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Chile has been added as one of the surf-laden countries across the globe where the seeds of stand up paddle surfing are sprouting, soon to be in full bloom. Arnaud Frennet is one one of the stand up paddle pioneers in the South American country of Chile and has given us a look into the beginnings for stand up paddle surfing in the land of endless coastline. Arnaud is has lived all over the world from Belgium to France, Denmark, Canary Islands, Baja, Hawaii, and finally Chile where he met a local girl and found his home. They are a surfing family whose eldest daughter recently competed in a local Chilean contest. Arnaud is an avid stand up paddler. SUPSURFMAG: Where are you located
and what kind of surf do you have locally?
ARNAUD: I live in
Chile’s top wine country, Colchagua Valley, but have a beach house in Punta de
Lobos, an hour and half away, where we spend every weekend. Punta de Lobos has
become quite famous in the last years since chilean surfer Diego Medina won the
Monster Paddle XXL award riding a huge wave there. The spot handles all size of
swells, tiny to huge, and is generally very consistent. Water is freezing
cold...air temperature is also quite fresh.
SUPSURFMAG: How has stand up paddling grown in your area?
ARNAUD: Well, I guess it is too early to reply to this question. The first boards arrived beginning of this year...the paddles 2 months after...and apparently not more than 5 boards have been sold so far.
I personally started in January, very likely the first one in the whole country...but already fully addicted now.
SUPSURFMAG: Where did you come across stand up paddling and how did you get your equipment?
ARNAUD: I used to compete in Wave Windsurfing (still occasionally do), and obviously came to surfing as a complement to keep riding every day. But as I live far from the beach I really wanted to get the most of each day I was there and sometimes conditions are not very good for neither windsurfing nor surfing...therefore I started kayak surfing...then 2 years ago saw a SUP photo on the internet and went crazy about it. Unfortunately I’ve had to wait 2 years almost to get my first board...
My first paddle I had to buy it in California on a business trip, and broke it on my second session! I am currently using a very heavy custom made paddle.
Luckily now you can find boards and paddles in Santiago.
SUPSURFMAG: How is the future looking for SUP in Chile?
ARNAUD: I guess there will be more and more, and hope it will grow in all directions, not just for waveriding. We have so many lakes and fjords in Patagonia, etc... Chile was designed for outdoor activities. Stand up paddling will naturally grow here also. SUPSURFMAG: What else would you like to say to stand up paddlers worldwide? ARNAUD: I first came up to SUP as an alternative for small and bad wave days...but quickly realize how well it performs in perfect conditions and especially when big...
I still love surfing but feel I have to force myself to grab my surfboard instead of my SUP one, is that curable? In our opinion, it isn't curable. Sorry Arnaud, you're hooked with the rest of us. Arnaud also mentioned that the growth in Chile is a little slower at the moment because of the high price of the boards. Supply rules demand and soon enough there will be more affordable boards in Chile and other South American countries. Thanks again to to Arnaud Frennet for the inside scoop on the the Chilean stand up paddle scene. Hasta luego!
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March 04, 2009
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