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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Blane Chambers of Paddle Surf Hawaii (Part 3 of 3) |
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By: Stand Up Paddle Surfing Magazine
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Monday, 31 December 2007 |
- The Future - The Greatness - Starting Out - The Future - Shout Outs -
SUPSURFMAG:What does Paddle Surf Hawaii have in store for the future?
BLANE:Same plan as day one. Build the best boards we can that are state of the art to help people elevate their performance levels… Another thing is we finally have boards to sell on a larger scale than just customs to friends and team riders. Shops all over the country will have the opportunity to carry our stuff. We’ll be at the Surf Expo in Florida to debut our new production boards. It’s exciting… It’s just so nice to have product instead of only customs.
People often ask, "What is it about stand up paddle surfing that makes it so great?" How do you answer that question when other surfers ask you that when you're out in the water?
For me it’s by far the most enjoyable thing I’ve ever done. I lost over 40 lbs when I started. I like the fact that just paddling out and trying to stay balanced going over whitewater etc takes your complete attention. From the time you leave the beach the focus level on the task at hand is 100%.
If you’re just paddling around flat water then maybe the attention is not as intense but the scenery grabs you… All the things to look at both in the water and out from the standing perspective is awesome. You don’t need to have waves to challenge yourself… You can just paddle around then do a kick turn and it’s a challenge. Cool to always be checking out the sites too… It’s an amazing workout that isn’t a boring grind like the gym.
SUPSURFMAG:What advice can you give for someone just starting out?
BLANE:Make sure you know how to swim. However far out you go you should be able to swim that far in if needed. Best thing to do is just paddle around in flat, calm water. Stay away from the surf. When you build up your muscles and you have skills to maneuver the board around while paddling only then should you attempt to surf, go to a spot where no one is near you.
Always remember the safety of yourself and others. I always have hard headed people that go straight into the surf and struggle. They get humbled real quick. Paddle, paddle, paddle in flat, calm water. It’s the best thing by far. Be patient and paddle hard, it will come to you. Stay away from the surf till you are a good paddler. Don’t buy a massive board unless you’re a really big person. The novice SUP surfer on a massive board in the surf with others is the number one most dangerous aspect of SUP surfing. All these shops selling massive boards to hurry people into the surf because of the stability is a big mistake if you ask me. Paddle flat, calm water on the right board till you’re ready for surfing and no sooner is the safest best way to go.
SUPSURFMAG:In your opinion, where is stand up paddle surfing headed?
BLANE:Companies like Paddle Core Fitness will be teaching people how to get and stay healthy with their unreal concepts on using the SUP boards for training in flat water. Top level athletes etc will use SUP training for their workouts. Its going to be mainstream in every body of water. Lakes, rivers, ponds, canals etc.
Out in the surf, you’ll see more and more people ripping. Not just wiggle waggle but full carving moves with style. More tube riding in critical waves. More giant wave riding. More stylish nose riding… Just a much higher level of great surfing in general than what you are seeing now. Its progressing fast. You’ll be seeing plenty top level known surfers getting way into it. I just spent a few days talking and surfing with Tom Carroll. He’s like a kid so stoked on SUP. Gerry Lopez is another one who lights up when talking about it and how fun it is. I won’t go into names but there are plenty well known surfers already deeply committed to SUP surfing.
SUPSURFMAG:If there was one message that you could send out to sup surfers here in the Hawaiian Islands what would that be?
BLANE:Surf with Aloha. Be aware of what you are doing and how you are impacting the lineup you’re in. Sit out a few sets. Sit down between sets. Relax. Don’t be the jerk wave hog.
SUPSURFMAG:If there was one message that you could send out to sup surfers world wide what would that be?
BLANE:Same as above… Don’t be a wave hog. Surf with Aloha.
SUPSURFMAG:What else would you like to tell us about Paddle Surf Hawaii?
BLANE:Galen Miura, Austin Yonehiro and Duane Caringer need to be mentioned for their hard work and commitment to the company. I’d like to thank my wife and kids for being so supportive. Also all our friends and family for the words of encouragement. The vendors and suppliers that are cool to work with. Most of all, the unreal customers who are so stoked and been very supportive. No customers, no company. I love getting the call saying how stoked they are on our boards. I love stoking people out.
SUPSURFMAG:
Will you keep us posted on the latest from Paddle Surf Hawaii?
BLANE:Of course.
SUPSURFMAG:Where can people get more info about Paddle Surf Hawaii's mission and surfboards?
BLANE:www.paddlesurfhawaii.com
END PART 3 OF 3
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