photo by Richard Hallman. Check out his website https://www.freelanceimaging.com
There is a saying, it’s not the challenge you face, but how you face the challenge. And that’s what Kody Kerbox did this past Saturday August 17th, at the 2013 Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge, in Hood River, Oregon, where he finished 1st in the elite men’s 8 mile downwind stand up paddle race. Victory found him the following day as he blew up the challenging course race as he placed 2nd in the ( his words ) most “brutal” upwind course. His time was so good in the first race it placed him first overall for the entire event! Champagne was flowing. Elite results
photos courtesy of Gorge US Photo: https://www.gorge-usphoto.com
Yes, I am beaming and very proud as one of his circle of mentors who has seen him grow stronger and wiser with each year, each race, each huge wave or whatever comes his way. He is on fire!
Kody Kerbox is just coming off a strong, finishing second in the prestigious Molokai to Oahu, where he paddled for his first solo crossing, July 28th, 2013 and finished 32 miles in 5:26:21 and 9th overall. This year’s crossing was considered the most challenging in ten years with heavy head winds to the finish and a ridiculous backwashing current some are still cursing.
An example of how Kody used his brain power over this daunting, treacherous stretch of water, he told me, “I just kept my head down and didn’t look for the island, I waited until the island came to me.”
Here are a couple studio training photos in preparation of his summer tour. My goal is to remind him to stretch and relax and use all that he’s learned about eating right, training smart and keeping one stroke ahead with his head. He’s a fast learner and get’s it!
When we are training in the studio we talk a lot about how to manage the mind when the body is fatiguing. I’ve watched Kody train early mornings in the harbor with Connor Baxter or with another really strong paddler and mentor, Bart DeZwart; and when I get lapped by him I see the racer full on. It’s an amazing sight.
His training can be intense, especially if he decides to train with Connor or Kai. It’s game on all the time! For example, instead of paddling “down” Maliko he will paddle upwind a mile or more just to make it harder, then turn downwind all the way to the harbor ten miles, full tilt. And that’s after he’s paddled an hour in the harbor at the crack of dawn doing sprints around the buoys. By the time I get him in the studio after all that he’s still smiling and ready to rock.
I’ve seen him literally grow into his racing physique where his powerful upper body compliments the length and reach of his arms so he can paddle with explosive speed! His endurance has blown me away. I encourage him to mix it up and sometimes and get off the water entirely for a day and do something unusual, like kick a soccer ball in a quiet field. It’s good for the brain and body. I’m not going to give away all of his training secrets you’ll just have to keep looking on the podium for his next win.
It’s amazing to remember when I first interviewed Kody in 2009 when he did his first relay Molokai to Oahu crossing with his dad Buzzy Kerbox. Here is the article: https://suzietrainsmaui.com/post-race-interviews-with-buzzy-and-kody-kerbox-rainbow-sandals-molokai-to-oahu-channel-crossing-on-july-26-2009/#.UhFSwRa6Xww
Having Maui as his home base allows him to train in all conditions pretty much year round so he’s ready for everything. Big wave surfing and paddle surfing is high on his list which helps him understand all the elements and the importance of training for it all. I asked him once how crazy does it feel when you’re getting ready to drop into the face of JAWS? He responded, “it’s like trying to chase a big mountain of water that’s moving so fast.” It must be in his blood, after all his father is big wave surfer Buzzy Kerbox.
Kody Kerbox, a force to watch if the camera can catch him and if his competitors can outsmart him. Training begins in the mind and then to the paddle as he demonstrates time and time again. He is a gentleman on and off the water and always ready to cheer on his closest friends, even though he is usually competing with them somewhere exotic in the world. I hope you are lucky enough as I to see his bright smile and eyes in person. He will leave a special imprint that you will forever remember.
Go get’em Kody!
Suzie Cooney, CPT
Suzie Trains Maui, LLC
The winning board in this race was the Naish 14′ Javelin LE. Learn more about the gear at https://www.naishsurfing.com
photo by Richard Hallman: https://www.freelanceimaging.com
Feel free to drop Kody a comment here and cheer him on for the rest of his summer racing adventures. He’s got a full menu of races leading up to the prestigious action at Turtle Bay this October.
