Category Archives: People

Randall Barna: Insights and Imagination

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My education and 17 years in the classroom provided me with the title of “teacher” for a great part of my life.  As all good teachers know, the best learning often comes (surprisingly?) from the students.  Last week I took an early morning paddle through the Old Mill section of the Deschutes River in Bend with Randall. We talked about teaching. My first week as an SUP-er I met Randall as my husband, Ed, and I were launching our boards in the river -full of beginner trepidation and wonder.

Randall and his family happened to be paddling that evening as well.  Off went Ed, Cristina and Bella while Randall hung back and gave me 2 miles of coaching, SUP stories and exactly the confidence I needed.  It makes good sense that when we talked for this article that teaching would be a topic we discussed.

Growing up in Oregon, Randall much of his youth in, around and on the Columbia River and then during college he moved on to surfing.  His move to Bend in the 70’s did little to dampen his enthusiasm for surfing. Winters were busy with work in his ski shop, summers were constant trips to the coast for waves or up to Elk Lake for some great sailing. In time, work (as it seems to love to do) took over as a full time endeavor, so Randall sought a way to continue  his summer “surfing” without so much driving to the coast.  Luckily for him, windsurfing (which became sail-boarding) had hit the Pacific NW.

No one seemed to be leading the way in Central Oregon so Randall added sailboards to his inventory. Unlike SUP which can be taught in a few minutes – at least enough for some good fun – sailboarding took quite a bit of training. if Randall was to ever sell a sailboard he was going to have to teach each customer the skills they’d need for fun. That was usually a 5-6 lesson challenge. Sharing his enthusiasm through teaching is a constant. Randall became a certified instructor, developed curriculum, racing opps and solid community around the sport out in our high lakes. He enjoyed racing and honing his skills – so much so that he sailed in three Nationals and gained both friends, skills and a community built around another watersport.

What Randall learns from his students is that in these sports people like to gather in groups, talk story, refine skills and build a community. While Randall has the competitive drive and ambition to race, he realizes that many SUP-ers simply like to gather – building community more than building a shelf full of race trophies. You will not shake the “racer” out of Randall though. From his early days of sailing, then on to surfing, he has learned that the best way to home your sport skills and be the safest participant you can be, it pays to compete. Not to win, but to better your own level.

Randall Barna cruising to a win on his 60+++ birthday

Randall Barna cruising to a win on his 60+++ birthday

One thing Randall hopes to see more of in the community-building potential of the SUP race scene is a balanced focus on both the high-level racers and the social-just-for-fun racers.  Trophies, yes! Ranking, of course! But just as important is a great after race gathering, some opportunity to eat, maybe share a beer and story as part of the event. One example of a “race” that built community and was a powerful good time was the Bend Paddleboard Challenge. More recently in July 2013 was the 33rd annual Odell Lake Race with its own “SUP community” flavor (read more here).

Benefitting the Bend Parks and Rec’s Recreational Scholarship Fund and the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance’s efforts to raise money for the Colorado Dam Improvement Project.  It included a 2 mile short course for beginner racers and a 6 mile long course for serious racers.  It was part of the WPA NorthWest Regional SUP Race Series. What isn’t mentioned in the blog was the months of community-building, sponsor-developing, enthusiasm-building efforts of Chip and Lainey.  Take a look at the array of local sponsors who came together to make this as much fun for the families and spectators as it was for the racers.  Winner, losers, speed-racers and cruisers alike had a blast on and off the water. We all sport our shirts with the cool logo, we all (almost) won some sort of door prize, and we all gained a few new paddling friends along the way.

Randall imagines more of this for a sport that can bring almost anyone out for a few hours enjoying the natural resource that our lakes, rivers and ocean provide.

SUP Pioneer: Dennis Oliphant

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Making our way through eager rafters at Dennis Oliphant’s Sun Country Tours this morning was just the first phase of an energy-filled chat. Dennis hails from a watery youth spent on and around the Columbia River.  His daily routine varied by seasons from tracking water fowl to sailing Lasers, Hobie Cats and Sunfish. After graduating from the University of Oregon Dennis moved to Bend in 1977 with his eye on guiding white-water trips. Hard work and ambition, along with a passion for what you do usually leads to the start of a great business.

Almost as a one-man band, in 1978 Dennis ran Sun Country Tours. Expanding his interests in all things “watery” he developed, administered and taught the outdoor classes at COCC in the early 80’s.  A whirlwind of classes that included river rescue, kayaking, rafting, climbing and snowshoeing did little to dampen Dennis’ love of water sports. By the early 1980’s he’d jumped feet first into the sport of windsurfing.  Every day off would find him on a windy lake or in the Gorge. Family vacations were directed to Maui, for more great windsurfing opportunities.  In a seamless segue, on the less windy days, Dennis and friends began one more board sport – surfing!  From tropical oceans to wake-surfing with family and friends on the lakes of the Central Oregon Cascades Dennis, along with family and friends, continued the quest to spend as much time on the water as possible.

The most recent water sport addition to the Oliphant quiver occurred about 6 years ago when family friend, Gerry Lopez, brought a few boards to local Lake Cultus including a few Mickey Munoz  tandom surf boards and that was all it took to launch a day of criss-crossing the lake. By late afternoon when the wind filled in they were “surfing” some downwinder swells and they were hooked on SUP! It was pioneer times for a great new sport. Like any new addition to a culture, there were challenges.

Prone surfers, especially in crowded areas, were not keen on these big guns ridden by surfers with paddles. Getting the stink-eye at a local surf spot was just the tip of the displeasure.  Dennis, and his buddy Gerry Lopez came by a solution by simply doing what they did in life – spreading aloha and respect to others.  The early standup surfers, Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama also modeled the behaviors of safety, respect and aloha that changed attitudes. When all is said and done – why not share, be respectful and work toward doing the right thing.

Dennis and Gerry had the opportunity to test the influence of the aloha spirit on an area about a year ago at Dennis’ Punta de Mita (Mexico) Paddle Surf Lifestyle Camp. Beyond engage the locals, answering their questions, giving them space on local breaks, they went a step further by inviting the local families to a Mexican style luau. Pictures of Gerry Lopez were a great hit as well as the local fish grill.  Gerry spoke about growing up surfing (the conventional way) and how surfers held great surfers in high regard, from Duke Kahanamoko thru today’s watermen. As different elements of surfing evolved, there was always conflict between the old and the new. Through each phase it was important to develop ways of getting along and sharing aloha on the water.

If someone was disrespectful, has challenging as it was, it was important to talk to them – but in a respectful manner. The coolest outcome was that all the way down to the youngest groms – they “got it!”  Almost overnight there was a pervasive spirit of aloha both on and off the waves. The local surf professionals began to hone their paddle surfing skills and began teaching the new sport with enthusiasm – and respect.  That’s what “Elder SUP” is all about – changing attitudes and building a spirit of family and awareness through our favorite water sport. 

Got Paddle? Go Fly!

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There’s nothing quite like an early morning set of glassy waves. Last Saturday I paddled out with friends Pam and Al and my husband, Ed. The water from shore to haystack at Pacific City, OR was gin clear and glassy. We appreciated the lack of wind after a wind-blown/blown out session the night before.  Paddling out the Haystack was compelling enough to invite Pam for a paddle to within 10 yards of the world’s fourth largest sea stack or off-shore monolith in the world. It stands 327 feet above the sea – an ancient reminder of how this awesome area was created.

We were treated with hip-high glassy swells and no crowds at all. It was a day for grabbing the gusto of ocean fun and letting the fun fly! The SUP perspective was better than ever, giving a vantage point to notice shells on the sea floor below, loons and sea lions playing and the gray whale sounding again and again off the buoy side of Haystack Rock.

We got some up closer sightings of the whale, the size of a city bus, as it emerged from the rolling waves and with a loud swoosh,when we hiked to the tip of Cape Kiwanda.  It’s a gray whale making one of the most remarkable migrations in the natural world, a scene which can be observed each winter along the Northwest coast. Each winter, more than 20,000 gray whales can be observed along the Northwest coast as they make their way south on part of their incredible 12,000 mile annual round trip migration from the northern waters off Alaska and the Arctic Sea to their winter breeding grounds of Baja California off Mexico. 

The entire area seemed idyllic and I am sure a great part what we enjoy today – and hope to for generations to come – stems from the efforts of groups like the Surfrider Foundation and their recent Ban the Bags initiative.  Activism for our oceans is diverse and on-going.

What’s your favorite water-spot to fuel your sense of wonder. How has your SUP Perspective changed the way you think or act around your favorite waters?

SUP from Key West to Maine

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Friends Mike Simpson and Will Rich have undertaken a major challenge that eventually brought them to Maine. Will and Mike departed Key West, Florida on March 1, 2011 The two succeeded to SUP (Stand Up and Paddleboard) up the east coast from Key West, Fla., to Portland, Maine. Their goal is to raise awareness and money for the Wounded Warrior Project, a national nonprofit organization that aids injured military personnel, and Stand Up for a Clean Ocean, an organization based in North Carolina dedicated to removing trash and debris from our marine ecosystems.

We live on, and love, the ocean, and she obviously plays an integral part in this adventure. We have chosen to combine our efforts with a great group of people who work hard ( and have fun at the same time ) to educate others about the well-being of our marine eco-systems on which we so closely depend. SUP Clean-up, a world-wide organization based in North Carolina, couldn’t be a better fit for what we’re trying to do. Being close to the ocean means so much more than using her for recreation and sustenance . It’s a symbiotic relationship. The sea gives us so much and we MUST care for her better in return

“Stand Up for Those Who Stood Up” is a powerful focus for their effort.  “We’re both standup paddle boarders with a deep respect for the sacrifices our military men and women make every day for our freedom and security,” said Will Rich. “We’re proud to be standing up for those who stood up for us.”

Will and Mike invite us to visit their blog home page to click on links to their selected causes to learn about ways we can help.  We can all do something as simple as picking up trash wherever we SUP – bring along an extra bag (not plastic) to put it in. That’s what Will and Mike did along their way.  They realize that there are the big steps (like paddling from Key West to Maine) and the little steps (like showing a kid the safe/clean way to pick up trash they might find along a shoreline.  It’s all in the Elder SUP collection of stories and actions – got any to share?

Here’s a great video by Anne Gassett – thanks so much for sharing this inspirational peek at Mike and Will as they move from North Carolina to Virginia in their meaningful quest

 

 

Why SUP and Paddling Matters: Mother Ocean’s Youngest Ones

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Kialoa has sponsored a “Live Like You Paddle” scholarship for about 8 years now.  One of this year’s winners was Gabriel Chun Fook age 14.  He explains what values he has gained through participation in outrigger canoe paddling. It is meaningful that the company that sponsors this thoughtful young man has built their company on traditions that are ageless and seamlessly tied to the ocean and waters.

While this blog seeks stories from ElDER SUPers, our inspiration and energy is geared to provide young people, like the high school paddlers pictured here, with a community connected by awareness and activism toward healthy waters. What better way to inspire than than to support teamwork and sports solidly tied to tradition and the water.

The Na Kama Kai Youth Challenge, presented by Turtle Bay Resort, is a stand up paddle contest for the youth, 16 years and younger that is hosted by the Waterman League.

Na Kama Kai’s mission is to empower youth by creating, conducting and supporting ocean-based programs, specifically targeting ocean awareness & safety in order to increase the capacity of youth in the community through cultural & environmental education.

Duane DeSoto the founder & president was born and raised on the west side of Oahu. His love for the ocean and appreciation of the waterman lifestyle has nurtured his dream of giving back to his community. This dream came to fruition with the establishment of Nā Kama Kai. Duaneʻs passion for the ocean continues to sustain his lifestyle and allows him to engage in nurturing the community through Nā Kama Kaiʻs youth programs.

We invite Elder SUPers involved in the work of the Waterman League and Na Kama Kai to share their stories and ideas with us. Who knows, those stories might become part of our indie film project.

 

Captain Sawdust

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Early in my career as a standup paddler I was waiting for the regular Friday afternoon group to come paddle our stretch of the Deschutes River that streams through the middle of our Old Mill District. I am not a car-person so all I can say about the car that drove up was that it was small and cute (I know, I Know). What really caught my eye was the most beautiful standup board made of many colors and types of wood strips all honed to a delicate shape and polished to perfection. My first thought was to worry about that beautiful board possibly meeting a river rock at the launch site.

The guy who made the board, Bob Jumper, came walking up to the group with his trademark grin. He set the board on the grass and introduced himself, ‘Hi, I’m Captain Sawdust.” The name was not so common, and neither is the guy.  In time I learned that he simply loves the woodworking and crafting works of art that are meant to be used.  When asked about the possibility of a rock scratching his SUP board he simply explained that it was meant to be used, and scratches could easily be sanded off and re-finished. Great attitude!

He’s continuously creating new boards and works with his son – next-generation heritage for sure.  Sawdust doesn’t race, but he’s always ready to volunteer. He’s on the water – river or ocean – as much as he can be.  As an “Elder SUP” he’s a story in the works. Got story? Talk to us!