It’s my sincere pleasure to introduce you to one of my new clients and new inspirations to Maui’s stand up paddle scene, Sasha Kinloch. Like many who enter the sport they discover that it’s amazing way to achieve a superior level of fitness, it’s a great cross training tool, or like Sasha they learn that this could be their newest healthy obsession!
I believe all of my clients are unique and often teach me more than I offer them. Sasha is an interesting blend of high energy, intense focus and has a way of visualizing exactly what her goals are. For a trainer, that makes my job easy!
Her base of fitness is already on the higher side which can only help her achieve her goals faster and with greater success. She wants to compete in all of Maui’s races, which are mostly downwinders. Her first race was the recent OluKai Ho’olaule’a. I didn’t get to meet her until the event, and learned that that day was her first time down Maliko! What a day that was for everyone. And here we are.
When I meet a person like Sasha and I see that fire in her eyes, I feel the need to pull the reigns in ever so gently to be sure she will enjoy every step of the way and not rush the “process” of putting her time in on the water. Nothing can compare to pure paddling time, getting worked and tumbled now and then, as the time spent on the water is the real training ground. People often ask me how many miles they need to run or cycle to equal number of miles on the water for distance or catching bumps or glides, and I simply say, “just time on the water.” There really is no way to measure that.
I asked Sasha a few questions as to why she’s taken with the sport of SUP and I hope it will inspire you to set new goals or maybe enter your first local race.
What is the best health benefit you fill stand up paddling gives you? Sasha writes, “SUP provides a whole body workout combined with the intimate connection to the ocean that feeds my soul. I appreciate the way SUP has developed endurance in my arms, while at the same time engaging my core and legs. As a collegiate athlete I settled into running as an adult because it was an efficient way to stay in shape in the midst of a busy life. Now SUP has become my focus because of the total body workout it provides along with the dynamic ocean experience.”
What is it about the sport of SUP that draws you to it? Is the rush of the downwind glide? The freedom of exploring? The challenge of the sport itself? Sasha shares: “I love the way that paddling changes daily with the temperament of the ocean, wind, and weather. The connection to sea life that SUP provides is unlike anything I’ve experienced. On any given morning I can be delighted with joining a pod of dolphins for a swim, slipping smoothly along with the mantas feeding below, or admiring a humpback mother and calf lounging in the open ocean.
What draws me to the sport of SUP is the unique camaraderie and community I observed firsthand during the Naish World Championships in Maui last year. As I watched the start at Maliko Gulch, I stood side by side with family members of competitors from all over the world. At the finish line I watched the first-place finishers complete the race and witnessed the crowd cheer, hours later, as the last few racers crossed the line. While the athletes were fiercely competitive, they laughed together, and celebrated the success of their peers. It was obvious these world-class competitors had developed deep friendships and mutual respect for one another. I wanted to earn a place in their ranks and at least be able to complete the race with them.”
If you had a message to inspire others to try a race or competition, what could you say you like about that aspect? Sasha: “What I love about the competitions is that as a novice, I paddle side-by-side (at the start anyway) with the best paddlers in the world. It is unique to this sport is that if I can be trained for a Maui downwinder, I can join the world-class elite in their competition. At the starting line I can paddle side-by-side with the best in the world…then watch them paddle away as I settle in for a couple hours of ocean adventure.”
In closing she also adds, ” I recently moved from the mainland and have been drawn to the ocean my whole life. Every morning when I get to the beach, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to enjoy the ocean. SUP has provided the perfect outlet for me to enjoy a comprehensive workout, and feed my craving for the connection to the ocean.”
I will continue to help Sasha where she needs me but for the most part, she’s putting in lots of water time. Her base of fitness really helps her get a kick start to the cardio aspect of the racing. We’re working on footwork transitions and I’m encouraging her to get as much time as possible to paddle surf small waves so she can transfer that to catching more bumps and glides.
I’m training Sasha with the Indo Board Gigante Flo Cushion, combined with the Kicktail Pro and/or Rocker Board. You can order yours here. Any questions on what’s the best gear for you, feel free to email me through this website. I have also suggested she keep a paddling log that records time on the water, conditions that day, time, average HR and distance.
So, if you see this bright, cheery person out in the harbor going hard give an “Aloha” and welcome her to the club. We are all here to help each other . The ocean is our best teacher and after each session we graduate to the next level.
If you’re thinking of stepping up your SUP performance and you’re on Maui or planning to visit to increase your SUP performance, I’m available to help. I can offer you studio strengthening and/or water coaching. Please contact me well in advance.
I have a full quiver of Naish SUP gear. I also recommend for the best in protection and paddle performance, the BlueSmiths Paddle shirt. And to find all the bumps and glides,slip on a pair of Kaenon Polarized Soft Cores.
Hey, drop a line to welcome Sasha to our SUP ohana or share this link with a friend or two.
Aloha,
Suzie Cooney, CPT
Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC
