It’s all good ’round these parts…still getting great surf…and, Spring flowers popping up all over…
Just based on the number of standup paddle boards and SUP paddles that we have been getting our local clients hooked up with…add, to that the numbers that we have been shipping to all points in North America and beyond…recently, Alaska to Cancun, Mexico…Minnesota to Mississippi…Seattle to Sanibel, FL…and, hola! to Jose in Puerto Rico…I guess it’s fair to say that standup paddling is THE sport of the new decade…let’s just go back to the turn of the century and millenium…Y2K…and, I think it’s safe to say that it’s grown faster than any other activity in the surfing sports world, since surfing itself…
We’ve seen a lot of ebb and flow in the last 10 years that we have been serving the surfing sports world…and, the positive energy that standup paddling has generated has topped it all…we strive everyday to pay it forward…we look forward to being “stoked for life” (TM) over the next 10 years…if you’re stoked for life…then, you can spread that stoke to others…
Paddle With Purpose::
Speaking of stoke…one of our LA clients, Patti Song, forwarded to me some info on pro surfer Jodie Nelson’s SUP for Breast Cancer fundraiser paddle after meeting her last week…Jodie will attempt to standup paddle 39.8 miles solo from Catalina to Dana Point on March 28, 2010…
“Nelson will hope to conquer the race on a solo mission, in an effort to bring attention and raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness. The journey has only been completed by a handful of men solo, and this will be the first attempt by a woman. With a goal of raising $50,000, to benefit The Keep A Breast Foundation and Boarding For Breast Cancer, Nelson will tackle the feat, coined “Paddle With Purpose” on a Stand Up Paddleboard during Ocean Ohana’s annual Catalina Challenge.”
Nelson completed the Catalina Challenge race in 2009 as a relay with another woman. “Last year’s race was the most physically and mentally grueling thing I have ever done in my life,” says Nelson. “This year I have been training using Emergen-C Pink which offers an electrolyte boost, which is the perfect companion for an endurance mission like this.”
She continues: “I’m setting out to do something that is, for me, super intimidating, unknown, and something that I have a good chance of failing at. But that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t do it! This isn’t about me. People battling cancer go through similar feelings that are magnified to a much grander scale. They are battling a life threatening disease that is intimidating and unknown to them.”
After a killer paddlesurf sesh today, rising swell and no crowds…I got back to the shop to find out that we had just received the latest iteration of the handcrafted North Pacific surfing SUP’s that you have been following the last couple of weeks from the factory…dang the luck…;-)
Here’s the 9’5″ x 30.5″ x 4.5″ double wing roundpin…and, the 8’10″ x 31″ x 4.5″ winger swallow…all dressed up and ready to rock…
The 8’10″ is in twinfin mode…actually, twin keel mode…that’s the really kewl thing about the way we are doing the quad plus one fin options…you can dial it in and really tune the fins on this huckleberry…
Have it your way…we’ll build your custom SUP just the way you like it…handcrafted, boutique boards built in a modern factory by American workers…lightweight…high performance…CUSTOM…
Congrats to Naish team rider, 17 year old Kai Lenny, for taking down the world’s best standup paddle surfers at the Sunset Beach SUP Pro… Maui teenager standing tall Lenny, 17, defeats some of world’s best in Sunset Beach Pro — Honolulu Advertiser
“Seventeen-year-old Kai Lenny of Maui performed beyond his years to win the contest in difficult conditions at Sunset Beach.
“I was just honored to get in the contest and compete against the best stand-up paddlers in the world,” said Lenny, who is a junior in a home-school program. “I can’t believe I won.”
The contest was the first event on the inaugural Stand Up World Tour, and it drew more than 70 elite wave-riders from around the world.
The final day was completed in wave-face heights of 10 to 20 feet at Sunset Beach. Strong onshore winds made it difficult for the competitors to find quality waves.
Lenny, despite his inexperience at Sunset Beach, said he felt at home in the tricky conditions. The two days of this contest were his first sessions at Sunset Beach.
“Luckily on Maui, I surfed some outer reef breaks that are similar to this wave,” he said. “Actually, this would be like the best day on Maui.”
In the four-man final, Lenny dominated the 45-minute heat.
His best wave received a score of 8.6 (out of 10), and he backed it up with a second wave of 7.2. His two-wave total of 15.8 was enough to win the $3,000 first-place check.
“We’re pretty shocked,” said Martin Lenny, Kai’s father. “He hasn’t proved himself on a world stage like this, so we were happy he got as far as the final. We weren’t expecting this.”
At the same time, Lenny is considered a rising waterman on Maui.
He is already a full-time member of the Professional Windsurfing Association. He was the No. 19-ranked windsurfer in the world last year, and was named the tour’s Rookie of the Year.
He is also a skilled tow-in surfer, and recently rode giant waves at Maui’s treacherous “Jaws” spot with expert watermen Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama.
“Windsurfing is still my focus right now,” Lenny said. “I’m still trying to do that tour and win events there.”
Now he has to consider competing on the inaugural Stand Up World Tour as well. As the winner of the first event, Lenny is the No. 1-ranked stand-up paddle surfer in the world right now.
“I’m all game now,” he said. “I want to do this (tour), too, as long as it can fit in my schedule.”
The Sunset Beach event was the first of four scheduled contests on the 2010 tour. Subsequent events are scheduled for France in May, Tahiti in June, and Ocean Beach, Calif., in October.”
Aldo Tassara from Pure Digital Maui sent us this vid clip of SUP World Tour Sunset Pro Wipeoutz…
We just had three days of 80* F weather last week…Spring has sprung!
Coming soon to an area near you…;-)
Everyday we get folks in the shop…and, phone/email…who have finally overcome their “paralysis by analysis” and have just thrown their trust to us for their big-ticket, standup paddle board acqusition, because at the end of the day you’re gonna have to trust somebody…why not choose the country’s first fully dedicated SUP store that is the market leader?…thousands of new standup paddlers have…we’ll assist you in choosing the right SUP…the first go around…there is a dizzying array of boards on the market these days…so choosing a knowledgeable, honest, and friendly shop that is fully stocked with ONLY QUALITY products is the first step towards getting the right equipment, the first time…
OUR CUSTOMERS AND QUALITY ARE ALWAYS #1…
We are a year-round, full-time, standup paddle board company…rust never sleeps… so neither do we…;-)
We have our thumbs on it 24/7…365..so you don’t have to…
We are always on top (& outfront) of the newest trends and developments in the sport…it’s our job to take our (& your) fun seriously…
Our staff are standup paddleboard specialists…we have been into it from the beginning and continue to be the industry leaders…you get what you pay for…so, if you want the best, buy from the best…we have the best value…best selection…and, most importantly, we offer the best customer service at no extra cost…good old-fashioned, “Golden Rule” business ethics…
You can find real value in the 14′ Naish Glide in AST construction for $1599…
From production to custom…wave to fitness…race to touring…
Here’s the finished product of the eyepopping, artisanal quality North Pacific SUP’s coming out of the factory…we’ll have the finished product in hand soon…we’ll post up some high rez images in a few days…
Here are a few shots of the 11’2″ Blend in blue Touch…special price of $1169…
It doesn’t get more gorgeous than the TAC wood boards by Starboard…
Naish has over 21 boards in the lineup this year…we just got in the new 10′ x 32″ Naish Mana AST for $1249 and the Naish 11’4″ Nalu in AST for only $1249…we’re taking pre-orders for the 10′ x 32″ Mana soft top for $999…everybody needs one of these in their SUP quiver…
You can pick your paddle board up directly from our conveniently located warehouse…here’s Mike trying the fit of a 9′ Starboard Fish in his Toyota Prius…
It’s bigger brother, the 9’8″ Fish is going to the Caribbean by boat next week…
If you can’t visit our SUP showroom and warehouses here in Santa Barbara, no worries…we ship paddle boards direct from our paddleboard warehouses all over the world…here’s a couple that we shipped to Seattle on Wednesday and they were in the hands of their new owner in less than 48 hours…
Our shipping department is unmatched in the board industry…
We’re stoked to be one of the sponsors of the 1st Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & SUP Surf Classic…click on event poster below for event website…
Taking advantage of the great swell that Sayulita and the surrounding area has been experiencing this year, our friends have organized the 1st Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & Stand-Up Paddle Classic, April 17-18.
The 1st Annual Punta Sayulita Long Board & Stand-Up Paddle Classic (“the Classic”) is a surf contest for longboard and stand-up paddle surfers which will take place over 2 days, April 17-18, at Sayulita’s central beach break in beautiful Sayulita. The Classic is open to all levels of amateur surfers (men and women) along with select professional surfers from Mexico and the United States who will be invited by the competition committee. The field is limited to 30 competitors. The following divisions for the Classic are as follows:
Open (Pro) (Men & Women) Senior – Age 27 and older Masters – Age 35 and older Grand Masters – Ages 40 and older Kahuna – Age 45 and older Grand Kahuna- Age 50 and older
In addition to the surf contest, on Sunday, April 18, a variety of Stand-Up Paddle races will be held including the “Punta to Punta” race, a 5K and 10K ocean distance race where paddlers will travel between Sayulita and the neighboring village of San Francisco (“San Pancho”). These distance races will be open to all ages and abilities.
Moreover, on Sunday, April 18, an Expression Session will be featured in the event program to showcase top professional short board surfers consisting of a mix of local professional surfers from Sayulita and Puerto Escondido, as well as surfers from the United States.
On Sunday evening following both days of completion, the Classic Awards Dinner Fiesta will be held at the Don Pedros oceanfront event palapa where the competitors and guests will enjoy an authentic Mexican BBQ buffet, live music and a live raffle. The Classic Fiesta is open to the public and tickets may be purchased at the door.
Proceeds raised from the Classic will be donated to the local Sayulita chapter of the Reef Check Foundation and The Punta Sayulita Foundation.
The event has confirmed the attendance of a field of professional surfers and they are still in the process of recruiting more. Below is a list of the confirmed participants:
James Pribram- Laguna Beach, CA (http://ecowarriorsurf.com/ )
Coco Nogales- Top 10 Big Wave Surfer in the World- Check out this wave he road last year at Puerto Escondido which is up for the Billabong Big Wave Awards 2010- http://video.mpora.com/watch/VWcLTJi12/
Angel Salinas (SUP- Puerto Escondido)-a.k.a., The Masked Surfer- http://www.centralsurfshop.com/
Scott Bass- C4 Waterman Team (http://www.c4waterman.com/team/scott-bass.html )
Darren Edulay- http://toesonthenose.com/eudaly.html
Chuck Patterson- http://chuckpattersonsports.wordpress.com/ Ryan Helm- Sayulita Resident (www.ryanhelm.com ) Patricio Gonzalez (past champion Long Board- Sayulita Resident) Adan Hernandez- Sayulita Resident and Punta Sayulita sponsored rider (http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing/44510/news.htm )
From the actor/celebrity side the event has former Bay Watch Star, David Chokachi, (www.davidchokachi.net/)– surfingsports.com: Stoked For Life ™ is the world’s leading stoke provider for standup paddle surfing, windsurfing, & other surfing sports.
We’re down the home stretch for those of you following the construction process of the next batch of artisanal quality North Pacific SUP’s coming out of the factory…we’ll have the finished product in hand next week…let’s do the math…
THREE WEEK TURNAROUND TIME!!!
That’s unheard of in the surfboard industry…even if you are a “team rider”…unless, you’re a big time “pro”, the standard is 4-6+ weeks…that’s if the airbrusher, or sander, isn’t in the middle of another personal crisis…;-)
Finished product…we’ll post up some high rez images in a few days…
Spring is in the air…quite the perfect day…80* air temps…you can smell that the season is changing…prolly really good news to those friends of ours still shoveling frozen water in their driveways…;-)
We have a couple of sharp new beach demo canopy popups…
Tami paddling the new Jimmy Lewis “Slice”…
The 12’6″ Starboard Pin…
The 12′ Naish “Glide”…
Carrie takes the Starboard “The New” out for a spin…
Starboard K-15…
Boards galore…
We’re always stoked at the end of the day if our efforts have helped our clients to make a decision regarding their SUP purchase…it’s a way for us to measure how effectively we are doing our job…
We’re stoked to be representing the 2010 lineup of Jimmy Lewis SUP’s… As many of you may remember, we imported containers of Jimmy Lewis SUP’s straight from the factory…hundreds of the Jimmy Lewis 11′ x 30″ All Arounder SUP’s ended up in the hands eager standup paddlers…back in the day…this was right after Sean Ordonez and myself introduced the world to the first molded epoxy production SUP’s, then the Jimmy Lewis “All Arounder” SUP entered the market…for you SUP history buffs, this was before the Surftech “Laird” became available in shops…way back in the day…;-)
Jimmy Lewis has poured his 40 years of shaping experience into the new 2010 SUP lineup…in addition to the boards shown below…there will be a new short and wide model line called the “Striker”…which we will also have soon…
Check out the stunningly gorgeous new Jimmy Lewis 12’6″ x 30″ “Slice”…$1749…
Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee. It’s Jimmy’s latest displacement shape. Designed to slice water instead of slogging through it. Less resistance and drag equals speed with less effort. Comes with JL race center fin, built in handle, self regulating air vent, recessed deck pad and optional rail handle inserts.(rail handles not included)
We’ll have this new race SUP at the Valentine’s Day demo tomorrow…
A killer fitted bag is available for $199.99
Check out the fit…NICE!
The new Jimmy Lewis “Mano” surf series…here’s the 9’9″ X 29″ and 10’2″ X 29.5″… MSRP $1549…
9′ x 27 3/4″ x 4 1/8″ – 110 liters 9′4 x 28″ x 4 1/4″ – 120 liters 9′9′ x 29″ x 4 1/4″ – 135 liters 10′2 x 29 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ – 150 liters
“MANO” is Hawaiian for “Shark”. This wave bullet is aggressive and snappy. The most performance oriented surf stand up on the market. For advanced riders looking to leave their signature on the face of a wave. Feels and rides like a short board, but surprisingly stable on the paddle out. Thruster Fins, Integrated Deckpad and Built In Handle.
JL “Kanaha” Fiberglass Paddle. This is same blade shape as the QuickBlade “Kanaha”… Wrist-Strong technology: Unique fiberglass shaft and blade add just the right amount of flex to increase comfort, reduce fatigue, and offer a lively, propelling snap at the end of each stroke…ON SALE $199…
Hobie’s Mark Johnson (shaper) and Colin McPhillips (team rider) visited us today to show off the new line of Hobie SUP products…
BTW, Colin McPhillips is a three-time world longboard champ…and, is already gaining success on the SUP racing circuit with very little training or experience…
— Photo Courtesy Sean Douglas / Hobie
Colin is currently working with Hobie shaper, Mark Johnson, on 3 signature high performance Stand Up Paddle surf models, and 3 signature Hobie Surfboard models shaped by legendary Hobie shaper Terry Martin…
These are some of the shapes that will be offered as production boards…available this Spring…
Here is Hobie’s new production race board…clean and fast…fast…fast…
Pricing is very attractive…
Colin McPhillips “CM Ultimate” models are $1199/$1249… Sumos are $1249/$1299… Race Elite PFX is $1749…YOWZA!!!
Starboard has done it again…pushing the outer limits of board design…
11’2” x 36” Avanti
Stand up paddle boarding for the people.
The Avanti is a ground breaking concept building on the success of the revolutionary Whopper (10’0” x 34’) and adds both glide and stability. Easy to catch waves and wide enough to bring your kids or dog.
Nicknamed the “Whopper Grande”…and/or “Uber Whopper”…this voluptuous new shape performs admirably in the waves, easy into waves, fast down the line, and with an agility that defies it’s proportions.
Testimonial:
Just came off the water having grabbed the ‘Uber Whopper’ and well, what can you say, it’s a different sport. I loved it, you could start at the nose on take off, run down to the back, give it a good stamp to the right, trim to the front and away you go. It was surprisingly quick, and not bad on the cutback. Can’t wait to take the wife daughter and dog out, all at the same time.
– Mike Galvin
If you are of a larger body build with perhaps heavy bones…maybe you’re a bit balance challenged…and/or have a disability that has kept you out of the water…wait no more…this is THE board for you…GET UP…STAND UP…and, stay standing up…this is definitely not a “stand up fall off” board…
Dimensions: Length: 343cm Width: 91cm Tail Width: 16” / 40.4 cm Thickness: 4.8” / 12.3 cm Volume: 206 L
Avanti, widen up your perception of SUP. Available in Technora, TAC, Candy, Camo, Blue Touch
Here’s a couple of Canadian visitors, escaping the cold, hard water of an Alberta Winter, giving the Avanti a go…
COME BE AMONG THE 1ST NORTE AMERICANOS TO PADDLE THE AVANTI (SERIAL # 000001) AND OTHER 2010 STARBOARD SUP’S THIS COMING SUNDAY AT OUR VALENTINE’S DAY SUP DEMO & SALE…
The weather is now predicted to be awesome on Sunday…:-)
Hi’s in the low to mid-70′s…NICE!…:-)
B.Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own Paddle) If you are already standup paddling and are demoing…or, are bringing a friend(s)…
