I’m a native of Northern California, now living in Maui 17 years, and can’t wait to visit the Bay Area and share the stoke of stand up paddling. It’s really amazing how it’s growing so fast there with all of the great water ways and easy access. There’s something for everyone even if you’re just beginning in the sport.
It was a day of big glides and big stoke on Maui at the Advanced Downwind SUP Course with Jeremy Riggs and Suzie Cooney..The laughs and cheers when someone would catch a big bump echoed down the coast.
Remember, preparing for a SUP race, your first or 20th; requires mental preparation, a mental course map, clarity, having a plan for the unexpected and so much more.
At the starting line, my anxiety and fears eased because there was no going back. I started to be nicer to myself and take the pressure off my performance—I just wanted to finish.
I was the WEAK Whale! I had fallen behind and I was going to be a shark snack! Wow, I was really beginning to not feel well. Alone. Falling off my board being pounded by wind and waves. My body dangling into the water, I anticipated JAWS!
