V4N1 SAMATA A WOMEN’S PADDLEBOARD MAGAZINE for the body • mind • soul
T H E
T E A C H I N G S O F R E S P E C T
Soul Revitalization 2017 rejuvenation
•
retreats
•
camps
AHIMSA THE TEACHINGS OF RESPECT
PADDLE NI RVANA:
PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES LAZY DOG LIFE
A REID INOUYE PUBLICATION
V4N1 USA $6.99
Where Race, Work, Travel Become One
from Chakrasana to Shavasana 2017SUP_Alana_Samata_Spread_Final_17x11.indd 2
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2017SU
Find Your Balance 2017 QUEST ALANA WOMEN’S ALL-AROUND/TOURING/WAVE
PERFORMANCE WAVE 9'6"
WIDEBODY WAVE 9'8"
LONGBOARD 10'8"
ALL-AROUND 11'2" Soft Top
TOURING 12'0"
Put some zen in your paddle session with the all new Quest Alana Series. Built from the DNA of the most sought-after Naish shapes and tailored for women, each board in the line delivers the stability needed to build skills and progress quickly. The EPS closed cell core, glass matrix deck and bottom and thermoplastic shell make these boards both lightweight and durable, while refined shaping ensures lasting performance you’ll never outgrow. Expect more from your SUP. Discover the Naish difference.
Pacific Boardsports LLC NaishStandUpPaddling
4:37 PM
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NaishSUP
pbs@naishsails.com
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(509) 493-0043
Photo: frankiebees.com, Riders: Jess Brazil, Ashley Baxter
2/6/17 4:37 PM
2017 BOARD LINEUP Whether you surf, practice yoga, fish, cruise or race we’ve got you covered. Visit us at yoloboard.com to learn more about our exciting 2017 lineup.
Celebrating10 years of living the yolo lifestyle. Thanks to our tribe for the endless support. YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, MAKE IT COUNT.
(844) YOLO-BOARD | YOLOBOARD.COM
opening
Little Bamboo Island, in the Sulu Sea Philippines Travel and adventure are two companions educating us in awareness and appreciation. The key to adventure is going – which is exactly what Jill Wheeler and her family did setting off across the globe. Little Bamboo Island is a small, private island in the Sulu Sea, north of Palawan Island and Southwest of Busuanga Island in the Philippines. This remote spot is where the Wheelers gained an appreciation of the natural, pristine beauty and wisdom from adventure travel.
Far from the maddening crowds Hadrien Kieny, who runs the kite school on Bamboo Island, and Finley Wheeler explore the blue lagoons of Little Bamboo Island. PHOTO: JILL WHEELER
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P U B L I S H E R
Reid Inouye E D I T O R
Lucy Lucille C O P Y
E D I T O R
Paul Ensyde D E S I G N
First In Flight
CED
WEAR
H E A L T H
THE END TO COLD, WET RASH GUARDS
A N D
F I T N E S S
S T A F F
P H O T O G R A P H E R S
Eric Haka Paul Ensyde C O N T R I B U T I N G
WATER REPELLENT, BREATHABLE OCEAN SHIRTS DESIGNED & TESTED ON MAUI DEVELOPED WITH SCIENTISTS IN SWITZERLAND
A D V I S O R S
Scott Estrada Casi Rynkowski Anna Levesque Audrey Lee PH.D.
W R I T E R S
Jill Wheeler TJ Mangrum C O N T R I B U T I N G
P H O T O G R A P H E R S
Romona Robbins Jill Wheeler
Printed in Hong Kong ISSN 2372-2282 Samata Mag A Reid Inouye Publication PO Box 23083 Honolulu HI 96823 info@samatamag.com ©2017
ONLY AT BLUESMITHS.COM facebook.com/SamataSUPMag @Samata_Magazine pinterest.com/samatamag instagram.com/samatamag instagram.com/campsamata samatamag.tumblr.com
THE MOST TRUSTED DRY BAGS IN THE WORLD Scanning the horizon for migrating whales off the coast of Maui is not the time to have to think about your gear. Sea to Summit’s full line of dry bags and waterproof cases - including SUP-specific solutions - keep your valuables dry and accessible. Let us worry about the gear so you can focus on the moment. See all of our waterproof gear and SUP accessories at seatosummit.com
Whale watching off Thousand Peaks, Maui PHOTO: Franck Berthuot
editor’snote
Soul Revitalization Find Your Sacred Space Our lives are so busy and noisy that we often forget about the healing power of finding or creating sacred space. When we’re out in the world, it’s not usually possible to control the noise level. Even at home, we can find it difficult to unwind and decompress. Why not take it a step further? Samata Mag has created three stand-up paddle experiences on the island of Oahu (known as the Gathering Place) with women in mind seeking to revitalize their soul. Each experience is bearing the name of finding a sacred space and connecting with water in whatever discipline you desire. Maybe you need to rejuvenate—then the Rejuvenation Retreat, May 26 - 30 is your place to eflect, and replenish your balance. The Adventure Camp, July 1 - 6 will provide you with the opportunity to explore new skills and paddle your heart out. Or maybe the stillness of exploring your inner Goddess at the Shantisi Sanctuary, September 1 - 5, where SUP Yoga is your platform. Regardless of what you seek, it is a place where you will find your sacred space on the water and allowing you to carry that to land and back home with you. Like-minded women will travel the globe to come together as a tribe of women in a light-hearted and friendly environment filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of time to unwind from the pressures of life. If you are unable to make it follow us on social media, our digital magazines and through our print publications this year as we take a fortunate few in soul revitalization. Come—find your sacred space.
Lucy
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contents
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OPENING SHOT
12 EDITOR’S NOTE 18 HOW TO
Scott Estrada: Lose The Addiction
Casi Rynkowski: Making Peace With
Your Mental Self
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Anna Levesque: Greater Balance and Power
Audrey Lee: A Detox That’s Good For You
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Rejuvenation, Retreats, Camps
44 LAZY DOG’S LIFE:
Where Race, Work, Travel Become One
54 AHIMSA
The Teachings of Respect
ON THE COVER:
For TJ Mangrum her connection to nature flows deep within her soul—her passion is to inspire others to connect to yoga whether on or off the water.
ON THIS PAGE:
Gathering of the water tribe. Sunset marks an evening workout for Paddle Core Fitness of Honolulu, Hawaii. It is the only core and strength paddleboard workout in the Pacific. Based out of Ala Moana Beach Park, these flat-water training grounds has proven to be one of the most consistent places to get on the water and build a solid core, through fitness by paddling. Women and men of all ages unplug and get fit. It is the best paddle workout in the world! 14 Samata
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Shae Foudy & Jade Howson
Photos: Mike Muir
Paddling their 12’6” RP-Raceboards off the coast of Dana Point, Ca.
NUGG
9’2” x 31”
NUGG TURBO RIVIERA ORIGINAL 9’2” x 31”
10’6” x 32” 11’6” x 33”
SELECT
10’6” x 32” 11’6” x 33”
CONVOY
RON HOUSE
10’6” x 32” COASTAL CRUISER 11’6” x 33” 12’6” X 30”
Support your local SUP shop!
VOYAGER
11’6” x 30” 12’6” x 32”
VOYAGER FISH ON CLASSIC 12’6” X 34”
12’6” X 32”
INFLATABLE 11’0” X 34” 12’6” X 32”
LIFE IS BETTER ON THE WATER.® @rivierapaddlesurf /rivierapaddlesurf rivierapaddlesurf.com
RP-12’6” RACEBOARD 12’6” X 22” 12’6” X 24” 12’6” X 26” 12’6” X 28”
RP-14’ RACEBOARD 14’0” X 23” 14’0” X 25” 14’0” X 27”
RP-14’ DOWNWINDER 14’0” X 26”
RP-12’ PRONE
12’0” X 20.25”
WHIRLING DERVISH 7’6” x 26” 8’0” x 28” 8’6” x 30.5”
THE BOSS 9’0” x 29” 10’0” x 31”
EL TIGRE 7’2” x 25” 7’8” x 27” 8’2” x 28” 8’8” x 29” 9’8” x 31”
Find a Riviera dealer near you at: www.rivierapaddlesurf.com/pages/dealer-locator
EL TIGRE WIDE 7’2” x 28” 7’8” x 30” 8’2” x 31” 8’8” x 32” 9’8” x 33”
samatatip DIET
BY SCOT T ESTRADA
LOSE THE ADDICTION
Sugar No More Sugar cravings, a.k.a., the sweet tooth—we’ve all had this or still do. Who doesn’t love something sugary and the feeling it brings, even though it’s temporary. It gets conditioned into us from early on. Most of us feel the pull our whole lives to a degree, especially when stress is high. In over 25 years of nutrition coaching, this is the one constant, and I see it more with female clients, who struggle to break from the sweet distraction. I’m not saying we shouldn’t enjoy the occasional sweet thing or decadent dessert. But living in the land of processed foods and refined carbohydrates set us up for a domino effect of inflammation. At some point, a sound strategy for longevity as an adult would be to break the shackles that sugar (glucose) might have on us. If you can’t go 1-2 days without something sweet, then these tips are for you! Understand this isn’t about depriving your self of carbs or sugar – that sets you up for bingeing and feeling guilty later than riding the roller coaster of emotions that make us feel out of control. Making a choice to “feel good” and squash inflammation from a longevity approach is the real focus, much like the way the Whole30® program is successful at helping people to pull away from an addiction to processed carbohydrates and learn to love cleaner, fresher foods and heal the relationship to healthy fats.
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Remember, sugar is a powerful drug that lights up reward centers in the brain and leaves us craving more. Go easy on yourself as you shift your habits. Be patient – focus on progress, not perfection. You’re going to eat sweet, carby things from time to time - it’s OK! Just don’t let them control most of your thoughts! Once you retrain your brain and body to run on healthy fats more, you’ll get out of the glucose trap. If you combine any of the above fats/oils with veggies, you’ve hit the target! Lean into all your leafy greens and vegetables daily; they will add vital minerals. Keep your fruits moderate to light and focus on lower sugar fruits like berries, grapefruit, lemon/limes, coconut, olives, and avocado.
HEALTHY HIGH FAT INTAKE WILL SQUASH SUGAR CRAVINGS: It’s true; the denser, healthy fats will satiate you much better than sugar ever could and not leave you craving more sugar. The insulin spike that comes from sugars is the real issue here. Shift your intake to healthy dietary fats at snacks/meals, and in 2-3 weeks you’ll notice a more balanced blood sugar level which in turn means more focused concentration, steadier energy supply, better mood/outlook, less emotional mood swings, and even less bloating, better digestion and or weight loss. With an antiinflammation approach, you will discover it doesn’t disrupt mitochondrial function in the cells like sugars do when over-consumed. From a performance perspective, learning to re-wire your system to run more on fats and less on glucose will provide you with more endurance for workouts and training. Not to mention the added perk of stacking the odds in your favor for sharper brain function for life. Many athletes experience this today and are learning to use carbohydrates wisely with cleaner, smarter choices when needed. BEST HEALTHY FAT CHOICES: • Grass-fed butter/ghee – use on veggies, cook with it, add to Bulletproof style coffee/tea • Brain Octane Oil – 100% caprylic acid from coconuts creates ketones to fuel your brain and squash hunger. Add to smoothies, salads, coffee/tea, veggies, meats, and fish. bulletproof.com/nutrition/quality-fats • Avocado/avocado oil • Olives/olive oil – the perfect fat burning snack. Try adding a shot of oil to your smoothies or drizzle over veggies. • Raw tahini
• Chia/hemp seeds – on salads, smoothies, soups • Coconuts/coconut oil – blend into milk or milk alternatives, smoothies and cook with the oil. • Raw nuts/seeds – soak in water overnight to breakdown enzyme inhibitors. Walnuts, pecans, macadamia, pumpkin, sunflower, almonds, cashews. • Pastured/range-free egg yolks • Grass-fed beef/jerky bars like Epic brand • Bone broth/collagen protein • Raw cacao (chocolate) 100% • Wild fish- salmon, trout, sardines, mackerel
NO BEAN HUMMUS RECIPE – A DELICIOUS DIP FOR ALL THOSE VEGGIES! 2 zucchini, peeled and chopped ¾ cup raw tahini ½ cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup olive oil 4 cloves garlic, peeled 2 ½ teaspoons sea salt ½ tablespoon ground cumin In a high-speed blender, combine all of the ingredients and blend until thick and smooth. Managing stress can be the forgotten piece when it comes to sugar cravings and an alarming long-term rise in blood sugars. Get on the water to paddle as much as you can, go for hikes in nature, get on your yoga mat, do breathwork and meditate daily. Find the activity that works for you and balance the scales, so selfmedication with sugars becomes a thing of the past, not something that takes from your future! Namaste!
FOR INFO ON THIS OR ANY HEALTH/NUTRITION TOPIC CONTACT SCOTT@RISESUP.COM OR IG SCOTT_ESTRADA
SIMPLE SUGAR CRAVING HACKS: • Try fermented foods like sauerkraut, fermented veggies, kimchi, or beverages like Kevita brand fermented coconut water drinks. • Heat some bone broth, drink it like tea for a savory, hit of joint building collagen and gut healing amino acids. Samata 19
samatatip
MIND
BY CASI RYNKOWSKI
Making Peace with Your Mental Self “How to lose weight and get fit in three months or less.” Somehow, that has become the average timeframe we allow ourselves to achieve our fitness goals. Three months is not any magic fitness number - it’s just what’s left of a year after we carve out all the days that we allow ourselves to fall off the proverbial fitness wagon. November and December have become the official “game off” months in a fitness quest, as the crazy holidays arrive, with big dinners and goodies galore. Then June through August has become the “I will be outside burning calories – (translation: eating barbecue and drinking beer on the beach) months.” Then with winter vacation approaches, we cross off the two weeks before and after any vacation plan, to account for the stress of getting ready and then recovering from the time off. Bottom line, we let the days, weeks, months – that overlap holidays, summer, vacations, sickness, quarterly business cycles, menstrual cycles, special events, bad mood days and hangnails (did I leave anything out?) sabotage our fitness plans. I am human too, and I battle these demons – damn you HBO series Game of Thrones! How much time does all this leave for us to achieve our fitness goals? Six months maximum, scattered across the calendar - and that’s before we even factor in wildcards like those hangnails. How can you maintain a fitness progress if you keep starting over? Unfortunately, you can’t. My point is not to paint a bleak picture, but to deliver an ever-so-important smack on the
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melon with a “fitness reality two-by-four.” There is NO optimal time to start a fitness journey and NO real reason to stop. The reasons we invent are self-imposed ways of avoiding the hard work that we need to keep doing during those less-thanoptimal times. How long does it take to achieve a fitness goal? Speaking broadly, let’s say at least six months. Consistency, frequency, and intensity of your training plus sticking to a healthy diet and including sufficient recovery time, all play a huge role. The reality is, you’ll probably need closer to a year. What you do after you achieve your goal is also critical. If you are on a quest to build muscle, the average male that is controlling all of the above factors and eating a pristine diet can expect to put on one to two pounds of muscle per month. That doesn’t sound like much of a result for living a perfect fitness life. But factor in your daily venti, one-pump cinnamon dolce latte, an occasional party night, or eating a gallon of ice cream once in a while (hey, it happens); you delay your success, pushing your timeline back further from reaching your goal. Weight loss can be a bit easier to achieve because you can “rob Peter to pay Paul.” To lose one pound, you need to burn 3,500 calories in a week, and you can do that through diet, exercise or both. The average person can lose one to two pounds a week with workouts and control calorie intake, but those hangnails can still get in the way, and the robbery works both ways. You can kill it in the gym one week but still eat away your progress the next.
If you have not figured it out yet, we all live very much in our heads, and our “Mental Self” can prevent us from achieving our fitness goals. Changing how you approach fitness could be the answer to your fitness longevity. Start by looking at fitness as a permanent part of every day – not just a temporary solution. Make
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Find your tribe. There is strength in numbers. Friends and family on the same quest can help you keep on track. You will still need to do the work and fight your Mental Self, but having a friend who can help you tell it to “get with the program” is a significant benefit.
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Explore fitness weekly. Indoor rock gyms, mud runs, triathlons, and - my favorite - outdoor adventure sports, all deliver out of the box cross-training benefits disguised as social fun. Mother Nature is the best cure for an ailing Mental Self. Sunshine and fresh air have a way of making your workout feel not so laborious; so skip the gym sessions. Get outdoors as much as you can, even if you just bring your weights outside.
it your lifestyle. Build it into your everyday routine, not just through diet and exercise behind four walls, but by living it with your family and friends. If your “Mental Self” is getting in the way, and you can’t envision what living a fitness lifestyle could look like, here are four simple guidelines to consider.
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Plan physically active vacations that will allow you to mentally powering down but keep your body revving. Sure, your Mental Self can become fatigued from work overload, but that does not mean your vacation needs to consist of flopping on the beach for seven solid days. One of the best ways to complete a brain dump is by tackling an outdoor fitness adventure that fills your mind. Rock climbing and surfing are ideal for this.
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Last but not least, for the love of all things fitness, realize that fitness needs to be a permanent part of your life. You work for money, or you don’t get paid. Fitness is no different. You need to work at it to get there and to keep it.
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samatatip
YOGA
BY ANNA LEVESQUE
Side Plank Variations for
Greater Balance and Power
Our side body muscles are mainly used for lateral flexion of the spine and hiking the hip. When we’re paddling and balancing on our boards these muscles engage as we bend slightly to one side in the final stage of our forward stroke and help us balance when we’re rotated over to the side for other strokes. They also
contract and release as we alternate pressure in our feet to keep our boards stable. They also work when we’re carrying our boards by the handle on one side. The following side stretches will help to lengthen and strengthen for greater range of motion, which leads to enhanced balance and power.
Side Plank Variations with Side Stretch. This pose strengthens the bottom side of the body while stretching the topside. • Start in all fours hands and knees. • Take your left foot out to the side as if it were a kickstand on a bike. • Extend your right leg and press the bottom of the right foot, especially the outer edge of the foot, into the mat. • Extend your right arm up to the sky and
gaze up. • Take both shoulders back by squeezing your shoulder blades toward one another. • In the next variation take your right arm by your right ear with your fingertips pointed forward. • Press the entire sole of the right foot
into the mat, especially the outer edge of the right foot and stretch through the right fingertips. • Hold for 5 deep and easy breaths and release and switch sides.
Anna is the author of Yoga for Paddling, now available online and in reputable outfitters. She is an ACA SUP Instructor Trainer, an RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance and founder of Mind Body Paddle. Anna has been paddling and practicing yoga for over 20 years. For more information please visit www. mindbodypaddle.com
Side Plank. This pose is a core and side body strengthener. When the hips of the bottom side of the body engage and lift, it becomes a stretch for the topside of the hip. • Start on all fours hands and knees. • Inhale to plank position. • Turn onto the outer edge of your right foot and stack the left foot on top of the right. • Press your right hand and feet into the mat to lift your hips up toward the sky. 22 Samata
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• Extend your left arm to the sky and gaze up. • Take both shoulders back on your back. • Hold for five deep and easy breaths, release and switch sides.
samatatip
DETOX
BY AUDRE Y LEE, PH.D.
A DETOX
THAT’S GOOD FOR YOU It’s a new year, and many make resolutions to get healthy. Bombarded with numerous ads and articles about cleanses and detoxes in our quest for a healthy lifestyle there are all kinds of products out there to give us that quick fix – liquid cleanses, fasts, powdered shakes, and nutrition bars. Typical detoxes and cleanses are short-term diets. However, my approach is different—I promote long-term lifestyle change. Research shows the numerous positive
health benefits of plant-based nutrition. This cleansing detox rids your body of toxins and impurities without starvation, deprivation, or a complete change in lifestyle. Every body is different. Pay attention to your body cues (i.e., hunger, thirst, energy level, mood) and adjust accordingly. Mindful living and building awareness are the first steps. Below are seven suggestions to detox your body naturally that won’t feel as if you are setting yourself up for failure.
To sum it up, this gentle detox is heavy in vegetables and fruits and is alcohol, white flour, sugar, dairy, and meat-free.
1. Get rid of alcohol and caffeine. If you must have coffee, cut your intake to 1-2 cups in the morning. 2. Lose the added sugar (sugar occurs naturally in fruit) and white flour. 3. Drop the meat and all processed foods. If you can’t lose all the meat, then cut down your intake and stick to grass-fed, organic meat. Stick to “whole foods” —foods that don’t have labels, like vegetables, fruits, and nuts. 4. Add lots of fiber. (Eat plenty of organic vegetables and fruits that are naturally high in fiber.) 5. Add plenty of water and herbal teas; after all, our body is made up of 70% water. Hydration is essential. Plenty of liquids is key to any successful detox. Consume at least 1216 glasses per day (8 oz. glass). 6. Add some low-intensity exercise with deep breathing, like yoga or walking for 20-30 minutes at a good pace. 7. Rest and meditate! Aim for 8 hours of quality sleep and some simple meditation like deep breathing exercises.
Audrey was born to move. She started dance and swimming at age 6, gymnastics at age 8, and continued competing through college. Lee is a performance coach, sport nutrition coach, group exercise instructor, SUP yoga instructor, and 200 hour certified YA yoga instructor. She has her Ph.D. in Exercise Sport Science from the University of Innsbruck, Austria, and her Master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Utah, along with several other industry certifications. She lives in Park City, Utah and loves the outdoors, playing in the mountains or lakes. Her passion is integrating the mind-body connection into her coaching to help people find balance and reach their highest potential. For questions or more information contact Audrey at info@powertoshred.com 24 Samata
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feel the aloha
we’re Made in the USA. Wear it with Pride. follow us on
become a retailer mahikuactivewear @icloud.com
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samatatip FIX
5-MINUTE EPOXYING YOUR PADDLE TOPS We found the most efficient way to put a paddle together using 5-Minute epoxy resin. Because of its quick drying quality, it’s a good go-to source for many water-related solutions, this one being paddle glue ups. How easy? We had our copy editor do the simple step-by-step tip in 5 minutes.
1) Measure your paddle shaft to your desired height. Remember that you need to add the height of your (PADDLE) TOP to get the finished height. Have your 5-Minute Epoxy ready, along with a stick for mixing and applying, thin plastic gloves and 180 grit wet sandpaper. 2) Once you find your height, tape off where you want it cut and use an aluminum hacksaw. Just before you finish your cut, especially with thin carbon fiber Chinese made paddle shafts, by leaving a quarter inch left to cut, turn the paddle blade over and hacksaw the last part of the shaft. This step will enable you a clean cut and no tear in your carbon-fiber cloth, which makes up the shaft. 3) Sand your top that inserts into the shaft to get better traction before you epoxy the PADDLE TOP. 80 grit sandpaper is best, but you can use the 180 grit wet sandpaper –less water. 4) Apply the 2-part epoxy onto the clear container, or you can use a hard disposable surface to prep the epoxy. Mix
the application until it turns into a semi-clear jell coat –this usually takes about 30 seconds. 5) Apply a fair amount of the epoxy onto the open face of the PADDLE TOP, which slides into the shaft. Make sure the coat is thin and applied to a third or half the top. 6) Now you are ready to slide the PADDLE TOP into the shaft and spin the PADDLE TOP, so the shaft is coated with epoxy, so it will not take in water when paddling. 7) Make sure your PADDLE TOP and the face (front) of your BLADE lines up clean and straight before curing otherwise you’ll have an off-line paddle stroke while paddling. 8) Wipe all excess epoxy resin off the tape and PADDLE TOP.
10) Upon drying and curing, you are now ready to peel the tape and depending on how much epoxy resin you leave, you can either have a smooth bead finish, or you can sand it with the 180 grit wet sandpaper. Apply water to the sandpaper, and you are ready for the last step. 11) Hold your wet-sand paper in one hand, spin the shaft of your paddle with your other hand until you have a smooth PADDLE TOP surface and keep applying water to both the shaft and the sandpaper until you are satisfied with the process. DO NOT OVER-SAND THE EPOXY RESIN, AS YOU WANT A SOLID BOND INSIDE AND OUT. 12) You now have a smooth finish, and because the epoxy bonds quickly, depending on the humidity, you can usually get in the water within an hour. Now go paddle!
9) Upon aligning your PADDLE TOP and BLADE face, run a strip of tape around it, so it holds a straight position until it the epoxy cures.
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SOUL REVITALIZATION 2017
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Looking to find that oasis of calm in a hectic world but not sure where to begin? Consider doing more things that liven your spirit in positive ways. Here are three tropical escapes to bring peace and light back into your life through Samata Magazine’s stand-up paddle lifestyle retreats/ camps—offering you much needed unplugging, recharging and some adventure. Rejuvenation Retreat, May 26 - 30, 2017 Camp Samata Adventure, July 1 - 6, 2017 Shantisi Sanctuary Retreat, September 1 -5, 2017
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Immerse yourself in a five-day celebration that will replenish your mind, body, and soul. THE YOLO Board REJUVENATION Experience is an expansion of mindful living, allowing you to decompress and get-a-way it all. From quiet morning meditations and journaling, to clean eating, freshly made juices, and organic foods, to snorkel pristine marine ecosystems, peaceful hikes with incredible island views and paddling to your heart’s content. Learn the basics of SUP or define your skills and if you’re feeling adventurous join us for a sunset SUP Yoga session. The apex of this retreat finds you in a sea of thousands of floating lanterns from your SUP board, as you will take part in the Memorial Day event, Lantern Floating Hawaii. In what’s become a Memorial Day tradition on Oahu, tens of thousands gather at Ala Moana Beach Park to release candlelit lanterns symbolizing the memories of loved ones lost. You will want for nothing as we have hand selected each participant a gear bag with everything from footwear, to skincare, bikinis and assorted apparel provided for you. Remember YOLO – #youonlyliveonce SAMATAMAG.COM/REJUVENATION-CAMP-SAMATA
Rejuvenation Retreat
Rejuvenation Retreat May 26 – 30, 2017 Oahu Hawaii
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Samata Adventure Camp
Samata Adventure Camp July 1 – 6, 2017 Oahu Hawaii
Leap boldly into adventure! This lifestyle Adventure Camp designed for eight women to engage and discover the spirit of adventure on the island of Oahu’s North Shore. Learn how to SUP surf or perfect your SUP surf skills, define your basic paddle skills and participate in the 3.5-mile Hui O He’e Nalu Independence Day Paddleboard and SUP race. The Fourth of July event is one of the best opportunities to expose you to aloha of the water Ohana on the islands. ADVENTURE Camp Samata is a 6-day experience of engaging in the excitement of new and unknown territory on the water and the exploration of SUP racing, defining your water skills (sup surf, ocean distance paddle. You will explore the island of Oahu, and all the North Shore has to offer. You will want for nothing as we have hand selected each participant a gear bag with everything from footwear, to skincare, bikinis and assorted apparel provided for you. Explore new ideas, make new friends, discover new abilities, and paddle your heart out. Adventure awaits. SAMATAMAG.COM/ADVENTURE-CAMP-SAMATA
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Shantisi Santuary
Shantisi Sanctuary SUP Yoga Retreat September 1 – 5, 2017 Oahu Hawaii
Whether you are a beginner or well-seasoned yogi, eight women will unplug from all that is ordinary – escape to our North Shore Sanctuary to discover peace (Shanti). Fill your five days with Hatha SUP Yoga, paddle with sea turtles, feel the mana of Oahu as you hike lush tropical forests that take you to cascading waterfalls and breath-taking vistas. Still your mind with guided meditations and journaling when you awake, building a habit of mindfulness and gratitude. Envision yourself taking in the sunset while finding strength in a daily practice of SUP yoga awakening balance on the fluid element of the water. We will nourish your body with the best organic, GMO-free food on the planet. The best part – you will want for nothing as we have hand selected each participant a gear bag with everything from footwear, to skincare, bikinis and assorted apparel provided for you. SAMATAMAG.COM/SHANTISI-CAMP-SAMATA
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P a d d l e N i r v a n a
P a l a w a n P h i l i p p i n e s 36 Samata
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By Jill Wheeler
Finding clarity of mind in the clear Sulu Waters.
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With her disarming smile, Wheeler with her multi-faceted water skills heading out to ride the wind off Bamboo Island.
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very one of us catches our self in a daydream from time to time. When I’m lost in mine, I have my toes in Little Bamboo Island’s ivory-white sand, with my gaze traveling out to myriad shades of turquoise-blue waters. Little Bamboo Island is a small, private island in the Sulu Sea, north of Palawan Island and Southwest of Busuanga Island in the Philippines. My family and I went abroad on a year-long journey that led us to twenty-six countries on six continents that covered but was not limited to, rock climbing, trekking, paddleboarding, and kitesurfing. While water sports and adventure were our focus, it was impossible not to fall in love with the people and cultures we visited. After falling in love with French Polynesia, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia, I wasn’t sure if there was another destination I could add to the list. Stumbling across the dazzling waters of the Philippines proved my doubt wrong. We came upon this paddleboarder’s paradise quite by happenstance; the Philippines were not even on our list of countries to visit during our journey around the world. What a massive mistake it would have been to miss out on the enchanting charm and tranquility of this island. Similar to asking a parent of multiple children which one is your favorite; the question is always asked of us, “Which country was your favorite?” While it’s impossible to choose one, if you had to teleport me to one place on earth tomorrow, I’d want here –the purity of the water and access to great food and many adventures leaves this locale 38 Samata
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Morning paddleboard yoga bliss, captured by Carter (Jill’s husband) from their hillside cottage.
“It’s not the easiest place to get to, but once you’re there— you’ll forget the effort and melt into the magic of this destination.
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It’s inevitable—SUP selfie while paddling around Coron Island.
When wind rules the day! Kitesurfing off Little Bamboo Island. PHOTO: CARTER WHEELER
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Perfect picnic beach and lagoon on Coron Island for the Wheeler’s.
Nothing really slows Jill down—underwater swimming, a.k.a marathon training, with a big rock along the coast of Little Bamboo. Photo: Channing Wheeler
lingering in our daydream. At just under two acres, Little Bamboo Island may be a small paradise, but it’s certainly not small on adventure. Island-hopping on paddleboards from sunrise to sunset, underwater swimming with big rocks, snorkeling, kitesurfing, and free-diving are all zerocarbon emission activities right off the beach. If you are up for a Bangka boat ride, explore Coron. Composed of 180 islands, Coron is the gateway to the 680-island Calamianes Group of Islands in northern Palawan. The Philippines has 7,107 islands, 1,780 of them are in Palawan. These islands have the most captivating limestone walls plunging into magical pristine lagoons. This haven of paradise is perfect for kiters, paddlers, naturelovers and relaxed eco-conscious travelers uninterested in Palawan’s touristy, party-centered destinations, El Nido and Boracay. These islands are relatively untouched, with colorful coral reefs intact and pure white sand beaches home to the delicate new beginnings of sea turtle life. The zero-emission
From sunrise to sunset, Palawan is the utopian place to paddle.
solar powered, sustainably designed resort is rustic, yet relaxing. It reminds you that simple is better. It’s not the easiest place to get to, but once you’re there—you’ll forget the effort and melt into the magic of this destination. There are beautiful places to paddle all over the world, and then there is paradise. Here, right here, on one tiny island of the 7,107 that the Philippines has to offer. While on our travels I contracted Dengue fever in Indonesia. It completely wiped me out for two weeks. My time on this remote island aided my recovery – it was healing and soothing to be in the water after being so weak from the illness. In the Philippines I practiced nurturing, self-love and play. Instead of the marathon training I had been hitting hard for the previous three months, I just swam and played for no reason. I was simply grateful to be able to move my body and be outside. Adventure travel comes with great rewards and some challenges. Remote, un-crowded destinations are my idea of the perfect place Samata 41
“The beauty of the natural world provides an endless source of inspiration...�
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to seek adventure, but can leave us vulnerable if we encounter injury or illness. Getting comfortable with being a bit uncomfortable is a big key to successful travel off-the-beaten path. There is wisdom in world travel; knowing we can handle more than we think we can with less, is a powerful and humbling lesson. The beauty of the natural world provides an endless source of inspiration, far beyond the paradise itself. If we really get it right, we bring a little bit of paradise back home with us.
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By Paul Ensyde with Sue Cooper
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Always good to have friends in the house. Lazy Dog Paddle Team with Nikki Gregg, John Beausang and Larry Cain at the SUPFest in Key West. (From left to right: Trish Miller, Sue Cooper, Nikki Gregg, Barbara Sage, Heather Gaines, John Beasaung, Tara McCabe, Larry Cain, Sandy Rodriguez and Holly Amodio)
Lazy Dogs Winston and Bonny on the originally Jimmy Lewis boards in 2007(their first boards.)
Getting your Zen on with daily PaddleYoga classes at Lazy Dog.
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The important part of team Lazy Dog—team huddle before huge waves at BOP, Salt Creek.
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ife on the water means a lot to Sue Cooper. Her thriving business stems from water—with her Lazy Dog Adventures on the southernmost key in Key West, Florida, where years ago she traded business attire and city executive “tie” as well as her title of “Executive of the Year” corporate title for a more laid back kayak tour company which also inspired her to write a book, “Millionaire in Flip Flops”. Since then, along with a hardcore group of dedicated women who she employs, they’ve roamed the planet together, to race SUP events, explore and where it’s all become a Lazy Dog’s life. So what is the “Lazy Dog Life” and why does it mean so much? Cooper defines the lifestyle. “It takes courage to say YES! and we like to say that we are not afraid of fun. It is our way of acknowledging that we appreciate being part of a group that always says yes.” And that’s how her crew, the Lazy Dogs, who help manage and run her business started on the paddleboard race scene, and it’s what has kept them traveling and participating in events all over the world. “A few of us make an annual trip to Kauai each year to hike and camp the Na Pali Coast. It’s one of my most favorite adventures. I used to say if I could paddle anywhere, I’d paddle the Na Pali Coast. Well, the first year we traveled there we saw posters in local surf shops Backdoor and Hanalei Surf Co., for the 1st Annual Na Pali Downwinder Challenge. We entered the race, rented surf-style boards, paid the entry fee and never thought twice about it or the conditions! As the race organizer was marking numbers on our arms, he asked if we were all going to keep an eye on each other out there. We said, “of course,” and fully intended to. However, when the race started, a big squall came in, and we quickly lost sight of each other. The swells were about 10-12 feet, and the wind was 35-40 mph and gusting. Four
hours later, we finished. Honestly, I cried the last hour of the race. I was blown away by the beauty of the coastline and the experience and ended up placing as the second female. To this day that was one of the most amazing experiences, I have ever had. We still go back every year commemorating our 8th year in a row for 2017. It was SUP racing that gave us the opportunity, and of course the excuse, to travel the country, but it was always so much more to us than just the race itself. To be part of the SUP community from the beginning of its emergence in 2007 has been an amazing experience. Especially Holly Amodio, Barbara Sage and I, have formed friendships that feel more like and extension of family and we’ve found a genuine camaraderie among our team as well as throughout the entire SUP community. From South Florida and such people as Roray Kam, Mary Ann Boyer, Lizi Ruiz who we’d see on weekend races to athletes such as Candice Appleby and Paddle Fit’s Brody Welte who always have a positive word—we hope to continue inspiring others as we keep traveling. It didn’t take long for us to want to make our contribution to the SUP race circuit. Our favorite events are about more than just the race, although the opportunity to get out and paddle somewhere different and beautiful is certainly the initial draw. What brought us back to events like the Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle and the Carolina Cup year after year is the full experience: the people, the place, the paddling and the party. The best thing about this sport is how small the SUP community is! There are few sports if any that recreational athletes participate alongside (well ok, behind) the professional ones. We got to know and enjoy time with everyone; so we wanted to return the hospitality—host an event of our own.” From traveling to events around the country, Cooper decided it was time to rejuvenate their town by having the torch passed on to
Lazy Dog’s day job—exploring with customers mangrove tidal creeks.
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Team Lazy Dog Captain, Cooper heading out to the beginning of the Paddle Around the Island, Key West.
them with the long-running event which has become the signature Key West Paddle Classic. Since 1997, a scenic 12-mile paddle, circumnavigating the island of Key West has become the Florida race to be. “I spoke to John Beausang of Distressed Mullet and co-creator of the Carolina Cup, the largest race on the East Coast. I asked him a few questions about some changes I was making to the race, and he gave me the best advice, “If it makes it more fun then the answer is YES!” I think that’s why John has become one of my good friends. Fun is the philosophy of the Paddle Classic! This year marks the 20th annual Key West Paddle Classic, and the stoke is still strong! Another element that keeps us invested is the opportunity SUP has given us to give back to our community, both locally in Key West, and across the state. There is something available to the community of SUP that is special. As the sport grew, competition got tougher with sponsorships on the line. It was during this time 48 Samata
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that I had a memorable conversation with Irma Price of Florida. She said, “There’s got to be more than this.” She was right, there is! That conversation was a precursor to bringing SUP as a new sport to Special Olympics. Our dear friend—Ruth Holland, started the first Special Olympics program in Key West for the Monroe County athletes. Ruth and I gathered our best volunteers, holding weekly practices for Special Olympic athletes at Lazy Dog. These practices, and other efforts, eventually paved the way for the first SUP race event for the Special Olympic athlete community. The SUP Invitational for S.O. Athletes has since grown to include all of Florida. Irma Price was instrumental in South Florida, as she organized a Dade County team in the Miami area. Yes, there was so much more. Two years ago the State of Florida added S.O. to the State Games, and we were honored to be asked to be part of the event as race coordinators and water marshals. The sport is now entering into the Nationals for 2018, and with the Lazy Dogs nominated to help.
Paddle together, Win together—Lazy Dog crew and volunteers at the finish line Paddle Classic 2016.
John Beausang (left) cheering on a finalist at the SUP Invitational Special Olympics Paddle Event.
We are so proud to be a part of it all! As in any arena, when you get the opportunity to give back it’s the ultimate reward and success.” As for team commoradiere, she has this to say, “Our experiences, traveling and hosting, are the foundation for our team’s to each other. The Lazy Dog Paddle team is made up of 12 women. We usually have anywhere between 6-10 of those 12 with us on our trips! We love to travel, train, race, and play. The funny thing is that only half the team officially works for Lazy Dog, the others just love what we do and consider themselves part of our business team. Supplementing the efforts of our hard-working full-time staff by volunteering at our events, acting as brand ambassadors, and making sure our guests have fun reminds us we
are so blessed. We all come from different backgrounds, different jobs, and have different ideas of sporting competition, but what powerfully connects us is our love for the ocean and our love for life, a life we love a life driven by the word YES. I fondly remember the year BOP moved to Salt Creek and we arrived to see double-head high waves. The swell settled down a little bit the next day, which was race day, but almost half of the competitors had backed out of the race due to conditions. There was never a doubt about what we were going to do, we never even spoke about it, we were all in. I huddled the girls together and said, “Paddle as hard as you can for the first minute and a half, get over the break and then Samata 49
Holly Amodio with one of her sunny smiles, Lazy Dog adventure in their own backyard.
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“We all come from different backgrounds, different jobs and have different ideas of sporting competition but what powerfully connects us is our love for the ocean and our love for life...�
Work and play rolled into one—team Lazy Dog.
you have a 45-minute enjoyable paddle ahead of you. On the way in, just play, it’s surf time and, worst case, the waves will wash you in.” Well, it wasn’t that simple. We didn’t’ paddle quite hard enough. The set came in and washed us out a few times, but we kept on and eventually got over. It was probably the largest waves any of us had ever been in but, always up for the adventure, we were happy living on that edge, just #makingmemories. Being on the water is part of our lives, a part that begins with the fact that we all choose to live on this tiny 1.5 x 3-mile island, 120+ miles from mainland Florida. We each have traveled paths that led us here and brought us to put down roots. We are adventurers, entrepreneurs, sailors, yogis, misfits, wanderers, career women, moms, partners, givers, and lovers of our community. These pieces are stitched together to form the fabric of the Lazy Dog Paddle team and are what make us more than friends. We came together for a love of the outdoors, of travel, a love of our local waters and good, clean fun and competition. What we have found is that with each mile we travel whether for a race, by car or plane (or boat, to Race the Reef), and each mile we go on our boards, against swift currents, and into headwinds, over dark Pacific waters and crystal clear Caribbean seas, through surf that wipes us out, gets our tutus wet and causes lifeguards on jet skis to return our pink wigs—we become closer to each other. A substantial gaggle of women traveling together attracts attention. So often, other women comment on how it must be for us to be in each other’s pockets all the time. The beauty of this
The team understands the importance of the traditional Hawaiian Pule blessing before the Paddle Around the Island.
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“I want to give back to the industry that has granted me a lifestyle I love.”
team is in the relationships. We love each other, and are more than friends—we are a family. We support each other and cheer each other on, even as we compete. We get sick of each other, and sometimes we need our space. We have our night owls and our annoyingly cheerful morning people. We have our party animals and our homebodies, our hardcore athletes and some who are paddling for the party. (put this in italicize and remove quotations We have our control freaks and those who just go with the flow. What makes it all work, though, is that the ocean runs through the veins of each of us. Each of us is most at peace on our board or a boat or beach somewhere, anywhere. We have traveled all over the world together, raced and played and experienced amazing adventures, always #makingmemories. And at the end of every trip, we come home, to our island home, our waters, reconnecting with each other—a family. Because life is better on the water.” As for the company she says, “Lazy Dog circa 1998 was primarily a local Key West kayak and apparel company. In 2007, to boost staff morale, we ordered a few boards and gradually got into paddle boarding. Locals soon caught the stoke, and our demand was high to bring in a rental fleet. Now, as an added perk to all the travel and SUP racing outside of Key West, we are known nationally as a recreational paddle travel team, a standup paddle board education center teaching water safety and paddle yoga teacher training, a tour, and rental company, an apparel line, and lifestyle specialists. Playful girls traveling as a group, racing and hanging out in bikinis are always good grassroots marketing for the recreational side of paddling at any event, right? For Lazy Dog, we could not have dreamt of a better branding campaign! We didn’t even realize its potential. We 52 Samata
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love to gather together for travel, racing, competing and exploring. Heck, we have even been lucky enough to make it up on the podium a few times! (headstands with Gerry Lopez on stage for awards during BOP are among our most memorable.) We have the time of our lives participating in so many of the nation’s SUP events and parties, making lasting friendships, and promoting our killer Lazy Dog apparel line of soft, lightweight and comfortable items. “These day’s people ask me, “Where is your adventure headed?” We have seen the industry change so much. Perhaps there may challenge’s ahead. We are willing to grow and flex as changes come. We are beyond hopeful that the industry will see even more good times if we can keep it simple and take care of each other. In the early years, the small board business owners would reach out to us to carry their boards. That’s how I met Jeff Archer from YOLO. He would travel the 16 hours from Florida’s northwest Gulf Coast to Key West with his truck and boards to show us his product line. Then, when SUP took off, rental operations and board manufacturers were popping up everywhere, but not necessarily for the best of the industry. Folks were getting into the industry for the money. If you are in business, any business, with the sole focus of making money, chances are you won’t be around long. Businesses are built on people—there is no exception in SUP. The quality of our people, our product, our service is paramount (from the manufacturer to company owner/management, to consumer, to joe-paddler and so on.) The operations that understand this and have adopted this philosophy of putting service first are the ones that are still around today. Brody Welte was one of the first people I met in the SUP community and what I loved about him, and still do, is as I mentioned earlier—
For Trish Miller, Carolina Hernandez, Barbara Sage and Tara McCabe it’s just another relay race in tutu’s!
his focus on “being a good ambassador for the sport.” What that means to me is that if we do right by the people and the lifestyle we can build a healthy industry, and SUP business. The sport is new for a majority of the people we encounter at the Lazy Dog shack. If we can teach people the safe way to paddle, how to use proper technique, how to size them up for the right equipment, it will provide a great experience, and people will come back plus it will help paddlers prevent accidents and injuries. Being a good ambassador means making sure our guests have a fun and easy initiation to SUP. This builds the industry up, and in turn strengthens and grows our businesses. In 2011 we launched the Lazy Dog Paddle Yoga Teacher Training, an expansion to what was already an established paddle yoga program that had been well received by locals and visitors alike since it’s inception in 2009. I liked what Brody was doing with PaddleFit, and the Lazy Dog Paddle Yoga teacher training followed his lead. We noticed that yoga from the mat was not translating to the board in a safe, injury-free, way. We wanted to show teachers how to effectively bring their studio practice to the board. The program has taken off with Lazy Dog Tara McCabe, a 500-hour E-RYT yoga instructor. She teaches the program four times a year and travels around the country, training and certifying instructors. She’s passionate about the yogi’s initiation to a SUP yoga practice and committed helping SUP yoga instructors lead a safe and fun class out on the water. Our SUP Yoga program is flourishing. Tara continues to teach weekly classes and has expanded the class schedule to include paddle yoga instructors Holly Amodio and Kyla Shoemaker. Our WPA certified instructors are also teaching daily beginner SUP classes that include an emphasis on paddle proper
technique, water safety, learning waterways, reading the weather and understanding conditions which follow the WPA standards and protocol. We enjoy teaching and working with paddlers of all levels. We continue to have a robust PaddleFit program. Heather Gaines, who is preparing to audition for American Ninja Warrior has quite a following of determined paddle athletes she trains! Over the last 20 years as owner of Lazy Dog I have learned a lot and look forward to our continued growth. I want to give back to the industry that has granted me a lifestyle I love. That in mind, this year I started the Lazy Dog SUP Retailers group. It’s our mission to foster a SUP retail network group with a non-competitive atmosphere where SUP retailers and businesses can openly share ideas, tips, and resources within the SUP industry. The group is one more way of being a good ambassador for the sport, doing our part to help grow the industry, and spreading the love of saying—YES! There is a list a mile long of people I am grateful for that have helped me and supported me as the Lazy Dog Life became a reality. We must make sure we show our gratitude to these pillars in our life, to our family, our friends, our teachers, and when in business, our vendors and our customers. I am so grateful for my family, my friends, my entire island and operational support systems, for my Lazy Dog operations manager, Kathy Gilmour and Paddle Shack manager Tyler Getchel, with the help of my incredible staff, enabling my business to run well while our team travels. And to all the paddlers out there keeping it real.” And in closing—what is the key to a Lazy Dog Life? Cooper says, “You must love what you do—dogs, traveling, adventure, laughing. Oh, and must be kind to each other and the planet.” Connect with the Lazy Dogs at lazydog.com Samata 53
By TJ Mangrum Photos by Romona Robbins
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THE TEACHI NGS OF RESP ECT
Yoga has taught me to talk to myself differently. How I talk to myself affects everyone around me. Yoga is my medicine.
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o many, yoga is a form of exercising. To others, yoga is a lifestyle filled with morals to live by on a day-to-day basis. In an effort to bring together a group of people to learn and practice the virtues of yoga
all while being immersed in nature, BOTE Ambassador TJ Mangrum put together a retreat in Cape San Blas, FL.
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The power a person inevitably finds on their board is incredible. I can see and watch people as the literally connect their minds to their bodies. I can see muscles turn on and minds relax. It’s the greatest gift.
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Campsite life: daily activities included eating—a lot of
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eating, campsite community and talks on Ahimsa.
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Anjaneyasana in the sunshine.
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A couple of months ago, I was brainstorming an idea that had been on my mind for quite some time. Yoga retreats these days tend to be incredibly expensive with overwhelming travel. To most, this is not feasible monetarily or time-wise. Which is when a light bulb went off–we have so many amazing state and national parks within driving distance in the South East of Florida, so why not create a legitimately affordable and accessible yoga/SUP retreat? And this is where the retreat began to take fruition. When I first considered what I wanted a retreat to be–besides being affordable and accessible, my desire was also to leave the
lightest “footprint” in our state parks, as possible. I wanted to offer people space to breathe and exist in nature. I believe, for many of us, experiencing nature in direct support of us can be foreign. Living solely on the sustenance of the raw ground beneath us isn’t something most people are often able to experience. To be in nature and experience the sun at mid-day, the stars in the evening can only help with our awareness of how we daily interact with nature and our environment. I know that when I spend even an hour in the woods, or on the water, not only do I feel more abundant but also my consciousness actively is now recharged. Restoring
Charlie Graham in Dancers pose pre-sup yoga class.
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“I wanted to offer people space to breathe and exist in nature.” Being surround by the beauty of nature and knowing that I’m a part of it and not stealing from this resource is invaluable. Ahimsa means to do no harm. Being on a sup is my way of being in and apart of nature without harm.
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“We asked campers to recognize the vocabulary they use within their thoughts and they choose to speak for themselves; to understand and practice Ahimsa in whatever medium they were able.� 64 Samata
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Yoga Hour taught by Jessica McChesney and Erik Brownsword
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Campfire story time—we shared stories of creation, purpose, and stories about toilet seats.
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There’s something special that happens to my body in the woods. I feel alive. I feel open, and connected.
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awareness and appreciation for a part of our world that we ignore as we travel on paved roads to enter cement buildings filled with artificial lights. After some research and deliberation, I found the perfect park. Cape San Blas was calling my name. I mean, c’mon! Cape San Blas is spectacular! Not to mention its campgrounds are magical. I then approached Corey Cooper of BOTE asking if we could borrow boards to lessen the costs. Without hesitation, he said YES. Inexpensive travel: check, reasonable shelter: check, boards: check! Once the boards and destination lined up, I collected the most amazing group of yoga teachers to facilitate this project with me. Jessica McChesney (everything outdoor/nature loving guru), Erik Brownsword (spreadsheet/love/Harry Potter enthusiast), Charlie Graham (life enthusiast), Elizabeth Ocheltree (spirituality enthusiast). We planned out every detail of the construction of our retreat. Through their enthusiasm and hard work, we were able to collect donations for food from Patagonia and Suja, as well as Lara Bars to munch on throughout the weekend. These donations helped create an even lower cost for the retreat enabling us to donate over 50% of our profits to charity. We donated directly back
to St Joseph’s Peninsula State Park as well as the Cultivate Union, a charity for yoga education. We gave back to what gave to us. During our three day retreat, we practiced land yoga on the beach, SUP yoga in the Bay, beautiful story time by the fire, meditation on the beach at sunrise, stargazing and meditation under the new moon at night, SUP adventures around the peninsula, a ceremonial fire celebration, and ate AMAZING yummy food. All under the umbrella theme of Ahimsa. Ahimsa is a principle term used in the yoga community that means non-violence. Non-violence to anything – nature, others, the Self, et cetera. We spoke of treating others and ourselves with compassion, grace, and understanding. We asked campers to recognize the vocabulary they use within their thoughts and how they choose to speak for themselves; to understand and practice Ahimsa in whatever medium they were able. This retreat was a surreal experience for me. I authentically feel as though all of the people, all of the support, all of the magic were deliberate. Everything fell into place with ease and affirming purposeful work. People felt impacted by their personal experience. Whether they were on adventures through the woods, on the water or reclined on the beach and resting in hammocks, people lived Samata 69
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“I know that when I spend even an hour in the woods, or on the water not only do I feel more abundant but also my consciousness actively is now recharged.�
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fully. We existed in a sweet bubble of Ahimsa. We reveled in our personal power and growing abundance of self-awareness. I cannot describe to you the visceral joy I feel by just stepping back into the memory of our celebratory fire ceremony or the comraderie I felt during breakfast with fresh faces and stories about cushioned toilet seats. I will forever cherish the memory of this experience. I will forever have slots in my heart designated for each soul we shared space with on this trip. I will forever be humbly grateful to BOTE and Patagonia for their help. And I will never be able to thank the people who helped me create and facilitate this retreat adequately. So let’s do it again! See you in May #freerangeyogis! I love you forever.
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Jessica McChesney pointed at the sunset and said, “This is my favorite color. Thank you.�
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Buyers Guide Whether traveling abroad this year on a new adventure or just staying home check out a few must-haves for your suitcase—from bikinis to mindful living and being in the know, here’s some of our favorite things!
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HONEY GIRL honeygirlwaterwear.com
Ocean tested, surfer-approved this is the mantra for Honey Girl Waterwear. Defined by such women as Tiare Lawrence who is an amazing all-around water woman. She has competed in stand-up paddling, crossing the Ka‚’iwi channel on stand-up and outrigger canoe (paddles with Maui Team: Hawaiian Canoe Club) and is known for‚ charging‚ huge waves at surf spots like Makaha and Honolua Bay. Honey Girl sports Little Honey’s for girls to women’s two-piece
and one-piece suits and is made in the U.S.A. with their distinct prints. Their swimwear is REVERSIBLE, and there care labels are made of a special paper so that you can tear it out, eliminating the worry of snipping your suit–you don’t need scissors. It’s two suits in one and double the wear! If you have any questions or prefer to order via email, email Honey Girl with the items, colors, and sizes you are you are looking for: honeygirlwaterwear@gmail.com They make buying a suit easy!
Official swimwear for
Samata Adventure Camp
Pipeline Reversible Hipster Shorts with Ariel Reversible Sport Top. Drawstring at waistband secure this suit for shore break use or loosen it up for yoga. Pull over top crosses in the back. Shown in Solid Eggplant, reverses to Solid White. Available in 15 more colors. Sizes: XS to XXL. 78 Samata
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Teya Strappy Triangle in Solid Seafoam, paired up with the Traci Reversible Brazil Bottom shown in Ocean reverse to Seafoam. The Teya Top has removable padding and pull over style. The Traci Bottoms are a favorite among surfers, known for its ability to stay on in big surf. Available in 12 colors sizes XS to XL.
Miki Reversible ONE PIECE has an adjustable cross back tie straps, with adjustable keyhole at each hip. Lightly padded top (padding sewn into an inner lining so that it won’t scrunch up), keyhole center bust. Color shown: Black Tiare Nui Print reverses to Solid Black. Available in 10 more colors sizes XS-XL.
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Official swimwear for
Shantisi Santuary
GYPSEA gypsea.com.au
Inspired by the ocean, photography and their love of travel, Gypsea embodies the immense natural beauty in nature that surrounds and inspires us all. Gypsea is the work of designer Emma Jones and surf photographer Scott Bauer who bring you unique pieces of wearable art. Their bikinis and one piece suits are made to stay on in the water regardless your activity of choice, new to their line this year they’ve add a wetsuit and wetsuit vest. One of our other favorite things about Gypsea Swimwear is their advocacy of the environment with a Tree Planting Program and the desire to help protect our oceans and marine life through awareness and direct donations to key marine conservation organizations. “We grew up in the ocean and to us it’s one of the most important parts of our lives. We want to protect what we love so we started the Gypsea Warriors tribe, 10% of our gross sales are directly donated to help protect our oceans and sea life. Together we can make a difference towards a sustainable future.” 80 Samata
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BOOM By Cindy Joseph boombycindyjoseph.com
Discover BOOM by Cindy Joseph, this product is 100% natural, pure, unadulterated ingredients to ensure your skin stays free of harmful chemicals, and they never test their products on animals. She promotes women of any age embracing who they are with the idea that less is more and reveling in your natural beauty. Cindy has five products that come as a complete set. The Complete Boom Bag has everything in it from makeup to moisturizer and everything in between; this BOOM BAG is everything you need to start enjoying a pared-down, all-natural makeup, and skincare routine. BOOMSTICK TRIO’s these three little multitasking cosmetic sticks will replace everything in your makeup bag and blend perfectly with every skin tone. There is a moisturizing stick, face color enhancement stick and a face highlighter stick. It doesn’t feel heavy on your skin and allows it to breathe. BOOMSILK and BOOM COTTON offer two ways to protect, nourish and heal your skin. BOOM SILK’s organic all-in-one moisturizer and COTTON’s unique Shine-Control formula for your face and neck. Then there is BOOM MASK a 100% organic raw honey facial mask penetrates deep to pull impurities from your pores and naturally heal and nourish your skin. Last but not least is BOOM TOUCH is a luxurious and long lasting sensual lubricant that’s safe for all women. You may wonder why I’m even mentioning this in a women’s stand-up paddle magazine, but every woman wants to feel sexy, and if we can’t bluntly talk about everyday issues then we aren’t real and genuine. Our daily lives go beyond just when we are on the water. One of the other beautiful thing about Cindy Joseph’s products is she has a video for each use of her product. Like I mentioned earlier this line initially was designed for the Baby Boomers (ages over 45), but I think it is a fantastic line for anyone who loves great and simple skin care products that are right for you minus all the unknown chemicals and anything questionable. I love how easy each product is to use, and the price point is reasonable. When you think about your cosmetic or makeup routine, skin care routine or just your everyday life, could you use a little simplistic approach to things? I’m always looking for preventative products as well as great ones to help me on my journey and encourage others to do the same. I love looking natural. Have you heard of or tried anything from “BOOM!” by Cindy Joseph? If so, what are your thoughts? If not, is this something you should check out. To learn more about the product line and the founder Cindy Joseph, head on over to the website: BOOMBYCINDYJOSEPH
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INTELLIGENT CHANGE The Five-Minute Journal intelligentchange.com
Intelligent change, we all want it. You don’t have to settle for the cards dealt in life if you believe in growing and overcoming self-limiting beliefs and strive to become the best versions of yourself that you can be. Utilize this tool daily for only five minutes of your time. Writing in a journal reminds you of your goals and your learning in life. It offers a place where you can hold a deliberate, thoughtful conversation with yourself. Journaling can be a guide to understanding your feelings because it prompts you to focus, helping you to process what you are going through without any external pressure. It’s just your thoughts and the page. The beautiful thing about Intelligent Change’s, The Five-Minute Journal is how easy they’ve made it for you. You sit down with a pen, your journal and answer the questions. There is no overthinking. In about five minutes per day, you can establish a positive pattern of thinking and act when it matters. It’s the simplest, most effective thing you can do every day to be happier. Now you may say I don’t do journals — well this is a journal for people who don’t write journals. Have a problem sticking to commitment? Good. Intelligent Change offers you tips and tricks to foolproof your commitment to writing frequently. Through building this habit, you will discover simple, effective actions to help you stay the course. You will get in the habit of writing this journal ever day and focusing on positive changes in your life. It’s all possible. In under five minutes a day. The Five Minute Journal is your secret weapon to focus on the good in your life, become more mindful. It’s the simplest thing you can do to start your day happy!
Official product for
Rejuvenation Retreat Samata Adventure Camp
Shantisi Santuary
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AYRVEDIC RASAYANAS ayurveda-herbs.com
Ayurveda –India’s ancient science of holistic healing, the main parts of Ayurveda are its herbal tonics and Rasayana formulas. We use Ayurvedic Rasayanas in our office daily and stopped and wondered why we aren’t sharing this with more women. It’s one of the best-kept secrets that need to be shared. Their Ayurvedic Rasayanas are handcrafted in Ashland, Oregon, using an ancient process called ‘Sneha Kalpana” which is comparable to the modern process of encapsulating the active ingredients similar to liposomal supplements. They offer the largest variety of Ayurvedic supplements on the internet and now use organic ghee and even make vegan rasayanas. If you’re interested in a vegan version made with coconut oil, brown rice sugar, and herbs, you can contact them directly until they become available on their website. Here’s what you’ll find on the desk of the women that work at Samata Mag:
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SHATAVARI RASAYANA #23 (Female Support) Having peri-menopause or menopause issues? This blend supports cycle, menopause, libido, and vitality and helps to balance hormones. We use the suggested amount and take one or more teaspoon on an empty stomach or with tea or hot milk in the morning. It works well for all body types, and our staff has reported feeling a calming and balance return as little as an hour after taking and hold throughout the day. SHANKHPUSHPI RASAYANA #20 Have monkey mind? And reading the same sentence over twenty times because your focus is everywhere but where it should be? Try this Rasayana –designed to promote alertness, concentration, awareness, skin complication, bone marrow, and the nervous system. Recommended use is one to five teaspoons on an empty stomach and is suitable for all body types. How do you think we get things done around here?
PHYSICAL REJUV #9a Vata/Ashwagandha Rasayana #9b Pitta/Chyawanprash #9c Kapha/Chyawanprash All are incredible for athletes, as they give a short-term burst of energy, as well as a long, sustained baseline boost for stamina. We have water women, long-distance hikers, mountain bikers and other athletes who use these two foods because of the quality of the calories they provide. The portability is a plus! Be sure to find out what your dosha is as it is body type specific. Ayurvedic Rasayanas is committed to providing you with quality herbal dietary supplements and sharing Ayurveda knowledge to promote a healthier lifestyle. If you are ever in Ashland Oregon, they encourage you to stop by their Gopi store and get a free tester of the Rasayana of your choice!
HEALTHY SKOOP healthyskoop.com
It all started as a start-up—a happy collision of minds on a mission to create the next generation of plant-based nutrition. Healthy Skoop is the brainchild of Dr. James Rouse (a trained naturopathic physician) and Greg Stroh (the guy behind the deliciousness that is IZZE natural soda). Together, they built a company committed to providing powerful, plant-based powdered nutrition accessible to every everyday superhero. In short: Healthy Skoop is the onramp to a healthier lifestyle for all. They are in business to spark a change for the better. If it’s healthier, happier and hopeful, they’re behind it. They live by KAIZEN—an approach of continual improvement to always make things even better. They encourage it in our employees. They develop it in our products. They support it in our customers and partners. They are dedicated to unwavering quality means they cherish every detail of each experience as an opportunity to spark a difference. You will always find them making time to nourish the minds and bodies of a whole new world of students in public schools with their donation of 3% of gross sales
to Project Produce. “It’s not just our choice, it’s our commitment in teaching kids about good nutrition.” We have tried their new Sleep Protein and love the way it works! Most sleep supplements out there consist of one or two (often synthetic) ingredients that may or may not work for your particular body chemistry. Healthy Skoop Sleep Protein is a holistic sleep product. It’s made up of a team of food-based ingredients that work together synergistically to bring your sleep cycle back into balance through nutrition. There’s no other product out there that balances protein, complex carbs, and micronutrients to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. It gives you all the building blocks your body needs for deep, restful, sustained sleep. Make it a nightly ritual and you may find yourself sleeping better and better night after night. Healthy Skoop – sparking a healthier, happier day sunup to sundown.
Official product for
Rejuvenation Retreat Samata Adventure Camp
Shantisi Santuary
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Olukai olukai.com
HONOKA’A (ho-no-kah-ah)
TRANSLATION: A Town on the Big Island This is a new sandal for the 2017 season. Taken from the Big Island elements of the Paniolo, the Honoka’a mixes tradition and sophistication with its rich natural leather and Paniolo inspired stitching details. These are the perfect sandals to wear casually with jeans or can be worn with that great sundress you are planning on wearing this summer. Comfortable enough to wear all day and night!
‘ELEU TRAINER
(eh-leh-ooh) TRANSLATION: Agile Agile and amphibious, the ‘Eleu Trainer adds ease and protection where you need it most. The stickyrubber outsole provides traction on wet surfaces, and the outsole traction pattern is designed to follow the natural foot-strike. Forefoot flex grooves allow natural forefoot flexion and toe-off. Rounded edges of the ‘Eleu are for improved agility. The footbed itself is made with dual-density EVA anatomically which provides excellent cushion and support. You will find it hydrophobic and perforated to save weight and shed water, and it’s removable and washable. The ‘Eleu Trainer is lightweight, quick drying, breathable and durable materials built for in and around water and it’s 100% vegan-friendly! Whether outdoors or in the gym, these are the perfect companion for any cross training activity. A portion of proceeds for this shoe goes to the HLA (Hawaiian Lifeguard Association) Junior Guard Program, introducing water safety, first aid and surf rescue techniques to thousands of kids across Hawaii.
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TomTom Touch tomtom.com
Track what you’re made of, not just your steps. TomTom Touch Fitness Tracker is the winner of ISPO Award 2017 in the health and fitness segment. This little gem is not just your average activity tracker. The Touch tracks steps, sleep, and heart rate, as well as your body composition. Body composition data allows you to measure your body fat and muscle mass percentage to better understand the impact of all your diet and workout activities over time. Battery life up to 5 days of tracking and you will find the display easy to read. We like that it’s water-resistant (splash-proof, shower-proof but don’t swim in it) perfect for when paddling to gauge my active minutes and calories burned.
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HIHO Caribbean Clothing Company go-hiho.com
Inspired by life in the Caribbean HIHO makes casual & comfortable clothing including linen shirts and sweaters, beach dresses, printed beach cover-ups and soft cotton tees. One of our favorites that HIHO has is their new hooded suntek offering superlative sun protection. They offer it in two different stripe combinations: hydrangea and night sky. This is the perfect top for any place you might paddle that has humidity. It’s lightweight, comfortable and very breathable while offering SPF 50 protection— plus fast drying. We also liked the thumbholes that allow you to cover your hands and a hood the hood offer neck and face protection. Machine washable. Clearly one of our new favorites and it won’t take up much room in your bag when you travel!
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BRITTANY PARKER FOR HEALTHY SKOOP photo credit: heather jackson
Every Step Matters
WHAT DOES YOUR SOUL SEEK?
Rejuvenation? Adventure? Balance? We’ve got a retreat/camp for that.
Rejuvenation Retreat
Rejuvenation Retreat May 26 – 30, 2017 Oahu Hawaii Samata Adventure Camp
Shantisi Santuary
Samata Adventure Camp July 1 – 6, 2017 Oahu Hawaii
Shantisi Sanctuary SUP Yoga Retreat September 1 – 5, 2017 Oahu Hawaii
Don’t wait—contact Samata Mag for more information:
samatamag.com
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info@samatamag.com
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PLAY BOARDING
TRIDENT PERFORMANCE SPORTS INC., CANADA/USA Ph: 866 929 9626 e-mail: info@tridentsports.com Photographer :
IZZI GOMEZ, SUP WAVE WORLD CHAMPION
Georgia Schofield
We all like to play – especially on clean, beautiful waves. That’s why we work with Parley For the Oceans, a group dedicated to getting plastic out of our oceans. Clean oceans, happy animals, healthy planet. Live a deep blue life with Starboard.
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Our partners for a deep-blue, sustainable future: