffness…the tail end is light and simple…
Here are the new 2008 100% carbon Powerex RDM's:
The Powerex RDM's come in 3 flavors now for '08…60%…85%…& 100% carbon…same great no questions…YOU BREAK IT…WE BUY IT…warranty…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Santa Barbara Water Wonderland
Standup paddling, and Standup Paddle Sports, were just highlighted in the March issue of Alaska Airline's March 2008 inflight issue…the magazine has a print circulation of 67K with a total audience of 1.4 million monthly passengers…
The article focused on waterfront activities in our beautiful town of Santa Barbara…one of the airports that Alaska Air services…
Read the article here…
Click here for some watercam shots of the morning of the article…
Stay tuned…we've recently sent a board and paddle to Playboy Magazine for a photoshoot…we also sent the athlete model a Standup Paddle Sports (SUPS) paddling jersey…and she is supposed to wear it…;-)surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Longboard Wavesailing Revolution
Here are shots of Patrice Belbeoch laying into some meaty waves on the 11'5" Exocet Kona…you can see how these new longboards can bottom turn on critical sections of the wave…also, of note is how he's charging the lippers…
Moves like these have been the domain of shortboards since longboards were replaced in windsurfing around the early 80's…ironically, in surfing that same time period coincided with the beginning of the return of longboarding since being displaced by shortboarding in the late 60's and early 70's…and now we have long, and "short" standup paddleboards…and the beat goes on…and on…
Viva La Revolution!surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Spring has Sprung…windy wind…
Another windy day on the Exocet Kona longboard waveboards…
Wind is going offshore…so conditions should improve for a standup sesh…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Exocet Kona Mini Tanker & 10'5"
Spring has sprung…and that means winds…
The new Exocet Konas really proved themselves in our local conditions…
Gallery here….surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Santa Barbara SUP Demo
We had some pretty sweet weather today for a standup paddleboard demo…
Lots of boards…heaps of positive energy and aloha…everyone learned a bunch about overall board volume vs. volume distribution vs. nose/tail rocker…effects on stability…etc…etc…new aspects of board design seem to be slowly revealing themselves…
One of the major breakthroughs has been the 9'0" Starboard Fish that you've recently read about in these pages…from 220lb advanced surfers to much lighter never-evers…this board was never dry all day…everyone was pretty stoked with it…beginners did absolutely great on this 9' board…it's really caught the eye and imagination of good surfers…
This isn't a stand there and soul arch type board…but, it's stable and turns on a dime…definitely a quiver builder…
Folks showed up from the Oregon border to Orange County…and from UK and New Zealand…
I think it's safe to say that Santa Barbara is rapidly becoming a standup paddleboard mecca…and it's still technically Winter…
Gallery with a few snapshots of today…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Perfect Quiver?
An 11'2" Starboard "Ultimate Blend" SUP and a 9'0" Fish SUP that are both wavesailable…this is a tough combo to beat…on top of that, it comes in an ASA "TufSkin" construction for $1099 ea.
Pictured below is the "Sportech" construction with gorgeous wood veneer for $1549 ea.
These '08 SUP's are in stock in our Santa Barbara store now…going fast…
Could be the perfect quiver for a standupper with a surfing background…
More pics here…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
California Winter Swells
All the leaves are brown…And the sky is grey…I've been for a walk…
On a winters day…I'd be safe and warm…If I was in LA…
California dreamin…On such a winters day…
– Mamas & The Papas —
Wayulll…not quite…
Everything here on the Central Cali Coast is actually quite green…and the sky is quite blue…& the swells are real swell…nice, old school song, though…;-)
Here’s a streaming Real Player Central Cali Coast vid clip I put together several years back that has a newer version from the original…segue is about halfway through…
Oh…but, I digressed…back to today…
One of LAFD's best…fireman Doug, came up for a Jimmy Lewis (10'4 & 10'8") demo today and scored…
Whatup with all these fireman surfers and all their time off?!?!
Yesterday, I went with my next door neighbor, fireman Brian…and seshed at a spot in the 805, that Patagonia's surfing ambassadors… the Malloy brothers learned to surf at… last week it was with fireman John…
Digressing again…back to today…
Sweet, hollow, and down the line…P&S H20 pics don't really do it justice…but, it's better than nuthin'…you get the idea, anyways…
Here’s the rest of the gallery…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Blane Chambers Production Epoxy SUPS
We've just added another line of vacuum bagged, sandwiched, epoxy boards into the lineup…these are geared towards high performance wave riding…from Oahu shaper Blane Chambers and Paddlesurf Hawaii…built with the same great construction, in the same factory, as our SOS & Bill Foote standup paddleboards…
Here’s the 10'0"…from the same shaper (Blane Chambers) that made the 10'er that Aaron Napoleon rode to victory at the QUIKSILVEREDITION KU IKAIKA CHALLENGE…the world's first big wave standup paddlesurfing contest at Makaha…:
Here’s a few more pics of the 10'0" & the 9'2":
We’ll have more of Blane's cutting edge shapes soon…including the 9'0", 9'6", 10'0", & 10'6"…and other Paddlesurf Hawaii rippers…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Monday…Monday…
Lots of water addicts had to go back to skul and woik today…pretty empty out on the water…conditions cleaned up and the swell dropped all day…still some kine kine coming through…
These gallery shots were at the end of the day…we're still trunkin' it in February…and tomorrow is supposed to warm up 10*F…N I C E !!!
Managed a couple of standup sessions…and a couple of the new Blane Chambers production epoxy standups got delivered (9'2" & 10')…along with a Kyle Bernhardt 10'6"…stay tuned for that report…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Santa Barbara Macking Waves
The swell came up a little bit today in the 805…
The offshore buoys were pinging in deepwater at 27' @ 17secs…and our piers were getting a saltwater enema…;-)
You can stay on top of the conditions by visiting our comprehensive weather pages…
The swell was fairly warbly and ragged…but, considering the cold front had barely pushed out of here there were some decent rideables…should clean up considerably for tomorrow…we'll be on the DP (dawn patrol)…hopefully, it will be as good as Big Wednesday…
Most of the surfing shots in the following gallery are from spots that rarely break…this spot is just a stone's throw from our shop…
Here is the full gallery…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Exocet Kona Mini Tanker & Kona 10'5"
We now have the Kona Mini Tanker & Kona 10'5" in our demo fleet at our shop in Santa Barbara (gallery link)…should be some interesting head to head testing results from a wavesailing standpoint…bring on the waves and Spring winds…;-)
More H O T longboard wavesailing pics…
Click for full gallery of board pics…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
QUIKSILVEREDITION KU IKAIKA CHALLENGE
R E S P E C T…
The world's first big-wave standup paddle surfing contest went off at Makaha (Westside Oahu) on Valentine's Day… QUIKSILVEREDITION KU IKAIKA CHALLENGE
photo: Covered Images/Sarah Towner
Notable quote:"I'm addicted!" said Chuck Patterson. "This new sport is so exciting. It's as much fun as anything I've ever done and it's the most humbling. It has its glorified moments that leaving you feeling amazing, but then you can turn straight around and fall on a small little bump on the water. It's a humanizing experience - you've just got to get back on your feet and start over. You're always learning and it's never boring."
41 year old Aaron Napolean won the event taking out 3 other twenty-somethings in the finals…
photo: Covered Images/Sarah Towner
Sarah Towner provides more images here…
and here is a rough cut vid clip…
Electrifying win for Napoleon
By Dayton Morinaga
Honolulu Advertiser Staff Writer
MAKAHA — Aaron Napoleon took a day off from his job with an electrical company yesterday to pull off a shocker at Makaha Beach.
Napoleon won the inaugural QuiksilverEdition Ku Ikaika Challenge — a big-wave contest for stand-up paddle surfing.
The one-day event was run in picturesque conditions, with wave-face heights ranging from 10 to 25 feet.
“I just went out there and said you gotta be kidding me — this is so much fun," said Napoleon, who resides in Pearl City. "Better than working.
“It wasn't super big, but it was beautiful. I said this is just epic."
Napoleon is 41, and twice competed in the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational surfing contest in the 1980s.
“When does a 41-year-old win a meet?" he said, laughing. "That never happens."
Yesterday, his big-wave experience played a key role. In the 30-minute final, Napoleon caught the two biggest waves of the heat and was rewarded with scores of 8.67 and 8.5 for a total of 17.17.
The other three finalists are 20-somethings in age, so Napoleon said his strategy was to wait for the bigger waves.
“I know they were turning better than me," he said. "But what helps with the bigger waves is you don't necessarily have to turn."
Napoleon’s age was not the only surprising aspect of his victory. He said he rarely practices stand-up paddle surfing — which requires a combination of paddling and surfing skills.
He even tried to enter a contest last month, but did not make the cut because of his lack of practice time.
“Kind of ironic, yeah?" he said.
For yesterday's contest, Napoleon had to start from the trials round. By the end of the day, he competed in five heats.
His momentum started in the first round, when he received a perfect 10 for a barrel ride.
After the victory, Napoleon talked at length about the respect he has for all the top watermen in Hawai'i. Now, his name can be added to that list.
Napoleon’s resume includes victorious stints in professional surfing, one-man canoe paddling, six-person canoe paddling, and paddleboarding. He is also an avid fisherman. His father is legendary canoe paddler Joseph "Nappy" Napoleon.
Keoni Keaulana, another member of a famous ocean sports family, placed second. He had a two-wave score of 14.0 in the final.
“You had the best of the best in this sport out here today, so I'm happy I got second," said Keaulana, 24.
He is the grandson of Buffalo Keaulana, and nephew of Brian and Rusty Keaulana. They all grew up surfing at Makaha.
Ikaika Kalama of the Big Island placed third, and Kamu Auwae of Wai'anae was fourth.
The contest was a benefit for the West Side Junior Lifeguard Foundation. Napoleon's winning check of $4,000 was donated to the foundation. Every competitor in the contest received $350.
FINAL RESULTS
1, Aaron Napoleon. 2, Keoni Keaulana. 3, Ikaika Kalama. 4, Kamu Auwae. 5 (tie), Brian Keaulana and Chuck Patterson. 7 (tie), Bonga Perkins and Kelii Mamala. 9 (tie), Raimana Van Bastolear, Duane DeSoto, Russ Keaulana and Dave Parmenter. 13 (tie), Noland Martin, Keone Downing, Garrett McNamara and Sam Pai.surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Fun waves…perfect weather…more on tap…
A few snapshots from one of today’s sessions…
Swell is building…weather is as nice as it gets in the Winter…
Lots of folks dropping by the shop today trying to find out closeup what the standup buzz is all about…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Santa Barbara Standup Paddleboard Demo
What a gorgeous "Chamber of Commerce" Santa Barbara day we had for our standup paddleboard demo at Leadbetter Beach yesterday…
These few pics fall way short of capturing the groove everyone had going on…perfect waves…dolphins…lots of shiny happy peeps…trunkin' it (bikinis too)
on such a Winter's day…California Dreamin'…you just need to be in the zen of the moment, and not miss many by being behind a lens…but, we know many of
you live vicariously through pages like this on the www while there's 5' of new snow in your driveways and you're back at the salt mine pretending to be
working…;-)
Not to fear…you're one day closer to Summer…and this Summer promises to be a life changing one for the many thousands of new standuppers being hatched
across the planet right now…
The rest of the picture gallery here…
Martin Lenny from Maui stopped in to say aloha…you'll be seeing lots of pics of his son Kai in future mags…if you haven't already…he freakin' rips on whatever
board he's on, including tiny standups…
Some of Da Boyz (Gerry "Kahuna" Shalhoob, Martin Lenny, Jim Brewer, Ryan, & Steve) are seen here checkin' out the new Standup Surf & Sail Journal…
Kai is in it, as well as Martin's lovely wife Paula…playing in the water outside their home on Maui's North Shore…
Check it out soon…Clay Feeter and crew have put out a very nice magazine…Surfer's Journal quality…at least a two (or three beer) issue…;-)
Speaking of tiny standups, Steve Marsh was one of many to take a paddle on the new Starboard 7'2" standup paddleboard yesterday…he's 190lbs!
I rode it also at 200lbs…it's doable…I'm going to be lobbying for an 8'2" production model…;-)
Here it is if you haven't found it in our galleries…
Next to the 9'8" Fish…which BTW, was a huge hit yesterday…
Here is an 8'8" that we've been brainstorming with our custom shaper Joe Blair…
It’s floated a 250lb guy!
There were a bunch of peeps that couldn't make the demo yesterday…we'll prolly schedule another one for early March…however, if you can get a group
together like Andrea did, (with 6 of her friends) we could schedule a private demo/lesson…
Anyways…lots of fun stuff is going down in SUP right now…you've just seen boards here on the last few posts of this blog from 7'2" to 14'8"…and everything
in between…better sign off now before I start sounding like all of the other blah, blah, dullard blahggers on the net…at least I didn't bore you with what we
had for breakfast, including coffee brand (Peets "Major Dickasons" if you wanna know…;-) and where to get the best breakfast burrito
(right here in Deb's cocina with leftover organic bife from Cafe Buenos Aires)…alrighty then…;-)
Peace out from Club Paradise…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Starboard 14'8" Distance SUP Pics and Vid
The surf backed off yesterday so I got out on the new Starboard 14'8" "Point to Point" Distance standup paddleboard…
This is a spacecraft of a board…it took me a few minutes to figure out the steering…there is a carbon rod tensioner that adjusts the integrated rudder…
Once I got that set for the conditions, I figured out that the best way to control it was by big toe pressure rather than the side of the foot…
This really works…you can paddle on one side going straight as you want…and can practically turn around as fast as a sub-10' SUP…
I learned to turn the board around without even paddling…
There is a gallery of pics here…
Additionally, I edited up a tail mounted vid clip (QT 7 .m4v)… vid clip (Windows Media .wmv)…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Wavesailing the 9'8" Starboard Fish SUP
Getting more impressed with the new "SuperFish" from Starboard…
Bennett Williams took it out after I was done and had some light air wavesailing fun…
Click here for more pics…
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power then the world will know peace"
Jimi Hendrixsurfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
J. Blair Surfboard Gallery
Snapped a few shots of our custom surfboard and standup paddleboard shaper, Joe Blair's
latest shapes…he's freakin' going off right now!!!
We just shipped a pair of guns (8' & 8'6") up to a longtime client in Portland, OR (sorry, no pics…:-()
Anyways, if you're in the market for a custom ride, we can hook you up…
Click on image for dozens of tasty pics…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Windsurfing the New Starboard 9'8" SUP Fish
The 9'8" Fish is one really fun board…definitely a keeper…
Did a double standup sesh a few days ago in head high, clean, reef waves…pumping it down the line going faster and faster…floaters, roller coasters,
cutbacks…smooth and easy…
Also, sailed it for a couple of hours in light offshore winds and small surf with a 5.0m2…decided that I liked the back setting for the mastfoot…
still tweaking footstrap placement…may remove the back one altogether when I sail it, I personally don't feel the need to be hooked in and planing when I ride
this kind of board…but, the fronts enable you to harness a little bit more wind without getting hucked in a gust…and makes it easier to get in/out of the water
with a sail rig…can still manage without them as I've done for the last several years, though…
Here’s a shot of our buddy Randy, (225lbs) demoing my board/sail rig after I was done…click image for more pics…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Blair 9'11" & Starboard 9'8 Fish
Just picked up my new Blair 9'11" 5 fin SUP, with mast track option…designed to be the ultimate waveriding travel board…will be riding it next
to the new 2008 Starboard 9'8" Fish with mast track and footstrap options…
Click image for more comparion pics…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
2008 Starboard Standup Paddleboard Pics
Just returned from the ASR show in San Diego with a few of the 2008 Starboard SUP's that will be in the container we'll be receiving in a few weeks…
Pleasantly surprised by the pulled tail and tail rocker of the 11'2" "Ultimate Blend"…combined with the relatively flat nose rocker, will make for some killer nose riding…
Lightweight…and gorgeous styling…
Will have more pics soon of the new 14'8" "Point to Point" board with integrated steering rudder…prolly do some water shots and helmetcam clips…
The 9'0" and 9'8" Fish absolutely ROCK!!!
The blue camo pad is killer…the Tufskin version is remarkably light…and only $1099!!!
Finally, we'll break the news here on the new 7'2" x 29" Kids SUP board…
Must say…standup really brings out your inner kid…
(pssssssttt, I'll be stroking out on it soon…;-)
Click below for a few more shots…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
New Starboard Distance Standup Paddleboard
We're very excited about the new Starboard "Point to Point" standup distance paddleboard…it is going into production as I write…however, it L@@Ks like we
will have one to paddle around on next week…stay tuned for more pics…in the meantime, click on the pic below for more info…
We already have six pre-orders for this puppy…so if you're serious about getting one, contact us ASAP so that we can put you on our list…
surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
2008 Starboard Standup Paddleboards (SUP's)
Check out the new 2008 lineup of Starboard Standup Paddleboards (SUP's)…(click on index image below)
We will be the first to have them in stock…mid-February…taking deposits now…TufSkin $1099 & $1299 (12'6")…SportTech $1549
There are also a couple of killer surprises coming out of the Starboard SUP pipeline to keep you stoked…stay tuned…should have some info for you soon…
Standing up, selecting the best wave sets, exploring lakes and rivers or going for a long distance downwinder.
Our world team traveled between the Maldives, Australia and Hawaii to develop and test our new progressive SUP range. The five very best shapes were selected and made available in two technologies, the great looking wood Sport Tech version and the extra durable Tufskin models.
Our collection has a host of features which set them apart in the world of SUP:
: Fast tail rockers for speed and early take off
: Extra width for stability
: Added middle rocker plus thin rails for a great ride and maneuverability
: Concaves for nose riding and smoothness
: Built-in carry handles and double leash inserts
: FCS insert options for Sport Tech versions
Starboard was the first company to bring out precision-molded wood veneer surf boards back in the mid nineties.
We were also in the pioneering stage of offering soft deck surf boards.
We take advantage of our early technology innovations and complement them with our development over the last 10 years, which has made Starboard known as the trendsetter and clear world leader.
The Extremists…Starboard SUP Fish
9′8″x30″ and 9'0"x30", for the hardcore and people that want to get the most out of riding waves.
The fish-tail style shorter boards are the most exciting and progressive shapes in the range.
They are still stable paddlers due to their 30" width but they demand a slightly higher skill level to be able to get the full potential out of them.
They feel more like surfing a shortboard in comparison. With instant acceleration, their shorter shapes allow you to pump down the line with powerful, driven cutbacks and rapid response.
Gliding into tiny waves with ultimate ease, they comfortably handle the speed of taking the drop on larger waves.
The Ultimate Blend
The 11'2" x 30" is responsive, handles greater speed, larger waves and allows tighter turns.
Still oriented towards classic longboarding style, it offers greater agility.
As with all the boards in the range, the nose concave provides lift which aides in catching waves, as well as getting up the front to get your toes on the nose.
This single concave feeds into a double concave through the middle and then into a "V" through the tail. This delivers the ultimate combination of lift, drive and release, tailored to suit the various positions of your feet on the board. The 30" width and wide nose provides good stability yet its narrow, thin tail makes it really very loose, especially while using the thruster set up. The thrusters also helps a lot for directional stability while paddling.
This 11'2" design offers the ultimate blend between stability, paddling speed and riding.
Mr. Easy
The 12' x32" is "great" in every sense of the word. Super easy to paddle and balance due to its extra width and length. It's especially comfortable to get started on this design, climb over white water and into the waves.
General maneuvering is also made simple. It is a big wide board, but due to it's curvy rocker, deep V, thin rails and rounded outline, it is still extremely agile and turns with a smooth carve.
Perfect for less-than-epic conditions found around the world, it turns the most mediocre of waves into a whole lot of fun.
Due to its phenomenal stability, it is well suited to moving up and down the board longboard-style. You can try to get all "Hawaiian" by getting up to the nose to "hang ten" and then shuffle back to lay down a carve.
Probably the most versatile board in the market and even great for tandem surfing and fishing.
The Cruiser
The 12'6"x30" is known as a great, fast cruiser for both open ocean and lakes. Its exceptional glide comes from the added length and the smooth stable feeling makes it a hit for "down winders" and "point to point" paddling. The 12'6" is also a cool board to catch your first waves with and it surprises with its good carving ability. Being probably the best tandem surf board ever, the 12'6" is a classic allrounder.surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Bill Foote Maui Standup Paddleboards
Here are some fresh pics of the new 11' x 30" Bill Foote Maui standup paddleboard.
Click on images to go into a photo gallery…this will be a production board that with availability first of April…(along with a new 10' high performance shape) and will complement the Bill Foote classic 11' x 28" that is available right now and is selling out fast…
It’s hard to find a better noseriding SUP than this board…the glide is amazing, and if you step back on the tail, it will respond better than any other 11'er on the market…heck, it LOOKs and rides better than most longboard surfboards that are out there…;-)
Top notch construction makes the Bill Foote 11'er an all-time classic…comes with double leash plugs…8" center fin, and side-biters…
Here are some more shots of the BF SUP's and Bill Foote's shaping room on the North Shore of Maui…
Click for a couple of more shots of Bill Foote standup paddleboards…surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world's leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports. [Link]
Argentina's First Standup Paddle Surf School
We just received the email attached below this flyer from some super stoked standuppers from Buenos Aires, Argentina who have opened