Sport

Matthew Chebatoris For the past three years, two sections of the Los Angeles River have been open to the public for recreational paddling. Known as the Sepulveda Basin (open 30 May through 30 September) and Elysian Valley (open 30 May through 25 September) Recreation Zones, the two sections offer adventurous paddlers the opportunity to explore an often overlooked natural resource in the Los Angeles area. I took advantage of an unanticipated opening in my schedule on a recent Friday and packed u Matthew Chebatoris I left work later than I had planned this past Thursday and decided to head over to Playa del Rey to launch my SUP from Ballona Creek and paddle out into the Santa Monica Bay instead of continuing south to outrigger practice with the Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club in Redondo Beach. Outrigger practice begins promptly at 5:30 and I knew I wouldn’t make it there before the six man canoes were launched. Sure, I could always take out one of the club OC-1’s and join in the workout, Matthew Chebatoris As a young girl on the small island of Ilhabela, Brazil approximately 150 miles (240k) down the coast from the thriving metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, Andrea Moller found everything she needed to make herself happy in the ocean. The water was equal parts playground, refuge and competitive arena upon which Andrea demonstrated her aptitude to excel from an early age as a competitive swimmer and windsurfer within Brazil’s water sports community. In pursuit of her dream to become Matthew Chebatoris The Magic of the Quickblade Flume Throughout the stand up paddling community the number of paddling clinics on offer has seemingly proliferated at a pace mirroring that of paddle manufacturers themselves. With options abound, it can be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff and properly evaluate the value of the services and products on offer in the current market. My advice to paddlers interested in taking a paddling clinic is to evaluate the credentials of the instr Matthew Chebatoris Infinity SUP Helps Promote the Revitalization of the Los Angeles River 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 widespre Matthew Chebatoris The Columbia Gorge It has been said experiences are better than possessions and I think that is mostly true. I have to admit though, I’m always lusting after some new equipment and coming up with elaborate reasons to justify the purchase to my wife. My take is that you “need” that shiny, new piece of gear to truly enjoy the above mentioned experience. My wife then hides the credit cards. So it was with the “experiences are better” mantra that I came up with the idea of the Mi Matthew Chebatoris “The wind is going to be nuking this Saturday! Can you make it out?”, read the mid-morning text from Braly. It was still early in the week and I didn’t have anything else planned so I ran the idea of me driving out to Vegas for a downwinder on Lake Mohave past my wife. Rarely one to stand in the way of one of my ideas for an adventure into the great outdoors, she smiled and asked how long I’d be gone. “Just three days, out Friday and back on Sunday. Everyone will be paddling Matthew Chebatoris Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. John Wooden, Collegiate Hall of Fame Basketball Coach – UCLA There were many story lines and subplots at the 2015 Payette River Games from the speculation on who would claim their share of the $50,000 prize purse to the colorful attire sported by female competitors such as Izzy Gomez and Annabel Anderson. Residents of rural Cascade, Idaho had probably never witnessed such a vibrant display of neon and faux animal pr 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 Matthew Chebatoris The West Coast of the United States has experienced a marked increase in the number of California Sea Lion pups stranded on beaches across southern and central California during the first four months of 2015. The sight of distressed marine life along our shores is an emotive topic for those of us who enjoy spending time on the water. Most paddlers have a deep appreciation for the ocean and the marine life dependent on a healthy ecosystem in order to survive. As word of the st Matthew Chebatoris The West Coast of the United States has experienced a marked increase in the number of California Sea Lion pups stranded on beaches across southern and central California during the first four months of 2015. The sight of distressed marine life along our shores is an emotive topic for those of us who enjoy spending time on the water. Most paddlers have a deep appreciation for the ocean and the marine life dependent on a healthy ecosystem in order to survive. As word of the st Matthew Chebatoris The West Coast of the United States has experienced a marked increase in the number of California Sea Lion pups stranded on beaches across southern and central California during the first four months of 2015. The sight of distressed marine life along our shores is an emotive topic for those of us who enjoy spending time on the water. Most paddlers have a deep appreciation for the ocean and the marine life dependent on a healthy ecosystem in order to survive. As word of the st Matthew Chebatoris Erika Benitez is not your typical American teenager. Yes, she goes to school like the rest of the kids her age, but that is where the similarities end. Instead of chasing boys at the mall, 14-year-old Erika is chasing them down on the water. More often than not, she wins. As the popularity of stand up paddling continues to grow, more and more young paddlers are gravitating towards the sport. This is particularly true in Southern California where a hip surfing vibe permeates t Matthew Chebatoris At a time when many stand up paddleboards are mass-produced by a handful of factories dispersed across Southeast Asia, one Orange County, California manufacturer is going about business in much the same manner as they have for decades. Steve Boehne, founder of Infinity, has learned a fair share about what it takes to design a board to move efficiently across the water in his career as a shaper spanning more than five decades. Steve shaped and glassed his first surfboard back Matthew Chebatoris Hailing from the desert island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, Germany’s Sonni Hönscheid has literally been rotating her home from one exotic island locale to another throughout her life. The daughter of a professional windsurfer, Sonni was born on the small island of Sylt in the North Sea near Germany’s border with Denmark.  The family traveled the world throughout her father’s career, during which they spent a considerable period of time on Maui (her older sister wa Matthew Chebatoris My Journey to  Stand Up Paddling I used to be a surfer. A wake up early, charge every day, hard-core surfer. I have fond memories of my high school days surfing with my buddies all over Orange County, especially at the famous 54th Street jetty in Newport Beach. I competed in contests and traveled to faraway places all for the joy of surfing. In addition to surfing, my buddies and I were part of the IMUA and then later the Offshore outrigger canoe clubs and even won the 16 and

In the short history of modern SUP design, most racing boards were designed like sharp-edged destroyers that sliced through the water. The idea is for the bow to pierce through the water and then for the water to flow around the sides of the board. This displacement hull type of design maximizes the water line to increase speed. The truth is that this formula, in theory, is correct. On perfectly calm, flat water a displacement board is indeed the fastest.

The reality is that most people are paddling in mixed conditions where the sharp nose of the board will be pushed around by any kind of chop or swell. Even in flat water races, all the paddlers wakes churn up the water into a washing machine effect that can make a displacement board difficult to control. When I first started SUP racing on a displacement board I would inadvertently go careening towards other racers after being caught up in a wake. Sorry to anyone that I’ve bumped into in the past.

One board to rule them all

Fortunately board makers wised up and started incorporating design features from a downwind/open ocean board and a flatwater board to create a racing SUP that is fast in the open ocean and the flatwater. This is where the NSP Puma Pro comes in. In the NSP lineup it sits between the pure flatwater Ninja Pro and open ocean, dugout Sonic Pro. I was pretty excited (and a little intimidated) that the board NSP lent me was pro paddler Titouan Puyo’s race board. I’ve seen how Titouan can paddle this 14’ x 23.5” board in the surf and hoped I could do it justice. Unlike Titouan, I’m kind of old, kind of short and don’t have much hair so I didn’t need to worry about anyone mistaking me for him out on the water. My goal was to see if indeed the NSP Puma Pro was really a “one board quiver” racing SUP.

At the Malibu Pier. Photo: Ian Clampett

Design: NSP Puma

The NSP Puma is what I call a “2nd generation” racing SUP. Other boards in this class are the Starboard All Star, Infinity Blackfish and Naish Maliko. The formula is to start with a large volume, rounded nose that lifts over the water instead of through it. This eliminates issues with pearling while downwinding or surfing and helps catch bumps and waves. Next is the advanced rocker line and bottom shape. NSP has been using a rounded bottom design for some time. They call this the “rolled hull”. This shape is good for getting the board to lift out of the water while at speed however it’s inherently unstable (imagine standing up in a canoe).

At first glance there appears to be a concave carved along the bottom. Upon closer inspection I noticed bottom isn’t concave but flat. The chamfered rails add the perception of a concave. One drawback of raising the nose out of the water is that the board loses 6”-8” of waterline and therefore speed. To get that speed back these 2nd generation boards have become narrower. Not too long ago narrow racing boards were really unstable but now a modern 24” wide board feels like a 26” wide board of 4 years ago. I was a little concerned about the stability of the  23.5” wide NSP Puma Pro but after a few minutes of paddling it was not an issue.

Moving to the tail, the NSP Puma Pro has a rounded pintail shape that makes buoy turns a little more challenging but really helps with riding bumps in the open ocean. The last feature that makes this board so versatile is the flat deck. The rails are slightly raised around the standing area but the rest of the deck is flat back to the tail.

Construction

The NSP Puma Pro is really light at 22lbs. I was concerned about this having witnessed other lightweight racing SUPs literally crack under pressure. NSP has created a construction technique they call “Elite Pro Carbon Technology”. The EPS foam shape is wrapped in different layers of carbon fiber and fiberglass with a PVC reinforced deck. The nose and tail area are also reinforced with Carbon Inegra. This all comes together using NSP’s unique vacuum construction. What matters to me is that this is one strong and light 14’ racing SUP. Extra features include a FCS mount for a GoPro and 5 different places along the deck to mount handles.

Flatwater performance. Photo: Ian Clampett

Flatwater performance

I wanted to compare the NSP Puma Pro with a similar board and my 2017 Starboard All Star 14’ x 24.5” fit the bill. On a perfectly calm morning at Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach I tested each board in an all out sprint for 30 seconds. Each board had the stock fin set up.

I did 3 runs with each board starting with the NSP Puma Pro. The 30 second sprint was to simulate a flat water race start. With all these 2nd generation boards there is a lot of splash coming off the nose due to rounded shape. For me this splashing makes it look like the board is going slower than it actually is. It was easy to get the NSP Puma Pro up to top speed pretty quickly. I credit this due to the low weight of 22lbs and narrow width. After 3 runs on the NSP Puma Pro my top speed achieved was 8.1mph. The board felt fast but I was surprised that I couldn’t get it over 8.1mph.

I then took out the 14×24.5 Starboard All Star for 3 30 second sprints. Because the All Star has so much more volume than the NSP Puma Pro (309L vs. 264L) it feels like you’re really on top of the water. I’m not sure what is better but the each board feels really different while paddling at max effort. My top speed on the All Star was 8.4mph. Now .3mph top speed difference isn’t much but it could be if you are sprinting for the finish line. Once back at home I analyzed my GPS data on Strava and confirmed that on each 30 second run I was able to go slightly faster on the All Star. This could be due to that I’m used to my regular board.

I then took the NSP Puma Pro out for a 2 mile tempo paddle (around 80% effort). The board tracked straight and I felt it was gliding well between strokes. I was averaging 5.8mph-6.1mph which is similar to my All Star.

Surfing in Malibu. Photo: Ian Clampett

Open ocean and surfing

I decided to test out how the board worked in the surf and open ocean at the famous Malibu Surfrider beach. This is where Miki Dorra defined modern surfing in the 60’s and where Laird Hamilton shot the Malibu pier on a SUP during the massive swell in the summer of 2014. It’s also the place where the crowds can be really thick. Sometimes.

I paddled out on an early February morning where the waves were 1-2 feet with a just a few other surfers. This is the playground of the NSP Puma Pro. While the prone surfers sat on the inside waiting for a wave to break I was able to catch the smallest bump on the outside. Once riding on the wave the NSP Puma Pro felt great. Of course I can’t do any big maneuvers on a 14’ racing SUP but I was able to move the board around on the wave to stay in the sweet spot. This “surfabilty” is due to the rounded rails in the front part of the board becoming sharper at the tail.

After my surf session I headed out into the open ocean. Even with a little west swell combining with some reflection off the beach the 23.5” wide NSP Puma Pro felt really stable. The key I found was to just trust the board. Because of the rounded hull the board doesn’t have great primary stability. Meaning it rocks from side to side. However, the board has good secondary stability. That means that at a certain point the board will catch and stop rolling (and not tip all the way over).

So, as you’re paddling in the ocean you need to just let board do what it wants and not fight it. The other key is to keep the speed up. This is not the kind of board you want to stop and go fishing. Keep in mind that I weigh 150lbs so the 23.5” wide board was stable enough for me. If you weigh over 160lbs or prefer a really stable board I would recommend moving up to the 26” or 28” wide versions. I was able to do a few more open ocean paddles off Marina del Rey and the NSP Puma Pro felt really comfortable riding the ground swells. My test paddles were done in light to moderate wind but I’m sure this board would work great on a pure downwind run.

Conclusion

So, is the NSP Puma Pro the one board to rule them all? The perfect “one board quiver” racing SUP? The answer really depends on what kind of paddling you are doing. For me it’s a big “yes”.

I’m very fortunate to live in Santa Monica, California where I can mix up paddling in the ocean and the flatwater. Unlike the flatwater specific Ninja Pro and the open ocean specific Sonic Pro, the NSP Puma Pro is the all around racing SUP that can perform in all conditions.

#BoardReview #NSP #Review

Are you an active person who always listens to tunes or a podcast during your workout or outdoor adventure? If the answer is yes, then the SPIbelt may be for you. The SPIbelt is a bounce-free belt which can carry all of your personal items such as your wallet, phone, and credit cards. It comes with a waterproof sealable pouch to keep your phone nice and dry.

PaddleXaminer tested the SPIbelt while paddling on Lake Dillon in Frisco Colorado. Once I clipped on the belt I didn’t even notice it was there. I connected my phone via Bluetooth to my headphones and was able to listen to a book on Audible while I paddled for two hours on a beautiful fall day. The waterproof pouch will fit most phone sizes. The belt comes with an adjustable elastic strap to fit around your waist so you can tighten it as need or easily adjust if you share it with a friend. Putting your phone in the waterproof pouch is key because if you don’t, your phone may get wet from your sweat even if it doesn’t get splashed or dunked in the water!

The phone is easy to control even while inside the pouch, you just have to push a little harder with your finger. PaddleXaminer does not recommend trying to take a phone call with the phone in the pouch unless you have a Bluetooth device.

One downside, at least while paddling, is the lack of length for the strap connecting the waterproof pouch to the belt. The model I tested, the strap is two inches long. It would be ideal if the strap was elastic and longer so the user could pull the phone out to face level. This would allow easier access to the phone while on the water instead of having to fumble with getting the phone out of the belt. We recommend taking pictures with the phone out of the pouch. Any pictures taken with the phone inside the pouch are slightly blurry. (see examples below).

Overall, the SPIbelt in great for any active person who wants to keep their phone, and other small personal items on them while they run, paddle, hike, climb, ski etc.

Located at 4,000 ft above sea level and over 100 miles from the closest major city, Lake Powell epitomizes what it means to be one of the world’s top SUP destinations. The incredible canyons and natural landscapes are simply unlike anywhere else on earth. Imagine paddling through 500 foot deep red rock canyons that romantically meander for miles. Glide through narrow slots just wide enough for your board. Rent a houseboat with family and friends and disappear for a week at a time while exploring hidden spots few have ever seen. Huge lakes like these are captivating but it’s hard to find homes nearby, so if you want to live near a lake it’s better to look at something like this for rent house lake simcoe waterfront.

Lake Powell is named after explorer John Wesley Powell, the first documented person to float the length of the Colorado River. The lake is over 150 miles long and very remote. Other than the section near Page, Arizona there are not any services, restaurants, hotels or gas stations along the lake with the exception of some basic conveniences at the marina in Bullfrog, Utah in the far northern section of the lake. Word to the wise, come prepared!

There are two great launching locations for SUPs along Lake Powell near Page – Antelope Point Public Boat Ramp and Lone Rock Beach. Both are about a 15 minute drive from town.

Climate

Spectacular rock formations line the shores.

In summer the temperatures are in the upper 90s (over 36 C)and the water temp is in the low 80s (approximately 27 C) making it a paddle paradise unlike no other. There are not any sharks, alligators, leeches or other nasty creatures in the lake, just a few harmless river fish. The only things to be cautious of are the afternoon wind and thunderstorms. Be sure to take plenty of water when you are out paddling and exploring the area as you may become dehydrated quickly in the dry desert heat.

How to Get There

Lake Powell is located in the high desert within the boundaries of the scenic Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on the Arizona – Utah border. Glen Canyon was the name of the tranquil section of the Colorado River which once drifted through the warm red rock canyons which, after the building of Glen Canyon Dam in 1966, became the stunning blue waters of Lake Powell. Page, Arizona is the only city near the lake. It is a long drive to get there but well worth the adventure. The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is managed by the National Park Service and entrance passess can be purchased in advance online or at the gate to the recreation area upon arrival.

Page, Arizona is:

1. 130 miles from Flagstaff, AZ

2. 273 miles from Phoenix, AZ

3. 379 miles from Las Vegas, NV

4. 385 miles from Salt Lake City, UT

5. 540 miles from Los Angeles, CA

6. 630 miles from Denver, CO

In addition to the overland routes, airline service to Page is available from Phoenix and Denver via the aptly named Great Lakes Airlines.

Around Town and the Local SUP Shop

SUP rentals are available at Lake Powell Paddleboards in Page, Arizona. This is currently the only SUP shop in the region and the outgoing staff will be more than happy to share their local knowledge and assist you in planning for your excursion.

Antelope Canyon

In Page you will find dozens of hotels and restaurants, a movie theater, mountain bike rentals, shopping and a museum. Check out the Dam Bar, the Ranch House Grill and Bonkers Restaurant for good food.

During the summer there are thousands of visitors from all over the world descend upon Page, the majority of which are here to see the famous Antelope Canyon.

Where would I stay?

You can stay in a hotel in Page, Arizona. There are many to choose from and the best way is to use Priceline to find a good deal. You can also camp at a few spots along Lake Powell. A popular campground is Lone Rock Beach, on the Utah side where you can literally camp right on the beach. Be advised, Lone Rock Beach is a remote campground without any services. If roughing it isn’t your style, there are fully developed campgrounds with showers, toilets and electricity at Wahweap Marina and Lake Powell Campground in Page.

Interesting Facts

1. The lake holds up to 27 million acre-feet of water and is 560 feet deep at the dam. That amount would cover the state of Ohio with one foot of water!

2. The lake is 186 miles long, and with 96 major side canyons with more small ones; Lake Powell has more than 1,960 miles of shoreline—more than twice the length of the California coastline.

3. Hundreds of colorful sandstone side canyons, coves and natural wonders make region a paradise for house boating, fishing, photography and of course stand up paddleboarding!

4. It took 17 years for the Colorado River to fill the lake. The lake began filling in 1963 and reached full pool for the first time in 1980.

5. Lake Powell is the second largest reservoir in the United States after Lake Mead.

6. Time zones:

7. The state of Arizona does not switch to Daylight Savings Time in summer.

8. Within the state of Arizona, the Navajo Reservation does switch to Daylight Savings Time.

9. Within the Navajo Reservation lies the Hopi Reservation. The Hopis do not switch to Daylight Savings Time.

10. The state of Utah does switch to Daylight Savings Time.

Confused? Just be sure to turn off the automatic time zone updater on your phone while here!

Please contact us via email at:[email protected] if you are interested in advertising your business or rental property on this page. SUP Examiner offers discounts for multiple month purchases and is always happy to work with your budget.

#Arizona #LakePowell #LakePowellPaddleboards

Better Surf than Sorry 5059 Newport Ave. Ste 302 San Diego, CA 92107 www.bettersurfthansorry.com 619-564-7873 Hours: M-F 7:30am-2:00pm, depending on swell Lessons: Yes Rentals: Yes

About Better Surf than Sorry

This is a shop which lives and loves the sport of SUPing and has created their own unique line of products to match the needs of stand up paddlers. They even boast an entire product line dedicated to kids known as “Surfer Baby”. The shop is a mere 100 yards from the ocean and their primary customer base is, unsurprisingly, water and beach lovers.

The shop sells boards from Focus SUP Hawaii, in addition to pup decks, big board schleppers, board racks, and more. No food or drinks are available on site, but they are located within the same building as the famous South Beach Bar and Grill.

A number of paddling events are held in San Diego throughout the year, to include the annual Hanohano Ocean Challenge each January and the Sunday, Sunday, Sunday racing series during the summer. Paddlers venturing out in Mission Bay may wish to launch from Bonita Cove. If venturing down to San Diego Bay, Shelter Island is a desirable location from which to set out.

San Diego is also home to several outrigger canoe clubs, where a number of local paddlers frequently take to the water to improve their paddling skills and compete in regional races. There are also a wide range of informal paddling groups which meet up several times a week for workouts.

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#BetterSurfthanSorry #MissionBeach #SanDiego #ShopGuide

Sea trials in San Francisco Bay. Photo Tom Gomes

“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 reply with a slight hint of a French accent revealing his country of origin. I first met Cyril Derreumaux in 2017 on a camping trip north of Santa Barbara which had been organized by a pair of mutual friends. The French-born, American citizen was already an experienced world traveler and adventurer, who, among other things, was a member of the Guiness World Record winning four person ocean rowing team which completed the fastest crossing (39 days) from Monterrey, California to Honolulu, Hawaii a year prior.

Cyril’s upcoming trip will take him into new territory as he planned to set out in his custom-built ocean kayak, christened “Valentine”, on a planned 70 day, solo, self-supported 2,100 nautical mile journey across the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco to Honolulu, Hawaii. Designed and built in Devon, England by renowned boat-builders Dan Davy and Rob Feloy, the Valentine is 23 ft long and weighs 400 lbs. Cyril expects to add several hundred pounds of supplies which will increase the weight to approximately 900 lbs.

When it comes to paddling, adaptability is paramount. “I have to understand that it is a completely different vessel and I have to respect the way she is,” Cyril told me. “She is like an elephant, you’re not going to run like a hummingbird.” Along the way he plans to consume approximately 6,000 calories a day.

The Journey

Cyril Derreumaux. Photo: Teresa O’Brien

Much like a NASA space launch, planning the departure for an ocean kayaking trip of this magnitude entails an adherence to science and prevailing weather conditions. The former is leveraged to the benefit of the adventurer, while the latter is beyond anyone’s control. As of this writing, Cyril’s trusted weather router, Michel, has set the departure date for Monday, May 31st.

A “Bon Voyage” celebratory paddle will take place on Sunday, May 30th from Sea Trek to Fort Baker at 9:30 am. Then, at approximately 5:00 am on May 31st, Cyril will cast off aboard the Valentine from the pier at Fort Baker to ride the ebb tide out into the Pacific.

“The first night is going to be interesting,” said Cyril. “It will be the first time I spend the night aboard the boat when the swell will be bigger than what I trained in and I’m not going to be attached to a buoy. I did some nights, as you know, in the bay going round and round, but every night given that it was super rough I would attach the boat to a buoy and then I knew I’d be fine for the next 10 hours.”

Cyril has been preparing for the trip for more than two years. He originally planned to embark on the epic journey in 2020, only to have Valentine’s delivery delayed by months due to the global pandemic. Ultimately, the delay proved to be fortuitous as his custom kayak’s eventual arrival afforded Cyril the luxury of having several months to engage in sea trials and make modifications to the livability attributes of the unique paddle craft.

How does one train for a monumental journey such as this? “It’s up in the air”, said Cyril, “everyone has their own concoction.” He sought the advice of a local triathlete who recommended a diversified program involving paddling and land-based activity such as cycling and hiking in which Cyril would regularly target his heart rate to 140 bpm, at the nexus of anaerobic and aerobic output. “My big fear was to overtrain and get injured,” he told me.

Cyril also solicited the input from multiple paddling coaches, including Olympians Michèle Eray and Maggie Hogan from Paddle California, to develop a repertoire of sustainable paddling techniques (incorporating three different paddles) to match the anticipated conditions on the open ocean.

The Valentine

Custom built per Cyril’s specifications, one of the initial things observers will notice about the Valentine is the two arrays of solar panels fore and aft of the cockpit. The bow array produces 100 watts and 170 watts on the stern. “They are two completely separate systems, so I can run power from one or the other,” said Cyril. “The main consumption of power is the water maker. I’ll use it about 1-2 hours a day, mostly at noon when the sun is high.”

Safety considerations are incorporated everywhere, starting with the custom kayak’s design. Built to be unsinkable, the Valentine is made with a cork core between layers of carbon fiber. The boat’s volume is such that it is designed to be self righting and float, even when completely flooded. As a last resort, he has an emergency life raft along with a “go bag” filled with a small supply of survival essentials and communications gear.

Photographer: Tom Gomes

Regardless of a craft’s design, the first element of safety at sea is always to be seen. In this case, the Valentine is equipped with a GPS Plotter capable of sending and receiving Automated Identification System (AIS) transmissions with other vessels on the water. Additionally, the Valentine is outfitted with a Radar Transmission Enhancer (RTE) so he can be identified, along with multiple VHF radios, long range beacons, and phones.

Ready for departure

Cyril is going through his final checklist and his mind has been racing for the last month. Now, most of the items are ticked off as he contemplates the journey ahead. He has tested all his equipment multiple times and broken in his paddling gear from Vaikobi, the industry leader in technical paddling apparel, over the course of countless training runs criss-crossing the San Francisco Bay.

“I’m feeling generally serene. I’m not feeling super excited, like ‘Wow, I can’t wait’. I’m really feeling serene, I think that would be the word,” he told me.

Cyril also feels the pressure through others…from his girlfriend, his mother, and friends; all of whom are understandably concerned about his well-being given the dangerous challenges he’ll face along the journey ahead.

Are you feeling inspired?

Interested parties may support Cyril Derreumaux and his journey from San Francisco to Honolulu by visiting his website Solo Kayak to Hawaii where visitors have the opportunity to make a donation and purchase commemorative apparel. Solo Kayak to Hawaii also contains a Live Tracker for visitors to follow Cyril’s route in real time as he paddles across the Pacific.

California State Parks is honoring the service of veterans, as well as active and reserve personnel, by offering free admission to 144 state parks on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11.

“We invite our veterans and active/reserve military personnel to wear their uniforms with pride while visiting one of our beautiful parks,” said California State Parks Director Lisa Mangat. “We thank them for their service and sacrifices to our country. This is a small gesture of our gratitude and appreciation.”

A valid military ID must be presented to park staff in order to receive free admission to the California State Railroad Museum (Sacramento), Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (Jamestown), eight state vehicular recreation areas and 134 state parks accessible with the “California Explorer” Annual Pass. A list of participating park units is available at www.parks.ca.gov/VeteransDay2019.  

Participating parks include sites that honor historic military sites or veterans from the Mexican American War to the Cold War, such as:

AB 150 (Olsen), signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. in 2013, authorized California State Parks to offer veterans, active duty, and reserve military personnel from the United States Armed Forces and the National Guard of any state a reduced or free-day use at participating state parks.

California’s 280 state parks and the recreational programs supported by the department are a gateway to the well-being of environments, economies and all people. They offer the opportunity for families, friends and communities to connect through various recreational opportunities such as off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, on and off-road cycling, hiking, camping, rock climbing, tours, school group enrichment and special events.

Before leaving for a park, find out if any roads, trails and/or campgrounds are closed by visiting the park’s web page or the park’s social media accounts. Check your destination’s and route’s weather conditions and prepare accordingly. And remember, safely share the road. Be prepared for equestrians, pedestrians, joggers, wildlife, rocks, tree limbs, etc., in the roadway.

#CaliforniaStateParks

Known throughout the outdoor industry for making high quality outdoor and lifestyle apparel with a unique sense of style, Kühl’s Mutiny River Shorts and Shadow Hoody live up to the company’s criteria for functionality, innovation and flair. “We didn’t want to just make a pair of board shorts for the sake of having a pair. We wanted to be sure we could make a pair of shorts worthy of our name,” said Kevin Boyle, the company’s founder and lead designer.

I’ve been a fan of Kühl’s apparel for well over a decade and was thrilled to learn the iconic brand had made a foray into the water sports arena. The UPF 50 Mutiny River Shorts are crafted from 3D waffle patterned nylon front and back panels with a four-way stretch nylon/spandex blend along the sides. Two mesh-lined zippered pockets are found along each side and the shorts are secured with velcro and a speed lace style drawstring.

The Shadow Hoody pairs with the Mutiny board shorts in the beach environment in both function and style. Designed from quick drying, breathable, UPF 50 nylon; the hoody has a lightweight vented hood and two zippered pockets. The fabric is travel ready, wrinkle resistant and ready for the outdoors.

SUP Examiner’s Take

I tested the Mutiny River Shorts on a number of paddling excursions and SUP surfing outings in Southern California from Malibu to San Clemente. On all accounts, they performed spectacularly. Sized perfectly, they fit as if they were tailor-made. Throughout several afternoons of action, the Kühl board shorts hung flat and did not bunch up or cling to my legs.

One of the best design innovations on the shorts is the use of the four-way stretch panels along the sides, which is also the location of two generously sized zipper pockets. The sensible incorporation of pockets is one of the most common shortcomings in board shorts. By placing the pockets along the sides, instead of on your thigh in the front or in the back, Kühl delivered what may well be the first pair of board shorts with pockets you can actually use in the same way as a regular pair of shorts. This feature makes the Mutiny River Shorts a great choice for stand up paddlers. On the water, the pockets are large enough to hold any number of small items. Off the water, if you want to run a few errands after your paddle, the pockets can easily accommodate your wallet, keys and cell phone. Speaking of off the water, Kühl’s boardshorts take the phrase quick drying to a completely new level. The waffle texture of the shorts greatly enhances air drying to the extent these shorts will most likely be dry by the time you finish loading your board back on your car after your paddle.

The Shadow Hoody was as impressive. Keeping your body covered and protected from the sun is important, but there has not always been a sensible range of apparel to do so comfortably. This is truly where the Kühl Shadow Hoody comes into its own. The UPF 50 lightweight fabric is highly breathable and comfortable enough to wear outdoors on even the hottest days. I regularly used one as a before and after paddle cover up, but the ultimate test of the hoody came during the on the water demo day at Surf Expo in Orlando, Florida earlier this month. The temperature was in the upper 80s and with an equally staggering amount of humidity. I wore the Shadow Hoody throughout the day whenever I was off the water, even pulling up the hood at times to protect my head and ears from the sun. Despite wearing the long-sleeved hoody in the high heat and humidity, I remained cool and covered. The two zippered pockets are great for keeping small items secure and front zipper makes it easy to put on and take off.

Disclosure: I received a sample of the Mutiny River Shorts and Shadow Hoody for testing, however, the opinions expressed are my own.   

#BoardShorts #Kühl #SunProtection

Matthew Chebatoris Styles of sunglasses are constantly evolving, Costa Sunglasses is on the innovative edge of these cycles; as new ideas come up, Costa incorporates them into their products. Paddlexaminer met with Costa at the Winter Outdoor Retailer in January 2020 in Denver to talk about their new line coming out in the spring of 2020. One of the newest frames is the Ferg which are named after the late founder of Costa Sunglasses. The Ferg includes: Top and side shields Hydrolite Rubber Larg Matthew Chebatoris Julbo traces its heritage back to 1888 in the heart of the French eyewear industry. Throughout the decades, Julbo has focused on innovation in its quest to continually design high quality sun protection eyewear. Each pair of Julbo sunglasses embodies the spirit of adventure and provides customers with the ability to freely roam and see the world. Julbo Paddle PaddleXaminer tested the Julbo Paddle Sunglasses while paddling on Lake Estes in Estes Park, Colorado. Anytime you pad Matthew Chebatoris PaddleXaminer had the privilege to test and review a wide range of paddling gear in 2019. Large items, small items – innovative designs and gear that left a lasting impact on how we enjoyed our time on the water. From whitewater rivers in the Colorado Rockies to the coast of California and beyond, here’s our staff picks of the top ten items that kept us going throughout the year. 10. Costa Sunglasses OCEARCH® Fantail When the PaddleXaminer staff first put our heads together t Matthew Chebatoris Costa® Sunglasses has released Mark Healey’s signature frame, the Sampan. Designed for adventure seekers who live their best life in and around the water, the collaboration with Healey was crafted to fit his laidback style while providing the performance attributes demanded wherever there’s salt or sand. As a champion big-wave surfer, spear fisherman and Costa ambassador, Mark Healey is driven by his love of the water and all the adventures and activities that surround it. A Matthew Chebatoris PaddleXaminer was introduced to a new eyewear company at the winter OR in Denver called Blenders Eyewear. They are based in sunny San Diego California where you need a pair of shades almost everyday! What started out as a side hustle by the founder, selling shades out of his backpack while working as a surf coach, turned into a full-fledged company offering stylish and adventurous shades! Paddlexaminer tested three pairs of sunglasses from Blenders: Spider Jet Red Strike Blac Matthew Chebatoris Are you looking for you’re next pair of sunglasses? Well, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses has you covered, literally! Costa has been in the business of making quality polarized sunglasses for over 35 years. Based in Dayton Beach, Florida, they know a thing or two about the sun. Paddlexaminer met with Costa back at the Winter Outdoor Retailer in January 2019 in Denver to talk about their new line coming out in the spring of 2019. The two designs which stuck out to us the most were th Matthew Chebatoris The holidays are a time of giving and spreading cheer but unfortunately a lot of the gifts we purchase are manufactured in ways that are destructive to our planet. Luckily, there are a number of companies committed to protecting the environment and paving the way for greener alternatives in the watersports industry. Here, we’ve rounded up six of our favorite sustainable gifts this holiday season. Patagonia Uprisal Crew Sweatshirt We’re long time fans of Patagonia for their co Matthew Chebatoris Spy Sunglasses: Perfect for SUP and outrigger paddling Having the right pair of sunglasses for paddling is critical. Polarized lenses are a given as are lenses which do not quickly become enveloped in fog. If you can find a pair with the aforementioned properties and a secure fit, voilà, you’ve scored the sunglasses trifecta! Spy produces a range of sunglasses with a proprietary Happy Lense technology which harnesses the beneficial aspects of long-wave blue light and protects Matthew Chebatoris Nothing says summertime like a great pair of sunglasses and the new Electric Stacker is a great option for active paddlers. I had the opportunity to test out a pair for the past month paddling stand up and outrigger and have been highly impressed with their performance. Like most people, I’ve tried dozens of sunglasses over the years. A few of the varieties I’ve tried while paddling have made claims of not fogging up or being fog resistant, yet there has always been a ring of

In a world full of quick fixes and nifty gear, the Pocket Monkey made by Zootility Tools stood out as an inexpensive universal tool stand up paddlers could easily toss into a pocket in their gear bag and never again be without a screw driver.  It is made from heat-treated stainless steel and the manufactures claim it will not bend, break or rust. We like the Pocket Monkey best for its simplicity. There are no moving parts on this little gem of a universal tool. We’ve been using one for several months now and based on our experience, these manufacture claims have held up with flying colors.

The Pocket Monkey has 12 separate features:

1. Bottle Opener

2. Flat Screwdriver

3. Philips Screwdriver

4. Micro Screwdriver

5. Phone Kickstand

6. Bottle Opener

7. Letter Opener

8. Door Latch Slip

9. Hex Wrenches

10. Ruler

11. Headphone wrap

12. Straightedge

13. Orange Peeler

The screwdriver features work well for tightening down the fin screw into your SUP and we’ve found the letter opener feature is useful in extracting the flat nut from your fin box after use. The bottle opener is a great feature to have as well for obvious reasons. All in all, we recommend the Pocket Monkey. It is a lighter and less expensive than a Swiss Army Knife and unlike a knife, it is TSA approved so you can take it with you when you board an aircraft.

The tool is available in two models: Basic and Deluxe. The tools and the functionality are the same and the only difference is how the text is applied to the stainless steel. On the basic version the text is stamped in, while the deluxe version has the text laser-etched in black.

MSRP: $12 basic, $14 deluxe www.zootilitytools.com 

Disclosure: Zootility Tools provided a sample for review, however, the opinions expressed are our own.

#PocketMonkey #UniversalTool #ZootilityTools