“It’s a simple equation: surfing = stoke = happiness…”

It’s been my mantra for life…surfing for life…stoked for life…

Here’s something pretty kewl that you should know about…and, hopefully participate in with Ekolu Kalama and friends…the Ohana Project…

“With the advent of the Stand-up Paddleboard, surfers have cut the umbilical cord to mother ocean. We can take surfing inland where there doesn’t even have to be waves. Thus, a whole new terrain is wide open for exploration. The Ohana Project is the first to see just how far surfers can go with our newly acquired mobility. There are lakes in Africa, rivers in South America, canals in Egypt and people, old and young ready to find their inspiration. As a former surf instructor, I can already imagine the look on people’s faces when we put them on a surfboard for the first time.”

Ekolu Kalama signed with Starboard SUP in May 2008, he has since spent most of his time traveling across the globe either to participate in the biggest SUP races, or to find the most hardcore waves on this planet. He is one of these characters that is full of positive energy and is spreading his good vibe not only through his passion for the water, but also through his music. Next year will take a little different slant for Ekolu as he is just about to finish a pilot for an SUP TV series. We caught up with Ekolu to see what the project is actually about.

What is the Ohana Project?

Ohana first of all means, “family” in the Hawaiian language. The Ohana Project is a non-profit liaison that inspires and assists individuals, groups, and corporations by giving help in any possible way we can help. It accomplishes this by connecting social innovators with humanitarian causes and packages the results for immediate exposure in mainstream media. Eventually we would like to see everyone become a part of our Ohana Project.

Who are you working with?

The founders of the Ohana Project are myself, John Perell, and Scott Mortensen. We will be the core of the project but will be working with a lot of partners and “Ohana” members.

Are you making a pilot for a Stand-Up movie?

Yes. Our show is called “A Stand-Up World” and I would like to see it become a television series. If a network doesn’t purchase it then we are going to make it a 2 hour movie. For now, I will speak this into existence and say that the pilot for our weekly television series will be released Jan. 1st 2009. It is getting a lot of support already and I imagine it will sell rather quickly.

What destinations are you going to for shooting?

Our first two destinations, episode one, is going to turn the world on its ear! We are headed to the Roatan Bay Islands, Honduras, where our main task will be to dig a fresh water well which will provide drinking water to an entire village. Our second destination will be in El Salvador where I will be performing a benefit concert for Libras De Amor, an organization that helps fight malnourishment in that country as well as other Central American countries. Two years ago I played in a similar concert and raised $1500 for that organization. My hour and a half of music was enough to feed 24 people for one full year! This year we are going to do better than that and are hoping to feed twice as many people. At every destination we will be teaching the locals how to stand-up paddle and will be leaving stand-up boards and paddles as tokens of goodwill.

EKOLU KALAMA PHOTO: Kyle Juk

What other Stand-Up Paddlers will we see in this movie?

You never know who will show up as a special guest on our weekly series so you have to tune in. We have a lot of support and everyone wants to be a part of “A Stand-Up World” and “The Ohana Project”. It’s not strictly for stand-up paddlers but for anyone who wants to stand-up and help out. We have a long list of musicians, watermen, professional athletes, celebrities, and even the U.S. President elect, Barak Obama, will be making an appearance or two.

Your willingness for helping other people is quite remarkable. Have you made any other charity foundations in the passed?

I’ve worked with charities before but this is the first charity that I’ve actually started.

Thanks a lot Ekolu, we wish you the best of luck for your project.

If anyone would like to be a part of A Stand-Up World and The Ohana Project or would like to remain up to date with our happenings, you can visit our website at www.astandupworld.com/ “I’m in…..are you in?”

EKOLU KALAMA PHOTO: by Eric Aeder

Here’s a killer shot of Starboard team rider, Ekolu Kalama, guiding his Fish through a glassy bowl in Tahiti…

This is just a taste of the photographic work that Margareta Engstrom has been up to lately at her role as head of Starboard’s media department…

Here’s a teaser of the cover for the 2009 Starboard SUP catalog…we have heard chatter that it’s the nicest watersports catalog EVER produced…

We are just receiving another container of Starboard SUP’s…plenty Fish…and all the other great Starboard SUP product…including the new 2009 SUPer 12’6″…

Photographer: Margareta Engstrom

Nina Heiberg, the thirty-year Old Norwegian was only a teenager when she moved to Gran Canaria to become a professional windsurfer.
After a few years on the tour she decided to take on kite boarding where she climbed up to the top quite rapidly due to her soulful style.

In 1998 Nina moved to Maui to study political science, even though her biggest drive at the time was to explore one of the world’s most famous waves.
Maui gave Nina not only a lifestyle where she could be in and around the water every day, but also showed her the way to her soul mate Teiva Joyeux.
The thirty-two-year old Tahitian has been a professional surfer and Quiksilver sponsored since he was sixteen.
With a quite impressive record of surfing, tow surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding he seems to charge the waves wherever he goes.

As for both of them, their lives have always been based around water. They seem to find their happiness when they are immersed in their passion,
and have therefore naturally, maybe even unconsciously followed their dreams.
Their professions today reaches over almost any water sport you can think of and they are constantly searching for the ultimate way of enjoying the waves.
After Teiva’s first contact with SUP he was hooked, whether it is for cruising down the lagoon or catching waves at Teahupoo.
Nina’s fire comes original from her long-boarding history, which she easily transferred in to Stand-Up Paddling in the waves.

The couple is full of hidden talents even outside the water. Teiva is partly designing clothes for Quiksilver and Nina is currently recording a music album.

Starboard is very proud Nina and Teiva Joyeux and welcomes them in to our team!