Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Da Story
What's the story with these guys standing up and paddling on surfboards?
There is a buzz in the local waters, Stand Up Paddle Surfing. What is it and where did this come from? Ku Hoe He'e Nalu in the basic, most elementary translation is: to stand-to paddle-to surf-wave. This is surfing, the sport of the Kings (hence "kingz of the coast"). Prior to this year there have been a few newspaper articles written, a couple spots in some of the surfing magazines, maybe a video shot here or there, a blog here or there and one or two websites that give limited information about the sport of Stand Up Paddle Surfing. Now it's a whole new virus and everyone is catching it!
This worldwide segment of surfing known as Stand Up Paddle Surfing was made popular back
in the Waikiki Beach Boy days of the 1960's. Stand Up Paddle Surfing, gets the alias of "Beach Boy" surfing from those days in Waikiki when the Beach Boys would stand up on their longboards and paddle with outrigger paddles while taking pictures of the tourists surfing on vacation. Documented "modern" Stand Up Paddle Surfing dates back to the 1940's with the great waterman Duke Kahanamoku and a crew of Beach Boys. However, Hoe He'e Nalu predates even Duke, to the ancient Polynesian paddlers. The roots of royalty are what you experience when gliding and sliding as you Stand Up Paddle Surf. On a side note- the term "Beach Boy" comes from when Duke was a teenager and bailed on school to hang out with the other braddahs down a the hau tree at Waikiki Beach. Duke is known as the father of modern surfing, the ambassador of aloha and the one who made Waikiki "Beach Boys" famous.
So this "new" idea is really one of old and is making a revival. In Hawaii, Stand Up Paddle Surfing is really starting to be seen all over in the islands...and in between them. Hawaiian watermen, such as Dave Kalama, Brian Keaulana, and the others mentioned here, are actively pushing the sport forward with channel crossings, down wind runs and Stand Up Paddle Surfing being added to events like Makaha's Big Board Surfing Classic in 2004. Also in 2004, Archie Kalepa entered the Molokai to O'ahu Paddleboard race as a Stand Up Paddle Surf entry. He finished the 32 mile race in 6 hours. From what can be told he was the first to cross that channel solo by means of Stand Up Paddle Surfing. Laird Hamilton has paddled from O'ahu to Kaua'i, Catalina to Dana Point, the English Channel, even the Grand Canyon, and has Stand Up Paddle Surfed Jaws and Teahupoo.
Currently in Southern California, we are promoting the sport and more importantly the spirit of this regal and majestic Pacific Islander tradition. With the hopes to broaden the perspective of other watermen and water-wahines worldwide. Paddle with Aloha.
There is a buzz in the local waters, Stand Up Paddle Surfing. What is it and where did this come from? Ku Hoe He'e Nalu in the basic, most elementary translation is: to stand-to paddle-to surf-wave. This is surfing, the sport of the Kings (hence "kingz of the coast"). Prior to this year there have been a few newspaper articles written, a couple spots in some of the surfing magazines, maybe a video shot here or there, a blog here or there and one or two websites that give limited information about the sport of Stand Up Paddle Surfing. Now it's a whole new virus and everyone is catching it!
This worldwide segment of surfing known as Stand Up Paddle Surfing was made popular back
in the Waikiki Beach Boy days of the 1960's. Stand Up Paddle Surfing, gets the alias of "Beach Boy" surfing from those days in Waikiki when the Beach Boys would stand up on their longboards and paddle with outrigger paddles while taking pictures of the tourists surfing on vacation. Documented "modern" Stand Up Paddle Surfing dates back to the 1940's with the great waterman Duke Kahanamoku and a crew of Beach Boys. However, Hoe He'e Nalu predates even Duke, to the ancient Polynesian paddlers. The roots of royalty are what you experience when gliding and sliding as you Stand Up Paddle Surf. On a side note- the term "Beach Boy" comes from when Duke was a teenager and bailed on school to hang out with the other braddahs down a the hau tree at Waikiki Beach. Duke is known as the father of modern surfing, the ambassador of aloha and the one who made Waikiki "Beach Boys" famous.So this "new" idea is really one of old and is making a revival. In Hawaii, Stand Up Paddle Surfing is really starting to be seen all over in the islands...and in between them. Hawaiian watermen, such as Dave Kalama, Brian Keaulana, and the others mentioned here, are actively pushing the sport forward with channel crossings, down wind runs and Stand Up Paddle Surfing being added to events like Makaha's Big Board Surfing Classic in 2004. Also in 2004, Archie Kalepa entered the Molokai to O'ahu Paddleboard race as a Stand Up Paddle Surf entry. He finished the 32 mile race in 6 hours. From what can be told he was the first to cross that channel solo by means of Stand Up Paddle Surfing. Laird Hamilton has paddled from O'ahu to Kaua'i, Catalina to Dana Point, the English Channel, even the Grand Canyon, and has Stand Up Paddle Surfed Jaws and Teahupoo.
Currently in Southern California, we are promoting the sport and more importantly the spirit of this regal and majestic Pacific Islander tradition. With the hopes to broaden the perspective of other watermen and water-wahines worldwide. Paddle with Aloha.
Monday, April 28, 2008
More good fun
Got a break and made a break to the break.... give me a break!? What a great session. Don't want to talk it up but it was unreal. 2-4 ft clean lefts and rights peeeeeling. Little crowd, plenty of waves, warm air, clear skies. Fun! The only Stand Up Paddle Surfer out, called in some sets for the guys that couldn't see'em coming in. Everyone was stoked. Even pulled off some helicopters...good fun. Had to call it when the arms stopped working.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Clean Sunset Session
Sunday evening....hot day and no surf, so I thought. Grabbed the Stand Up Paddle Board and cruised down to one of my favorite spots. As I'm paddling up some weird-o started yelling and screaming and whisting on the beach like a preteen girl at a Hanna Montana concert (only you know if you actually clicked on that link). Turns out to be a good buddy of mine from the jar-head days and his son.We talk story for little and he decides to paddle out again cause he knows that he surfs better when he's tried, eh' Kawika!? So we end up at the spot and score some fun waist to chest surf as the sun goes done. Evan, his son, scores a great little wave and is really stoked! Right on Evan....shred the NAR!
As it gets dark I make the paddle back to the car in the warm air. Smiling- life is good.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Da Spirit
The spirit of Stand Up Paddle Surf is simply the Aloha Spirit. The true Hawaiian Aloha Spirit is more than a simple greeting or salutation. It's a mutual, respectful regard towards another. While in the water everyone should practice the spirit of Aloha. Whatever segment of surfing you choose; from body surfing, boogie boarding, short boarding, long boarding, Stand Up Paddle Surfing, to tow-in surfing. It's all wave sliding.
As a Stand Up Paddle Surfer there is a ancient majestic feeling that overcomes you when you glide across the waters and paddle into waves. It's addicting and you'll want more. The Spirit of Aloha balances that desire and impart water wisdom on a true Stand Up Paddle Surfer.
Unfortunately there are a few people out there that are ruining the reputation of the royal sport of Stand Up Paddle Surfing. There are those in the water representing our sport improperly, without the Spirit of Aloha. With the benefit of board design and paddle the ability to catch waves increases with skill. These same individuals have the same impact on the longboard community. Given an advantage, they exercise it beyond reason and ruin the surf session for others in the water. NOT what the community of Stand Up Paddle Surfing promotes.
The Aloha Spirit is of the King of kings as well as the sport of the kings. If you're going to be standing tall you better not ruin it for us all. This isn't about who catches more waves, as kingz and queenz we need to promote the true spirit of life in the water. Live Aloha!
"Try meeting or leaving people with aloha. You'll be surprised by their reaction. I believe it, and it is my creed. Aloha to you," Duke Kahanamoku
As a Stand Up Paddle Surfer there is a ancient majestic feeling that overcomes you when you glide across the waters and paddle into waves. It's addicting and you'll want more. The Spirit of Aloha balances that desire and impart water wisdom on a true Stand Up Paddle Surfer.Unfortunately there are a few people out there that are ruining the reputation of the royal sport of Stand Up Paddle Surfing. There are those in the water representing our sport improperly, without the Spirit of Aloha. With the benefit of board design and paddle the ability to catch waves increases with skill. These same individuals have the same impact on the longboard community. Given an advantage, they exercise it beyond reason and ruin the surf session for others in the water. NOT what the community of Stand Up Paddle Surfing promotes.
The Aloha Spirit is of the King of kings as well as the sport of the kings. If you're going to be standing tall you better not ruin it for us all. This isn't about who catches more waves, as kingz and queenz we need to promote the true spirit of life in the water. Live Aloha!
"Try meeting or leaving people with aloha. You'll be surprised by their reaction. I believe it, and it is my creed. Aloha to you," Duke Kahanamoku
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Da Surfing
Surfing. Most of the attention Stand Up Paddle Surfing generates is from wave riding and sliding. It could be the guy standing on the outside of the normal line up scanning the horizon or the wahine doing a front side cutback leaning on her paddle. Either way it will make you look twice.
There are a lot of advantages that Stand Up Paddle Surfing offers to a wave
rider. A lot of the buzz that surrounds Stand Up Paddle Surfing is the idea that you can paddle into a wave earlier than the modern laydown surfer. While this is true, we DO NOT promote the wave hog attitude. Just the opposite, as another advantage to Stand Up Paddle Surfing is the ability to see the lines of swells coming towards the pack. As a Stand Up Paddle Surfer you can spot waves and let others know how many are coming and where to be. That's sharing Aloha.
Another benefit is moving from one peak to another. As you scanning the horizon you might see a peak rolling in that nobody would be able to paddle to. As a Stand Up Paddle Surfer you can stroke over in time to catch it deep and make a nice wave that otherwise would go unridden. While on the wave you can use your paddle to stroke through what could be unmakable sections. This makes for really long rides.
Check out the Crowd...? Using the paddle while on the wave is a whole other experience. While making big turns you can drag and lean on the paddle helping you make awesome turns and adding some real old school soul to them.
You can charge any size surf. You can paddle to surf that is rarely ridden. You'll being paddling along your coast and find spots that break on different tides and have it all to yourself. Remember that half the fun of riding the waves is getting there.
With all these added benefits to modern surfing why wouldn't you want to Stand Up Paddle Surf? And remember, because you have these advantages doesn't mean abuse with, Paddle with Aloha. Don't be a kook!
There are a lot of advantages that Stand Up Paddle Surfing offers to a wave
rider. A lot of the buzz that surrounds Stand Up Paddle Surfing is the idea that you can paddle into a wave earlier than the modern laydown surfer. While this is true, we DO NOT promote the wave hog attitude. Just the opposite, as another advantage to Stand Up Paddle Surfing is the ability to see the lines of swells coming towards the pack. As a Stand Up Paddle Surfer you can spot waves and let others know how many are coming and where to be. That's sharing Aloha.Another benefit is moving from one peak to another. As you scanning the horizon you might see a peak rolling in that nobody would be able to paddle to. As a Stand Up Paddle Surfer you can stroke over in time to catch it deep and make a nice wave that otherwise would go unridden. While on the wave you can use your paddle to stroke through what could be unmakable sections. This makes for really long rides.
Check out the Crowd...? Using the paddle while on the wave is a whole other experience. While making big turns you can drag and lean on the paddle helping you make awesome turns and adding some real old school soul to them.
You can charge any size surf. You can paddle to surf that is rarely ridden. You'll being paddling along your coast and find spots that break on different tides and have it all to yourself. Remember that half the fun of riding the waves is getting there.
With all these added benefits to modern surfing why wouldn't you want to Stand Up Paddle Surf? And remember, because you have these advantages doesn't mean abuse with, Paddle with Aloha. Don't be a kook!
Friday, April 18, 2008
A little southern
So there is a little south swell trying to show. Tide is filling in right now but it was fun this morning. Dennis was out at a fun spot this morning catching some fun waves. Chest high lefts and rights. Good fun. Happy Aloha Friday.
Laddahs
Laddahs
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Afternoon Delight
2 hours of good fun with good friends with playful waves and clean conditions in the middle of the day with only 5 guys out...what a gift.
Then a good sunset session down at Kualapapa with a bunch of Stand Up Paddle Surfers in the line up. There was one guy with his little girl hanging on the board with him- sweet ohana aloha. Oh and whatever he was cooking for dinner smelled ono. There is a different vibe in the water with a bunch of Stand Up surfers, it's all about having fun.
Then a good sunset session down at Kualapapa with a bunch of Stand Up Paddle Surfers in the line up. There was one guy with his little girl hanging on the board with him- sweet ohana aloha. Oh and whatever he was cooking for dinner smelled ono. There is a different vibe in the water with a bunch of Stand Up surfers, it's all about having fun.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
uh-oh...we're back
Ok... it's been almost a year. We've been busy and surfing and having fun, just not blogging about it. But we're back with lots of good stuff and with some changes. We're updating the KingzoftheCoast.com site or something like that. Anyways, blah blah blah....
Surf is small in SoCal with south winds blowing... thank you Catalina Eddy. So grab that Stand Up Paddle SURF board go practice in the bump and get some fun.
Laddahs.
Surf is small in SoCal with south winds blowing... thank you Catalina Eddy. So grab that Stand Up Paddle SURF board go practice in the bump and get some fun.
Laddahs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)