Standup Paddle Christmas

I got a Kialoa all-carbon paddle for Christmas two years ago. I hadn't even tried standup paddling but I was obsessed with it. I'd seen the first article about "beach boy paddling" in Surfers Journal and my friend and now the Kialoa Paddle sales rep Peter Miller had shown me his paddle on a surf trip several months earlier. He never got out and used it that weekend but even without seeing the action, I was hooked.

My wife Cristina called Meg at Kialoa and Meg hand delivered it to her studio in time for gifting. Of course there was two feet of snow on the ground, just like there is now, which brings me to the point of this story. The timing of Christmas sucks for standup paddlers. In all the cold- weather parts of the country our sport is forgotten at gift giving time. Its great for skiers and snowboarders, with all the snow, skiing and riding is all people think about at Christmas time. Of course, excepting crazies like me.

I wish we could initiate a gift-giving tradition on fourth of July weekend and then we could surprise our loved ones with SUP gifts. Start planning now and here's a few suggestions:
1. A paddle. (Its the first thing I got, the board came later)
2. A self inflating PFD. (they are small like a fanny pack and it's now the law)
3. A new board. (best gift in the world, makes you feel like a kid again)

Happy Holidays from Randall, Cristina and Isabella at StandupPaddleBend.com

Nelscott Reef Oregon

It looks like the Nelscott Reef pro surfing contest for 2008 had another epic swell! JB apologized for the photo quality, are you kidding? Although you can barely see the tiny surfer at the bottom it's the wave!

Congratulations to the surfers brave enough to go out there and escecially those that paddle-in.

I haven't heard of any standup paddlers in this wave yet. If so, send photos!

www.StandupPaddleBend.com

Standup Paddle Bend Open Challenge

Notice of Open Challenge Race for the Record.

Anyone, at any time, on any standup paddle equipment, may challenge the record!

All records will be posted on the StandupPaddleBend.com(StandupPaddleFlatwater.com) website and the Standup Paddle Flatwater (standuppaddle.blogspot.com) blog.

The Course:
The stretch of the Deschutes River known as "Colorado to Southern Crossing". The start/finish line is the imaginary line from shore perpandicular to the first (downstream) HAZARD sign near the Bend Outrigger Canoes and Alder Creek Kayak launch. The turn-around line is the imaginary line across the river indicated by the Mt. Bachelor Villiage fence line.

Start from a standstill position, nose behind the line, and a timing person will give the start command with ready, set, go. The stopwatch begins on go. An independant, impartial timing person, with stopwatch, is required as witness and official timer.

The upstream paddle is approximately one mile and you may choose your channel. You must cross the turn-around line with the whole board, and paddle back to the start/finish line. The official finish is when the nose of your board crosses the start/finish line.

Classes and Categories

Categories
Each record will include the Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM) that the Deschutes river is running that day, as published in the Bend Bulletin (on the weather page). As records begin to fall due to reduced current we will start another "CFM" category.

Classes will be as follows:
BOARDS- Unlimited, 14' and under, 12'6" and under, 11'6" and under, 10'6" and under. Rudders, foils and multi-hulls are only allowed on Unlimited.

AGE & GENDER- Men and Women, 10 and under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-83, 84-86, 87-89, 90 and over.

Record Submissions

Submissions must include: Date, CFM, Name and address, gender, age, Witnesses/timers name, board brand/model and length, paddle brand/model. And, last but not least, TIME. Send to randall@footform.com

Be the first in your class to take the challenge, you're guaranteed to set a record!

Randall Barna StandupPaddleBend.com

Halloween Costume SUP Paddle

Our local SUP group's first annual Halloween Costume Paddle on the Deschutes River through the Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon was a chilly success. Deschutes River water temperatures in the 40's seemed friendlier when the sun poked through the clouds between squalls, and the winds made for a welcome workout for those of us who had already visited the candy bowl.

Everyone agreed that Lucy Thompson (the Jack Russel Terrier) in her strawberry costume was the cutest. She ran off before the paddle to sneak up on a local cat she regularly chases. Despite her strawberry disguise, the cat saw her coming and the chase was on. Lucy lost her "stem" in the tussle, but none of her attitude. Her "dad" Ron Thompson was a Predatory Lendor -- certainly the most politically appropriate costume of the paddle.

Paddlers from L - R:
Isabella Barna, John Weishaupt, Ron Thompson, Randall Barna and Cristina Acosta

Photos: Ron and Lucy dog are on a Laird 12'1" gloss stand up paddle board.

Thanks to Capt. Sawdust and Kathy Southwick for the photos.

NOTE: Put in at the Central Oregon Outrigger launch
(just south of the Colorado Bridge) to turn around after going under the Healy Bridge to return to the start. About 1 hour.

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

14' Standup Paddle Boards - Racing & Touring

Take a look at a 14' foot paddle race boards and it challenges the usual definition of an SUP. Is this 14' long surfboard a watercraft, surfer, racer or adventure touring board? These SUP boards certainly have the heritage of a surfboard, like a giant "big gun," but the intention is open water and ocean racing and touring. In the old days surf contests were all about prone paddling, so now the sport is returning to it's island roots. Then, the fastest glide and speed would get you between islands and to next surf break before the tide turned. I can't wait to paddle one of these beauties!

The legendary paddle board shaper, Joe Bark has shaped a new 14' stand up paddle board racing / touring design for Surftech and it will be available next spring. The above flyer has the information and specs. The boards have a glossy white bottom and yellow or red decks.

The trend in SUP paddles has been towards the smaller blade (depending on your stand up paddle board speed). Pair this board with the Kialoa Shaka Pu'u paddle. For women paddlers or small (less muscular) men paddlers, I suggest you buy the Kialoa Methane paddle.

Another good reason to buy  your racing SUP boards at Stand Up Paddle Flatwater in Bend, Oregon is because Oregon doesn't have sales tax. To be guaranteed to get a Joe Bark Expedition 14', let me know now so I can set one aside for you.

Call me: 541-389-4547
www.StandupPaddleFlatwater.com

SUPs and PFDs

This is a follow-up to my post August 12,'08 "Hassled About PFD?"

The US Coast Guard recently made a determination:

"Based on the information available, the Coast Guard has determined that, when beyond the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing or bathing area, the device known as a "paddleboard" is a vessel under 46 U.S.C. 2101, and therefore subject to applicable regulations administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and its Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety, unless specificallly exempted."

In essence, if the paddleboard is being used for transport on lakes, bays, or rivers, a PFD is required.

I guess we're responsible for national policy on this. I doubt that
anyone making this decision has ever been on a paddleboard (maybe never
even seen one) and certainly didn't get any input from the paddling
community. If so, the paddlers could easily explain that the PFD
requirement will not increase the safety of the sport in most cases.
Granted, a paddler could get struck by lightning or hit-and-run by a
boat and knocked unconscious. But then, the PFD would only save them if
they were wearing it and the rule says it just needs to be on-board.
Paddleboards are unsinkable. A more common sense safety rule is to wear
a tether-leash attaching you to your board and this is widely practiced
without the need of regulation.

Paddleboarding is a healthy, low-impact and environmentally friendly new
sport. The enthusiasts do it because they are so un-encumbered by
standing on top of a board instead of sitting within a boat. The feeling
of freedom and experience of the outing is incomparable. Some paddlers
choose to wear PFD,s and my point is that it should be a choice. The
expectation is that it will not be required to have a PFD because
everybody knows a board is not a boat.

The reactions from the few people that were already warned by marine patrols were brought to my attention immediately, disbelieving, distasteful, even calling it harassment.

I'm requesting that the Board consider rule making and adopt rule
language to exempt "paddle boards" from the PFD requirement. I will be
glad to testify and could provide many others to testify if it would help.

Randall Barna

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com Thank you for purchasing your SUP gear from us. We appreciate your support.
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Surf Photographer Grant Myrdal's Beautiful Photos

Most all of us have cameras and take photos. Sometimes a photo is so good, we even surprise ourselves. But even then, the photos don't usually transcend the medium. Last month I went to Grant Myrdal's slide show presentation of his work including all types of work that we normally don't see of his. I was so blown away. His work has a mystical, transcendent beauty. What he can do with water is astounding. He doesn't use digital, he's still a film artist. Please take a moment to look at Grant's website. Along with his surf photos you'll see gorgeous landscapes including some of the Deschutes River in Oregon.

Grant is a famous surf photographer and an amazing artist. We are so lucky that Grant decided to move to Central Oregon. He set up a fantastic slide show September 3rd that was hosted by Pine Mountain Sports in Bend, Oregon. Here is a recent photo of his that was published in Surfer's Journal. Click here purchase Grant Myrdal's prints and see more of his work.


www.StandUpPaddleBend.com

Gerry Lopez Interview on SUP Surf Mag

Hometown hero, Gerry Lopez is interviewed about his elite Stand up Paddle event, Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle race. It's a great interview with Barrett Tester and Gerry Lopez on SUP Surf Mag.com Here's the link to the page with the interview.

Gerry has a lot to say about the resurgence of SUP as a exciting sport. He has a lot to say about standup paddling as well as mentioning our local Stand Up Paddle Bend group of river and lake paddlers. Thanks for the mention, Gerry! One thing Gerry said that was news to me was this bit about the history of surfing: "Surfing contests in the beginning were all paddle races and they evolved into what people see now with people riding waves. . ." Lopez explained that this SUP contest is not the average "surf" contest. "We could have a wave contest, but a race would be a lot more fun and easy for the people watching it to understand."

The Battle of the Paddle event includes a $25,000. purse. That's enough to motivate a fitness program! Maybe we'll see some of our local group at a race like this next year!

Randall is ordering 14 foot Joe Bark SUP race boards and getting them in stock. Let him know if you want to order one. 541-389-4547

www.StandUpPaddleBend.com

Riding River Whitewater Standup Paddle Surfing

Greg "Suggs" Miller, the Director of the Potomac Board Rats, a Washington D.C. based SUP group sent us this note:

We now have a video on our potomacboardrats.org site. Check it out and if you want to put it on your site, you can.
We are getting a lot of attention from out kayak friends. We always offer to let them try it. Some do and think it's awesome, even if they struggle at it.
Do you or your SUP pals use leashes for your boards and paddles?
If we fall and loose our boards and paddles, it can be a long and dangerous swim for the gear. I have been lucky so far. Cobra wore a short leash today and got a bit tangled up, but also said it saved him a retrieve ordeal.

Hope all is good out West,

Greg"Suggs"Miller
potomacboardrats.org
_________________________________________________
Well, Suggs, members of our local Standup Paddle Bend group have been having discussions about using a leash on whitewater. I got mine caught around a submerged tree branch on calm flat water and with one paddle-stroke sent myself slamming face first into my glossy Takayama board. I'm ambivalent about wearing a leash in the river, and tend not to. Randall said that "telephone cord" style leashes are available now to keep the leash mostly on the deck of the board, rather than dangling. We'd love to hear any reader's ideas and experiences with leashes on rivers.

Noll Longboard Classic SUP Event Storms-On

The first-hand report from Peter Miller is that the SUP class of the Noll Longboard Classic was held Oct. 4th 2008 as scheduled. The unpredictable part was the weather and surf. Earlier in the week the surf forecast was for a 25' swell at 16 sec. interval! As the week progressed the swell dropped and the weather set-in.

Friday morning was raining sideways with the strong winds buffeting South Beach, the normal contest site. The standup event was moved to the sheltered side of Pt. St George where the wind was offshore and waves around shoulder-high. The surf was fairly smooth considering the storm seas on the other side of the point.

Results of the top seven as follows: Rhyn Noll, Ken Wilson, Jeff Corning, Spike Richardson, Ollie Richardson, Luke Matheson, Peter Miller. For the complete story check out the link to the local paper: http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=10366

www.StandupPaddleBend.com

Stinky Bootie Solution

I thought something had died under the seats in our van. The smell was vaguely sweet, slightly meaty and fetid. I looked everywhere, and finally had to resort to cleaning out the vehicle. Starting with the spaces under the front seats I looked for the culprit and found nothing but a few ice cream sticks and a baggie full of last week's baby carrots. (Hey -- I thought my kid was eating her vegetables!)

I moved aside a pile of SUP gear to look under the floor mat and then I found it. The smell was terribly strong. And worse, it was coming from the wetsuit booties! I envisioned the gushy corpse of a mouse that had crawled into the booties and died. I shook the booties over the bushes near where we had parked, but nothing came out. Then, I did what any woman does in this situation, I gave the reeking footwear to the nearest man.

Randall didn't blink or even sniff. His face barely moved except for the slight smile he always gets when I'm grossed out about something like big spiders or dead mice. It was time to up the drama. "R a n d a l l, I think there's something dead in the wetsuit booties," I said.

"Oh, that smell?" He finally said, "Don't worry about it, I've been putting the booties in the board bag on top of the car so you wouldn't notice."

Ok -- Here's how it works for any other guys thinking that a board bag is the solution to stinky booties. I did notice. I just didn't say anything because I figured his feet are far from his head and as long as he stands on his board, I'm not close enough to care.

Then Randall hit me with the big news. "It's OK Honey, I couldn't get the smell out of your booties with wetsuit soap, but I have another idea that I'm sure will work."

My wetsuit booties?? How could that be? My feet don't stink. Really.

Then I looked carefully at the booties and it was true. They were mine. Dang it.

I headed for the bleach but Randall cut me off at the pass. I guess neoprene and bleach aren't a good combo. He did have a solution and it worked, Dawn Dishwashing liquid. He swirled a few drops into the booties full of hot water, rinsed and put the boots in the sun to dry.

What a guy!
______________________________________________
Get your SUP gear from Randall at www.StandUpPaddleBend.com. You'll find Dawn Dishwashing liquid on the soap aisle of most grocery stores.

Places to Paddle: Bend, Oregon is THE Place for Flatwater SUP Paddling

The surf is up in Central Oregon! And, the Bend Bulletin is helping to spread the word about the great Stand up Paddling scene in Oregon. That day was also a Surftech demo day. People tried out all types of Surftech SUP boards on the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon: Laird, Takayama, Infinity and more. When you're ready to buy your board for the Deschutes River and High Cascade Lakes, or where ever you live, call Randall at 541-389-4547 for Standup Gear. And if you don't live in Oregon, don't worry, Randall can have the Stand up Paddle boards and gear shipped anywhere in the U.S.A.

Note: This aerial photo of the Deschutes River by Buck Heim shows the area of the river that goes through Sunriver, Oregon. It's a SUP paddle boarding dream of easy downstream flat water paddling that's accessible for most anyone of any age who is willing to stand on a board.

_____________________________________________
Surf’s up in C.O. The sport of stand-up paddle boarding is growing locally
By Katie Brauns / The Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, Published: September 16. 2008 4:00AM PST Katie Brauns can be reached at 541-383-0393 or at kbrauns@bendbulletin.com. ARTICLE ACCESS: This article is among those available to all readers. Many more articles are available only to E-Edition members. Sign up today! Link here for the entire Bend Bulletin article.
Surfboards in the High Desert?

Yes, and in high demand. Not long ago, few Central Oregonians had even heard of these surfboards called stand-up paddle boards. Now, stand-up paddling is growing rapidly in the area. Saturday’s Stand-up Paddle Boarding Family Fun Extravaganza at Sunriver Marina on the Deschutes River attracted more than 30 curious participants who joined an instructional clinic, relay races and a downriver tour.

Most first-timers said they would like to do it again. Some even mentioned buying a board (cost ranging from $700 to $1,700). “It’s a good activity for all ages,” said Mandy Baker, 27, a youth adventure camp leader in Bend and one of Saturday’s participants. “In one minute you get your wobbles out. Really, anyone that can hike or walk can do this. “I’m going to try it again for sure.”

Slice of history The ancient sport of stand-up paddle boarding was revived in the 1940s by surfers in Hawaii, according to www.AdventuresNW.com. By most accounts, stand-up paddle boarding originated in Polynesia. The AdventuresNW site also suggests that archaeologists digging for ancient artifacts have found 7-foot-long, single-bladed paddles throughout the Hawaiian Islands on several occasions. The upright method of paddling is an efficient way to break through the water’s wake, rather than lying down and stroking with the arms.

Upright paddling also makes it easier for surf instructors to keep track of their students — and to take pictures of them for mementos.

Moving in Stand-up paddle boarding recently began to spread inland, and Central Oregon has enthusiastically welcomed the sport. “We got the word out that we had stand-up paddle boards and we were busy all year,” said Tom Hamilton, Sunriver Marina manager. “What’s happening is, the sport is mushrooming inland to lakes and rivers. So we have an obvious connection there, because we have a really nice resort right on the river with almost countless lakes surrounding us.”

The marina has a fleet of about 15 rental stand-up paddle (or SUP) boards and has an order in for twice that number for next year. Lessons are also available at the Sunriver Marina. Randall Barna, a spearhead of paddle boarding locally, began selling the boards last year through his Web site, www.standuppaddleflatwater.com. Then, about a dozen interested paddlers joined in, mostly paddling flat stretches of the Deschutes River in Bend and Sunriver.

This summer, more than 50 paddlers are part of the stand-up paddle flat-water group. A few dozen of them meet every Friday at 4:30 p.m. at Alder Creek Kayak in Bend (near the Colorado Avenue Bridge) and paddle up the Deschutes to Farewell Bend Park and then back down to Alder Creek.

In addition, Barna organizes gatherings to Cascade Mountain lakes and to different segments of the Deschutes, providing a shuttle service so that paddlers can always be traveling downstream or downwind. The assembly is a good excuse to socialize, but apparently it’s a great workout as well. “When I got out on that board for the first time … it was such a good CORE workout that I was totally hooked,” said Susan Shannon, a mother of three from Bend. “The paddling is easy for me because I was a canoe instructor, but it was the core workout that I really liked.”

“You have to keep moving your legs to balance and then twist when you paddle,” said Tim Henion of the core workout paddlers get while SUP boarding. “And you use your shoulders. You get it all over.” Henion had just returned from a four-mile paddle going downstream on the Deschutes and back up, starting and ending at Sunriver Marina.

Novice participants swarmed the Sunriver Marina dock on Saturday and learned about paddling while standing up. Along with learning how to hold the long paddle and stroke most efficiently, participants soon discovered that it was easy. Balance is key, and most of the paddlers got the knack of it right away. Youngsters and adults of all shapes and sizes tooled around on the river, splashing strokes, gracefully turning or clumsily falling off their board.

Only a few lost their balance and dumped into the cold, weedy water of the Upper Deschutes. The flat-water attraction “As the summer went on last year, there was more and more people getting interested (in stand-up paddling),” noted Barna. “And this summer it has increased 10 times.” Barna measures the growth by the number of paddlers who have purchased boards in the last year. “The big deal is the flat-water opportunities that we have here,” explained Barna. “Anything other than coastal paddling is called flat-water paddling. And Bend is a destination resort for flat-water paddling and is probably the first one in the U.S. that has taken off.”

Not only are paddlers getting a workout, they also are outside enjoying nature, even viewing the aquatic life beneath the surface of the water. “I like to paddle in the mornings here,” said Alex Zarganes, who teaches paddle-board lessons for Sunriver Marina. “I come in when it’s calm and serene. I saw wildlife. Within an hour I saw a beaver, a great blue heron, an osprey fishing, and a mom and a baby deer, all within an hour on the second day that I have paddled in the morning. … You really do get in a zone. I paddled in a lake one weekend at 6 o’clock in the morning. … It was the most peaceful I’ve ever felt. I was in the middle of Crescent Lake, all by myself.”

Paddle boarding attracts all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts, from mellow river floats to the extremists. “It seems like any sport that you are standing on something and you are in motion automatically kind of has an edginess to it, like skiing or skateboarding or snowboarding,” noted Hamilton on Saturday as he watched paddlers snake through the water for their first SUP boarding experience. “It has that edgy element to it.” Some Central Oregonians have taken SUP boarding to the extreme: They have run whitewater. . . . READ MORE at the Bend Bulletin

www.StandUpPaddleFlatwater.com

The 6th Rogue Gathering Longboard Classic Results on the Oregon Coast

A group of us SUP surfers from Bend, Oregon traveled to Newport, Oregon to compete in the annual longboard classic and Stand up Paddle surf contest called The Gathering, hosted by the Rogue Brewery every September. The weather was windy and sunny and sometimes foggy in the early morning. The surf was small to overhead. Handcrafted brew, hot coffee and BBQ burgers kept all of surfers and audience happy. The announcers and judges did a great job making this 6th annual event, The Gathering a friendly, fun event for everyone from novice to expert.

This past Sept. 6 and 7th at The 6th Annual Rogue Gathering the SUP standup paddle class grew in one year from six to sixteen entries! This was enough for three heats, two for men and one for women. The two men's heats led to the top six for the finals heat. It was a really fun event.

The gals were all beginner SUP surfers from Bend: Judy Shasek, Susie Miller, Isabella Acosta Barna and Cristina Acosta. With the exception of Isabella (who won first), they mostly got stomped in wind gusts in the 24 mph range and the biggest waves this group of gals had ever been in. The good news is that they showed up and filled the top 6 places, so they all got a plaque!

For camping and other info, check out our prior blog entry.

Thanks to Michael Carpenter and Randall Barna for video footage and Isabella Acosta Barna and Randall Barna for editing the movie.

Thanks to Ron Church's estate for the photo art and Penny Murie of Medusa Design for creating a cool & groovy poster with Ron Chruch's surf photo. Penny Murie is also the Rogue Brewery label artist.

The Results for the 6th annual The Gathering Annual Longboard Classic surf contest hosted by Rogue Brewery, Newport, Oregon are:

Stand Up Paddle SUP Gals (all ages, which happened to be 14 to 59): 1st - Isabella Acosta Barna; 2nd Cristina Acosta; 3rd Judy Shasek; 4th Susie Miller
Longboard Gals:
Menahunes w/Parent (12 & under): 1st - Kaya Linn Remmers; 2nd Izzy Martinez-Ybor; 4th Savannah Russo
Gals Under 25: 1st - Olivia Schroeder, 2nd Haley Richards
Gals Over 25: 1st - Carly Dye, 2nd Kristin Lovett, 3rd Nelly Daanslow; 4th Skylar Bieraugel; 5th Lisa Field; 6th Jessica Dumoulin

Stand Up Paddle SUP Guys (all ages): 1st Tony Stein; 2nd Ken Wilson; 3rd Mike Field; 4th Ollie & Bella (the dog) Richardson; 5th Randall Barna; 6th Peter Miller
Longboard Guys:
Menahunes w/Parent: 3rd Woodrow Mayer; 5th Wynslow Mayer; 6th Joey Swan
Gremmies (13-19): 1st Travis Cockcroft; 2nd Kevin Sennewald; 3rd David Klistoff; 4th Laird Tuel; 5th Brandon Cotte
Boys (20-29): 1st Ollie richardson; 2nd Patrick Mason; 3rd Mattie Starr; 4th Jedi Jonny Knape; 5th Louie Golar; 6th Jeff Guggenheim
Hot Shots (30-39): 1st Nathan Smith; 2nd John Bieraugel; 3rd Tor Rockness; 4th Travis Prince; 5th Larz Richardson; 6th Ken Wilson
Mid Life Cruisers (40-49): 1st Patrick Crotty; 2nd Rob Russo; 3rd Mike Tuel; 4th Nolan West; 5th Brad Miller; 6th Joe Stoops
Dukes (50-59): 1st Bill Bourdon, 2nd Phil Rovai; 3rd Ray Benner; 4th Tony Stein; 5th Spike Richardson; 6th Bill Delanty
Grand Dukes (60-69): 1st Danny Anderson; 2nd Nick Parry; 3rd Peter Miller; 4th Bix Weir; 5th Michael Harrington; 6th Fred Sickler

REMEMBER -- Buy your Stand up Paddle Surf gear from us at www.StandupPaddleBend.com Whether you're paddling the inland flat water, wind waves or getting in some ocean surf time, we have the SUP gear for you!!

Running Whitewater on a SUP

Getting a good stand up paddle surf ride on inland waters takes some ingenuity and guts. Suggs Miller director of the Potomac Board Rats, based in Washington, D.C., is into riding the rough water on the rivers. Here's a photo of him and the note he sent us:

Hello ,
You have a great site. Me and some friends have started going on the Potomac River with our inflatable SUP's. It is an unreal experience. We are learning the river and getting better every day we go out. It is too much fun running the swift water and chutes.

Hope you enjoy the pics that my kayak friends took of me. We will send you more when we get them.

All the best to our Western Friends!

Greg"Suggs"Miller www.PotomacBoardRats.org
director
301-442-6864

www.StandupPaddleBend.com

Thanks John for the Great Report

John and Kathy of PaddleSurf.net visited Bend, Oregon this summer. They were paddling on the Deschutes River on a Friday afternoon, the same time our local Stand up paddle group meets for a 4:30 evening paddle. Randall and I (Cristina) were paddling upriver and introduced ourselves to them. We got to chatting and discovered that we were both SUP bloggers, and we read each others blogs! What great luck. John and Kathy are fun people and we enjoyed our time with them. We also discovered that if you're planning any kind of surf trip or SUP trip south of the border, the PaddleSurf.net blog is the place for the info you need for a safe trip. Here's an excerpt from John Ashleys report about his visit to Bend, Oregon:

It's so beautiful in Bend that you begin to take it for granted. You're cruising the highway along a clear, running river there's sapphire lakes everywhere- each one harboring ridiculous paddling potential. The weather's warm, there's blue skies and the great silent openness that seems to wrap up big pine forests.


Give yourself a couple of days in Bend, Oregon and you just start to expect that there'll be something miraculous around that next curve in the road. Like I said, you started to take it for granted. Until, once again, Bend serves up something deliciously unexpected (bacon covered dates... maybe?) that takes your breathe away again. That's the kind of place Bend is and that's why you need to go there with your board and paddle in hand. Bend is enchanting, it's truly a flat water, stand up paddling playground. READ MORE. . . .

Free Stand-up Paddle Board Clinic in Sunriver

Do you want to try SUP Stand up paddleboarding for FREE?! If your answer is, "Yes!" Sunriver, Oregon is where you want to be on Sept 13th. Surftech boards, including Laird boards will be provided first-come-first-served to anybody who wants to try standup surfing. Sunriver, Oregon is a beautiful place to paddle the flatwater of the Deschutes River. This section of the river is included on the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance map. Click here for info about how to buy a Bend Paddle Trail Alliance Map.

Here's what you need to know:
When: Saturday, Sept. 13th, 2008, 1 to 5 p.m
Where: Sunriver 
Who: all ages -- men, women, kids -- almost everyone can learn to SUP.
SUP activities are FREE!
Activities will Include:

• Paddle board demonstrations and lessons
• Fun races including a relay race
• 6 mile downstream paddle at 4 p.m.
  

This is a great time to call Randall Barna (541-389-4547) and ask him if a board that is right for you will be demoed at this event. Try out the board then buy a new board from Randall. Autumn is the best time to surf the Oregon Coast and any of the West Coast from Northern California through Tofino in British Columbia. Randall is also selling a Lopez SUP board that was very lightly demoed this season. Call him for details. So get your Standup Paddle gear from www.StandupPaddleFlatwater.com and we'll see you on the water.

The Nation's First Inland Destination Stand Up Paddle Waterways

We're on the map! Literally! The Bend Paddle Trail Alliance published the first ever Deschutes Paddle Trail River Guide. This is a SUP dream come true. Visit Bend, Oregon and you can paddle up to 60 miles of downstream flat water on the Deschutes River with a single short portage. Or choose a segment of 6 to 10 miles for a fun 1/2 day trip.

Roll the River Guide into a pocket or stuff sack (it's on tear-proof / waterproof paper) and you'll have detailed information on every take-out, log jam, riverside campsites, hazard, portage and short-cuts the river has to offer.

Available for $15.00 in Bend or contact us (541-389-4547, or Randall@Footform.com) and we'll mail you the guide along with a free Lakes Guide for $20.00 including postage.

We've been going out every weekend and exploring each section of the river. When the weather turns to cold, we'll post our slide shows and stories of our adventures.

If you're visiting Bend, Oregon or Sunriver, Oregon (15 miles South of Bend, Oregon), you can buy your SUP Standup Paddle Boards from us at www.StandupPaddleBend.com and remember, you don't pay sales tax in Oregon!!!

Hassled About PFD? - ask Randall

Hi, I was paddling on the Nehalem River estuary the other day and imagine my suprise when the Tillamook County Sheriff stopped me and gave me a warning for not having an approved PFD and whistle (like I was a boat)! Do you guys have any experience or advise you'd like to share? I called the director at the State of Oregon for water activities law enforcement and he said there was a policy that seemed vague about requiring a PFD and whistle if I was in flat water, though not requiring them in a surf zone. I'm puzzled and irritated that I was singled out for this application of a silly rule (I don't see any adults wearing PFD's and whistles on your website. Is Dechutes County more enlightened than here on the coast?). I've been surfing in Oregon for 43 years and boating longer than that and this is the first I've heard about any rule or policy like this. Your comments please.
Regards, David, Manzanita, Oregon

Hi David, This subject is like de-ja-vu all over again. We went through the same thing in the 80's with windsurfing. We windsurfed for years without PFDs and then someone decided that they should be required so they started enforcing it. Finally enough windsurfers complained to the marine board and maybe even the legislature and they changed the rule. I believe it states that anything considered a water toy and that you are on top of, opposed to sitting within, is exempt from the PFD rule. In Bend there are thousands of people floating down the Deschutes through downtown and the Old Mill district. City buses shuttle them back to the start. If they're on an air mattress, PFDs aren't required. If they're in a $10 toy raft PFD is required. Inner tubes are another grey area since your butt is in, however, technically you're on top since it has no floor. In the old windsurfing days, the ironic thing with the old PFD law is that you didn't have to actually wear the PFD, you just needed to have one "on board". We would bungee cord a PFD to the nose and be legal, which was absolutely ridiculous!

Real safety is a concern but this PFD requirement gets into a human rights and freedom issue like requiring adults to wear bike helmets. This helmet issue recently came up and was proposed to go to the legislature and was immediately squashed by a huge outcry in objection.

This is my opinion on safety and the PFD issue:

1. PFDs should not be required on standup paddle boards. They should be treated the same as surfboards, windsurfers, air mats, etc.
2. In open water with current or wind use a leash. When wearing a leash you are always tethered to a personal flotation device, the board! Every board has way more flotation than any Coast Guard approved PFD.
3. Respect the elements and water, assume risk, and use good judgment. Regardless of flotation, sh-- happens!
Randall Barna
standuppaddleflatwater.com

Building a Quiver of Boards

Dear Randall: I am looking for a SUP. I weigh 240# and am 5'10 tall. I surfed for 30+ years and was very good at it but have not been in water for several years. I am a little out of shape but up to the challenge. I am 58 years old. I am looking for a good paddling board that I can also surf smaller waves on. Some shops are saying I should get a 11'+ to 12' board. One guy showed me a 10'3" Lopez and told me that a 11' board was way too large and that the Lopez would suit me much better. He seemed to be experienced. The people selling the larger boards looked more like typical sales people... What are your thoughts? Thanks....John

John,
If you own a quiver of boards a 10'3" Lopez is definitely sweet. I'm also 58 yrs old and I have a Lopez SUP board, but I also have a 12' Ron House that I paddle every day on flatwater and an 11'6" Takayama Surftech that I surf most of the time. I pull out the Lopez when its glassy and fast. If you're building a quiver I recommend starting with the biggest board first. You'd be surprised by the capabilities of a 12' board in the surf and with a bigger board you have fewer unexpected falls and a much faster glide.

Another way of looking at my board quiver is that they're not just mine! My wife Cristina paddles the 11'6" Takayama and my daughter the 10'3" Lopez as their everyday paddlers. When we do get a rare trip to the beach, the surfs up and I often have my choice of the whole quiver!

If your heart's really set on the Lopez, I have a 10'3 Lopez in stock, its got a custom North Shore deck pad and goes for $1579. Plus freight down to San Diego. NO sales tax in Oregon! All the pricing is on the StandUpPaddleBend.com website.

Aloha --- Randall Barna

Buy paddles
Gloss and Soft top boards
Accessories like deck pads, surf leashes, board locks, etc.

Photos: Isabella, Cristina and Randall with our quiver of boards.
Jack Gillen with his quiver in Hawaii.

Jack Gillen with part of his quiver

Gorge Games Race: And the SUP Winners Were . . .

The 2008 Gorge Games Outrigger Canoe race was a big event. This July 18th, 19th and 20th the race included a Stand Up Paddle division. Read our earlier post with event details. Because this was the first year for Standups, and really an experiment for the Gorge Game organizers, events altered with the circumstances.

Randall Barna attended the race and sent back this report:
I had a blast paddling for three days in the glorious Gorge! All and all this is an event that can't be missed next year and in my opinion should be considered a Northwest Championship Standup Paddle Race!

The first day I teamed up with Michael Carpenter for the unofficial down-wind event. This isn't a race, but a gathering, where everyone arranges their own shuttle back and watches out for each other in case of emergency. I guess there's safety in numbers, and when you calculate all the risks in The Gorge you need to plan for anything: Wind, waves, current, barges, boats and obstacles. We went from Stevenson to Home Valley (about five miles). Winds were 20 mph and waves around waist high, what a blast! As first timers paddling in Gorge conditions we had no trouble, but definitely got schooled. The main thing I learned is how to judge the huge bends in the river. The one mile long bend around Wind Mountain is deceiving and kept pushing us to the northern shore. We had to paddle on the left side (without switching) for at least a half hour.

The next day (Saturday) Michael Carpenter, Al Paterson and I went out to test the race course and make sure we could handle the upwind legs. We had a great view of the 6 man outriggers racing and enjoyed the workout. We committed to do the race on Sunday.

Sunday, race day, was sunny and warmer with lighter winds in the 15mph range. It was exciting to line up at the start with all the outriggers and only seven Standups. We were doing one lap on the approximately three mile course and the outriggers were doing two. The two upwind legs (one at the start and one at the finish) seemed endless with a short break in between for the downwind. The fact that the current was going our way didn't seem to help much. This race is a true test of paddling technique and endurance. Also board design is a big factor in these conditions. The only Standup Paddler on a true race board was Dan Gavere and he finished in only 37:26 minutes a full sixteen minutes ahead of me! Everyone finished in less than an hour except for Michael Carpenter who had to drop out when his arms cramped.

The whole weekend was great for many reasons. The people are number one. The whole outrigger community is friendly and welcomed us standups with aloha! The venue at the Skamania Fairgrounds couldn't be better and the entry fee included free camping for the whole weekend. JD Davies ran the event, races and awards with skill and grace.

The 2008 Gorge Games Stand Up Paddle Race Winners:

Women: 1st Gold - Karen Wrenn (3rd overall! There were no other women.)














Men: 1st Dan Gavere; 2nd -Rick Graves; 3rd - Randall Barna;
4th - Al Paterson; 5th - Troy Butcher; dnf - Michael Carpenter
Dan Gavere, 1st Gold
Rick Graves, 2nd Silver
Randall Barna, 3rd Bronze

Thanks to Randall Barna for the photos and to the Gorge Games for the course map and event.

Buy your Gorge racing gear from Randall at www.StandupPaddleFlatwater.com

Odell Lake Race 2008: And The SUP Winners Are. . .

Nine Standup Paddle Racers entered the Odell Lake 28th Annual Canoe Race last weekend (July 26, 2008). Blue skies overhead, old growth fir and pine edging the cool waters and a light wind set the tone for a great paddle race on Odell Lake, located on the Willamette Pass off of Hwy 58. Six miles long and 1.5 miles wide, Odell Lake is known for the big winds that regularly blow through most summer afternoons.

This race has divisions for canoes, surf skis, kayaks, outriggers and stand up paddlers, so bring all of your paddling friends. The race is a lot of fun. The course is 5 miles downwind, and at the end is a BBQ (additional fee - please support this effort by the lodge) on the deck at the historic Odell Lake Lodge. The race entry fee includes an official Odell Lodge Resort ball cap and a chase boat for those just-in-case situations.

Please come join in this race next summer. If you're traveling, there are clean Forest Service Campgrounds both on the lake or nearby, or stay at the Odell Lake Lodge Resort.
Read our earlier post for more pre-race details.Remember that you can get your Stand up Paddle gear (maybe even FASTER gear) at www.StandupPaddleBend.com

Here are the names of the SUP entrants and their finishes:

• Women: Judy Shasek, 1st; Cristina Acosta 2nd; Isabella Barna 3rd; Marcy Boren

• Men: Jason Bowerman 1st and 1st Overall SUP; Michael Heidenreich 2nd; Randall Barna 3rd; Eddy Miller; Ed Shasek
  

Thanks to Anne Miller for the Photos.
In the top photo with all of the boards, the racers are L to R:
Marcy Boren, Jason Bowerman, Michael Heidenreich, Isabella Acosta Barna, Cristina Acosta, Randall Barna, Ed Shasek, Eddy Miller, Judy Shasek.

Standup Paddle Board Construction

Hi Randall, I have a couple of questions. The Ron House and Lopez has a fiberglass coating. Should I be worried about the gunnels (rails) getting beat up from the paddle? Why are sandwich boards shunned by surfers?


There is validity to both construction methods. Even if a new technology is better, it doesn't always mean that people will adopt something new if the old way works "well enough". Surfers are often depicted as wild renegades but actually they are quite conservative and resist change when it comes to their boards.

With traditional surfboard construction the board feels solid under your feet and you feel the water texture as you ride along. Sandwich construction feels hollow and less connected with the water.

Other than the traditional "feel" there are many advantages to the sandwich construction and many top surfers have embraced them. These boards are more resistanst to dings and are duplicated very exactly from board to board. If a pro surfer loses a board on the airlines they can get another at a local shop and it's the same board.

Because traditional surfers are used to traditional fiberglass boards, they have developed the habit of treating their boards carefully so that they don't get too many dings in the fiberglass. I put Paddle Guard edge-guard on the paddle blade edges to avoid paddle dings. If you do get dings, surfers also know how to patch them. It's a high-maintenance thing if you're not a surfer.

Most people new to standup paddling, with no experience in surfboard ownership, should get a sandwich construction board such as our Surftech-Lairds, Takayamas, and Infinitys. Also, Pacificos and Amundson Aquaglides.

Check out the Stand Up Paddle gear that's right for you at http://standuppaddlebend.com/Standuppaddlebend/Standup_Gear/

SUP Tips From Flatwater to Surf

When you can't get on the water, you can still pickup a few Stand Up Paddle surf tips from the comfort of your couch. Stand Up Paddleboarding Instructional DVD from REAL has been a popular pick with members of the Standup community. Randall viewed this DVD and says that it's great for beginners. We'd love to hear some of your comments about this DVD. Here's what the DVD covers (according to the producers):


"GEAR Board Types, Board Constructions, Fin Choices, Paddles, Deckpads, Wax, Leashes, Wetsuits, Booties, Sun Protection. GEAR SET UP Proper Wax Choice and Application, Installing your Standup Deckpad, Installing Leash and Fin, Choosing your Paddle, Paddle Sizing. THE BASICS Standing Up, Proper Stance, Holding Paddle, Paddling Technique, Using Paddle to Balance, How to Fall. FIRST SESSION Flatwater Session, Basics Review, Finding the Sweet Spot, Advanced Paddling Techniques, Turning Techniques. WAVE SESSION Flatwater Review, Paddling over Whitewater, Waiting for Waves, Catching Waves, Riding Waves, Exiting Waves, Falling in the Surf. BONUS SECTION Standup Etiquette, Jimmy Lewis Surf and Standup Paddleboards, REAL BVI Slideshows, Cape Hatteras Bonus Footage."

www.StandupPaddleFlatwater.com

Learn to SUP surf at age 40, 50, 60. . . .

If you've ever dreamed of surfing but thought that maybe you were just a tad too old to go through the tough learning curve, give Standup Paddling a try. Surfing is one of those sports with the reputation of being only for young(er) people. Most of the older surfers have been at the sport for many years and have the skills to make up for any slow spots in their joints.

I had my first surf lessons last summer in Tofino, Canada at Surf Junction. At age 47, though generally athletic, I'd never surfed. Growing up in the small Southern Californian hamlet of Playa del Rey, I spent a lot of time playing in the water, so I had some level of familiarity with ocean waves. Nonetheless, my first time on my standup SUP board in the ocean waves I was freaked. Standing and surfing on a wave seemed almost impossible at first, then I caught my first wave. I was standing in waist deep water with a Laird 12'1". I jumped on, paddled and caught a wave. I glided into shore, the wave foam somewhere around my ankles. I was so stoked!! Compared to regular surfing, it was much less work for a ride. Within the hour I was regularly catching little waves. I was hooked!

And, as is my way -- my enthusiasm bubbled over. My friend, Judy Shasek tried my board last summer at the South Jetty in Newport, Oregon and got just as hooked. Here's a photo of Judy this July in Pacific City, Oregon. She's all focus on the wave. She's also a lot of fun. I asked her to share her thoughts about surfing and aging. Here's what she had to say:

"From the Summer of 1966 through most of 1968, Ed and I surfed every day we could at Hollywood beach FL. Our BIG WAVE DAYS were in the 2-3 foot range and we mostly had chop, never long lines or well formed waves. We transitioned to Hobie Cat sailing to catch waves and eventually switched to sailing, with some windsurfing when the kids were growing up. To re-discover surfing 40 years later – with good waves – is amazing. We feel very much the same as we did waaaay back in 1968 and are loving the experience of west coast surf. Being older – zoning in on age 60 next year – is a non-event in this surfing process. If you love the ocean, love the exhilaration of speeding over water, and simply have a ton of fun with very cool paddling/surfing friends then the surf experience is awesome at any age. Celebrating our recent 38th anniversary by catching some of our first Oregon Coast waves will go down as a favorite memory."

This month my friend Gary Yoder (age 54) was surfing with us in Crescent City, California on the North Coast. He recently bought a 9'6" Surftech Soft Top and was learning to surf for the first time ever. He hadn't been out much more than a time or two, so he was a beginner. I convinced him to trade me time on a Laird 12'1". (I thought it'd be fun to try traditional surfing.) By his second hour of board time on the Laird, Gary was regularly catching waves!

As for the traditional surfing, it's too much work. I'm back on my Standup, a Takayama 11'6. I LOVE that board. At first, I fell off it a lot in chop, but by the 2nd day I was much steadier. The Takayama picks up waves so easily. When my husband, Randall Barna rides it, he carves shoulder high waves with ease.

The first time I did Stand up Paddling last summer on flat water, my feet were practically frozen to the deck (but, I didn't fall in). Now, I'm practicing moves on the flatwater and every month or so getting a couple days at the beach to SUP surf. With less time in my schedule and tolerating less of a margin for the physical abuse learning a new sport often entails, Standup Paddling has opened a new world for my friends and me. See you out there!!!



Photos: 1. Judy Shasek on the wave. 2. Gary Yoder 3. Cristina Acosta (red hat) on a wave 4. Cristina Acosta and Gary Yoder on the Beach. Thanks to Ed Shasek and Katy Yoder for the photos.
Contact Randall and Get the Standup Paddle Gear that's right for you. Email him at randall@footform.com or 541-389-4547

Do You Need to Demo a SUP Board?

Different industries have different protocols regarding the "try-before-you-buy" philosophy. In the surf industry the short answer to the question -- "Can I demo a board?" is "No." If a person wants to try the sport, they rent equipment or borrow something from a friend.

Purchasing a board you have no experience with can be a bit daunting. The tradition in surfing is to rely on the reputation of the shaper and to get very good advice during the sales process. Buying a board on price alone is not the best choice. In many cases, purchasing a stand up paddle board on price alone may leave you with a board all wrong for you and your experience of the sport will be off to a bad start. And, if you're near the beginner end of the spectrum, you really won't know if the SUP board is good or not when you paddle -- you don't have the experience and skills to judge the board.

So how do you decide which Stand Up Paddle Surfboard to buy? Here are some ideas:

• Buy boards shaped by reknowned shapers like Gerry Lopez, Ron House, Donald Takayama, etc. If you buy a "generic" board, do so only on the advice of an experienced salesperson.
  
• Identify the conditions in which you will most use the board and discuss them with the sales person. For example - flatwater, surf, river running, racing flatwater, combination boards, etc. Randall wrote about board size, read more.
• Be clear about your expectations. Don't buy a gloss board if you're going to let the kids and dog play on it and you tend to freak out when you see a mess of scratches.
• Don't buy a board for specific conditions that you'll rarely be in just because it's cool. Shorter SUP boards are designed for the short amount of time they are powered on a wave. They are inherently unstable in flat water.
• For women, Randall wrote a list of ideas on women friendly SUP boards.
• Read more of our gear blog suggestions at About Gear.
• On our StandupPaddleFlatwater.com website we have lists of boards divided by size and gloss/soft-top categories.

You can trust Randall Barna to sell you the best board for your needs. And, we can ship most anywhere in the U.S. http://www.standuppaddlebend.com/

If you live in Bend, Oregon, the Deschutes river a great place to SUP paddle! Get a great workout going upriver or plan a shuttle with your friends and take your time floating the gorgeous and serene sections of the Deschutes River 15 miles south of Bend, Oregon. Contact Randall at 541-389-4547 to buy a waterproof Paddle Trail Alliance Map of the Deschutes River. It's only $15.00 and full of great info about the put-in and take-out river spots, any portages around hazards like log jams and waterfalls.

If you're wondering why Randall is standing by his van with bison in the background, read more.

Event: The Rogue Gathering, Newport, Oregon Sept. 6th & 7, 2008

(Click Here for RESULTS for the 6th Annual Rogue Gathering Surf Contest)

Surfing and beer (in that order) are a natural combo. And in the Pacific Northwest, the land of great beer, it's only natural that a brewery would sponsor a surf contest. If you're a fan of either, we recommend you show up for the Rogue Gathering surf contest sponsored by the Rogue Brewery in Newport, Oregon. Even if you're not a surfer, the beach scene is fun, and the Rogue Brewery will be on the beach serving refreshments and food.

Randall Barna and Peter Miller entered last year (2007), the first year for a Standup Paddle class. Peter is holding up 2 trophies because he's an awesome guy and entered (and won) in both the Longboard and SUP classes. The weekend was sunny and in the 80's (not always the case)! Hope to see you there!!

The Rogue Gathering - Sponsored by the Rogue Brewery
When: Sept. 6, 7, 2008, 7 A.M. start both days. Check in Sept. 5th.
Where: Newport, Oregon
Check in at the Rogue Brewery, Friday 6 -7 pm, Sept. 5th, below the Yaquina Bay Bridge at the Port of Newport, South Beach Marina. 2320 OSU Drive, Newport, OR
Contact info: 541-961-0142 email: stacey@rogue.com
Registration: is Limited. NO Beach entries, Aug. 20th DEADLINE, no exceptions.
What Else: Contestants receive t-shirt and other gifts. The trophies are hand made with beautiful images.
Where to Camp: South Beach State Park, South of the Jetty,
Oregon Parks and Rec Dept., 800-452-5687 www.oregonstateparks.org
The campground is paved roads with bathrooms and showers and is very clean. Walk from the campground and over the sand dune and you are on the beach by the contest venue. Ask for a site near the 1/3 mile trail near the "C" Loop to the South Jetty. This is a busy weekend, so don't wait too long to reserve a spot.

Get your gear at StandupPaddleBend.com

Pacific City - Surfing SUP

The familiarity you develop with your Standup Paddle surf board on flat water is a big head start if you decide to learn to ocean surf (or switch from long or short-board surfing to SUP).

The Bend, Oregon, Stand up Paddle community is a fun-loving bunch -- and they love to travel. Here are some photos Judy Shasek sent from a recent trip to Pacific City (Cape Kiwanda), Oregon, (about a 4 hour drive from Bend, OR).

Pacific City has a wide beach and cars are allowed to park on the sand in front of and to the north of the Pelican Brew Pub. If you don't want to walk with your board like Paul VanCamp is with his Big Board Schlepper, you can drive your car onto the beach like Ed Shasek. Judy is a new SUP surfer. I love the attitude she's got on for her photo, crouched down and ready for action!!

Note from Judy Shasek: "I got some of the coolest rides of my life and thank you ALL for the SUP support from my first shaky day on the river. Ed scored some rides and turns – so did Peter and Suzie and Paul. We enjoyed pure sunshine on Sat and enjoyed 4/5 neoprene on 55 degrees and foggy Sunday – yet both days the waves were small but fun!"
We've blogged about Pacific City before. For details about where to stay, Read More.

Get your Standup gear on our website. You may already have a board and want to add another for specific types of paddling. Randall Barna can tell you the best gear to buy for your conditions and skills whether you're a flat water to surf paddler, or mostly a flatwater paddler.
Photos of paddlers include Susie Miller (green on wetsuit), Ed Shasek, Judy Shasek and Paul Van Camp.