boat or surfboard?

     As SUP progresses, we're seeing a few more companies bring naval architects into the board design process with some very interesting results.  You see, SUP has mostly evolved out of surfing, so typically the guys designing boards are surfboard designers.  When you're talking about a SUP for surf, that makes perfect sense.  However, with flat water racing, cruising and endurance & adventure paddling also exploding in popularity, boards designed specifically for those applications are needed too.  This is where naval architects, or boat designers, can provide really powerful input.  These guys have been focusing on creating fast, non-planing hulls their entire careers and a lot of what they know can be applied to SUP boards.  Check out this video showing a pretty revolutionary new shape...

   

I haven't had a chance to try one of these yet, but when I do I'll report back on how it paddles.  If anyone else beats me to it, send me a report and I'll post it.  

training tips from Dave Kalama

If you recall, last year I posted about one of the great watermen of all time, Dave Kalama.  Well, Dave has recently started posting his workouts on his facebook page.  I've copied today's workout below... check it out and if you want to learn more about what Dave's doing, you can like his fan page on Facebook.  I'm going to try this workout this afternoon... I'll let you know how it goes.

Dave's Workout:

This workout is designed to be done on a beach (barefoot); the benefits of training in sand for SUP board control and balance are maximized on sand. But, if you don't have a beach, use your local park, your yard... or... I hate to say it... your gym :) Try to jog about 50-100 yards in between each round of exercises.

- 5 sets pushups to 80% of "fatigue" (don't go until failure, but about 1-2 repetitions before failure). In between each set of pushups, do a moderate 30 yard jog at 60% pace. I like to do these jogs backwards, sideways (hopping sideways), karaoke style or extended stride (lengthened jog strides). This loosens up your hips and works more muscles in your quads, glutes and calves then just standard jogging.

- 2 sets maximum pull ups on a tree limb.

- 2 sets of seated "dips:" Find a log or bench. Put your palms on the bench and hang your rear over the edge. Lower your behind to the ground 30 times, flexing your triceps at the top.

- 1/4 mile breathing exercise. This isn't just for big-wave surfers! It is for your cardiovascular stregth AND your mental focus. Beginning at a count of 1 (unless you have done this with me, if you know your number, begin higher), hold your breath while very lightly running. Then, breath for the same count while jogging lightly. Do this in rounds for about 1/4 mile. While you are doing this drill, think of nothing, don't even think of thinking of nothing; simply release your mind to emptiness. The idea is to find a number that is strenuous but doesn't take you anywhere close to passing out. Most folks will find a 3-5 count challenging. I may do a 6-10 count.

- 15 "stepovers" on each leg: Find a log about 6-18" high. Resting one foot on top, move the other foot from one side of the log to the other as quickly as possible. This is essentially a speed and balance drill.

- 200 lunges

- 20 "log jumps:" Find a log about 12" high. Put both hands on the log in a way that will allow you to balance your body briefly over it. With your body parallel the log, and both legs together (ankles close together) on one side, jump your feet quickly back and forth over the log KEEPING your core tight/abs flexed. This is a core strength/stability drill.

- 350 stomach crunches. Any variation of stomach crunches here. We will go into more detail in a later post, as that is a longer topic :)

- 2 X 40 yard bear crawls: Hands and feet touching the ground, race 40 yards like your 2 year old child would (just not with your knees on the ground!).

- 2 X 30 yard hill sprints.

That's it... for the beach workout for today.

1:00 pm I will still get a 9 Mile Downwind SUP paddle in.

Nice work if you get either of these in today. Keep it up.

Mahalo, Dave.

upwind downwind on the mini-Gorge

When I can't get to The Lake I train on the Fox River, which is conveniently located just a few blocks from work.  On South wind days, which are common during the warm months, the wind blows against the current just like it does in the Columbia River Gorge... only on a not-quite-as-windy scale.  Still, even these calf-high waves are enough to get the board planing for a few seconds, allowing you to switch to surf-stance and enjoy a little ride.  

Of course, if you want to do the downwinder you have to paddle upwind first.  You'll notice that in the first part of the video I'm working hard to make way upwind.  You know what they say... ain't nothin' free in this world.  Hope you're getting on the water.  Enjoy.

RIP currents

Thanks to Bob Pratt of Great Lakes Surf Rescue for turning me on to this video.  So many drownings on the Great Lakes are blamed on RIP currents, and educating people on how to deal with RIPs is the first step to preventing deaths in the water.  

I've been in RIPs on Lake Michigan more times than I can remember, whether getting accidentally caught in them or using them to pull me out through the break when surfing.  Every time I experience one I find myself amazed at how powerful they are.  Even for a seasoned water person, there is simply no swimming against them.  I always imagine how scary it must be for a novice swimmer to find themselves being swept out into deep water with no idea of what to do or if they'll be able to make shore again.  

If you go anywhere near the Lake, watch this video.  You'll learn that RIP's are to be respected, but not feared.  Be safe out there.  See you on the water. 

people doing cool stuff

There are a lot of people doing cool things in SUP these days and I've been drawing inspiration for my own adventures from many of them.  One particularly inspiring athlete is Morgan Hoesterey, paddler for the Bark team.  Her list of accomplishments is pretty amazing already and she's showing no signs of slowing down.  Here's a pic of a hearty bunch of paddlers from Southern California, a few of whom I met at a race last year, that joined Morgan to paddle 22-miles to Catalina Island, run the Catalina marathon, then paddle the 22-miles back home.  Pretty awesome.  Morgan wrote about the adventure on her own blog, so check it out here.  Then come back and tell me what you want to do on the water this year.  I'll see you out there...

our big downwinder

I've finally gotten around to editing the video from last August's big downwinder.  If you don't recall the story, you can get caught up here.

We're having an incredible stretch of warm weather and I'll be on the water this week for sure.  See you out there...

save the date(s)

Things are really shaping up for this summer's MidwestSUP Race series.  Below is a tentative list of races that will be held this summer, and I'm sure there will be more to come.

Most importantly, though, be sure to save the dates of August 11th and 12th 2012 for THE don't miss event of the summer, The Skyline SUP Series and Windy City Waterman Challenge.  As I hinted to at the end of last season, I wanted to do something more inclusive this year, so I've partnered with my friends at Windward Boardshop to host a weekend SUP festival right here in Chicago.  Stay tuned for more details... 

The Tentative MidwestSUP Schedule for 2012:

June 9 - Harrison Township, MI

Sprint & Splash at Lake St. Clair

Lake St. Clair Metro Beach

http://www.sprintandsplash.com/supc.html

June 16 - Benton Harbor, MI

The 2nd Annual Sweetwater SUP Challenge

Jean Klock Beach Park

Third Coast Surf Shop

1st annual "Sup n' Surf" Day

Sheboygan, WI - June 23, 2012

EOS-Expedition Outdoor Supply

June 23 - Cincinnati, OH

11th Annual Paddlefest

Coney Island Park

http://www.ohioriverway.org/paddlefest/

June 30 - Culver, IN

Lake Max Challenge

http://lakemaxchallenge.com

July 7 - Lake Geneva, WI

The Midwest Stand Up Paddleboard Masters

http://www.clearwateroutdoor.com/news-detail-2nd_annual_midwest_sup_masters_-101.html

Clear Water Outdoor

July 14 - Madison, WI

The Midwest Stand Up Paddle Festival

Paddleboard Specialists

July 21

3rd Annual Great Lakes SUP Classic

http://www.hollandoutpost.com/2012/01/16/3rd-annual-great-lakes-sup-classic-july-20-21-2012/

The Outpost of Holland

July 28 - Milford, MI

Detroit SUP Festival

Kensington Metropark, Maple Beach

http://www.detroitsupfestival.com/

Detroit Surf Co.

August 11 - Chicago, IL

The Skyline SUP Series & Windy City Waterman Challenge

Montrose Beach

www.skylinesup.com   

Windward Boardshop

August 18 - Traverse City, MI

TC Waterman SUP Challenge & Expo

http://tcwaterman.com