While swimming at Hanalei recently, we started noticing something new on the ocean.
7 thoughts on “Hawaii Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Jet Surfboards, and Duke Kahanamoku”
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While swimming at Hanalei recently, we started noticing something new on the ocean.
Comments are closed.
Electric boards are heavy and very dangerous in the lineup – risk to other surfers. For that reason, they are illegal in many areas. I’m handicapped and would love to be able to have a device that would let me surf again, but I’m not about to put others at risk to do so. Now, if the user can find an isolated spot, fine – go for it – but we all know that most users aren’t like that. We’ve seen it with SUPs, and that’s why some SUP users have had very unhappy experiences with surfers.
Great article. With all of the looting and chaos on the mainland, it’s nice to see you guys are having some fun on Kauai!
Hi Curtis.
Thank you!
Aloha.
Looting and chaos? Can’t see any in Southern California. And last time I checked, we are on the mainland. Might as well select the nutcase who burned part of the neighborhood and killed two police officers in the area of Diamond Head, and talk about arson and chaos in the Islands. That wouldn’t be valid either. Do we sense an agenda?
Everyone gets wet when they learn to stand up paddle but it’s definitely more fun than hard. I always say, if you’re not falling down you’re not having enough fun. . . and that’s for beginners and experienced paddlers.
If you start out on the right equipment, even the big boys will be up and paddling with no problem on their first try. Before taking a lesson or renting a board, it’s a good idea to find out it they are using actual stand up paddle boards. It’ll make a huge difference.
Although big longboards and Softops might work for smaller paddlers, they’re definitely more tippy and will really be a struggle for most people. Find a school with the right equipment and you’ll have a blast on your very first try.
On Oahu, Hawaii there are several schools offering lessons. Here are just a few:
North Shore:
Rainbow Watersports
http://www.rainbowwatersports.com
Surf n Sea
http://www.surfnsea.com
East Side:
Hawaiian Watersports http://www.hawaiianwatersports.com
Wet Feet: http://www.wetfeet.com
Keys to success with SUP (learned the hard way).
1. Stability comes from the board having the maximum “footprint” on the water. This means, in real life, an egg shape with minimal nose rocker. And 32″ wide is about minimum. (Examples: Mirac, KM Hawaii). My 9’2″ x 32″ egg is more stable than my friend’s 10’6″ x30″.
2. So much of the instruction given is full of advice that isn’t really generically applicable. Just do it; you’ll figure it out. You don’t need the wide stance and exaggerated leaning over, etc. I didn’t start SUP until I was 75. I did it because I was having equilibrium issues and decided to do something that would force me to improve my balance. It worked.
3. Do some workouts at home for balance. Just standing on one foot in your living room is actually quite useful. If that’s too easy, do it with your eyes closed.
Thank YOU for this posting on paddle surfing.
Couldn’t agree with you more when you say “while it may look easy, in reality it is not, requiring good coordination”.
I had my first opportunity to try it and … well, I thought I had good coordination, but I really struggled.