Matthew Chebatoris Paddling tips for river paddlers Paddling down a river or stream is a fun way to cover a lot of territory and add a bit of distance to your paddling regimen. You’ll gain a whole new perspective on your surroundings once you get out on the water as a new world opens up and reveals itself. I grew up paddling marathon canoes on creeks and rivers in Nebraska. The conditions ranged from narrow and generally shallow creeks near my home, the broad, but still shallow Platte River, to
Matthew Chebatoris Water safety is an ongoing topic in the SUP community, and rightly so. Multiple accidental deaths as a result of drowning have occurred around the world. Most, if not all of them, were preventable. The bulk of the conversation has centered around wearing PFDs and leashes. This is perfectly reasonable as the two items, when used correctly, offer paddlers a good chance of staying afloat. water safety But what if a paddler needs to do more just stay afloat? First it is important
Matthew Chebatoris The Onyx M-16 belt pack PFD is a well thought out, comfortable and attractive, low profile design which provides the necessary degree of safety for paddlers who are comfortable in the water and know how to swim. The model is a USCG approved Type V user assisted manual inflatable PFD with Type III performance when worn properly. Unique Attributes of the Onyx Belt M-16 Belt Pack PFD During the course of my testing, I found two main distinctions between the Onyx M-16 belt pack P
Matthew Chebatoris Astral Designs Belt Pack PFD Just as board designs have changed, so to have the belt pack style PFDs on offer. The Astral belt pack PFD, with its attractive low profile style, is a far cry from many of the boxy shaped models produced by some manufacturers. As the name suggests, this PFD is designed to be worn at the waist. The straps are easily adjustable for a wide range of sizes and the excess can be tucked away out of sight. Like most belt pack PFDs, the Astral model is ac
Matthew Chebatoris Dawid and Nikki Mocke, the founders of MOCKE Paddling, are world champion paddlers from Fish Hoek, South Africa. Their athletic careers began on the beach and in the surf as “Nipper” lifesavers, and progressed until they had the opportunity to represent South Africa in Ocean Lifesaving competitions around the world. During this time they also competed in flat-water marathon, river marathon and flat-water sprint paddling, as well as open ocean surf ski racing and have enjoyed
Matthew Chebatoris Australian paddle sports apparel manufacturer Vaikobi has thoughtfully engineered a lightweight, vest style PFD to meet the growing market for performance oriented safety equipment in the stand up paddling community. Their Ocean Racing PFD was designed by paddlers for paddlers. It is intended to provide a high degree of comfort and performance while meeting Australia’s safety standards and was used by a large number of paddlers last year during the “The Doctor”, Australia’s c
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Matthew Chebatoris Cyril Derreumaux aborted his attempt to paddle solo in his custom kayak, Valentine, from San Francisco, California to Honolulu, Hawaii on… 2 likes. Post not marked as liked2
Matthew Chebatoris “Hey Cyril, what’s the countdown look like?”, I inquired when I answered my phone. “There is a window coming up this weekend”, came the… 4 likes. Post not marked as liked4
PaddleXaminer One place that few people would consider a good location for kayaking is Las Vegas. Instead, its desert climate and environment conjures up
PaddleXaminer There’s not much point lugging your own kayak and equipment over to the Bahamas. You can rent everything you need there to set off on your o
Matthew Chebatoris Traveling and sustainability may sound like a juxtaposition, but with a little planning and some smart choices doing both is definitely within the realm of possibility. Before booking a trip, take into consideration how you’ll get there, where you’ll stay, and how you’ll get around. The environmentally conscious choice may not always be the obvious one and oftentimes it will take a bit more effort on you end. To make things a little easier, we’ve rounded up six tips for being
Matthew Chebatoris 5 Ways to Be More Eco-Friendly This Holiday Season With Thanksgiving done and dusted, the holidays are in full swing. Lights are dotting the streets, carols are streaming through the radio and spirits are high. Despite all the well wishes and good cheer, the holidays are a wasteful season. But they don’t have to be. Here at PaddleXaminer, we are committed to protecting our planet and keeping it beautiful for future generations to come. With an eco-friendly NSP Cocomat board u
Matthew Chebatoris Review of NSP’s Coco Endless Longboard NSP’s sustainably made Coco Endless longboard rides like a dream. Over the past five months, I’ve tested it in different lineups and conditions and it is by far the best board I’ve ever owned. But don’t take my word for it. Everyone has different opinions and preferences so I spent the summer swapping boards with friends in the lineup. The downside—they didn’t want to trade back. The jury’s out, this board is a winner! Fun in the sun! Th
Matthew Chebatoris Environmentally friendly board range from NSP In 2010, NSP launched some of the most environmentally friendly boards on the market: their Cocomat line. The Cocomat technology allows the boards to be light for carrying and paddling yet remain strong and flexible for optimal performance. A lot of us prefer to make eco-conscious choices but we don’t want to sacrifice money or performance in the process. NSP’s Cocomat boards are available at a similar price point to other boards
Matthew Chebatoris Examining NSP’s CocoMat Technology Bruce “Buzz” Hansen, a life-long surfer, skater, and all-around waterman saw a need for affordable, durable, versatile, and high performance boards in the lineup. He set out to create a light yet strong surfboard at an affordable price. Buzz worked alongside friends to create a new epoxy technology to bring the board of his dreams to life. Throughout the manufacturing process, Buzz referred to his design in code, simply calling it the “New S
Matthew Chebatoris With his decisive win at the Carolina Cup after a grueling back and forth game of cat and mouse in a three-man draft pack with Danny Ching and Connor Baxter for the majority of the race, Travis Grant humbly left an exclamation point on North America’s most important coastal SUP race of 2015. But before the final drone videos recapturing the glory made the rounds on social media, Grant was back home in Hawaii working his full-time “day job” doing boat canvas work fitting uphol
PaddleXaminer Registration is required for this event please follow the instructions below. Prizes for top three trash collectors and a raffle for… 2 likes. Post not marked as liked2
Matthew Chebatoris With Earth Day 2021 coming in hot, what better time to highlight some of PaddleXaminer’s favorite environmentally-friendly brands. From… 2 likes. Post not marked as liked2
PaddleXaminer The Division of Boating and Waterways and California Coastal Commission invite recreational boaters to celebrate Earth Day this year all… 2 likes. Post not marked as liked2
PaddleXaminer The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) announced plans for this year’s control efforts for aquatic invasive plants in the… 1 like. Post not marked as liked1
PaddleXaminer Selk’bag, the original wearable sleeping bag brand, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest design, the first fully recycled,… 1 like. Post not marked as liked1
Michael Chebatoris CrazyCap uses ultraviolet light to purify water. In 60 seconds the ultraviolet LED light built into the cap will clean and purify the water 1 like. Post not marked as liked1
Matthew Chebatoris Kayak to Klemtu is the colorful story of a young indigenous girl in British Columbia who is determined to honor her late uncle by paddling a
Matthew Chebatoris Due to global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Va’a Federation (IVF) and Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (HCRA) have…
Matthew Chebatoris California State Parks today announced that it is taking additional safety measures to reduce crowds and help prevent the spread of…
Matthew Chebatoris At least two California paddling events have been postponed / cancelled due to public health concerns related to COVID-19. 10th annual…
Matthew Chebatoris March 3rd officially marked the 50-day countdown to the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd. What’s more, today also marks the…
Matthew Chebatoris The Division of Boating and Waterways along with its partners invite the public to learn how to prevent the further spread of aquatic…
Matthew Chebatoris The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications to help local public entities enhance safety on…
Matthew Chebatoris Each spring the paddling scene in California seems to take off. There is a convergence of seasons as the SoCal Ocean Racing Series tapers…
Matthew Chebatoris We’re half-way through the 2019/2020 SoCal Racing Series this week as we head into the long running Hal Rosoff Classic at the Newport …
Matthew Chebatoris Lifestyle brand BUOY WEAR has brought a water sports apparel line to market that makes protecting one’s skin while on the water…
Matthew Chebatoris Costa® Sunglasses has released Mark Healey’s signature frame, the Sampan. Designed for adventure seekers who live their best life in and…
Matthew Chebatoris California State Parks is imposing campfire restrictions due to continued weather conditions, increased fire danger and in cooperation…
Matthew Chebatoris California State Parks (State Parks) is alerting the public about park units that may be affected by a potential Public Safety Power…
Matthew Chebatoris NOCCO – a leading no carb, branched chain amino acids (BCAA) beverage company based in Europe – has experienced rapid growth in the…
Matthew Chebatoris The first annual Harbor Hoot kicked off Saturday, October 12, 2019 in scenic Dana Point Harbor. Organized by veteran standup paddler…
Matthew Chebatoris An approximately 19 foot great white shark attacked a kayaker off Catalina Island on Saturday, October 5, 2019. The attack lasted only…
Matthew Chebatoris Knog, a market leader in smartly designed outdoor accessories and lights, has introduced an innovative new headlamp. The Knog Quokka…
Matthew Chebatoris Recap of SCORA paddlers at Na Wahine O Ke Kai With a field of over 70 entries, there were numerous teams that included SCORA paddlers…
Matthew Chebatoris In 2012, professional kiteboarder Sensi Graves launched her eponymous swimwear label, Sensi Graves Bikinis, to meet the demands of her…
Matthew Chebatoris World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a conservation organization dedicated to securing a future where humans and nature thrive, will host its…
Matthew Chebatoris All companies should take responsibility for their carbon emissions, and consumers have the right to spend consciously on products that…
Matthew Chebatoris With Earth Day 2021 coming in hot, what better time to highlight some of PaddleXaminer’s favorite environmentally-friendly brands. From… 2 likes. Post not marked as liked2
Rebecca Parsons As a woman, it can be challenging finding the perfect outfit for paddling. While they may look great, many suits show too much skin, ride up
Rebecca Parsons Founded in 2012, OY Surf Apparel was born from a desire to fill a niche that was missing in the surf industry—stay put swim and workout gear
Rebecca Parsons Hannah Reed hails from San Clemente, California, a stone’s throw the beloved surf beach of T-street.
Matthew Chebatoris Cyril Derreumaux aborted his attempt to paddle solo in his custom kayak, Valentine, from San Francisco, California to Honolulu, Hawaii on… 2 likes. Post not marked as liked2
Matthew Chebatoris “Hey Cyril, what’s the countdown look like?”, I inquired when I answered my phone. “There is a window coming up this weekend”, came the… 3 likes. Post not marked as liked3
Rebecca Parsons The Na Pali Coast was everything I imagined it would be and more.
Matthew Chebatoris Cyril Derreumaux aborted his attempt to paddle solo in his custom kayak, Valentine, from San Francisco, California to Honolulu, Hawaii on… 2 likes. Post not marked as liked2
Matthew Chebatoris “Hey Cyril, what’s the countdown look like?”, I inquired when I answered my phone. “There is a window coming up this weekend”, came the… 3 likes. Post not marked as liked3
Matthew Chebatoris Talking Paddles with Jim Terrell Choosing the most appropriate blade size for your paddle is an important, yet simple task facing all…
Matthew Chebatoris Quick Tips to Stay Hydrated While Stand Up Paddling Should you or should you not take water with you when stand up paddling? This is a…
Matthew Chebatoris Downwind paddling: A conversation with Sonni Hönscheid If standup paddling is to be considered a niche sport, then downwind paddling is a…
Matthew Chebatoris A version of this article in Japanese is available at the conclusion of the original text. The Japanese version is made possible through…
Matthew Chebatoris Paddling safely The flat water confines of a harbor or marina are often where many first time stand up paddlers receive their…
Matthew Chebatoris The popularity of inflatables continues to experience widespread growth throughout the paddling community and for good reason. Inflatable…
Matthew Chebatoris Proper board maintenance is an important, yet often overlooked aspect of owning a stand up paddleboard. Many paddlers, particularly those…
Matthew Chebatoris Here’s the dilemma: You’re looking for your first paddleboard and you are suddenly bombarded by boards. All-around boards. Wave runners!…
Matthew Chebatoris Using a FCS Connect fin on your stand up paddleboard makes inserting and removing your fin a quick and easy procedure. No tools are…
Matthew Chebatoris Choosing a SUP There are a number of options facing consumers interested in purchasing their first SUP. The list of brands is seemingly…
Matthew Chebatoris Stand Up Paddling is the fastest growing watersport in the world for good reason. It is fun and accessible to a wide range of people on…
Matthew Chebatoris The SUP Leash A leash is an essential piece of gear for all stand up paddlers. It will prevent your board from drifting away and out of…
Matthew Chebatoris Flip Flops on Board Many SUPs designed for recreational paddlers come with bungee straps up front for stowing small items such as a water…
Matthew Chebatoris Choosing a SUP Paddle Newcomers to the sport of stand up paddling are faced with an important question, regardless of whether they are…
Matthew Chebatoris Water in Your Paddle Shaft Under some circumstances, it is possible for water to make its way inside the shaft of your SUP paddle. In…
Matthew Chebatoris Is your SUP paddle to long? Changing your paddle’s length does not require you to purchase a new stand up paddle. As Quickblade Paddles…
Matthew Chebatoris Easy Steps to Repair Your Paddle Blade A nick or ding on your paddle blade is not the end of the world. Carbon fiber blades are not…
The words decrepit, scummy, trashy, joke, have all been synonymous with the Los Angeles River ever since the Southland’s once wild riparian path was ingloriously channeled and lined with concrete by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1930s. The decision to channel and concrete the river was taken in reaction to a series of floods in the early 20th Century. The floods during this period caused widespread destruction, but the advantages achieved by enforcing the unnatural reconfiguration of nature had the long term effect of stifling one of the region’s most vital natural resources.
Enter Infinity SUP frontman Dave Boehne. In 2009, a good two years before this author had ever heard of stand up paddling, Dave Boehne spontaneously charted an urban course along the Los Angeles River, becoming the first person to paddle a SUP through the concrete jungle. Adopting the role similar to that of an intrepid explorer, Boehne’s voyage was an important contribution to generating broader awareness to the plight of the Los Angeles River in popular culture. His trip was documented at the time, but with the rapid expansion in popularity of stand up paddling there is an intrinsic value in revisiting Boehne’s early adventure to remind the current generation paddlers of the achievement.
BlackFish in the Water
Fast forward to 2015 where Infinity SUP went back to the future. Dave Boehne brought along a few Speed Freaks this time around to keep him company, and boys on the BlackFish stand up paddled a section of the newly christened Los Angeles River Recreation Zone. Though now closed for the season, two sections of the Los Angeles River were open for public use this past summer. Dubbed the Elysian Valley River Recreation Zone and the Sepulveda Basin River Recreation Zone, the areas provided approximately 4.5 miles of public access along the river.

The recreation zones are part of a pilot program undertaken by the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority to incrementally revitalize the broader catchment basin into a 51 contiguous mile stretch of public recreational space lined by parks and greenbelts with the goals of enhancing the quality of life for the city’s residents, improving water quality and promoting public health. “All the revitalization is just a building block to filtering clean water and ultimately to keep the ocean cleaner as well”, said Boehne. “The community can rally behind and be proud of the LA River and it can be a focal point for the city.” For more on the Los Angeles River Recreation Zone, visit lariverrecreation.org.
Infinity SUP is a family owned business in Dana Point, California. Founded by legendary shaper Steve Boehne in the early 1970s, the company has consistently evolved through the decades to remain on point in projecting the trends of our time.
