Danny Ching Stand Up Paddle Technique DVD Review

We’re receiving tons of positive feedback about the Danny Ching DVD (Mastering Stand Up Paddle Technique with Danny Ching)! Although the instructional portion isn’t that long, it’s high on killer and fairly low on filler. Even experienced SUPers report shaving minutes off their times after just one viewing… which isn’t surprising considering they’re employing tips from a dude who not only won both Battles of the Paddle and the Ta-hoe Nalu race this year, he’s also an OC-1 world champion, the first non-Hawaiian to win the 32-mile Molokai to Oahu race, and a former member of the US Olympic kayak team. He spends a minimum of 4 hours in the water 360 days of the year and grew up surfing in Redondo Beach. Oh, and his father founded California’s largest outrigger canoe club. Yup, if he’s willing to share his technique, I’m in. Everyone who’s bought the DVD says it’s way worth the money.

We like the interview with shaper Ron House that’s included as a bonus feature. In it, he mentions that race boards are great for cruising and needn’t be looked at as a competitor-only item. He says if you’re not doing much surfing, a race board is a better choice than a surf/all around board. We second that! The rocker that’s a primary feature in most surf-optimized boards is unnecessary on flat water where maneuverability is much less of a priority than it is on a wave. On flat water, excessive rocker just slows you down. Who wants to push water?

Click here to buy the Danny Ching DVD now.

We're offering special fall pricing on our premium race boards right now! Click here to check them out.

Here’s the Ron House interview if you want to check it out…

And here's the full Danny Ching Stand Up Paddle DVD Trailer....

Convinced? Click here to start learning from Danny Ching ASAP!

Surftech Blacktip Now Available Online and In Store... $749 out the door with a paddle and a leash!

We searched high and low for a stand up paddle board in the $700 range we’d feel comfortable selling… and we finally found one.

The Surftech Blacktip is a great intro board. It performs well. It’s super-durable. And most importantly, it’s extremely affordable - $749 out the door with a paddle and a leash!

The Blacktip is a board we can feel good about selling… and you can feel good about buying. Here’s why:

• It’s manufactured by Surftech, a company known for its fine craftsmanship, revolutionary construction methods, and overall commitment to excellence.
  
 

• It has a stiff core and three stringers to prevent the buckling and flexing that's a big problem with other soft boards.
  
  
• With its damage-resistant bumpers and water-barrier seal, the Blacktip is ultra-durable.
  
  
• The thoughtfully designed shape delivers very good stability and speed for the price.
  
  
• The strength and durability factor make it a fantastic choice for the rapidly growing number of whitewater SUPers.
  
  
• With its smooth nose rocker, the Blacktip is a blast in small surf.
  
  
• It’s great for kids – very difficult to damage.
  
  
• It’s nice to have on hand for family and friends.
  
  
• It’s super-light and very easy to transport. 


We’re thrilled that Surftech has released a quality board at such a friendly price point! Come on in and check it out. Or buy the Surftech Blacktip now at our secure online store. Free shipping. No sales tax.

Family Access Network’s Fall Harvest at Anjou Spa on Thursday!

Please join us on Thursday for a special family-friendly evening promoting art, music, and well-being. All proceeds benefit Family Access Network (FAN)!

Hosted by the wonderful Anjou Spa and Salon, the Fall Harvest will feature:

delicious hors d’oeurvres and a no host bar by Typhoon!

work by local artists Sarah Mikolowsky, Kaycee Anseth, and K. Cyr

music by DJ Lucius

coupons from Stand Up Paddle Bend

much more.

All attendees will receive a $10 gift card to Anjou and be entered into a raffle for prizes donated by CHOW, Angelina Organic Skincare, Lone Pine Coffee Roasters, Stand Up Paddle Bend, and other great local businesses. You need not be present to claim your prize, which means even if you can't make it to the event you can still win something great! Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door – available at Anjou, Typhoon! and Bo Restobar. Ask about group rates.

FAN is a network of community partners dedicated to ensuring that all children in Deschutes County have access to basic-need services so that they can attend school ready to learn. FAN is unique in Oregon in that it provides Family Advocates in all Deschutes County Public Schools.

What: Fall Harvest for Family Access Network

Where: Anjou Spa and Salon, 225 NW Oregon Ave, Suite 3

When: Thursday, October 7th, 6:00p.m. - 9:30p.m.

Why: a great cause, wonderful food and drink, a chance to win awesome prizes from fantastic Bend businesses!

Contact: Anjou Spa, 541.382.1138.

Click here for more info.

Battle of the Paddle 2010, California - Results & Video

Danny Ching of Redondo Beach defeated 159 of the world’s top SUPers in the Elite Race at the Battle of the Paddle in Dana Point, California yesterday – a 5-mile, 4-lap buoy circuit in and out of the surf that included 100-yard beach sprints between laps. With a time of 57 minutes and 45 seconds, Ching beat out last year’s winner, nine-time world paddleboard champion Jamie Mitchell of Australia. Mitchell came in second with a time of 59 minutes and 36 seconds. 15-year old Slater Trout of Maui came in third with a time of 1 hour and 39 seconds. Ching won $5000, Mitchell $3500, and Trout $2500.

In the women’s division, Candice Appelby of San Clemente came in first (on a Joe Bark race board), with a time of 1 hour and 31 seconds. Brandi Baksic, also from San Clemente, took second with a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes and 3 seconds. Jenny Kalmbach who grew up in Costa Rica and currently lives in Kona Hawaii, came in third. Appelby won $2500, Baksik $1250, and Kalmach $1000.

The Open Age-Group Race highlighted the accessibility of SUP to people of a wide variety of ages and skill levels. The 340 entrants included paddlers as young as 6 and as old as 73.

In today’s Distance Race – a scenic but challenging 10-mile paddle from Doheney State Beach to San Clemente Pier and back, Danny Ching was victorious again (as he was in the Battle of the Paddle, Hawaii in June). Rob Rojas of Laguna Beach took second. In the women's division, Brandi Baksic was the winner, followed by Rachel Brunton and Andrea Moller.

Bend local, Battle of the Paddle co-founder and surfing icon, 61-year old Gerry Lopez competed in every division, placing first in the Distance Race in his age group and second in the 60-69 Age Group Race.

Both Gerry Lopez and Danny Ching have been known to ride boards by their friend, master- shaper Ron House. Want one? Check out the ultra-sleek Ron House Race Board by Riviera.

Elite Race Results

Rank	Name	Hometown	Age	Time
1	Danny Ching	Redondo Beach	27	0:57:45
2	Jamie Mitchell	Currmbin, AUS	33	0:59:36
3	Slater Trout	Lahaina, HI	15	1:00:39
4	Travis Grant	Palm Beach, NA	27	1:00:39
5	Andrew Logreco	Honolulu, CA	26	1:00:43

Rank	Name	Hometown	Age	Time
1	Candice Appelby	Honolulu, HI	24	1:10:31
2	Brandi Baksic	San Clemente, CA	38	1:11:03
3	Rachel Bruntsch	Honolulu, HI	26	1:12:59
4	Jenny Kalmbach	Kailua Kona, HI	27	1:13:20
5	Gillian Gibree	San Diego, CA	24	1:14:35

Click here for complete results.

Check out this video of the start of the Elite Race, taken from a competitor's helmet:

Battle of the Paddle this Weekend!

The 2010 Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle takes place this weekend, October 2nd & 3rd in Dana Point, California. The entire event will be webcast live both days.

One of the world’s biggest SUP events, this year’s battle will feature more than 700 competitors from all around the world, an exposition of more than 80 diverse vendors, and a series of races and demonstrations for paddlers of all ages and skill sets.

The multi-lap Elite Race on Saturday offers the sport’s largest cash purse of $25,000. More than 300 challengers are entered, including Battle of the Paddle Hawaii champions Danny Ching of Redondo Beach and Candice Appelby of San Clemente.

The Open Age-Group Race also goes off on Saturday. It’s a fun, moderately challenging buoy course in which entrants can paddle any board they choose. Last year’s Open Age-Group Race had what organizers estimated to be the largest SUP field ever assembled - more than 390 SUPers.

Sunday’s events include a scenic but challenging 10-mile Distance Race and a SUP Surf Relay Race.

Check out this gorgeous SUP surf board by Battle of the Paddle co-founder, Bend-local, and surf legend Gerry Lopez.

King & Queen of the Lake Stand Up Paddle Race Recap & Results

SUP newcomers, veterans, and enthusiasts alike came together on Sunday for the finale of the King & Queen of the Lake race series sponsored by Stand Up Paddle Flatwater and Kialoa.

Held at beautiful Elk Lake, the race series featured a sport class for recreational paddlers as well as a race class for those who wanted more challenge. Courses for both classes were “buoy courses” and included plenty of navigational challenge. “I like races that also involve the brain a bit,” says race director Randall Barna. “It makes it more fun for the racers and spectators,” he adds.

The shorter, easier course and slightly less competitive atmosphere of the sport class opened up the event to less experienced paddlers and attracted many first-time racers. Several reported aspirations to step up to the race class next year.

The race class was further divided into sub-classes according to board type and length. The difference in speed between these sub-classes highlighted the importance of equipment choice for paddlers who are serious about racing. “Events like this help people in their choices when they plan their gear for next year,” says Randall.

In addition to stand up paddle boards, the race series also celebrated other paddle sports vessels including outriggers, surfskis and prone paddleboards. After the race, Kialoa offered demos of their beautiful, innovative, handmade paddles.

Contestants’ best two scores of the three races in the series were combined to determine overall winners in each class. Congratulations to Your Royal Highnesses Lisa Jacobowski, Frank Ring, Jaye Arney, Jen Kjellesvik, and Randall Barna, and thank you to all participants!

Click here for complete race results. Click here for a message from race director Randall Barna.

See more SUP race photos at the Stand Up Paddle Flatwater Gallery and be sure to check out the race video if you haven't already.

Get your SUP race boards and Kialoa paddles at Stand Up Paddle Flatwater!

King & Queen of the Lake Stand Up Paddle Race Footage

More than 30 paddlers vied for the right to be dubbed race royalty on Sunday at the final race in the King & Queen of the Lake race series sponsored by Stand Up Paddle Flatwater and Kialoa. Competitors and spectators enjoyed near perfect conditions at beautiful Elk Lake - blue skies, bright sun, calm winds, and clear, sparkling water. Final results are still being tabulated and will be posted as soon as they're available. In the meantime, enjoy the video! See more SUP photos and video at the Stand Up Paddle Flatwater Gallery.



If you want to win races or just enjoy going fast, check out our SUP race boards. They're the speediest SUBs on the market.

8th Annual Rogue Gathering Longboard Classic - More Pix!

See more photos of the 8th Annual Rogue Gathering Longboard Classic in the Stand Up Paddle Flatwater Photo Gallery.

King & Queen of the Lake - Last Race of the Series is this Sunday... and it looks like the weather is cooperating!

The final race in the King & Queen of the Lake race series (sponsored by Stand Up Paddle Bend and Kialoa) takes place this Sunday, September 26th at Elk Lake. The weather forecast is for 81 degrees and sunny! Woohoo!

Royal status will be bestowed upon top finishers in each eligible class – with three classes already clinched - congratulations to Randall Barna (Men’s SUP 14’), Frank Ring (Men’s SUP Sport) and Jaye Arney (Women’s SUP Sport). Titles in other classes are still up for grabs.

The King & Queen of the Lake race series is a fun, family race series on beautiful Elk Lake. There's a sport class for those new to paddling as well as a race class for those who want more challenge. The series celebrates a variety of Hawaiian paddle sports including OC-1 outriggers, prone paddle boards and, of course, stand up paddle boards. A windsurfing race takes place later in the afternoon.

Schedule:
9:30-10:00a.m Registration at Elk Lake Resort*
10:15a.m. Paddle Race Skippers Meeting
10:30a.m. Paddle Race Mass Start
1:30p.m. Windsurfing skippers meeting, at Sunset View Beach
2:00p.m. Windsurfing Start

*Registration is mandatory as is compliance with all laws regulating watercraft.

For further information, email Race Director Randall Barna at

Randall@Footform.com.

You may also be interested to know that Elk Lake Resort is hosting a Luau on Saturday, September 25th from 5:30p.m. to 8:00p.m. The wonderful Bill Keale will be performing live!

Congratulations Judy!

10 years ago yesterday, Stand Up Padde Bend team rider Judy Shasek was declared cancer free. At 7:00 yesterday morning, Judy stood up on her board in the Deschutes River and began paddling from the spillway to the rapids just upstream of Bill Healy Memorial Bridge and back. To celebrate her decade of health, Judy paddled 10 laps of this circuit 10 times before the sun set.

Judy, who is 61, wore 61 ribbons inscribed with names of fellow cancer survivors as well as people who are currently fighting to overcome the disease. Friends and family members joined her for a lap or two here and there, cheered her on from the shore, and gathered at the finish to congratulate her on completing the roughly 33-mile journey well ahead of schedule.

Although the temperature was below 60 degrees for most of the day, Judy reported feeling relaxed and comfortable during her paddle, and exhilarated at the end. “I don’t feel tired at all,” she said. “In fact, I could do more.”

Members of the community who had contributed ribbons for Judy to wear were visibly touched to see the names of their loved ones on her shirt. Judy provided shining proof that it is possible to become healthy again and stay that way. She’s an inspiration. Thank you Judy!

Judy's SUP Karmathon appeared on KOHD News last night.

Judy's All Set for her 33-Mile Paddle Tomorrow!

SUPer (in more ways than one) Judy Shasek is ready for her SUP Karmathon tomorrow.

Stand Up Paddle Bend is offering half price SUP board rentals to anyone who would like to join Judy for part of her 33-mile paddle to celebrate life and health.

The SUP Karmathon starts at 7:00 a.m. and is expected to finish at around 4:00 p.m. Judy is launching and finishing near the Bend Outrigger Canoe Club (805 SW Industrial Way).

Supporters are welcome to paddle a few laps with Judy, cheer her on from the shore, or gather at the finish to join in the celebration.

Call 541.639.2655 or email Info@StandUpPaddleBend.com for further information.

Last Weekend's SUP Events: the 'Round the Rock Stand Up Paddle Race & the 8th Annual Rogue Gathering Longboard Classic

Two of the Pacific Northwest's biggest stand up paddle events took place last weekend: the ‘Round the Rock Stand Up Paddle Race in Seattle, Washington and the Rogue Gathering 8th Annual Longboard Classic in Newport, Oregon which included stand up paddle surfing.

‘Round the Rock

The ‘Round the Rock event included a 13-mile stand up paddle race around Mercer Island on Lake Washington, a 2.5 mile race along the shores of Seward Park, and an SUP expo featuring demos and product displays. Proceeds from entry fees benefitted Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Surfrider Foundation.

Racers faced a variety of chilly, gusty winds from all directions as they rounded Mercer Island.

Thomas “Maximus” Shahinian, a real estate broker from California, won the 13–mile race on an 18-foot board with a time of 2 hours and 18 minutes. Shahinian has been SUPing for about two years, after paddling outrigger canoes for 15 years. He dedicated his win on Sunday to a friend who died two weeks ago of cancer.

Congratulations to Scott Estrada who visited Bend last week and paddled with us on Friday evening. Scott took 2nd place in the 14’ category and 8th overall on his Joe Bark Dominator, shaving a whopping 50 minutes off his time from last year’s race. Estrada called the ‘Round the Rock “a great event.” He said what impressed him most was the determination of “competitors coming in after 5 or 6 hours of being out there, soaking wet. It was completely incredible. They just refused to be picked up by the coast guards. It was just inspiring as ever.”

There was also a kids' race, in which about 20 children, many SUPing for the first time, paddled out to a buoy about 30 yards from shore and back. Winner Grant Vasek, who is 11, said he thinks SUP is “more challenging than kayaking because you have to stand up and balance on the board while paddling.” Yet the standing up part seems to be what he likes most - "I love being on the board. I love surfing," he said.

Brandi Baksic, a firefighter from San Diego, was the first female to cross the line, followed by Heather Nelson, a surf-ski and ultra-marathon distance kayak racer and adventurer from Bellinghham, Washington, who is 4 months pregnant!

The Rogue Gathering Longboard Classic

Stand Up Paddle Flatwater founder Randall Barna calls the Rogue Gathering Longboard Classic, “the quintessential example of Oregon surf culture for the longboard generations.”

Congratulations to Stand Up Paddle Bend team riders Randall Barna, Judy Shasek and Isabella Acosta Barna who placed 6th, 2nd and 4th in their SUP categories. Randall made the finals even though he was forced to work with a borrowed paddle after his own paddle blade split during the semi-finals. "There was some drama when my paddle broke," Randall says. However, "Peter Miller and Pam Stevenson from Kialoa paddles were right there watching and immediately grabbed me another paddle. The first one was Pam's and too short so the next wave in, I switched again and got a longer paddle. All Kialoas so they felt right at home in my hands."

SUPBend team rider Tom Burke was ready for a strong finish after months of practice in Maui last winter and spring, but he bruised and possibly broke some ribs in a shorebreak wipe-out on Saturday and was too injured to compete. We're happy to report he's feeling much better now.

Peter Miller, another member of Bend’s SUP community took second in the longboard event for the Grand Dukes age group. Peter also competes in SUP but decided not to this year since the finals heats were back to back and he wanted to save energy. Congratulations Peter!

Click here for complete results of the ‘Round the Rock race.

Click here for complete results of the 8th Annual Rogue Gathering.

Oh, and if you’re looking for a fast SUP board, click here to check out some great SUP race boards.

If surfing’s more your thing, check out these stand up paddle surfboards.

We also have some great all-around SUP boards for those who want to do it all!

Stand Up Paddle Karmathon

Bend SUPer aims to complete 10 laps from spillway to the Healy Bridge rapids and back on a stand up paddle board to celebrate 10^th anniversary as a cancer survivor.

At dawn on September 21^st, treasured member of the SUPBend family Judy Shasek will begin paddling from the spillway to the rapids just upstream of Healy Bridge and back. To celebrate her 10^th anniversary of being cancer-free, Judy aims to complete this circuit 10 times before the day is done.

Judy calls her endeavor a “karmathon.” She invites others to participate by writing names of loved ones on ribbons that she will wear during the event. “If you would like to remember a special person, celebrate a life, send forward a prayer or otherwise recognize someone in your life who’s gone through a struggle or is in the midst of one, write his or her name on a ribbon and I will wear it on the day of my paddle,” she says.

Judy expects to complete her roughly 33-mile journey at about 4.00p.m. Supporters are welcome to cheer her on along the way or gather at the finish to celebrate.

A lover of the outdoors, Judy celebrated her 5^th anniversary as a cancer survivor by completing a 100-mile Livestrong bicycle ride in Portland. Having been a SUPer for the last few years, she decided to honor her 10^th anniversary by “setting out on the beautiful waters of the Deschutes right here in my home town. There is nothing quite like the moving meditation of doing some sort of physical activity outside – enjoying all that nature and life have to offer,” she says.

Ribbons are available at the shop (Stand Up Paddle Bend, 550 SW Industrial Way, #115). For further information, call 541.639.2655 or email Info@StandUpPaddleBend.com.

Judy in 1967 and Judy now.

Cancer Survivor Empowerment SUP

If you’d like to help empower cancer survivors through the positivity of SUP, please join us tonight at 6.00 at Riverbend Park for a stand up paddle picnic.

Members of the DEFEATcancer Young Adult Survivors Network are trying SUP for the first time tonight. We’re supplying the boards. Would you like to help supply the stoke? We encourage our friends in the SUP community to come along and share paddling tips, meet new friends and, most importantly, have fun.

DEFEATcancer is a cancer survivorship empowerment program that encourages positive, life-affirming physical activity amongst its members.

DEFEATcancer is sponsored by St. Charles Medical Center and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Event Details:
WHEN: Tonight, Monday, August 23rd, at 6.00p.m.
WHERE: Riverbend Park, (779 SW Columbia)
ADDITIONAL DETAILS: BYO picnic and blanket if you'd like to picnic with the group.

Results of the Second King & Queen of the Lake Race

Thanks to everyone who turned out forthe second race in the King & Queen of the Lake Race series at Elk Lake last Sunday. Click here to see the results.

We look forward to seeing you again at the final race on September 26th. Click here for further information or email Race Director Randall Barna at Randall@Footform.com.

2010 Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival this Weekend!

The 4th Annual Ta-hoe Nalu Paddle Festival takes place this weekend, August 21 & 22 at King's Beach in North Lake Tahoe. The two-day event features races for all ages and skill levels as well live concerts, a luau, and plenty of aloha spirit. The size and scope of the festival is testimony to the phenomenal rise in popularity of stand up paddling. Whereas the first Tahoe-Nalu race in 2007 included only 34 participants, organizers anticipate up to 600 paritcipants and over 3000 spectators to attend this year. $20,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. Click here for more details.

King & Queen of the Lake Race

You still have a chance to become race royalty...

The second race in the King and Queen of the Lake paddle race series takes place this Sunday, August 15th, at Elk Lake. Registration begins at 9.30a.m. The race starts at 10.30a.m.

This race series offers fun for everyone. There's a short course for paddlers who are new to racing and a longer course for those who are ready for more challenge.

The best two scores of the three races will be combined to determine overall winners - so even if you missed the first race, you still have a shot at being named King or Queen!

The final race in the series takes place on September 26th and coincides with Elk Lake Lodge's 90th year celebration luau.

For further information, check out the flyer, or email Race Director Randall Barna at Randall@Footform.com.

The King & Queen of the Lake Race series is sponsored by:

Pilates & SUP!

The Pilates Connection & Stand Up Paddle Bend have joined forces to bring you a workout that is fun, exciting, and effective...

WHAT: 45 minute outdoor Pilates mat class followed by 45 minute stand up paddle.

WHERE: Riverbend Park (779 SW Columbia Street)

WHEN: Thursdays at 5.30 p.m., starting August 5th.

COST: $25 including board rental. $15 if you bring your own board.

Sign up by calling 541-639-2655 or emailing Info@StandUpPaddleBend.com.

What do you get when you combine two of the most efficient, feel-good workouts on the planet?

Let's find out together!

Experience what SHAPE Magazine calls, "a calorie-torching workout!"

"In ten sessions you will see the difference, in twenty you will see the difference, and in thirty you will have a whole new body." - Joseph H. Pilates

"I must be right. Never an aspirin. Never injured a day in my life. The whole country, the whole world should be doing my exercises. They'd be happier." - Joseph H. Pilates

2010 Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard Race Results

The Molokai Channel upheld its reputation as one of the world's most treacherous bodies of water during Sunday’s Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard Race.

Victory in the stand-up paddle (SUP) men’s and women’s divisions went to Maui’s Dave Kalama (4:54:15) and Andrea Moller (6:00:00), both setting records for their respective divisions. The windy conditions and disorganized waves proved an advantage for Kalama who said, “There are a lots of really good sprinters, but I'm not one of them, so the windy races are what I train for and what I'm built for."

In the men’s traditional paddleboard division, Australian Jamie Mitchell, 33, claimed an unprecedented ninth title, completing the 32-mile distance just four minutes outside of his own record in a time of 4 hours, 52 minutes and 45 seconds. In the women’s traditional paddleboard division, Hawaii's Kanesa Duncan-Seraphin, 34, took top honors for the 8^th time with a time of 6:02:45 - less than 10 minutes shy of the record she set in 2004.

MAJOR PLACINGS:


Men's Traditional Paddleboard:
1st. Jamie Mitchell (Australia) - 4:52:45
2nd. Jackson English (Australia) - 5:07:54
3rd. Joel Mason (Australia) - 5:15:42
4th. Mikey Cote (Hawaii) - 5:17:56



Women's Traditional Paddleboard:
1st. Kanesa Duncan-Seraphin (Hawaii) - 6:02:45


Men's Stand-Up Paddleboard:
1st. Dave Kalama (Hawaii) - 4:54:15



Women's Stand-Up Paddleboard:
1st. Andrea Moller (Hawaii) - 6:00:00

For complete results, go to Pacific Sports Events & Timing.

Find everything you need to SUP at: