Spring is upon us and the weather is stellar! After a winter of riding “the waves that do not move” (aka ski mountain pitches and slopes) we did some serious intervals on the river yesterday. I woke up this morning with pleasant surprises – a core that had been worked, nicely awake lats and some quad twinges that let me know my technique was spot on. All that time on the mountain was a sort of “cross training” for SUP – mental as well as physical.

What have you been going after with passion and gusto – for me, it is water fun whether the water is frozen, salty, fresh, still or crazy rolling.  As Buddha says in the image (left) “we think we have time.” Hopefully you will take the time to do what you love – and do it with energy and playfulness.

With that in mind, we’d like to share some training tips. It’s a sort of physical, mental, spiritual adventure toward goals you might have for the upcoming SUP season. It’s YOUR time!

Get Specific:  If you want to train for big surf, spend time in big waves. Racing? Get your training on – go with a friend, set a plan, plan to succeed. Grab the fitness factors on land or water that will support what you’re after. When you get it right – celebrate. Don’t forget to reflect on your own awesomeness.

Play like Zane! Train with gusto.

Consistency Is Key: Try to do something active every day, even if it’s just a short paddle, time on balance training or a session with the weights.

Paddle with a buddy: When the plan is set and a friend is going to be waiting – you will show up.  It’s a great way to catch up, have fun, and move forward toward goals together.

Go for the Distance: Even if riding the waves is your thing, going for a long distance paddle is  great for building endurance and strength. Time and consisten practice is the quickest route to confidence and capability.

Got Tunes: I listen to everything while I train. From old school reggae, to playlists my son, daughter and granddaughter create for me. My request? Give me something that will keep me moving. It’s fun to enjoy “their” music.

Make SUP surfing, downwinding and river paddling as safe as possible: Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations, where the risks and consequences are high, your level of control is low, and you aren’t prepared for those factors. Wind, waves, current, rocks and fatigue can hand any of us a surprise. Got PFD and leash?

Manage Fear: Fear is always there, it’s a survival instinct. You just need to know how to manage it. It’s about sorting out perceived risk from real risk, and then being as rational as possible with what’s left.  Am I in control of the situation?  Do I possess the skills and capabilities to succeed? If you answer yes to these kinds of questions, go.  But if you answer no, have the guts to turn around. Don’t get paralyzed—get rational.

Aging Gracefully: I am not frivilously called “Elder SUP.” At 67 I surf more than a decade ago (and surprisingly better) but race slower (bummer).   But with age also comes a greater appreciations for technique, cross training and experience. I think train smarter and can actually be better prepared, and more selective about the events that I choose.

Live: Life is short.  There is only a certain number days on the water.Go after what moves you – mind, body, spirit! Aloha – see you on the water.

Peggy KIng inspires me and her adventures fuel the stoke.

Innocently, you join friends and fellow competitors for your first down wind SUP adventure. River, lake or open ocean – when the wind and the bumps cooperate the experience is incredible. My first downwinder was on Odell lake in Oregon on a cold, blustery late October day on a NOT-made-for-downwind board in 2007. Farmer john wetsuit and more than a few dozen wipeouts in 6 miles – but I was hooked!

There’s so much to think about – paddle stroke, wind and wave direction, safety around rocks, channels, tankers or current and your own stamina and ability.  Whether your first run was 3 miles and easy or a kick-your-butt challenge, it’s likely you emerged from the adventure a different person.  Perhaps, like so many of us, all you can think about is doing it AGAIN! Yup, you’re hooked.

In between opportunities to do down winders, it’s incredible to spend time learning from the masters of down wind, including Dave Kalama. We had a chance to meet him a few years back at the Naish Colombia Gorge Paddle Challenge where he hosted a Kalama Kamp. Google Dave for training tips he shares in 1-2 minute videos. A collection of those videos can be found here.

Recent down wind fun on Odell Lake

Another year at Hood River we were fortunate to take a clinic with Jeremy Riggs of Paddle with Riggs. It was amazing what can be learned when Jeremy paddles beside as bumps come and go – on the spot coaching led to some of the most connected glides ever! A bonus from that clinic was having Steve Gates of Big Winds out on the water with us. Pure stoke and a grin that could power a city – Steve would get to every one of us along the 8-mile run from Viento to Hood River. Somehow he telegraphed that energy so I could really dig deep when it was time to connect bumps and then balance for the glide.

Some take-away tips from the video (see below) of Jeremy Riggs training Justin Gordon include:

• The key thing keeping up your momentum.  Shorter rapid paddle strokes keep momentum going – keep speed up
• Don’t go right up the back of the wave in front of you – that will slow you down and you paddle UP.
• Look for the place to keep the momentum going, a place to guide the board into the trough where you can catch the next bump – and have tons more FUN!
  

My friend, Pam, and I coined the word “Boardpacking” a few years ago to describe the absolutely cool sport of tossing everything you need for a backpacking trip onto a standup board. There are so many places to explore and enjoy for more than a day paddle.  We recently got a story from Paul Kendrick, author of the blog SUP Paul.

Paul and his buddy, Darcy, went on a 4-day boardpacking trip to Raft Cove- a remote and beautiful place on the west coast of Vancouver Island. He has shared detailed directions to the put in – a place that doesn’t seem the gateway to the adventure and beauty that unfolded during the trip.

Take a look at Paul’s post. We love that area of Vancouver Island I am sure we will be checking the trip off our bucket list very soon.

Few things remind us of the magical quality of family time at the beach more than whimsical sand castles. Perched on a lofty rock-faced site just south of Cape Kiwanda, The Cottages at Cape Kiwanda look upon a most incredibly sculptured sand creation – Cape Kiwanda. The powerful icon, Haystack Rock graces every ocean view from the Cottages – from fog-wrapped mornings to sunset dappled golden evenings. 

The details that create the unique beauty that is Pacific City align perfectly with the details that make The Cottages at Cape Kiwanda so appealing.  Thanks to the opportunity for Fractional Ownership of your own Cottage, this is all easily accessible.

If you love life at the beach, as I do, you have probably stayed  in rentals of all types – from hotel rooms to resorts, from surf shacks to sprawling homes. Price and quality seem to fluctuate like the tides.  

Sometimes it seems that the only way to have the quality, well-appointed living areas and details you and your family dream of is to own your own beach home. The custom-built Cottages at Cape Kiwanda, just 20 steps from the beach, can be your consistently excellent piece of paradise. Each luxurious 2- and 3-bedroom Cottage has a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean, and each is fully furnished with just about everything you’d ever want or dream of in a second home. Your dream can begin with Fractional Ownership.

How are The Cottages so accessible? Fractional Ownership is the plan that allows affordable access to prime oceanfront property ownership in a manner that is easy to enjoy, without all the traditional headaches of oceanfront property ownership. The Fractional Ownership concept is still fairly unique and a story that is appealing.

With fractional share ownership, you would have deeded ownership in a Cottage as well as the furnishings in it. The Cottage is yours to use for three weeks every year. And because other owners have invested in the same Cottage for use at different times, you are only paying for the portion you use. The Cottages have a stellar professional management team that takes care of all repairs, maintenance, and housekeeping. You can even arrange for the team to rent your Cottage on your behalf when your schedule prevents you from coming.

You can learn more during your visit to The Cottages at Cape Kiwanda (details here). You will have time to explore and dream. Whether you enjoy the consistent surf, excellent fishing in the Nestucca River all the way to where the river meets the sea, or simply love roaming the shoreline – Pacific City is a magical destination.

Owning your piece of paradise need not be simply a dream. Take a visit now – the timing could not be better.

Great deals will be offered on the last 20 Developer Owned Shares in the oceanfront Cottages at Cape Kiwanda during their Developer Closeout One Day Sales Event October 24, 2015.

Live your dream!

Steps to take if you are interested – CLICK HERE

Paddling for the pure joy of sharing the water and the stoke

We all grab our board and paddle for different reasons. Each day’s session on the water is fueled by its own motivation. Why do YOU paddle? Bob Purdy paddles, in his own words, because, “I have paddled my Standup Paddle Surfer every day since January 1, 2011 to “Change the Way we live on the Planet” Bob invites us all to paddle for the change we want to see in the world (environmental, social, economic) then paddle for it until change occurs.

I have followed Bob’s quest for a few years – he is now past 1700 days in a row- because his commitment resonated with me.  Fortunately, through Elder SUP, I have had the good fortune to meet many folks, like Bob, who head to the water and make a difference – through racing for charities, paddling for a cause or becoming a kinder, more mindful self.

Pick a change, commit to that change,  and paddle for that change until it becomes a reality. We have selected to share our P2SUP guided meditations for SUP with cancer survivors, those battling its effect, along with their friends and family. From Bend, OR to South Florida we recently began a new journey. Connecting the benefit of P2SUP with both experience and fundraising for organizations benefitting cancer research and support is a solid part of our focus.

One of my favorite paddling partners is 7 year-old Julia. She paddles with playful gusto and glee, power and perseverance. I think a great deal of the motivation that inspired me to created “Power of Presence SUP” was the hope that some of our guided meditations for SUP could deliver what comes to Julia naturally – a free, accepting, grateful/playful approach to lfe.  In order to best share that goal, I will be sharing P2SUP workshops in South Florida before the Standup for the Cure – Miami event on November 7.

The more time we spend on the water sharing our first collection of P2SUP guided meditations for SUP the more we realize how powerful that experience is. No matter what skill level, paddlers discover they enjoy the 15 minute P2SUP sessions easily from the first try. Whether or not people practice traditional yoga or SUP Yoga, something in the meditations resonates easily – with what they need right now.

Standup paddling can be a wonderful healing therapy for those dealing with cancer – and an uplifting experience out on the water for family and friends. I wrote an article about Shelby Schweitzer awhile ago. In her words, “Standup for The Cure is the Schweitzer family’s biggest source of pride.  Our aunt, Judie Vivian founded this organization 4 years ago after struggling with breast cancer. ” Judie Vivian and Shelby’s mom, Shawneen,  came up with the idea while on the beach one day. Then Rob and Judie Vivian took the idea and turned it into an annual event that has raised almost  $200,000 to date (2014) for Susan G Komen Foundation.  They set a Guinness Book of World Records for the Largest Standup paddle lesson in the world!!!.

Over time we realized that the P2SUP practice of mindfulness and a tool kits of meditations to use while paddling could enhance the benefits of regular paddling for those dealing with cancer. For that reason we will be giving FREE workshops on the water, evening talks full of stories and powerful information and a donation from every sale made the week of Nov 4-10 in honor of Standup for the Cure Miami. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US.

As a cancer survivor I learned the importance of both gratefulness and acceptance, of taking time for myself and for friends and family. On the 10th year anniversary of my surviving I chose to paddle ten 3-mile laps through hometown Bend, OR. SUP has been a powerful part of my healing – and active living – process.

Now you can FOLLOW us on Twitter https://twitter.com/P2SUP

Kolleen Yake welcoming community volunteers

It is a honor to serve on the Board of the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. From the UpStream event to support their amazing educational program, to so many restoration projects the UDWC is busy all year long. One of their most visible events is Stream Stewardship Day when the entire community is invited to gather at the downtown Bend section of our beautiful Deschutes River to clean up and pull invasive species from the shore.

Large garbage bags in hand, we all set out after learning what each of the three targeted invasive weed species were. About 60 people took to the banks while the divers, about 20, prepared to clean the mid stream channel and others manned support boats and paddleboards. 

Those of us choosing to hit the water with the divers, canoes, kayaks and SUP boards were ready to get wet if necessary nabbing beer cans, bottles, plastic, a bike, an umbrella, many car keys and more. More than 45 bags of trash and weeds were collected. Most of the largest items (bikes, umbrellas, plastic) came from the deep and fast-moving mid stream area. It is obvious that we need to have a sense of stewardship among the recreational users of our beautiful river. Taking care to keep everything loaded onto a raft or float at the put-in taken OFF the river at the take out. 

The best quotes of the day – from the riparian areas:

“There sure is a lot less garbage than last year.”

“Maybe we are making a difference and people are being more careful.”

Yes! and that is the point – we can all do our part and make a difference. Bring a container for loose items and garbage, pick up trash you see floating or along the riparian areas. Here are a few shots of all of us enjoying time on the water.

An anchor, many lighters and a few bottles retrieved from the water

My KIALOA inflatable Napali board was the perfect way to enjoy time as a “River Steward.”

The girls in the canoe are: Tracy Phillips, Jane McKee, Donna Kahakui, Blair Grant, Amy Lawson

In 1943 a Hawaii race began that has created quite a legacy. 72 years later, the MacFarlane Regatta is the longest running canoe race in the world. On race day the Waikiki shoreline becomes base camp for well over a thousand paddlers and tens of thousands of spectators. The first race was for the military and all branches were represented. Even a canoe for wounded warriors competed in the competition. The regatta is held in partnership with the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, which doles out more than $160,000 in grants and scholarships for Hawaii students.

Not long ago I began to follow stories about a very cool and dedicated paddler, Jane McKee. You will definitely want to read the original article we posted about her SUP adventures.

Jane’s club, Outrigger Canoe Club, hosts the 4th of July McFarlane regatta in front of Dukes Waikiki every  year since the 1940s. The open men and women’s divisions are divided into four races, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior. The ‘Premier” races to win are Sophomore and Senior, and if you win the Senior you get to drink champagne from a silver bowl after the race! The Soph race is one mile and Senior is mile and one half.

Most outrigger regattas plot a course that runs parallel to the beach.  In the McFarlane Regatta there is a fair amount of surf potential and the course runs out through the surf and then back in. Jane McKee explains, “For the 2015 regatta there was surf, and extreme tide changes. Those conditions made for a very disorganized wave and unpredictable conditions. Many canoes hulied, broke or were swamped.

We were racing in the Sophomore race, and coming into the last leg for the finish.  We were winning with a good lead. We went to get on a wave but it was a double wave. As we came down the face of one wave the manu, or nose of the canoe, stuck in the wave in front of us essentially slowing us down long enough for the back wave to wash over the entire canoe and sink us. This all happened within seconds!

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I love the faces of the paddlers as some are laughing and others look totally dismayed. That is the great thing about this race it is a total luck of the draw who will win because mother ocean gets the last laugh! Anything can  happen and there are no guarantees

This very same crew went on to win the Senior race and drink from the silver bowl, so in the end it was a great adventure with lots of laughs and a good story to tell. 
The girls in the canoe are: Tracy Phillips, Jane McKee, Donna Kahakui, Blair Grant, Amy Lawson, and Simeon de Paloma is steering.
We have the men steer because they are better able to handle keeping the canoe straight when the wave are big or the canoe starts going out of control!
In our Senior race it was the same girls, but Marc Haine steered us to victory.
It was a great day!!”