A high standard was set by the Founder, Editor and Publisher of Standup Journal, Clay Feeter and his team. They created the tribe, the culture, the stoke and stories that connected us from the “baby step” days of our sport to what it and we have become today. I love endless numbers of things about that publication.
But this article celebrates Evelyn O’Doherty’s bold move to the helm of Standup Journal after spending time refining and polishing the resource that is Standup Journal online. Along with Associate Publisher, Russ Scully, and Creative Director, Jeff Henderson a team of deep talent has been created – and all for our benefit.
10 Things I Love!
- Evelyn O’Doherty was groomed by and seeks to honor the work of the original team: Clay Feeter, Joyce Bilodeau, Adam Champagne and Scott Stahley.
- I live 4 hours from the nearest ocean to the west and many thousands of miles to the east – and I am an ocean-loving, SUP surfing maniac. With this first issue, our favorite mag is re-named as “A Water Lovers Magazine.” YES! I love the water in all its forms – ocean, lakes, rivers, bays, streams and so on. Adventures on almost all the planet’s waters have always graced the pages of Standup Journal – and now that commitment is even more pronounced.
- Bring me to the water when the snow flies and I am high desert land-locked. I love the layout, the images (as always) and the commitment to all of us water people often starved for a great story fix and some virtual waves, paddles and soaring.
- The planet is a crucial part of our water-person celebration. As the mission statement shares about this planet’s sacred water, “We live by it, we play in it and we love it.”
- A great mix of the serenity of water sports – and wild adventures both local and exotic.
- The intention of the people sharing their stories is important to Standup Journal. Stories are designed to do more than make us drool with envy, aspire to hone or technique or add to our quiver; they are also designed to motivate us toward who we truly are in our water-loving souls.
- As the author of THE QUEST FOR BLUE PLANET SUPER HEROES, I am committed to inspire the next generation of water stewards with a love of the ocean (and all our planet’s water). Events that celebrate the Earth, the environment and the water, land and air can be found within the pages. We can commit and connect at events around the country, around the globe.
- Solutions and hope. When so much seems to threaten our planet it was great to see a 2-page spread showcasing, wait for it, meal worms! Right! Who knew that meal worms can digest and biodegrade styrofoam and other sorts of polystyrene.
- White space and easy to read text. Yup, older eyes are grateful. ‘Nuf said.
- And last but not least, I love that I can still look forward to receiving Standup Journal in my mailbox 4 times a year. The stack of past issues in my collection is large and now I can clear off a bit more shelf space and let it continue to grow.
Last night (April 13, 2018) the Patagonia store in Bend, Oregon had another of many great events (shop local and talk story). It was kick-off night for the 
Liz shared so many nuggets of genius and inspiration. Not the least, “Living from the heart makes everything possible.” Her message was not about herself or her incredible accomplishments. It was all about staying awake, being vulnerable and connected while living our own best life with purpose.
As Zane says, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” I love to grow – and learn and practice. I know that “Life is balance,” in every meaning of the word. Balance is a characteristic skill of young athletes – and the young at heart. I am willing to learn, practice and grow.
It is possible to standup paddle all the way from Maui to the Molokini “seems like a crater but isn’t” area off the coast, but the weather and your paddling buddy need to be spot on. So we were fortunate to get aboard the 
The snorkeling was great in spite of hundreds of people in the water. Once eyes were aimed at the reef and the antics of the wide variety of tropicals it seemed like we had the area to ourselves. On board, we were served fresh fruit, breads, juices and coffee by highly experienced crew, all with degrees in some form of marine biology and environmental studies. They were personable and shared information in the most engaging manner. 
Huge mahalos to Emily, Karin, Mel, Liv, Jamie and Mariah!!! After our second dive at Turtle Arches (wow, even cooler diversity of tropical fish) we had the best cookout! Veg burgers, ballpark steaks (beef hotdogs) and grilled chicken – with sides … and there were cookies! Can’t get all that on a SUP!
In the “Progression Project” film again and a again each of the water athletes is interviewed and each share what they observe, respect, appreciate and can analyze from the very people they perform against in competition. One small thing, one observation could bump a skill up a level. It was great to experience the camaraderie and fun these elite athletes maintain. The shared respect for each other and for their sport – and the most amazing SUP surfing footage you’ll enjoy again again – make this a unique and special project!
Early in my standup and surfing experience I was impatient, anxious and often frustrated. I had a habit of focusing on what I didn’t have or do have rather than what I did have. By watching, reading about, listening to and paying attention to what so many of the athletes in SUP shared, I started to learn, to hone new habits of both awareness, acceptance, patience and gratitude. The ego always wants more, especially if other people have it, to satisfy our sense of worth, to satisfy our happiness. But the truth is, we don’t actually need anything to satisfy our happiness, our happiness lies within us. We have the gift of being on the water, catching waves, currents, the wind. Let’s not miss what we are so fortunate to experience.
Elder SUP 