Fergs Prizes, OceanFit Nutrition Pack, Nocqua Underwater Board Lights and much more!
issue issue 51
Starboard Paddle for Hope BIC One Design Racing Running Rivers
Introductory Guide
New to Paddleboarding?
First Purchases – The board
Travel to Paddle – Nelson Summer 2013/14
free throughout NZ
New Zealand’s largest range of new and used paddleboards, paddles and accessories.
19 Mahuru Street, Newmarket Tel: 09 520 6699 www.supcentre.co.nz
Board handling just became enjoyable. Coreban has innovated a new handle that allows your hand to physically grip your board just as if you were grabbing your paddle. This deep ergonomic handle allows you to pick up the board while it is literally lying flat on the ground. No more shallow, finger cramping handles that limit you to carry your board short distances before taking a break – the new Coreban Grip is so amazingly comfortable that you will enjoy carrying your board. Carrying your SUP finally feels natural and comfortable making it easier for you to get in the water.
TRY THE DIFFERENCE ASK FOR A DEMO: ADDICTIONKITING@GMAIL.COM
contents 8
Short Strokes
12
Beginners Guide to SUP
18
Paddle for Hope
22
Home Grown Talent
34
One SUP Fits All
38
Travel to Paddle
46
Running Rivers
52
SUP Testing and
Smart Training
62
Surf Safety and Conduct
66 Events and Community Paddle Groups
SRONZ Editors Emma Comrie-Thomson Phillip Russell
Standing Room Only NZ (SRONZ) is an independent magazine committed to promoting and celebrating stand-up paddling in New Zealand. We aim to inform and connect New Zealand’s stand-up paddling community and assist in the growth and popularity of the sport by encouraging safe and responsible participation.
Sub Editor Paul Comrie-Thomson Contributors Annabel Anderson, Bill Dawes, Maria Kingi, Steve Gore, Joe McQuillan, Neil Pollett, Seaton Rollerston, Victoria Stuart, Trevor Tunnington, Toby Wild, Felipe Dos Santos, Liquid Stixx and JP Tobin.
Designer Graham O’Neill Design Solutions Ltd
Contributing Photographers BIC SUP, Mandy Down, Stand Up South Pacific, Maira Kingi, Bruce Webber, Charlotte Broadbent, Abel Tasman Paddleboarding, Philippa-Rose Payne, East Coast Paddler, Moana SUP, Hurley Pics Taranaki, SUP Club, SUBARU NZ, Rotorua Paddle Tours, Al and Cindy Pagel Blue Penguin SUP, WatermanLeague.com, Di Tunnington, Styrotec, Alex Zozulya, Liquid Stixx and SRONZ.
SRONZ is printed by
ISSN 2324-3759 (Print)
ISSN 2324-3767 (Online)
Front Cover: Summer fun, Pilot Bay Mount Maunganui. Photo: SRONZ
6 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
Enquiries For advertising and editorial enquires: info@standingroomonlynz.co.nz
And is printed on FSC paper stock. Conditions of entry to SRONZ competitions: Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash, exchanged or transferred. Employees of SRONZ, associated sponsors and their immediate families and agencies are not permitted to enter. The decision of the SRONZ Editors is final.
Kiteschool Ltd
EDITORIAL
Nelson Region
As we emerge from winter and the days become longer and milder, most of us will be hoping for a long, hot summer to rival the last. Despite the cold there will have been eager paddlers honing their skills and improving fitness during the winter ready for the summer season of events. Some paddlers will also be eagerly awaiting the top manufactures to release their new 2014 boards to the southern hemisphere having already launched them at the expos in the northern summer. It’s been really encouraging to see more and more people taking up the sport and even more so to have its increasing popularity confirmed with top stores reporting record sales, even during the winter months. So we’re all on for great summer on the water. Another worthy celebration of note is the continued success of Annabel Anderson on the world scene and her dominance of the Stand Up World Series. It’s all too easy to underestimate how much her profile puts NZ on the map.
On the racing front the summer of 2014 will mark another historic point for the sport in NZ following the scheduling of the first NZ Stand Up Paddling Inc. Race Nationals at Ohope Beach in the Bay of Plenty. Even for those not into racing, this event promises to be visually spectacular and a true celebration of the sport – so get planning and head to the Bay. In this issue we’ll introduce you to some inspirational people such as Karin Horen – Paddle for Hope founder, highlight some amazing places to paddle around the country and for those new to the sport, give some helpful tips to get started. Thanks to all our contributors who help us to bring you the only free magazine dedicated to the sport in NZ – your hard work and support is very much appreciated. Enjoy the summer exploring our beautiful country from the best position on the water. Be safe and keep a watchful eye on each other, as well as fellow water users. SRONZ Team page 7
Di Tunnington
short strokes
Lake Kawana Time Trial
The Time Trial Challenge
NZ SUP Inc.
Over the 4.24km Olympic rowing course at Lake Kawana on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, Kiwi teenage paddleboard racer Trevor Tunnington has topped the time trail challenge with Aussie Champion Beau O’Brian by averaging 10km/ hr. The course has times recoded from other well known racers such as Kai Lenny, Lincoln Dews and Kelly Margetts. Next time you’re in the area, hire a board from one of the local shops or use one of the club’s inflatables and add your name to the leader board.
NZ Stand Up Paddling Incorporated (NZ SUP Inc.) is pleased to announce the 2014 NZ Stand Up Paddling Race Nationals to be held in Ohope, Bay of Plenty, on Anniversary weekend (Auckland, Waikato, King Country, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne / East Coast) 25-27th January 2014. This will be the sole qualifying event for the NZ team to be selected to go to ISA Worlds. The competition will include a distance race, a technical slalom and a fun relay.
Master Paddleboarders It’s all go in the summer of 2014 for racers. For the first time stand-up paddling is included in the NZ Masters Games being held in Dunedin. The Games, from the 1st-8th February, feature a paddle sports section with SUP races over 200m or 3km. Racing is scheduled for 6th February (Waitangi Day) at the Vauxhall Yacht Club, Portobello Road. There’s a class for every ‘master’ (30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+) so get planning now. Visit www.nzmg.com for entry and information.
8 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
NZ SUP Inc.’s Annual General Meeting, where committee members will be elected and the year wrapped up, will be held at 3pm on the 9th November at Takapuna Boating Club. If you are out of Auckland, you will be able to nominate and to vote by proxy. For further details follow NZ SUP Inc. on facebook and its website www.nzsup.org Travis Grant’s fantastic 13 After visiting Auckland in April 2013 and winning the King of the Harbour 24km race, known as the Molokai of NZ ocean racing, the current ISA World Title holder Travis Grant won the real 32 mile (52km) Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships (M2O) in July on an unlimited class DC / NSP board.
This summer and in particular at the Jetts City Surf Series in Auckland, we’ll see more Dale Chapman (DC) race boards competing for top honors. The leading Australian shaper, who also has a design relationship with NSP, has teamed up with some of our own top racers to establish DC Racing NZ. Each of the full carbon race boards are custom built to the specifications of the rider and are described as the ultimate in light weight elite performance. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/dcracingnz and www.citysurfseries.com
SRONZ
If you think you’ve spent some time on a paddleboard you might be interested to know that at this year’s M2O race, in slow conditions, Travis took almost five hours to complete the crossing, while some paddlers were out for over eight (and those are the ones who actually made it… M2O had its highest ever drop-out rate this year).
Travis Grant
The New Zealand winter has been a really busy time for me. The experiences I’ve had have been greater than I anticipated.
Subaru NZ
update from annabel anderson
Just prior to departing kiwi shores for the northern summer, I partnered with Subaru NZ, joining their team of lifestyle ambassadors. Subaru NZ is truly vested in the outdoor lifestyle, so there’s a lot of fun planning for the coming summers. While we’re familiar with the growth of the sport at home and many of you get an idea of what’s happening overseas through print and social media, being on the ground in North America makes you understand this sport has gone mainstream, making it by far the biggest and most mature market for SUP, into the future. Seeing the growth of the sport in far flung places is both inspiring and amazing.
Annabel Anderson
The most prevalent growth is occurring on the inland waterways – alpine mountain lakes and running rivers, as people discover new and fun ways to play and interact with the watery playgrounds on their doorsteps. The traditional homes of the sport still remain, but these new areas are fostering ingenuity and innovation that is both healthy and challenging to the old guard of Southern California and Hawaii. This part of the sports growth curve is going to page 9
update from annabel anderson continued leave a lasting mark as people make it their own and toss ‘the rules’ aside. The most recent example of this is the annual Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ironically, in this most famous of winter playgrounds of the world, SUP has become one of the major leisure sports at the show. It’s the place where boards are demonstrated, the deals get done, the posters are signed and the peaking at what the competition is up to, takes place. It’s powerful but to make it to the end of the week is a marathon. Competition and racing in particular, seems to be driving the sport to new levels. On any given weekend you have scores of events to choose from and it’s drawing the masses. Event Directors are learning from past experiences and there are some clear winners emerging as to what events are the best, the most fun and the most prestigious to attend. What makes the best events special is the participation of the masses – the weekend warriors challenging their friends and themselves against Mother Nature. It’s not about the young guns at the pointy end of the results. For example, the annual Paddle For Humanity and Stand Up For the Cure events, which take place around the US, are now collectively drawing upwards of 3,000 paddlers and it’s growing every event. These events are as much about the BBQ and beer afterwards and the sharing of stories, than anything else. At the pointy end, things are emerging amongst the growing pains of personalities, egos and agendas. There is still no overarching governing body and no sign of one anytime soon. ‘Riders’ associations, to look after the interests of the athletes, are in the early stages but as always Event Directors who run professional events draw the best competitors. The Stand Up World Series and Tour has set the bench mark for the professional side of the sport, especially with a full 10 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
media production team and TV rights that see episodes screened across 220 networks in 150 countries, live webcasts, daily highlights packages and dissemination of news to mainstream media. It’s taking the sport to new parts of the world, showcasing iconic cities and giving a new generation of watersports athletes (professional and amateur) a platform on which to perform, grow, and compete at the same events. Competing on any tour-based event is tough with the challenge of traversing the globe but with five overall wins from five events, I’ve had a solid year so far. The most encouraging thing for me is that I’ve made the front pack of the men at every event where we’ve had the opportunity to start together. This is great for the sport and inspiring many other women, as well as pushing the game to new levels. There’s been much debate surrounding certain topics off the water, with board length being a major topic that everyone seems to have an opinion on. From personal experience, I’ve won or placed top three overall on a 12’6” across races of varying lengths and conditions. There are many proponents of the 14’ class (mainly some big burly men), but the reality is that if you put everyone on the same length board, the same people are going to come out on top. With the improvements in board design, I know for a fact that 12’6” boards can be made to go fast for bigger people (both men and women). Many of us are asking for things to be kept simple and fair and for 14’s to be kept out of the surf – 12’6” is plenty big enough and keeping everyone safe, as the fields increase, it is paramount. It’s also quite handy if we can travel with our boards. Getting a 12’6” on a plane is challenge enough at present. On the design front, some clear leaders are emerging and it’s a constant challenge to
Waterman League
innovate. There are two clear packs developing, – those that are literally carboncopying certain designs (racing / touring and surfing) and those that are pushing the boundaries of design, innovation and engineering. Come the NZ summer, it’s not going to be hard to see manufacturers that fall into the former. It’s almost become a joke to turn up at events to see an almost identical board to yours, just sporting a different colour and logo. The small relief is that it’s nice to know that you’ve been working 18 months ahead on the next generation. From the work we’ve been doing over the past few months, I’m excited with the next generation and will be putting them through their paces over the kiwi summer to see exactly how they perform. Thanks to everyone at home who has supported me on my journey this year. I’m a long way from home for a large part of the year and as the crunch months of September and October are now here, I’m on the countdown to heading home (via some beaches, ocean, lakes, rivers, islands and harbours along the way).
Annabel Anderson – San Francisco World Series Race
To keep updated and follow my adventures, get inspired with the following – www.facebook.com/Annabel.Anderson.Athlete Instragram: @annabelanderson Twitter: @NZAnnabel www.annabelanderson.wordpress.com page 11
So you’ve decided to take the plunge and get in to stand-up paddling -
fantastic!
Point Paddlers
learning to stand-up paddle
Lesson at Long Bay, Auckland
Bill Dawes, president of NZ Stand Up Paddling Incorporated, gives some advice on learning... Stand-up paddling is actually much easier than it looks. In fact, anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness can probably figure it out for themselves, if they’re given appropriately sized equipment and have the right wind / water conditions. (We’re not talking surfing here; waves shouldn’t be tackled until you’ve mastered the basics on flat-water, even if you’re already a competent surfer). Once you’ve got yourself standing up, and the paddle in the water, you’re almost there – all you need now is more practice to improve your balance and paddling skills. This is indeed how many people learn the sport; borrowing a friend’s board or hiring one on holiday. However, as with most sports, being taught properly by an experienced instructor, with equipment specifically designed to make the early sessions as easy and painless 12 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
as possible, is a vastly more efficient and effective way of learning. If you don’t have much experience at watersports, or maybe just aren’t feeling too fit, proper lessons are definitely the way to go. The learning curve will be far steeper, you can leave all the worrying about safety and weather conditions etc. to your instructor and you’ll not be picking up any bad habits (which, once ingrained into your technique, are often very hard to shift). Better still, as there isn’t any one ‘right’ way of paddling (just as there isn’t one right way of walking or running, or any other repetitive motion activity), a good instructor will be able to equip you with the right techniques for you – taking into account your bodyweight, shape, height, age and fitness level. Having seen what works best for you, your instructor will then give you good advice on what equipment you should be considering for your first purchases. It’s not just about the very first steps, either. On your subsequent lessons your instructor can introduce you to all the different stances,
turning techniques, different types of paddle stroke, and generally improve and refine your all-round technique. They’ll also bring you up to speed on safety aspects of the sport, and how to interpret and make the most of the wind and weather conditions, so that when you get out there on your own, you’ve got all the knowledge you need for enjoyable and safe paddling.
SRONZ t-shirts now available in any colour from our website
If you’re looking at getting into stand-up surfing, then a good school and / or instructor will offer a series of flat water lessons to build up your turning, accelerating and maneuvering skills. So, if you want to learn quickly and efficiently, book yourself some lessons and enjoy the best possible start on your new stand-up adventure. We’re fortunate to have a good and growing network of qualified instructors and accredited schools in NZ. Check out www.surfingnz.co.nz for more details.
Welcome to a great sport!
S U P
Designs available in a range of colours
page 13
your first purchases – the board Stand-up paddling is a very simple sport, equipment-wise. You need a board, a paddle, a leash and it’s recommended that you wear a personal floatation device (PFD). If you’re going to hit the water in the cooler months or plan on surfing, you should invest in some suitable clothing too but that’s pretty much it! So let’s cover some basics on buying your first board… Your best bet is to start with an all-round board, something that cruises comfortably but could be used in small surf too, if this is a direction you want to explore. Boards of this type are usually in the 10’ to 12’6” length range. Anything shorter is usually strongly orientated towards surfing, and will thus not be particularly suited to straight-line cruising (longer boards have better ‘glide’), while anything longer than 12’6” is orientated towards distance and racing, and is likely to be unstable and hard to turn (as well as heavier, more expensive and a hassle for transportation and storage!). You’ll often see a board’s dimensions (volume, width and length) referred to in the manufacturer’s blurb and also written on the board. However, neither volume nor length is any guarantee of stability, whereas the width is a very good indicator of user-friendliness. If you’re 70kg or more, then a good rule of thumb is to look for something with at least 30” of width. If you’re 90kg+ then going wider still will definitely make life easier. Anything less than 30” wide is going to be wobbly, and probably unsuitable as a first board unless you’re very light. (But don’t just go for maximum possible width, as too much means a slower board which you’ll grow out of too quickly).
14 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
Construction Options First time boards come in four main construction styles. Epoxy / composite is the most commonly used process in board manufacturing. An epoxy-resin-impregnated outer skin is cooked onto a pre-shaped polystyrene foam core in a fiberglass mold. The choice of materials and layers used in creating the skin determines the stiffness, strength, weight and price tag of the finished product. In general, these epoxycomposite boards are the lightest option, the highest in performance (due to their stiffness and rigidity), but also the most expensive. Although respectably tough, it’s the least durable of the construction options, which is why some of the more beginner-orientated brands (or construction options) add an extra ASA (plastic) layer to the outside to toughen them up, at the cost of a little extra weight. Blow-molded polyethylene or polypropylene is the cheapest method of construction. This is the ‘plastic’ that many kayaks are made from. Most paddleboards made this way are actually more like reshaped kayaks and usually bristle with extra fittings, compartments etc, as it’s very easy to attach fixings to polypropylene. The boards are super durable but extremely heavy. Ok perhaps, if you’re keeping one at the bach and you just need to drag it a few meters to the water’s edge, but too heavy for easy transportation. They’re also relatively slow and ‘draggy’ in the water. Definitely a very cheap option though. Many brands now offer inflatable boards, which offer huge advantages in terms of storage and transportation, as they roll up into a smallish backpack, making them particularly attractive for boats and campervans. They’re also a great option for families, as they’re very child friendly, and the well-made ones can cope with a high degree of rough handling, which make them a sensible option for riding down rivers, bouncing off rocks along the way. Performance in an inflatable comes from its
JC Kitesurfing, SRONZ
Finally, there are the ‘foamies’; boards constructed entirely from foam, like beginner surfboards. These knockabout boards offer a lower cost option than the composite boards, and are very family-friendly, as the soft foam construction minimises risk of injury to persons or property. Words of Caution “You get what you pay for” is as true in paddleboarding as it is in any other walk of life. That amazingly low priced board and carbon paddle package on the online trading websites is more than likely rubbish, unfortunately. There’s a lot of cheap lowquality product now coming out of Asia as the get-rich-quick merchants leap upon the ‘paddleboarding boom,’ and order a container load of cheap boards to make some quick bucks, usually featuring very poor workmanship and zero after-sales service. There are still quite a few ‘first generation’ paddleboards kicking around out there on the second hand market, changing hands very regularly as people quickly realise they’ve been sold a dud. The prices look good but they’re still a terrible investment, as they’re likely to be way too narrow and tippy. So, along with what we’ve highlighted, do some research – Google it! If it’s a board from a proper international brand with a decent reputation, chances are that it won’t be a dog, and it’ll have a decent resale value. These brands should have a decent website and you may well be able to find out more about the particular model you’re looking at. There may be chat and discussion about it on forums too. You may also find other listings for the same model, which will give you a better idea as to whether the asking price is realistic. Generalisations All the advice contained here is inevitably somewhat generalised. It’s impossible to give hard-and-fast advice that is universally applicable, since there is no standard model 16 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
of human – we’re all different shapes, sizes, weights and with different wish-lists. If you’re young, light, already a competent surfer etc and wanting a paddleboard purely for riding waves, your ideal first board is going to be entirely different to those suitable for the people wanting something to potter around with on flat water. So the advice given here is good for the majority, but not for everybody. If you think you’re outside the majority, then talk with other paddleboarders and to your retailer. Demo some kit, try stuff out and see what works for you.
SRONZ
construction and the internal pressure. The key factor when buying an inflatable is getting the pressure right.
We have three pairs of Carve Sunglasses to give away! www.carve.com.au To go into the draw email your name and address to info@standingroomonlynz.co.nz Entries close 11th November 2013. The winners will be notified within 3 working days following the draw. SRONZ Competition conditions apply.
SRONZ SUPer clinic Our experts cast their eye over more of your stand-up paddling related problems, and provide free prescriptions...
I love paddleboarding but find my forearms get tired incredibly quickly. Am I doing something wrong?
SRONZ
Lighten up
Michaela Wilson by email There are two main causes of forearm discomfort when paddleboarding, one technique-related, the other equipmentrelated. Starting with the former – how tightly are you gripping your paddle? You should be able to paddle with your top hand open and relaxed, and your lower hand only needs to be gripping lightly. If your knuckles are tight and white, there’s the problem right there! If that doesn’t help, measure your paddle blade. If it’s much more than 8” across at the widest point, try something narrower. Wide, lowaspect paddle blades put more strain on the forearms, particularly those older-style ‘spoonstyle’ blades that are heavily concaved. They’re fine for the bigger paddlers with lots of weight to lean on their paddle, but not well suited to smaller, lighter people.
Elbow Grease I’m getting a lot of pain in my right elbow when I paddle. Is there anything I can do techniquewise to minimise this? Charlie Bordon by email This sounds suspiciously like lateral epicondylitis, ‘tennis elbow,’ and is basically an over-use problem affecting the tendons that attach to the bone on the outside of the elbow. Usual symptoms are soreness in that area, particularly when doing anything with the forearm (gripping, squeezing, moving the hand up and down etc). The pain and tenderness can sometimes radiate down into the forearm muscles. Anti-inflammatories will help, as
will ice and massage, but unfortunately, the main remedy is simply reducing the activity causing the problem. That’s not to say stop paddling completely, but do take the condition seriously – it’s one of those ailments that will not go away by itself, and can get worse if you don’t sort it, as scar tissue starts to develop. So you will have to resign yourself to reduced hours on the water. You could use the down time wisely by doing some strengthening and stretching exercises (plenty on the web). Don’t expect instant recovery. When you do go out paddling, monitor your gripping habits very closely (see the answer to the previous question). Also, avoid too much wrist-bending, your hands should in general be pretty much in line with your arms. page 17
Alex Zozulya
paddle for hope
(Left to right) Kristin Percy, Karin Horen, Victoria Stuart
Strangers and friends often compliment breast cancer survivor and Paddle for Hope founder, Karin Horen on her shaved-head look: not realising that her hair-loss is actually a side effect of the chemotherapy she’s been having as she battles breast cancer for the second time in her life. Victoria Stuart tells us Karin’s story and previews the 2013 Paddle for Hope. Karin was just 26 years old when she discovered cancer for the first time. After a partial mastectomy and treatment of her right breast, plus years of fitness training, Karin was very aware of her own body. So, when she found three small lumps in her left breast last year, she knew something wasn’t right. “Twice after screenings the hospital reassured me the tumours were benign, nothing to worry about. But I listened to my body. I went back to the doctor and demanded a biopsy, and there it was.” In March this year Karin underwent a skinsparing mastectomy. They found ten tumours in her breast tissue and cancer in one of her lymph nodes. She would need six months of 22 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz 18
aggressive chemotherapy, radiotherapy and reconstructive surgery. Nine weeks after the mastectomy Karin started stand-up paddling again. “I just take it gently, on clear days in the marina. For me the emotional and holistic benefits of getting out on the water with my friends are just as important as the physical benefits. My flexibility and strength are returning faster than I could ever have imagined. Stand-up paddling helps me feel healthy and normal again.” At first Karin’s friends tried to talk the mother of three young daughters into postponing her annual stand-up paddle festival to raise funds and awareness for The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation (NZBCF), while
SRONZ Finish of 2012 Paddle for Hope
she focused on recovering. But Karin was determined that the event would be bigger and brighter than ever, with a clear goal of helping Kiwi women recover from breast cancer. “I want to stand together, on boards, again. This will be my victory race” smiles Karin.
rehabilitation program for people recovering from breast cancer. The NZBCF thinks this will be the first known study of stand-up paddlers with a focus on breast cancer rehabilitation.
The Starboard Paddle for Hope, presented by Hawaiian Airlines, will take place in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, on Saturday 2nd November. Bringing celebrities, athletes, breast cancer survivors, corporate teams and the stand-up paddle community together for a fabulous pink teams relay race. In the two years Karin has run this event it has successfully raised $90,000 for the NZBCF.
“We already know anecdotally that women feel stand-up paddling has improved their mobility and emotional wellbeing postmastectomy. But it’s important to know how to get the most benefit from the sport (and to ensure no harm is done). This study will give us valuable insights to allow the development of a programme that’s beneficial to women in NZ.” says NZBCF Communications Manager Adele Gautier.
The goal of the 2013 Starboard Paddle for Hope is to raise $100k for the NZBCF which will fund a clinical study by the Auckland University of Technology (AUT). The study will look at the physical and psycho-social benefits of stand-up paddling, and the potential development of a stand-up paddle
More than 2700 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Just over half of them have a mastectomy (Source: NZBCF / Auckland Breast Cancer Register). Today, 86% of women will still be alive five years after their diagnosis. page 19
paddle for hope continued “Research suggests that women who don’t participate in structured exercise programs after mastectomy are putting themselves at risk of a slower recovery and possibly permanent loss of flexibility and strength. As breast cancer survival increases, we need to focus on quality of life – we want our women to be strong and healthy for themselves and their families.” stresses Adele.
healing power of the ocean and the meditative effect of paddling on it, to the camaraderie of going together with your friends, or even just the great feeling of getting out in the fresh air and doing something physical with your whole body. But the holistic benefits are even more evident when you are using SUP as part of your recovery from a life-threatening disease.
Come and paint the sea pink with Kristin and Karin on 2nd November 2013. The event is Following in the vein of the NZBCF-funded for all ages and abilities, so even if you’ve water-based swimming program ‘Encore’, never paddled before, you can get on board! and ‘Pink Pilates’ program, the “Pink Paddle” Find a mate (or three) to join you, sign up for rehab project should take about two years one of the special Paddle to initiate, after which “ Once you’ve had treatment for Hope group lessons at it is hoped to be made Fergs, SUPCentre or NZ available to patients and in order to mend Boardstore, or come along through stand-up emotionally, it helps to to the free learn-to-SUP paddle schools exercise, to remind your sessions in the Viaduct nationwide, and in the body of what wonderful on Sunday 12th or 20th longer-term, globally. things it can do and to October. BYO, borrow Karin has teamed up get to know and love the or rent a board for the with the secretary of NZ altered body you have.” event and join in the fun. SUP Inc., Kristin Percy, Each team is encouraged who also used standto raise as much money as they can online up paddling to rehabilitate after breast cancer through Everyday Hero, and every person who surgery. enters and fundraises is in to win a trip for two Kristin, a lawyer and mother, has always been to Hawaii. Find more information and enter an active keelboat sailor first discovered standonline at www.paddleforhope.co.nz up paddling after two rounds of cancer surgery and treatment. “After surgery, I needed to recover my confidence in my body, as well as teach my muscles how to work together again.” says Kristin. “Once you’ve had treatment and in order to mend emotionally, it helps to exercise, to remind your body of what wonderful things it can do and to get to know and love the altered body you have.” Karin and Kristin, together with myself, are working voluntarily with NZBCF on the development of this stand-up paddling rehabilitation project. Most people who stand-up paddle will already be aware of its benefits – from the incredible 20 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
We have three prizes from Fergs – Quickblade Paddle Blade cover, Canterbury Technical Top and a 1 on 1 lesson with Felipe Dos Santos (Auckland). To go into the draw email us your name and address and which prize you want, to info@standingroomonlynz.co.nz Entries close 16 December 2013. Winners will be notified within 3 working days following the draw. SRONZ Competition conditions apply.
Proudly Presented By Hawaiian Airlines Charity Stand Up Paddle Festival, SUP Yoga & Teams Relay Race Sat 2 November, 11am Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, NZ
Karin Horen, breast cancer survivor
GET ON BOARD!
Enter your team and start fundraising at paddleforhope.co.nz
and be in to win a trip for two to Hawaii!
STARBOARD PADD ADDLE LE FOR H HO OPE
STARBOARD PADD ADDLE LE FOR H HO OPE
STA P FOR
Raising $100k for The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation to fund a clinical study and SUP rehabilitation program for people recovering from breast cancer.
home grown talent – kevin trotter Last issue we brought you the story of Craig Loomes, one of NZ’s most successful paddleboard designers. This issue we take a look at the work of Kevin Trotter, another Kiwi success story, who has been leading the way in watersports board design in the last three decades...
The introduction to the sport was thanks to Mark Jackson of Stand-up South Pacific, another old-time windsurfer, who was keen to focus Kevin’s design talents towards this up-and-coming new boardsport. Mark figured that there wasn’t actually that much difference between the requirements of a Div 1/II windsurfing race board and a racing If you come from a windsurfing background, paddleboard, so it ought to be right up then Kevin Trotter needs no introduction. He Kevin’s street. Sure enough, after trying a few was making race-winning boards right back different boards he was hooked, and those in the earliest days of the sport (for the nowboard design skills were dragged out of the defunct Division 1 and Division II fleets), and cupboard and put to good was one of the very use once again. Daniel “ ...So all in all, Kevin’s a first designers in Kereopa (DK) was riding the world to bring pretty busy bloke with a Kevin-Trotter-shaped Computer Aided board when he won the a lot going on. But then Design (CAD) into SUP Wave nationals at the game. This uses he discovered stand-up Piha earlier this year, the now industry paddleboards...” and Kevin’s latest race standard Maxsurf
With the decline of winsdurfing in the 1990’s he concentrated on raising his game with the technical side of design, pioneering the full 3D shaping process with his own CNC (Computer Numeric-Controlled) router and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) software. These days the objects that emerge from the Styrotech factory in Silverdale range from polystyrene molds for superyacht booms to bathtubs, retail signage, teapots and awardwinning furniture designs (check out the amazing ‘Beehive Chair,’ by David Trubridge. So all in all, Kevin’s a pretty busy bloke with a lot going on. But then he discovered stand-up paddleboards... 22 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
Stand Up South Pacific
naval architecture and ship construction software to design his Styrotech boards. His naval architecture talents aren’t just confined to boardsports though, he’s turned his design skills to craft of all shapes and sizes, including a 420 that won the World Championships. He was the man behind the drawing, modelling and computer work for the 49er, viewed by many to be the most spectacular of the Olympic sailing classes.
Raceboard Blank
Stand Up South Pacific Daniel Kereopa
board is reckoned by those who’ve ridden it to be significantly faster than any current production board out there. JP Tobin raced it at the 2013 King of the Harbour race, and led the international-standard fleet on it through the flat-water section of the course, (the conditions it was primarily designed for). He’s also got some great ideas about paddleboards for fishing, but that’s another story. So let’s start with the basics – how does he go about designing boards?
it to do. So, it’s partially instinctive, partially science. But the great thing is that I can track all my changes on the computer.”
“The computer is my tool. I always try to draw it on the computer so there’s a record of what you’ve done and you know what you’ve got. Then when you make a modification, add extra this or that, you can track the changes, and really understand the result. When you’re hand shaping, it’s so easy to accidentally change more than one parameter, so when you’re trying to understand the effect you don’t know if, for example, it was the change of rocker, the change of volume or the change of rail shape that caused it.”
“And then there are the peripheral factors. The fin you use with the board, and indeed the paddle, also play a huge part. Getting both those right to suit the board can produce huge gains. They’re almost as important as the board itself. The three have to work together. And everyone’s still got a lot to learn about that. Fins in particular are very underestimated, particularly for race boards. They make a huge difference – not just in terms of speed, but also the feel.”
“Computer shaping is actually a specialist art. You look around at board shapes, and a designer like Jimmy Lewis. He’s got an amazing feel for shaping and, he puts out some of the most beautiful rails and curves you’ll ever see on a board. But after 25 years of trying to draw boards on a computer I’m somewhere near being able to create those sort of rails myself. The computer isn’t necessarily helping, you really have to understand how to make it do what you want
“It’s not all computer though. You have to learn to interpret what the computer tells you. We’ve built a board, and it didn’t do what the computer told us it was going to do. So we sawed the front off and changed it until it was doing what we wanted it to do, and in doing that we learned an awful lot. So we’re always learning.”
“As to the actual shaping process, if it’s something like wave boards where I don’t have a huge amount of personal experience, I listen to what other people tell me they need and try and work out how to make that happen. I trust the computer model, it tends to produce a fairly nice result if you push it (but not too hard) in the right directions. But working with DK was great. It’s definitely easier to work with someone who’s so talented and has so much knowledge. It certainly improved my knowledge in that area.” page 23
Styrotech
home grown talent continued
Raceboard Construction
“With raceboards though, I’ve got plenty of design knowledge to fall back on, and I’m happy to rely on my well-proven boat design systems, and the strong information they can give. We pretty much know how and where the thing is going to float and even how fast it’s going to be (on flat water) before we build it, and having built a few race boards I now pretty much know exactly how stable it’s going to be, before it’s built. There’s no other approach that can give you that accuracy. I’d say even the best surfboard shapers with a lifetime of experience still couldn’t be that specific about a new race board they’re building.” So is it really as simple as that – follow established naval architecture theory and you’ll end up with the fastest board? “On dead flat water I’d say yes the naval architecture approach is 100% right – there’s a very strong collation. But in more testing conditions, the other variables in the 24 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
system; where the rider is standing, moving around, how they’re paddling, reacting to the conditions, etc, all take the game out of the computer’s understanding. The dynamic thing of trying to catch glides, paddle through chop etc is very unquantifiable, not something we really have any formalised theory for. There will always be grey areas, and areas where the shaper’s instinct, or just the hard yards of try-it-and-see is going to be just as important. This is why there are so many different shapes of board out there!” “It’s important to understand too that no one raceboard can ever be fastest in all conditions. My latest board is built primarily for flat water, but I didn’t build it JUST for flat water. I could definitely make a better board for just flat water, but it would be useless in the rougher stuff. Likewise, a rough-water specialist wouldn’t feel nice on the flat. There has to be an element of compromise.” “However, what’s even more important to understand is the relationship between board
SRONZ King of the Harbour JP Tobin
shape and rider weight. The right board for a small person is quite a lot different to the right board for a bigger person. This factor isn’t being looked at as hard as it should be by the main manufacturers. A lot of people are out there on the wrong boards for their weight! And this stuff is relatively calculable, (it’s well established and well understood in boat design). Unlike wave boards where there is a lot of personal preference and it comes down to wave riding ability and style, you can actually say this rocker line will be fastest for this weight of rider in these conditions when talking about race boards. Getting a board to float in the right places is very weightspecific. The rocker needs to be adjusted by about 1cm for each 10kg difference in rider weight, and likewise, the ideal width by approx 2.55cm per 10kg.” “And it’s not just about people being too heavy for boards, it works both ways. The centre of gravity on a board is a hugely important factor in determining performance; how high or low you are off the water. If you’re too light for a board, it’ll float too high, and even just 10mm too high can still make the board significantly more tippy.” “The rider weight also determines the best board shape. If I were to try and make a double-ender (i.e pintail rather than squaretail) 12’6” for my weight, it’d have to be so wide
and curvy to have sufficient stability and flotation that it wouldn’t necessarily be that nice a board. I’ll get nicer, cleaner, more drawn-out lines by putting a square tail on it. I’d have to play around with the bottom shape on the squaretail to try and speed the board back up again [as pintails are technically faster than square tails], maybe by using a more rounded bottom. Having made over 50 Div II (displacement hull) windsurf boards, all slightly different to each other, I have a good understanding of rounded-bottom boards and it has heavily influenced my thinking, as it clearly has some other designers. When I look at the Starboard Ace I see so much Division II thinking, dating right back to the early 1980s!” “And as many people are finding, those old Div 1 and Div II windsurfing boards actually make very impressive paddleboards – they’re really fast! And that’s because there were a whole lot of top designers working on the challenge back then; a lot of thinking has gone into their shape.” So let’s talk about the raceboards you’ve built? “Mine are completely different to anybody else’s, so one of us may be right or wrong, but actually it’s more about the conditions and rider weight as I’ve said. I build my boards to be right for me and the conditions I have here, or at least I try to, and I think I’ve succeeded page 25
home grown talent continued the best out of a 14’ though, and from my pretty well, with my most recent attempt. It’s experience a badly designed 14’ is far worse a different design approach to achieving a fast than a badly designed 12’6”, particularly if board, but for my weight of rider and the flat it’s heavy.” water we have here, it’s just perfect – it absolutely “ But in general, “If I build another flies, and is significantly raceboard for myself with wave boards, quicker than any other I’d like to go even I suspect things will board I’ve ridden. But longer. It irks me that whether it could go to become ever more the good canoeists can the Auckland races and still go considerably specialised...” perform well in choppy quicker than we can – onshore conditions, particularly on flat water. remains to be seen. The standing area fills up There seems to be a lot of good ones around with water in the rough stuff – I need to work here, and that’s annoying! I can’t catch them out a proper drainage system for that.” on my 14’, but maybe I can on a 16’. But Tell us more about the board? “It’s a 14’. I think that for flat water and a rider of reasonable ability, the 14’ board is the right way to go, particularly for the heavier rider. You do have to have reasonable ability to get
longer boards are definitely less versatile. If the conditions are perfect they go great, but if they’re not, they’re a liability, more often than not. But the jury’s still out on that. With some more development, who knows.”
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To go into the draw to win a set of Nocqua underwater lights (RRP $449) for your board email your name and address to info@standingroomonlynz.co.nz Entries close 20th January 2014. The winner will be notified within 3 working days following the draw. SRONZ Competition conditions apply. If you miss out, a special offer for SRONZ readers can be found at www.paddleboardshop.co.nz Use the promo code SRO1 to purchase a set for $399. 26 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
Gazing into your crystal ball, what do you see in the future for board design? “I think there will be developments and improvements that none of us have thought of yet. But in general, with wave boards, I suspect things will become ever more specialised, particularly in terms of extreme performance, giving people even more choices, which isn’t necessarily a great thing for the average consumer trying to get the right equipment. With raceboards, I hope the designers will develop greater understanding of the importance of matching the weight of the rider to the board, along with the right fin and paddle. But I think we’ll continue to have a very wide variety of raceboards out there, as there will never be one raceboard that will be right for every conditions and rider.” And for you personally? “Sadly, I’m not in a position to concentrate on board design and manufacture in any commercial way. There’s not a lot of money to be made building watersports toys in a small country! I have been helping Adrian Roper with modelling his Axis kiteboard designs, and he is looking at launching some Axis paddleboards this season, concentrating mostly on beginner and surf-orientated models – my designs. Other than that though, I’m not going to be able to devote as much time to paddleboard design as I’d like. Not that I don’t have a whole lot of ideas! There are always ideas. Even back in the days with Styrotech windsurfing I barely got chance to explore more than about 10% of my ideas...”
girl powered contents In the spirit of encouraging people to take up paddleboarding as part of an active lifestyle, Maria Kingi – competitive paddleboard surfer and general enthusiast living in the North Island surfing mecca of Piha – gives us her take on what the sport offers and chats to women paddleboarders to find out what drew them to pick up a paddle. No matter what sport you choose there always seems to be people who ask how you were introduced to it and why you do it. Sometimes these questions are born from genuine curiosity or because the person asking wants to gauge whether they have what it takes to try it. For me a paddleboard gives me the ability to move across the water, to seize the ocean’s rolling swells, cruise local waterways, use as a podium to align the chakra, or even to gather kai moana.
Maria Kingi
With the pace the sport is growing in NZ and perhaps in part to the success and increased profile of Annabel Anderson on the
international race scene, more women are discovering stand-up paddleboarding. What is clear is women of varied backgrounds, ages and water experience are being drawn in. There are the racers, free surfers and the downwinder paddle divas, all pursuing their own challenges in the raw energy of the ocean. There are the ocean minded career women, the water loving mothers and the weekend warriors enjoying a pastime that enables them to stay both socially connected and healthy. On the flip side there are those that just need a little more convincing. So, here are a few inspired girl stories!
28 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
Hurley Pics Taranaki Daisy Day
Daisy Day Photographer and Surfing Coach, Taranaki Email: daisy@taranakisurf.com I like to think of myself as a ‘purist’ surfer of many years and so stand-up paddling seemed a bit sedentary and far too simple. The last thing I wanted to do was to haul this canoe like thing into the waves and move around with a paddle. But now – I’m addicted.
or head into the waves. You can also enjoy a relaxing paddle or make it more of an aerobic workout. To challenge myself I try to race myself to a buoy and back. Now I’m practising tighter turns on the board and different paddling techniques. I try friend’s boards to feel how they ride and glide and now I’m even catching waves with a paddle as well!
I’ve discovered that if I stand-up paddle a couple of hours before coaching sessions I’m totally warmed up, “ The versatility of the sport more agile and don’t means you can literally go have the usual muscle strains afterwards. at a recreational pace on
My fitness has improved out of sight and quickly. My core is so much stronger. The flat water or head into the I also love that you can surfing muscles have waves.” be out on the ocean, lake become more defined, or river for hours. As your especially around my shoulders and back. As visibility is such that you can see down into paddleboarding is pretty well low impact it has the water and further across it, there’s literally become a great cross trainer for my surfing. a new perspective to exploring. Just cruise The versatility of the sport means you can and soak up the view. literally go at a recreational pace on flat water page 29
girl powered continued The beauty of the sport is that you can do it in winter and not get cold as you do surfing in the colder months. You definitely don’t always need a wave to get the thrills and you don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy this sport. Justine Quarrell 2-Hours of Freedom, Whaingaroa / Raglan www.raglansupboarding.co.nz My background is in skiing and snowboarding, water-skiing and a bit of wakeboarding. It was actually when I moved to NZ five years ago that I started stand-up paddleboarding.
and I’ve always lived near the water. I had no experience with stand-up before I went along to 2-Hours of Freedom last summer. As a fitness instructor Justine approached me about the yoga side of the sport and invited me to come and try it. I haven’t looked back. For people who aren’t necessarily sporty, stand-up is a really good way to boost confidence. On flat water it’s easier than people think and you don’t need a particular level of fitness to be able to go out and enjoy it. Just pick up your board, paddle and go – simple really! It’s such a great way to actively unwind, chat and exercise whilst connecting with nature.
We established 2-Hours of Freedom as a I had knee problems last year but once they local initiative to get the women in the town were at a certain level, my to come together socially physio said ‘Stand- up’ it’s using paddleboarding as the connector. The cross section “ ...don’t worry really good because you use all the stabilising muscles. of people who come along if you feel is great – I’ve had pregnant The added benefit of getting nervous, just women come out and teachers into the sport with a group give it a go!” who use their time on the is that the instructor is there water to hold meetings! to advise you on conditions and tides etc. After that it’s so Initially there are always easy, it’s just up to you to do the rest. people who say it’s not for them or they don’t think they can do it. Some have a fear of Just try it, don’t question it, because it’s a lot what might be in the water or just a general more do-able than you might think. fear of the water. But I’ve not had anyone Katherine Manning who’s given paddleboarding a go who hasn’t Christchurch Paddleboarding asked when they can go out again. We put that down to creating a safe and relaxed I wouldn’t say I’m particularly good at any atmosphere, where we get people chatting. sport but have given most watersports a go. Any nervousness seems to go and the unique Paddleboarding was something I’d always experience that is stand-up, wins. wanted to try so it was the first thing I did My recommendation is to get some lessons from a qualified instructor so you grasp the basics. Challenge yourself and get out there. This sport is amazing and it’s for everyone. Laurie Carpenter 2 Hours of Freedom, Whaingaroa / Raglan I come from a sailing background, so water has always been quite a big part of my life 30 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
when I moved here. It’s been a great way to meet new people. Initially I was worried about it being really difficult but it was easier than I expected. Progressing will be a challenge but rewarding. It has also really helped my fitness, especially as I am training for a marathon. For me it’s good to do stuff other than just running. To others I’d say – don’t worry if you feel
Maria Kingi Raglan Girls
nervous, just give it a go. The worst thing that will happen is that you fall off – all you do then is just get back on the board. Julia Shier Christchurch Paddleboarding I had a paddleboard lesson at the end of last summer with my friends for fun and ended up buying a board at the end of June so I am
very new to it. Being a bit of a gym junkie, a paddleboard session feels like I’ve done a real workout. So, for me, it’s a really good alternative to doing a class at the gym, or a cross-fit kind of session because you’re working your upper body, as well as your legs. By just standing on the board you’re using your core to balance. I do definitely notice that my core strength has improved.
girl powered continued “ Just pick up your board, paddle and go – simple really!”
Maria Kingi
Christchurch Girls
I haven’t actually tried paddleboard surfing yet but it is something that I really want to do. I’ve always wanted to surf, since I saw the movie Blue Crush as a kid. Now I picture myself taking a month off and travelling around Australia and Hawaii. With an inflatable board the dream is becoming more realistic. My recommendation to anyone is just try paddleboarding. Keep trying – you will be so proud of yourself once you’re standing on the board and paddling around. Annie Tracey Christchurch Paddleboarding. When we first moved to Christchurch my child was at toddler age, so I didn’t have a network of friends that I could really go out surfing or do anything with. It was quite lonely but then I got into paddleboarding. Being a mum and a watersports lover, I found it very tough to split family and sport but now with paddleboarding I can do it with other women, as a common interest, and also with the family. It’s a great way for the kids to learn how to be safe on the water as well. I think it’s really great for the kids to see mum and dad being healthy role models. When we first came to Christchurch we didn’t know many people. Now I’ve got a huge group of friends to paddle with and we also socialise off the 32 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
water. Taking up the sport has been a real turning point for us. I’m over forty now so notice the niggles. With surfboard surfing I found that the sessions could only go as long as I could keep paddling through the waves. I would get a lot of shoulder problems, which prompted me to move away from the sport. What I’ve found with paddleboarding is that I don’t have to rotate my cuff because you’re doing a lot of paddling with the paddle below the shoulder but it also helps build strength really well. Now I don’t wake up with a sore back. When I did go for a surfboard surf last year the strength in my shoulders seemed a lot better. I think paddleboarding is keeping everything really supple and toned, but without real effort. It’s been good for rehab without realising I was doing any rehab. If you love the outdoors, if you want to do a family sport, if you want to do something to meet other women, get yourself involved in classes or something where you can have that initial meeting. Once you’ve done that, you’ve got a good group of friends. Don’t be afraid to have a go. It’s not expensive and it’s an easy sport to do when you travel around. It’s opened up our lives. I recommend all women to have a go.
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One sup fits all
As the fastest growing watersport on the planet... ...stand-up’s rapid progression naturally provides paddlers with the thirst to improve their technique and test their skills further, as well as experience the increasingly wide range of boards on the market. With that also comes the temptation and perhaps pressure, to invest in a board for every possible occasion – from flat water touring to surf riding, slalom and downwind racing. An obvious question for those who want to improve in the sport is – Would it be possible to find one board for all scenarios, or would that just mean too much of a compromise?
Design Racing’ for years and introduced it to remove the ‘equipment factor,’ thereby truly testing the athlete not his or her gear or bank balance. This is no more evident than in elite competition like the Olympic Games, where fairness in sport is not just desirable but essential. So, by placing paddlers on the same board you take away any ‘unfair’ advantage, allowing them to truly test themselves against their peers.
money each year on the latest designs, in a bid to earn a few seconds edge over their closest rivals.
The BIC Wing is wide enough to be stable but sleek enough to provide superior glide over your usual surf style stand-up paddleboard. Testimony to the industry leading design of the BIC Wing came from the US publication Outside Magazine who awarded it as the ‘Best Stand-Up Paddle Board in the USA’ in their ‘2013 Gear of the Year Awards’.
This NZ summer, at the Jetts City Surf Series at Mission Bay, Auckland, BIC SUP will be introducing the chance to experience ‘One Design Most recreational paddlers by Racing’ first hand on their necessity own just one board new BIC Wing all-round and that usually becomes “ If you’ve never 12’6” competition board. If their one board for everything. raced before you’ve never raced before Those blessed with bigger but want to but want to give it a go then budgets build a quiver of give it a go this could be for you. What’s boards to suit a wide variety of more you don’t even need conditions and uses – no more then this could to own your own board. For so than when racing gets into be for you.” a modest rental fee you can the blood. hire a board and join the fun. As racing expands throughout A series of short course races the world, and in NZ, it’s not of just 1-3km will allow anyone with basic uncommon paddling techniques to take part. to see paddlers investing large sums of
However, ‘One Design Racing’ turns this notion on its head, whilst not wishing to halt the innovation and of the sport. But, there is an argument for creating a more level playing field on the race course and offering an experience everyone can enjoy without the need to take out a second mortgage to be competitive. Other water sports, such as yachting and windsurfing, have known about ‘One 34 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
So, if you’re keen on having fun and testing yourself against others on the same boards check out the Jetts City Surf Series (www.citysurfseries.com) and give ‘One Design Racing’ a go.
BIC SUP BIC Wing 12’6” Competition Boards
BIC and other board brands can be found at Flux SUP store at Westhaven Marina, Auckland. This summer, FLUX will hold a range of corporate and social races designed to get you out of the office and onto the water after work with friends and colleagues. For more information visit www.flux.net.nz or check out ‘BIC One Design Challenge’ on You Tube to see what it’s all about and how you become the hero not the board.
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For more information on the OceanFit range visit www.oceanfitnutrition.co.nz To go into the draw email your name and address to info@standingroomonlynz.co.nz Entries close 3rd December 2013. The winner will be notified within 3 working days following the draw. SRONZ Competition conditions apply. page 35
travel to paddle – nelson region Situated at the top of the South Island the Nelson region is officially the sunniest region of NZ. With three national parks within 90 minutes of Nelson city there’s a diverse geography that features everything from long golden beaches to untouched forests and mountains. Whilst Nelson has long been a magnet for arty types, Toby Wild, owner of Moana NZ SUP, tells us why paddleboarders should make it a ‘must do’ destination with an enticing mix of five locations. Tasman sea
5
4
North island 2 3 1 1 Nelson 2 Pepin Island 3 Mapua 4 Abel Tasman Coastline 5 Golden Bay
South island
Nelson Nelson city sits behind the busiest fishing port in the country at the foot of Tasman Bay. Sheltered from the bulk of bad weather by Farewell Spit and the Bryant and Richmond Ranges, the Nelson region as a whole is a fantastic destination for those of us that love to stand-up paddleboard. The variety of destinations and the ease at which they can be accessed make the top of the south a paddleboarders playground. Starting off very central, Tahunanui is only a short drive or walk from the CBD and is probably the most popular area for paddlers. The long sheltered sandy beach is very 38 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
Wellington
popular with beginners in particular and a circumnavigation of Haulashore Island can make a first timer feel like they’ve really achieved something. For more accomplished paddlers the 4km route can be used as a short sharp fitness paddle. There are a few surf options in Nelson as well, but the bar at Back Beach, Tahunanui, is by far one of the better options for paddleboarders. Small waves are common so it’s great for first time surfers. But when the swell starts to work, the Bar can go off. It’s never really big, but long, long lefts and rights are common. Contact Warren at Kitescool (www.kitescool.co.nz) for rentals, advice and instruction from an accredited Surfing NZ SUP Instructor.
Philippa-Rose Payne Pepin Island
Pepin Island
Mapua
Situated a short 15-minute drive east out of Nelson, Pepin Island can be found at the end of Cable Bay road. Cable Bay sits at the head of the famous Boulder Bank and on the edge of the Horoirangi Marine Reserve. The island is actually a privately owned farm and is not an island at all given it’s joined by a rocky beach to the mainland. With the Tasman Bay on one side and the tidal Delaware inlet on the other, this paddle offers great opportunities for exploring. If you plan it well and work with the tides you could make a day of going all the way round. Large rock caverns and archways are plentiful with good beach options available. Pepin Island could be paddled in 2-3 hours but make a full day of it and enjoy the rock jumps, snorkelling and the good fishing on offer. On the rare days there’s a swell rolling in, Delaware Bay and Cable Bays also offer some awesome surf options for the more experienced surfers.
The wharf offers great restaurants and galleries but more importantly, easy access to the Mapua Estuary. This estuary is the largest tidal inlet in the Nelson / Tasman region and as a result can move large volumes of water. Working out the tides is an important part of planning a trip here, but if you get it right the opportunities to explore are extensive. Popular launch sites include the boat ramp at Mapua Wharf, Grossis Point or the Mapua Leisure Park. Paddle in at the top of an incoming tide and follow the current back. Sheltered from the sea breezes but exposed to some fierce southerlies, the estuary is definitely a place for all abilities. When the tide is running well, the narrowness of the channel is great for fitness training. Park up and just ferry glide back and forth. Rabbit Island circumnavigation will offer a few more tidal issues but a great full day paddle (with plenty of stops and swims). Start and finish at the wharf and enjoy a nice cold beer at the award winning Golden Bear Brewery. page 39
Moana SUP
travel to paddle continued
Kaiteriteri
Abel Tasman Coastline The coast line between Stephens Bay in the south and Tata Bay in the north offers arguably some of the most stunning and varied paddling options in the region. Encompassing the Abel Tasman National Park this stretch of coastline has something for everyone, from short 1-2 hour paddles through to multi-day options with water taxi support. Kaiteriteri / Stephens Bay area is an iconic NZ beach holiday destination. Golden sand, picture perfect half-moon bays, accommodation ranging from the great Kiwi family campsites, baches and motels. Paddling options for the area are outstanding. You could park up with the crowds on the beach and paddle at your leisure, or plan a slightly longer paddle from Stephens Bay round to Marahau. Split Apple Rock is a very recognisable local landmark, only a short paddle away and well worth a visit. This is a great first time paddlers trip and one the kids would handle without any worries. Kaiteriteri Kayaks, right on the beach, offer instruction, tours, rentals and advice, contact: info@seayak.co.nz Moving up the coast a little to Marahau, you really get to see the true splendour of NZ 40 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
smallest National Park where over 60km’s of accessible coastal paddling are on offer. Day trip options are determined by how intrepid you want to be. Paddling the Astrolabe (5 – 15km’s depending on route) is a fairly straight forward day trip – paddling out of and returning to Marahau. Paddle north from the boat ramp towards Tinline or Coquille Bay, and hug the coast line from there. Turn around points could include Stillwell Bay, Akerston Bay or Watering Cove. Add on a short paddle to Adele and Fisherman Islands and you really will see why this area has been so popular over the years. For guided trips or rentals contact Milan at: info@abeltasmanpaddleboarding.co.nz By far the best section of the park to paddle in a day involves a taxi ride there and back but will be well worth the expense. Onetahuti to Anchorage via Tonga Island, Shag Harbour and Falls River is a glorious paddle and offers guaranteed seal encounters and beautiful sandy beaches, lagoons and island exploring. Including the taxi rides, this is a full day’s paddle and you will need to be honest about your ability to make sure you get back to Anchorage in time to meet your ride home. Contact the team at Aqua Taxi for details of their flexible timetables: info@aquataxi.co.nz
Moana SUP Abel Tasman National Park
Whilst water taxi transfers are fantastic and enable you to explore more of the park be sure to watch the loading and unloading of your boards. The water taxi skippers are used to working with and handling solid plastic kayaks, so may not be quite as precious with your board as you are.
the beautiful Wharariki Beach and experience some awesome west coast surf, or try the best down winder experience in NZ with a hair raising paddle from Puponga in northern Golden Bay across the bay to Tata Beach in the south. When the wind is on, this trip is definitely not for the fainthearted.
Golden Bay
The Nelson region has many paddleboarding options, we’ve only briefly highlighted some. If you know others share your experiences with the paddleboard community through SRONZ’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/standingroomonlynz
A drive over the Takaka Hill to Golden Bay and the northern end of the park offers equally beautiful and rewarding paddles. More exposed to the prominent North Westerly, and no water taxi bail out option, means that your trip must be planned with a little more detail. Tata Bay has great short paddle and day trip options with limestone caves and rock formations within easy reach. Explore the area that Abel Tasman first encountered, (Ngati Tumatakokiri hospitality) and soak up the unique vibe that ‘the Bay’ has to offer. Golden Bay Kayaks at Tata Bay offer regular SUP fitness and instructional sessions from their base, as well as guided tours, advice and rentals. Talk to Tony or Lisa (Surfing NZ SUP Instructors): info@goldenbaykayaks.co.nz
Essentials prior to heading out: • Check weather / tide / swell forecasts • Paddle within your ability level • Let someone know your plans • Don’t paddle alone • Take a phone / water / energy foods / cash • Wear a PFD / leash Weather checks: www.winfinder.com and www.metservice.co.nz Tourism info: www.nelsonnz.com
If you are into a slightly more adrenaline packed stand-up experience why not head to page 41
moana
Stand up Paddle Boards www.moananzsup.co.nz 027 285 0772
Toby Wild and Moana NZ SUP Not only is Toby owner of Moana NZ SUP, but he has a background in all things water and outdoors spanning over 25 years, the last 10 or so as an instructor. His passion for paddleboarding developed from exploring the beaches and bays of Nelson. Toby has used his years of sea kayaking experience to also design a range of boards he hopes will allow as many people as possible to enjoy the sport. Moana NZ SUP is located close to the wharf in Mapua, to the west of Nelson. A range of products
42 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
are available both online and through demo days and trade shows. Regional and nationwide promotional tours are planned for this summer. For more information on Moana NZ SUP, the paddle locations featured in this article and much more check out: www.moananzsup.co.nz www.facebook.com/MoanaNewZealand Contact Toby on: toby@moananzsup.co.nz
East Coast Paddler Mandy Down
Left to right: Michael Minnell, Scott Curry, Sam Cane
Ruth Highlet and Pinot
SRONZ Whangaparaoa Peninsula
contact us now on +64 9 528 0788
Waterfall Action
Rotorua Paddle Tours
Liquid Stixx
running rivers
EddY Lines
Experienced paddleboarder Steve Gore is no stranger to rivers. With the crew from Liquid Stixx he’s run a few and it’s his view they provide a range of fantastic paddleboarding experiences from the idyllic to the terrifying. So what can you expect and what do you need to know for starters? Without doubt rivers are one of the more dangerous places to take your board but much of that danger can be mitigated by learning how to read rivers, honing skills in river paddling techniques and of course gaining experience, preferably with other skilled paddlers. One of the key points about running rivers is that you tend not to finish where you started, as you tend do on lakes, harbours and on the ocean. So you need to forward plan and arrange a shuttle. 46 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
Before you get on a river it’s really useful to understand some of their features, especially those that make them fundamentally different to lakes, harbours, and the ocean. The key and obvious difference is that rivers have currents that largely move in a predicable direction, carrying you along and influencing your ability to control your board. While the direction is predictable the current is uneven and travels at different speeds at different parts of the rivers, creating eddies and boils, which can dramatically affect the direction of your board in an instant and therefore your balance. One of the key safety issues to remember is that all flowing water is incredibly powerful, no matter how fast it’s moving. Getting pinned against rocks, sunken trees, or riverbank obstacles is the stuff of nightmares. Secondly, if your board wraps around a rock,
it could well be “goodbye board”. So, the big message is – treat rivers with respect. Even on deep, wide and slow flowing rivers, trees along the bank pose a risk that is not to be taken lightly. You need to be vigilant. Don’t get so distracted by the scenery, taking photos, talking to others or rescuing dropped items that you find yourself drifting into trees. If you do… things can go wrong very fast.
bends the water on the outside of the bend will be moving faster than the inside of the bend. The inside could also be eddying. Indents in the banks also create small eddies.
river currents main current eddy – back current eddy line
Figure 1
Where rivers flow around obstacles like rocks you will find eddies – places where the water is flowing opposite to the general direction of the river. To move from the main current to a back eddy you cross an eddy line, which can often be quite a visible line in the water, see figure 1. So, as you cross an eddy line the front half of your board will be being pushed upstream while the back half, out in the main current, will be happily carrying on down the river. Wave on front of an obstacle
river currents – waves caused by underwater obstacles
Wave on back of an obstacle
Kayakers can easily slip in and out of those but they are tricky for paddleboards to catch. It is, however, not too difficult to catch eddies which form behind rocks in the middle of rivers. One of the delights of river paddling is catching standing waves, named so as unlike ocean waves, they don’t move. If you catch a Liquid Stixx
river currents main current eddy – back current eddy line
Figure 3
Standing Wave
standing wave you can ride it all day, literally staying in the same spot. Friends could throw you drinks or snacks; you could even have a wee nap or take in a movie on your iPhone! Figure 2
As the current pushes into a rock or tree it creates a buffer wave in front but as it sweeps past the rock the high pressure developed means the water moving past the obstacles is travelling faster than the water in the main current. Similarly, when rivers flow around
Standing waves are formed in two ways. The first we’ll look at is those formed by a large sunken rock, shelf or obstacle as in figure 2. You’ll sometimes find waves form off the front of an obstacle as water pushes over it. But these can be quite difficult to spot as you come down the river because they literally look like a bulge and generally don’t page 47
Liquid Stixx
running rivers continued
Whitewater, Taupo
provide as good a ride as back waves. More commonly are the waves that form behind objects in the river. These objects, like a sunken log, create a low pressure area on the downstream side, which results in the formation of a good wave. If the object is too big and the river too high a “hole” will form, rather than a wave, as the water drops in and boils up, instead of smoothly rolling over. Holes can be a bit messy to get out of if you drop in and the ride is more akin to being in a washing machine than on perfect set off a Hawaiian beach. The other type of standing wave is formed by compression, where the volume of water is compressed by the shape of the river as
in figure 3. This sort of wave is very visible as you enter rapids and find yourself being drawn down a V-shaped tongue of water. With practice it is possible to scoot into the eddies on either side of the ‘V’ and then shoot out to catch the wave. Look out for these waves as they frequently form on a bend. On a paddleboard it’s quite easy to ride standing waves but they can be a bit tricky to catch. The skill you’ll need to master is to turn you board and try to match the speed of the river as you drop onto the wave. In the next issue we will discuss the two manoeuvres you need to run a river with panache.
We have four bottles of Speed 32 to give away. Check out www.speed32nano.com to see what it can do. To go into the draw email your name and address to info@standingroomonlynz.co.nz Entries close 31st October 2013. One winner will be drawn each week thereafter and winners notified within 3 working days following the draw. SRONZ Competition conditions apply.
48 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
page 49
Ohau Channel, Liquid Stixx
OHAU CHANNEL
Steve Gore and Kirsten Wilton of Liquid Stixx introduce us to a fabulous little Bay of Plenty river adventure. The 2.4km Ohau Channel connects Lake Rotorua to Lake Rotoiti. Even if it is blowing on Lake Rotorua you often find that as soon as you drop into the channel the wind has gone. Sorting out a shuttle is a good idea or if you are feeling energetic you can paddle back up the channel. It’s not far. The start is in Mourea, on either the cul-desac at the end of Takinga Street or the end of Waana Street. The channel starts with a small drop through a control gate to the north of the put in. The size of the drop depends on the 50 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
lake level but with a bit of experience you can handle it easily, otherwise get on your knees or prepare for a soaking. You then simply follow your nose down the slow moving, meandering channel, checking out the interesting properties and fantastic aquatic birdlife along the way. Do a run in spring and you will see plenty of chicks! You pass under the main road bridge and carry on through a less populated section. If you’re new to river paddling be aware that trees in the river are the biggest risk. The Ohau flows
The cool thing about this channel is that you start in one lake and end up in another. There’s a boat ramp just to the north of the channel exit, giving you a 2.4km run. But wait, there’s more…. In front of you you’ll see a large diversion barrier, which takes water from Lake Rotorua and sends it down the Kaituna river, dramatically reducing nitrification of Lake Rotoiti. Once you exit the barrier you can carry on or flick across the bay to check out the neat baches. The end of your trip (2.4km after the boat ramp) is the pier before the Kaituna control gates. Conveniently it’s directly across the road from the outstanding Okere Falls Cafe.... a must,
and the ideal place to leave your shuttle. The Kaituna itself is worth a look while you’re there. It’s a popular grade 5 river for kayak / rafting and there are several vantage points where you can watch people take on the challenge! The Ohau Channel is an easy, fun trip for beginners and a nice scenic cruise for more experienced paddlers. It’s a run that never seems to get boring because there is always something different to see, or a new local to chat to.
For more information or to arrange a guided trip contact Liquid Stixx 0800 SUPING.
Bruce Webber
so slowly that they are no real danger but don’t try to play with them.
Tarawera River page 51
SUP Testing and smart Training The SUP Centre in Newmarket, Auckland hosted a SUP Ergo testing session under the supervision of Joe McQuillan - Manager of the Endurance Performance Clinic and Strength and Conditioning Clinic at AUT-Millennium campus of AUT in Auckland. Joe explains how science and training smarter may help paddleboard racers achieve their goals. Recently I was fortunate to test a number of semi-serious SUP athletes who were looking to add a bit more ‘science’ to their paddleboard training. The testing, involved a combination of equal incrementing workloads (stages) and measurement of blood lactate and heart rate at each stage. With each stage workload becomes harder and heart rate ascends in line with the increased effort. Blood lactate taken at the end of each 4 min stage is used as an indicator of the ‘cost of exercise’ for that person. After this, data is used to prescribe training zones based on the heartrate / blood lactate relationship.
the relatively high intensity at which paddlers compete, is just to do a lot of high intensity training day in, day out, building up to an event. While this may initially get results, a plateau in performance will be reached after several weeks by maintaining this intensity and you run the risk of injury and / or illness. Preseason planning is therefore important and would identify:
I emphasised to those being tested the aerobic demands of SUP racing, identifying the need to do a substantial amount of training in what we term the ‘endurance zone’ or a zone at which you can paddle easily for a number of hours. This may seem unusual if you are competing in an event which may be only 25 mins in length, however, as a comparison, energy for an all-out 1 min effort is made up of 50% aerobic / anaerobic contribution, at 4 mins all out this moves to 75% aerobic and 25% anaerobic.
• T iming of cross-training (perhaps if gym based during the winter to spring months)
No doubt a good deal of ‘above’ threshold work is needed, however, the establishment of an aerobic base early on is paramount to continued improvement throughout your competition season. Although other measurements of exercise physiology exist, blood lactate testing provides an easy method to establish a number of heart rate zones and provides the framework for your training distribution. Simply put, training distribution covers your weekly, monthly and yearly training key variables (volume and intensity) and is the cornerstone of successful endurance sports. An approach to take with SUP racing, given 52 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
• Key races from build-up races • A vailable times for large volume training (perhaps around the Christmas break)
• Opportunities for rest and recovery Initially this can take time to work through, but having established your plan you can now work towards making it a reality. A plan will also provide immediate feedback if you have too many expectations around your current physiological abilities. A typical approach to take if training five days a week, is to alternate your week to three easier endurance paddles between two hard sessions (sprint efforts, bungy, change in pace etc). This enables your body to recover from hard sessions (24 48 hrs) whilst gaining central (heart and lungs) and peripheral (working muscles) benefits. J P Tobin – NZ RSX boardsailor, Real Sailor and elite paddleboard racer on smart training and mixing things up…. “Base endurance provides an endurance athlete the opportunity to increase their peak potential – a paddler needs to think of it from
SRONZ
the concept of establishing a solid foundation from which it then becomes possible to build a high peak... essentially the wider the base the more opportunity there is to hold a progressively higher peak ratio. I would suggest, to maximise base training, paddlers take the opportunity to mix it up, don’t get locked into just paddling to achieve a solid base – perhaps think about using your board as means of transport to get you to a location where you can’t normally or easily get to, then go for a run, finished off with a nice paddle home.
Joe McQuillan, JP Tobin – SUP Centre, Auckland
In Auckland for example you could paddle out to Rangitoto (pack some shoes in a drybag and make sure you are comfortable paddling that distance, keeping in mind that wind directions and strength can change), run to the top or do a loop for increased distance and then paddle home. Normally this would take 2 - 3 hours point to point, but with the combination of run/paddle/run, time flies. You may not go that far initially so be smart. Around the country you’ll know how you can make local paddles into smart training opportunities. You’ll see the benefits.”
Joe McQuillan is currently undertaking a PhD with AUT investigating the effect of beetroot juice supplementation on short-term high-intensity cycle time-trial performance. Joe has previously worked with numerous national teams and endurance sports as a strength and conditioner and exercise physiologist. Together with his current cycling coaching practice, Joe is also employed as Manager of the Endurance Performance Clinic and Strength and Conditioning Clinic at AUT-Millennium campus of AUT in Auckland, NZ. page 53
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Store Profile - Fergs Kayaks Established in 1990 by NZ’s most successful Olympian - Ian Ferguson (Ferg) - Fergs Kayaks is one of the biggest kayak stores in the country with two locations in Auckland and Wellington. In addition to its traditional watersports and outdoor focus, the stores also specialise in everything stand-up with a range of boards, associated products, hire options and instruction. Fergs pride themselves on not only stocking the best gear but also having experienced and passionate staff to ensure you get exactly what’s best for you. A huge plus for both stores is their waterfront locations, which means you can try before you buy at Okahu Bay in Auckland, or on the harbour in Wellington with complete ease. Both stores stock a range of top brand boards (Starboard, SupStar, NSP, Surftech), inflatable and composite constructions, for all forms of paddling and for all ages and experiences. If you need gear Fergs also has everything you’ll ever need from the best brands such as paddles by Starboard and Quickblade, cameras by GoPro, GPS by Navman and Magellan, accessories by Ocean & Earth and Mophie and clothing by Sharkskin. A range
Fergs Auckland
12 Tamaki Drive, Okahu Bay p: (09) 5292230 e: salesak@fergskayaks.co.nz
of other top products to keep you safe, make transport easy and ensure your paddling is the best experience it can be are all there. All boards and gear can be viewed online at: www.fergskayaks.co.nz
Fergs Training Opportunities: Both stores offer 90 minute individual or group training sessions that will cover everything from basic skills for those new to the sport, to technique improvement for intermediate or experienced paddlers. The use of boards, paddles, leashes and PFD’s is included (wetsuit hire available). For more information visit the website. Fergs Auckland offer a SUP POD session on Sunday mornings at 10am for those wanting to socialise, train better and improve skills. This session and other instruction is given by top paddleboard racer Felipe Dos Santos who is an ISA SUP qualified instructor and former world and national outrigger canoe paddle champion. See page 20 for our Fergs competition
Fergs Wellington
Shed 6, Queens Wharf p: (04) 4998898 e: saleswn@fergskayaks.co.nz page 57
Peter Boyd - Paddler We’re really blessed in these islands we call home to have many people we might call on for expertise and knowledge of the waters which surround us. Surfers, sailors, paddlers of many craft, lifesavers and fisherman, the list is long and the stories varied but all would share one common thread, a deep connection with the ocean and its power. These types of people, who when things get tough, use their experience and determination to guide them and others through to a safe outcome, are typically low key, often humble and unselfish in sharing their knowledge with others. Basically you won’t find these people shouting about themselves but Seaton Rollerston (East Coast Paddler) has permission to tell us a bit about the history in the paddling world of one such humble man - Gissy born Kina diver, Peter Boyd. The Start Ko Hikurangi te maunga Ko Waiapu te awa Ko Ngati Porou te iwi Tiheri Mauriora First and foremost Peter Boyd or Boydy to most is staunchly Gisborne proud. Born and raised under his local maunga Titirangi / Kaiti hill he’s deeply rooted in the history of his area and its people. The ocean has been his playground as a surf lifeguard, surfer and swimmer, paddler of waka, ski, and paddleboard, among other things. Throughout NZ and the Pacific, paddling has taken him on its journey over the last 30 odd years. When you grow up in Gissy you become a surfer or surf lifeguard or in Pete’s case, both. 58 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
As we know some of the best athletes in both codes have come from this small east coast town over the years. For Pete getting involved in paddling was a calling that came about when reading a newspaper article on outrigger canoes, gifted to NZ by the Polynesian Canoe Federation, which were to be used as a tool to help youth. The story goes that, afterwards, he walked into his then job, at the Department of Labour, quit and then went to ask how he could get involved in outrigger canoeing. He became the first student of waka under the instruction of Matahi Whakataka Brightwell, (an instrumental figure in the re-birth and growth of Waka Ama in Aotearoa) in the early 80’s, where he and a few other new starters repaired the waka and commenced their training. At that time training involved running in Kaiti Park, mau r kau and paddling drills on land. On top of that, the waka was carried every day for 3 weeks from Kaiti Mall to the Gissy marina for training and back; about a 3km round trip. Tahiti Now we know how far ahead the Tahitian paddlers are today with their training and racing of Waka Ama, but back then when Pete got to go to Tahiti, he was just along for the trip to help his mate out with a canoe. That trip ended up as a 6-month stay. Looked after by a local whanau and training with the Ihilani Canoe Club and legend ski paddler Mark Archer, the boy from Gissy was in elite paddling company. The Faati Moorea canoe race is one of the most prestigious in Tahiti. With the best crews in the world taking part, the 84km changeover distance in one day was a big eye opener into top class racing and strategy for Pete. When not on the water training Pete would hang out at the canoe workshop of the President of Pirae Canoe Club, where making canoes and working on moulds
SUP CLUB Pete Boyd
filled in his time. A typical day started with a bowl of coffee, croissants, a bike around, a hang-out at the canoe club and a paddle of whatever was there. Mark Archer’s training at that time was 26km per day, plus gym work and his best line was, ‘look Peter – no grease!’ which was an accurate Tahitian statement relating to how low his body fat percentage was due to the massive distances he was doing on the water. Pete said that he recalls a simple tip on training from this man, which was, ‘don’t go fast, go slow... speed will come naturally.’
SUP CLUB
Peter Boyd - Paddler continued
Gisborne Back to Gissy and happy to be home, Pete found the small crew of paddlers he’d left had become the Mareikura Waka Trust, which had its numbers swelling under Matahi Brightwell and his wife, Reipoia. The focus became promoting the sport around NZ. With a series of events arranged in Gisborne, Tauranga and Taupo, spreading the word of Waka Ama into the regions had begun. Another instrumental figure in Waka Ama, Kris Pete Boyd Kjeldson, began to build Waka Ama in Northland at Pawarenga. Once a new canoe was built, Hawaii Pete and the Mareikura whanau supported a promo day there and he recalls meeting rugged The World Championship of distance outrigger local, Bo Herbert, who came down to the beach racing is considered by many (not all) to be the on his horse and asked ‘what the f... are those Molokai Crossing of the Kaiwi Channel between things’, pointing at the waka. Molokai and Oahu. On Bo would later become Pete’s visit to the Islands in one of Waka Ama’s great 1987 he entered the race in “ don’t go fast, go personalities and go on to an outrigger team. slow... speed will win the Molokai race with Being hosted by Walter come naturally...” team NZ. The Herbert family and Annie Faulkner at are still heavily involved in the Makaha Beach meant sport today. Pete got exposure to not only great waves In the late 80’s the Hawaiians came to and water but some of the most renowned the Orakei Waka Sprints to support the personalities of the sport. Myron Van Giesen establishment of the sport. Well known paddlers and Brian Keaulana (BK) were delegated to Stan Kahanamoku, Edward Van Giesen and look after the young Gissy boy and he recalls Mike Tong were there inspiring Pete to further his being put through his paces early on. paddling journey by visiting Hawaii in 1987. “BK picked me up the next day to go canoe 60 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
surfing at Maili Point on the Westside. The surf was solid 8’ barrels and I can still feel my stomach tilt knowing we were going out. I got some quick instructions, the most important being to stay with the canoe!” “On the paddle out BK pointed out an 8’ Tiger shark as we headed way out past the line-up with the crew saying –‘where you going brah?” “Next thing I see the horizon lift and big walls lining up, we turned the canoe and went. The first wave picked us up and BK told me to jump into seat 1 – to keep the canoe trim. The line-up was hooting at us as we handled that wave and the next. On the third we were deep on the face and I remember looking over to see the lip bowling out as it pitched down in slow motion and hit the ama which exploded under the force of impact. During the wipe-out I never let go of the waka and came up with it. This went down well with BK.” While in Hawaii Pete also stared in the IMAX movie Polynesian Odyssey, which told of the voyaging traditions of the Polynesians. He played an Hawaiian and while on set, paddled and sailed traditional canoes. Fake tan on his wrist, to cover up his watch strap mark, was the only make-up needed – the movie crew liked that. Stand-up Paddling Following Aaron Napoleon’s visit to NZ, Pete and Eldon Park returned to take on the Molokai crossing in 2007, as a one man canoe team. After the race they hooked up with Aaron at the famous surf venue of Makaha where he introduced Pete to standup paddling, telling him how great it was and that he should get involved. With two 14’ downwind boards and a SUP surf board given to Pete to try by Dennis Gorvair, Pete was hooked after five days. Not only did a new paddle sport appeal but Pete recognised that he had been introduced to another tool for exploring the ocean.
Back in Gissy after that trip he had a 10’ board shaped, which took a while to master. Since those early days he’s gone on to excel at all aspects of the sport. His latest Molokai crossing, with Sean Hovell, was the 2010 team SUP event, which he reckons Sean should have trained harder for! Today Based in Gisborne, Pete has his own small business that revolves around SUP and Waka Ama through which he promotes the lifestyle and the skills paddling brings to individuals and groups. His view is that SUP builds skills and understanding that are transferable to other water sports, raises confidence and also provides a total body workout. Aside from being a business, the main aim for Pete is to get more people having fun on the water safely. He also commits time to coaching and developing paddlers in race strategy. One special interest Pete has, is to return Maori to the oceans sailed and paddled for centuries and to re-establish mana moana or ocean expertise. With over 30 years of paddling experience Peter Boyd is without doubt one of NZ’s most valuable industry figures. The next time you’re at an event or you’re in Gisborne make a point of saying “Kia ora” to Pete - he’ll be the one with the cheeky grin and a paddle in his hand. Mauriora Pete
www.ecpsurf.co.nz page 61
Surfing Safety and Codes of Conduct Paddleboards can be extremely dangerous in the surf. Consider the following: • I f you don’t know what you’re doing learn the basics of stand-up paddle surfing somewhere well away from other water users. • B e aware of your ‘kill radius’ at all times – your height + board length + plus extended leash length. Anyone beachside of you inside that radius is in danger from your board, if you wipe out.
• Never drop-in on other surfers. • Treat surfers and surf breaks with respect. • Never ‘snake’ anyone’s wave. • D on’t take more than your fair share of waves (particularly set waves). Note: these tips are provided as a general guide only. Seek further information when in doubt from people who know the area and local conditions. There is no substitute for experience, continued practice and proper instruction.
Charlotte Broadbent
• I f there are surfers already out at your intended destination, always ask yourself if there’s somewhere else you can surf. Perhaps further up the beach, or further along the point where the crowds are smaller / non-existent.
The great advantage of paddleboards is that we have the mobility to seek waves in other locations.
Surf line up
62 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
Al & Cindy Pagel Blue Penguin SUP Afternoon delight
BIC SUP BIC One Design Racing
up-coming events North Island Surfing NZ National Championships www.surfingnz.co.nz Whangarei Bridge to Basin karl@paddleboardshop.co.nz Auckland Starboard Paddle for Hope www.paddleforhope.co.nz
2nd November 2013
French Bay Challenge frenchbaychallenege@gmail.com
12th October 2013
State Beach Series www.beachseries.co.nz
Starting 29th October 2013
Jetts City Surf Series www.citysurfseries.com
Starting November 2013
Takapuna Beach Cup www.takapunabeachcup.com
21-23 February 2014
Tauranga / Mt Maunganui Blast the Bay Run by the SUP Club www.eastcoastpaddler.co.nz James Moore-morial race
1st February 2014
Omokoroa Dash 2014
2nd February 2014
Ohope Ohope Beach Ironman Ocean Challenge www.ohopebeachironman.co.nz
5th October 2013
2014 NZ Stand Up Paddling Race Nationals 25-27 January 2014 www.NZSUP.org
Christchurch Surf n Turf www.surfnturf.co.nz Dunedin NZ Masters Games www.nzmg.com
6th February 2014
Check SRONZ Facebook page for event updates and reminders 66 www.standingroomonlynz.co.nz
Blast the Bay, Pilot Bay, SRONZ
Wellington www.wellypaddlers.blogspot.co.nz
community paddle groups Auckland North Shore SUP contact via Facebook Orewa SUP contact via Facebook Point Chev SUP Club contact via Facebook SUP South Auckland contact via Facebook Bay of Plenty SUPaddle Recon Missionmeisters contact via Facebook Canterbury Groundswell Wind Addicts contact via Facebook Wellington Welly Paddlers www.wellypaddlers.blogspot.co.nz SUP “Board Meetings” info@oceanoutfitters.co.nz Port Nic Paddlers www.rpnyc.org.nz/ocean-sports Capital Paddlers contact via Facebook Whangarei Bridge Basin Beer Series www.paddleboardshopwhangarei.co.nz
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The 2014 range from the world’s best-selling inflatable brand continues to set the benchmarks. The patented RSS Rocker Stiffening System creates boards so stiff, high performance & stable you simply won’t believe you are riding an inflatable. It’s a game changer...
The same great shapes plus some awesome new ones, all designed to be as user-friendly & versatile as possible, with the highest quality fittings (many new for 2014), the toughest, most heavy-duty construction, an incredibly high quality backpack - AND the best prices too!!
The best... just keeps getting better!
Race/Race Elite Three full-blooded RSS-assisted speed machines. These aren’t just ‘one design’ boards for racing against each other - they’ll take on anything. Fully competitive against solid boards costing twice the price - people won’t believe you’re riding an inflatable!
12’6 Race 12’6 Elite 14’0 Elite
width: 30” 340L width: 26” 300L width: 26” 320L
$1899 $1949 $1999
10’8 Mega
$1499
The ultimate in stability and userfriendliness, & a high fun factor too! vol: 296L width: 36”
10’6 Ride
$1399
The world’s best selling inflatable! Fabulous all-round performance. vol: 218L width: 32”
12’6 Explorer $1899
10’0 Surfer $1399
The ultimate SUP cruiser. Huge volume, huge stability, huge performance... vol: 160L width: 30”
The all-rounder for the lighter rider and/or extra surfing performance. vol: 193L width: 30”
9’2 Surf Star
$1349
The most radical inflatable ever created! SUP it, surf it, skurf it, rip on it... vol: 160L width: 30”
9’6 Allwater $1399 Fast and throwabout - the ultimate all-terrain board. 100% versatility!! vol: 195L width: 32”
Red Paddle Co only make inflatable boards. They’re getting pretty good at it.
Check them out at your local retailer now
www.red-air.co.nz - info@red-air.co.nz - 027 777 1035
WWW.NZBOARDSTOR
YOUR PREMIER WAT
Demo the Naish Mana today from NZ Boardstore Priced at just:
GS = $1995 GT = $2495
TERSPORTS CENTRE
2014 Naish
paddles now available featuring all new shapes and constructions, along with the amazing new adjustment system
5 Raymond St. Pt Chev, Auckland, New Zealand 1022 c 09-815 0683 m info@nzboardstore.co.nz w www.nzboardstore.co.nz
RE.CO.NZ
City Surf Series
12 WEEK SERIES, MISSION BAY, AUCKLAND
City Surf Series CitySurfSeries CitySurfSeries
WWW.CITYSURFSERIES.COM