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The GoPro Stand Up Paddle Phenomenon and Superheroes |
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By: Nate Burgoyne, Editor
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Saturday, 20 June 2009 |
It seems inevitable that every stand up paddler eventually makes plans to get a GoPro or like camera mounted on at least one board. Even before GoPro introduced an affordable surfboard mounted camera to the market, stand up paddlers were rigging up cameras with suction cups, duct tape, and nuts and bolts from the hardware store in an attempt to capture stand up paddle moments on video. GoPro style SUP videos are found all over YouTube, blogs, and websites. It's an interesting phenomenon and I’ve got a theory why: stand up paddle superheroes.
I’m not talking about capes and masks, although Ikaika Kalama wore them well at a recent contest, I’m talking about the average stand up paddler so stoked on the sport that it’s only natural to want to capture it on video and share it with others. And, it’s reciprocal stoke because stand up paddlers are equally as thrilled to see some really good stand up paddle videos and mind surf waves from around the world as they are to share their own.
Now, what’s this superhero business all about? I’ve had a theory for some time now that I’ve discussed with several other sup surfers who have all agreed with the idea, and that is that every stand up paddler is secretly their own stand up paddle superhero. Now, lets have a look into the lives of two of our heroes…
With stick in hand and camera mounted on his board, our hero, Boatdock Paddle Man, ventures out into the harbor in the calm of the morning to be confronted unexpectedly by Mr. Strongcurrent. Mr. Strongcurrent is the evil undercurrent that sucks unsuspecting boaters and paddlers out to open waters even when there’s no wind at all. With prowess and planning, our hero puts technique and strength together to paddle from the boat ramp to the snack bar on the other side of the marina for a cinnamon and sugar churro and a Diet Coke without falling in, not even once. He celebrates in the shade at a little table near the boat dock under a red, white and blue umbrella. Victory!
On the other side of the universe, Boatdock Paddle Man’s super sister, Super Staci Wavecharger, arrives at the beach one morning greeted by epic big wave surf in her own backyard. After a quick adjustment to her board mounted camera, she paddles out to the lineup. Our hero drops into a big one. Racing down the line, she comes face to face with her conniving nemesis, Dr. Closeoutsection. As the dastardly doctor threatens to smash Super Staci Wavecharger with the lip of a close out wave, break her board, and suck her paddle away to the ocean depths below. In a split second, our hero has to choose between straightening out and letting the whitewater crash behind her or taking the highline on the wave with the hopes of making the section and possibly getting barreled. She cross-steps to the nose and chooses to take the highline. With that slick cross-step super-move she picks up speed rocketing down the line as the lip loops over her shoulder and she comes clean to the channel unscathed by Dr. Closeoutsection. Victory!
Later that evening Boatdock Paddle Man and Super Staci Wavecharger upload their top secret GoPro videos of the day’s action through their secret communication device (computer) and share their experiences and victories with each other, both equally stoked on the other’s accomplishments.
Stand up paddling is one little victory after another, little victories that are seemingly insignificant to others yet mean the world to the paddler. With affordable board mounted cameras, every paddle hero can now record their superhero feats and visually relive the moment.
That’s my theory. Leave a comment and let me know if you’ve ever felt the same…and if you’ve already got your own personal super hero name picked out, reveal it…if you dare. Happy paddling my superfriends. Aloha.
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GEAR INSIGHTS 
December 05, 2010
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