Paddlers versus Puppies??

The day after Thanksgiving-- Turkey Paddle Race on Fiesta Island

Yesterday's U-T (aka Union Tribune) had an article on the local page entitled, "Pet Owners Pitted Against Paddlers".  Apparently, paddlers and dog owners have been debating with the City on the blueprint for future recreation facilities for Fiesta Island.  The two groups are in disagreement with the current plans.  It has caused a delay in the process, which was introduced in 2005.

"In the proposed general-development plan, paddlers would get a designated space on the island to store and launch their vessels.  Vocal dog owners, who have formed the group Fiesta Island Dog Owners, or FIDO, have been using the island since the 1970s.  They say accommodating paddlers would mean the reduction of fenced, off-leash land to about 87% acres from its current 93." (SD Union Tribune, November 29, 2010, page B1)

I know this will sound biased being a paddler myself but I really don't see any debate.  5 acres is all the paddlers need to provide parking, restrooms and storage facilities.  The dog owners will still have 87 acres to have their dogs roam free.  Plus, paddling promotes good health and fitness.  We can't deny that to our children such as this little cutie pictured below.

6-year-old attempting to cruise at the Turkey Paddle.

Tubed in Florida!

Probably not the tube you were thinking of but close enough, eh? 

Shobu... Where Are You When I Need You?

I could have put a Shobu to great use during this trip.  A Shobu (show up and blow up) is an inflatable stand-up paddle board.  It's less than 50lbs and would have been worth the $25 check-in fee.  We cruised Lake Dora on my Uncle Phil's pontoon.  The entire time I was wishing I had an SUP board as we skimmed the glassy waters.  My Uncle Phil and Aunt Ida live on the lake's edge.  There are five large lakes in close proximity to each other.  They are connected by narrow channels.  There are many people who ski and wakeboard on these lakes.

This is a view of one of the channels we traveled through.  There are a variety of plants, trees and birds.  Something I should mention that may sway you from paddling in these waters are the alligators.  We ran into a couple of them on our cruise but I was told that they don't attack unless they feel threatened.  I would think the chances of being attacked by one is the same as our chances of being attacked by a shark in the Pacific.  I may be wrong.

This gator was probably about 6' long.  Hmmm... on second thought, I'm not sure if I'd feel confident paddling next to this guy.  If it wasn't for these inhabiting the lakes, SUPing would be a perfect sport for these Florida lakes.  

Stand-Up Paddlers Needed in Florida

I visited world famous Cocoa Beach in Florida hoping to find strands of surfers lined-up to catch some waves.  Not today.  The surf was small and congested with tourists, rather than locals.  It was a bit overcast on this day but it didn't stop the visitors from sunbathing and wading in the Atlantic.  

I thought to myself, "This would be a great opportunity to get people to check out SUP surfing."  The could even go past the small break and do some ocean paddling, where they may run into dolphins and manatees.  Many tourists would be hyped-up to be able to go home and tell their friends about their new found sport.  That's what happened to me when I was in Maui.  But I guess in order for this to happen, you'd need a sample of SUP surfers out in the water to display how easy and fun the sport can be.   No surfers here... Stand-Up Paddlers needed in Florida.

I'm not really sure what all the hype is about this Ron Jon Surf Shop.  Perhaps, this is where it originated.    They are only located in the East Coast.  It's a massive store with everything you can think of that may be surf-related.  They even had Christmas ornaments perfect for the surfing family.

I'm not much of a shopper nowadays but these caught my attention:

Ron Jon had a wide variety of surfboards.  Almost all of the upstairs portion of the store (which is huge) was filled with all types of surfboards.  As I continued through the overwhelming number of boards, I ran into a section of stand-up paddle boards!  Okay, Florida does get it.  This was my first day out of seven in Florida.  New mission for Florida: find stand-up paddlers.

Turkey Day in Florida

Hanging out with Kelly Slater on Cocoa Beach where he first learned to surf.  Yes, it's a beautiful, sunny day out by the beach here in Florida, unlike the weather currently at home in San Diego where it is overcast and rainy.  Here I am taking notes on his unique style that has won him 10 World Titles.  Okay, I know I don't look as graceful and wicked as Slater yet but I'm working on it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Rewards for Getting Up Early to Surf

I'm never troubled with getting up at 6AM to get ready for a morning surf.  I'm always revving to go.  It's the best time to get out in the water.  You can easily find parking, there usually isn't a crowd of surfers in the line-up AND you finish just in time to eat a hearty breakfast!

You work up a good appetite with SUPing in the morning and I always try to reward myself with a good breakfast.  Since I started Stand-Up Paddle Surfing, I have been able to hit up some great breakfast places.  I'm a little leary about giving away some of the names of these restaurants because I'd hate for them to get overcrowded when I'm there (some already are) but these are gems you'll find out about them sooner or later if you're a regular in the beach areas.  I'm not going to give them all away at once.  No way!  You need to earn this valuable info by keeping up with my blog.  So today, I'll let loose on a favorite in La Jolla.  This place is located right up the hill from La Jolla Shores-- COFFEE CUP.  It's an understated, small restaurant located on Wall Street.  Don't blink or you might just miss it.

Here's what I ordered this past weekend:

I ordered the scrumptious Coffee Cup French Toast.  This is not your typical order of french toast!  They are reminiscent of warm cinnamon buns, topped with blueberry puree and powdered sugar.  Yummy!  If this isn't enough to fill you up (boys), you can order eggs and potatoes on the side.  Other delicious items on the menu include Blueberry Banana Pancakes, a Power Breakfast Burrito, Zen Breakfast and for the big boys-- Roast Beef Hash and Eggs.  Next time you're in La Jolla for a paddle, try the Coffee Cup and let me know what you think!

Who Said, "It Never Rains in Southern California"?

So what... we had a little rain today.  Big deal.  It's not going to stop me from getting out and paddling.  It was actually pretty fun getting out on the choppy water.  The surf was small so we headed for a nice long paddle.  I tried out my friend's 9'2".  We headed upwind for a bit, ran into a couple of sea lions along the way and then always the fun part, turned around and rode little bumps downwind.

If I'm going to improve my game, I can't just go out on the "perfect" days.  I actually like going out on days that challenge me.  What better way to improve your skills?

Protect Yourself from the Harmful Sun Rays

I enjoy being out in the sun but I also don't want to increase my risk for skin cancer.  It's difficult to avoid the sun if you enjoy outdoor sports.  The best thing to do is protect your skin from the harmful UV rays by covering up and wearing sunscreen.  There are so many types of sunscreens out there.  I always get the ones with the highest SPF (sun protection factor) for both UVA and UVB rays.  Most sunscreens only protect against UVB, which are the rays that cause sunburns.  You need to find one that also protects against UVA because these rays are the ones that lead to melanoma, aka skin cancer.  Opt for sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.  The best UVA protection is zinc oxide.  The white stain it leaves on the skin like plaster isn't cute but I'd rather sacrifice a couple of hours of non-cuteness than to a lifetime of it with wrinkled skin and/or melanoma.

Here is a photo of the sunscreen that I use:

I know it says kids but typically the sunscreens with the highest SPFs are made for children.  It will still work on an adult you know!  This one is very water resistant and won't run into your eyes when you get wet.  I choose to use a different sunscreen on my face because my facial skin is sensitive.

This one is also waterproof, sweat resistant and hypoallergenic.  It's a non-greasy, lighter formula so that it doesn't clog my pores.

Few reminders to protect your precious skin from the sun:

• reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours;
• still apply sunscreen when it's overcast.  This is the time when many people get sunburned;
• wear long sleeves if you can;
• wear a hat.
• when you're out of the sun moisturize with a hydrating lotion.

San Diego Outrigger Invitational Paddle Race

I have to admit it was a little nerve-racking setting my stand up paddle race board amongst the many oc1 and oc2 vessels.  All I could think about was how one of those beautiful, streamlined beasts can easily knock me off my sup during the race.

My mind was more at ease after paddling out to the starting line, which was about 1/2 mile out.  The SUP competitors lined up on one side and the oc, kayaks and surf skis on the other.  The race was 4.5 miles.  The sun was beaming and the winds were low.  Perfect conditions for a race.  I borrowed a friend's race board.  It was my first time using it in the ocean.  I only had a couple days to take it out in the bay before the race day.  Lesson learned: Get to know your board well before a race if you want to do well.  What this means is that you really need more time on a board to get to know its idiosyncrasies.  This board definitely moved differently than my 11' Takayama surfboard that I have been racing.  Also, the lighter weight and shape of the board made it a bit tippier.  I think it's a good idea to try different boards to get a feel for what you like and don't like.  This way, when you invest in an expensive race board, you know you're getting the right one for you.

I raced In Memory of my Auntie Lilly from Pearl City, Oahu, who unexpectedly passed away last week.  It was when I visited her this past July that I learned about Stand Up Paddling and jumped on the craze when I returned home.  I feel that this was her gift to me and will always think of her when I'm paddling.    

Try It... You Might Like It

Okay, I'm usually not the type of person who follows the pack.  I like to do my own thing and if others want to follow, that's their perogative.  But in this case, I might be considered a follower.  I was convinced by a friend who supported her sales pitch with evidence that got me hooked.  I'm sure you've probably heard about these or have even seen them.  It's the new craze in all sports. 

These bracelets contain a halogram that is said to help balance your energy.  When you wear the bracelet, you gain more power, balance and flexibility.  Also, it is said to improve circulation, stress tolerance, reduce inflammation and improve sleep.  My friend was able to convince me to buy one by doing a few tests (flexibility, strength and balance) on me without, and then with the bracelet.  I showed improvements on each test with the bracelet on.  So I bought one.

This is my second day wearing the bracelet.  I haven't noticed a difference in my general everyday energy and strength.  I did use it paddling 4-miles and found that I shaved a few minutes off my usual finishing time.  But I guess this could be due to better wind and tide conditions as well.   I already hear the skeptics saying, "It's a psychological thing".  Yeah, it can be... and I'm okay with that.  If wearing this bracelet will improve my performance for SUP racing, then it's well worth the $30.

Fueling for Peak Performance

As I'm preparing for my next race this Saturday, the La Jolla Invitational hosted by the SD Outrigger Club, I'm thinking about how drained I was competing in the Battle of the Paddle.  I want to avoid "hitting the wall" as they call it in marathon running when the competitor runs out of "juice" (energy).  As needed for all endurance races, I have been carb-loading so that I'll have enough energy throughout the race.  

It's important to start a high-carb diet even before you carb load.  You should increase your carbohydrate intake beginning a week before the race and to at least 70% of your dietary requirements (carb load) 3 days before the race.  The body stores carbs as glycogen in the muscles, which is released as energy during a race.  (I have a BA in Kinesiology, specializing in Athletic Training but this doesn't automatically make me a superb athlete.)

Typical complex carb loading diets include pasta, rice, cereals, fruits and vegetables.  I'll be eating pasta daily for the next few days before the race.  Let's hope that this diet improves my energy level for this race and therefore, improves my finishing time.  I'll share my daily carb-loading diet in a future post.

SUP Storage Solutions

Where do you store your board at home?  I place mine on the garage floor, on a portion which is covered with foam matting.  It's really not a bad spot to put it until someone happens to drop something on it (hasn't happened yet).

So, I started researching storage options and this is what I came up with:

These come in pairs.  You can purchase them in a horizontal arm as well. Online they cost around $69/ pair.  It's pretty simple to put up on a wall and comes with the few screws you need to install them.

If you don't have the wall space, another option is a ceiling mount.  This is out of the question for me because I don't have a reasonable spot to hang them.  Plus, I would think you would want a ceiling low enough to easily put up and take down the board, especially if you use them often.  These also cost around $69.

I was just about to spend the cash on a wall mount storage solution but saw these inexpensive options on the beach:

Saw Horse Workbenches fold flat and are easily portable.  Not a bad deal for only $20 at Home Depot.  Keep in mind that if you do decide to use a couple of horses to lay your board on, you need a decent amount of floor space.  If you are handy, you can make your own stand-up paddle board stand with pvc pipes.  I thought this might be a fun project and am planning on spending the $20 to make my own.  I see quite a few people using these types of stands out on the beach to keep the sand off their boards.  Another creative option I saw on the beach was simply the use of two step stools.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted on the making of my pvc board stand.  In the meantime, I may head over to Ikea to grab a couple of small $2 step stools to use.  Let me know if there are any other inexpensive options out there that I may have missed!

SUPing Attracts New Friends

Check out who I met today!

The Surfing World Mourns

The surfing world mourns the loss of a great surfer, Andy Irons.  He pulled out of a competition in Puerto Rico this week due to illness.  He had a layover in Dallas on his way home to Kauai and was found dead in his hotel room yesterday.  The surfing community was shocked to hear of the news.

Andy Irons had 20 elite victories, 4 Triple Crowns and won 3 consecutive ASP World Titles.  He leaves behind his pregnant wife, Lyndie (due in December), brother and parents.  

Rest in peace.

Traveling with a Blow-Up

I love to travel.  As a matter of fact, I have a few big trips coming up and I'm looking forward to it. But even on the road, you need to make sure all your needs are met and that's where the blow-up can be convenient. It's compact, can be stowed easily on an airplane and in the trunk of a car.  Best part: it takes a few pumps to get it straight and hard. 

By just using one of these

my urges to get into the water, no matter where I travel to, can be satisfied. 



I met this man who was traveling with a Shubu, "Show Up, Blow Up", inflatable paddleboard by Boardworks.  I had my doubts but when he pumped it up, it was pretty sturdy and firm.  It didn't take much time to get it inflated.  To deflate it, you just pulled on a valve to release the air and roll it up.  It's 10' long, 4" thick and made out of durable rubber.  He says that it's great for flatwater paddling but is a little bumpy out on the surf.  I picked up the bag and it couldn't have weighed more than 30lbs.  What a great invention!  I think this is a great investment for a paddler who is always on the go.   

Can you tell which one is the inflatable SUP board?