Hello I'm writing in the hopes to learn a little more about HI and paddle boarding from the locals. My husband was born and raised on Maui, so we have a large number of family members there who surf. My question-is paddle boarding an up and coming sport in HI or already there? I know for us who are getting older, it's easier on our body to paddle board vs surfing. Other question? Are there very many paddle board companies in HI? Y or N, I don't need to know the names. THanks so much!!!
Howzit Kaipaddle, Probably more than you asked for, but your question begs a history lesson: Modern SUP (Stand-Up Paddle) as we know it STARTED in Hawaii, so of course its already there. Besides the ancient Hawaiians messing around w/ surfing and paddle boarding, since the 60's the local group of surf instructors in Waikiki (called the Beach Boys) routinely stood up on their longboards w/ a paddle to faciliate surf instruction (seeing sets/photos/video/moving around groups of students etc...). Hawaiian waterman (Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama, Brian Keaulana etc) started making SUPs specifically designed to be longer/wider/stronger/buoyant-er w/ deck pads and...poof....the sport was re-born. Yes, SUP is very popular in Hawaii, I imagine on every island. I am short board surfer who grew up in Eastside Oahu but my father is from Maui, and family in Kauai. You have all the big name SUP companies/shapers in Hawaii (C4 Waterman, Paddlesurf Hawaii, Laird, Hobbie, etc...)...as well as all the local surf shops who sell mixed brands of SUPs. Yes, getting older, so I love the versatility of a SUP to flat water paddle and/or catch waves but mostly that I have options to go anywhere, any break...as long it is not too big (big & buoyant means you killed in the inside!). I live in Northwest Florida now so my SUP allows me to cruise down river currents, flat paddle the bays/bayous and/or catch waves on the Gulf when the swells come in..from ankle high to high high...its awesome! Aloha and malama pono
