|
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dave Chun (Kialoa Paddles) Part 4 of 4 |
|
|
|
|
By: Stand Up Paddle Surfing Magazine
|
|
Saturday, 15 December 2007 |
- The Future of the Sport - SUP Heritage - Integrity - Smiles -
SUPSURFMAG: From the perspective of an industry leader like yourself and Kialoa, where is the sport headed?
DAVE: You know, I have no idea. I gotta say, right now, I think a lot of what’s happening is people are seeing opportunity to make money and they’re diving into this thing. I hope I’m wrong.
I hope the people who are involved understand that we’ve been kind of given a gift from the Ancient Hawaiians and we’ve got to take care of this thing. We have to make sure that in out zeal to make money we also nurture the sport and encourage new people to come in.
Also, we don’t want to piss off the regular board surfers. We don’t want to create a them-and-us kind of situation. We’ve got to make sure we’re respectful of what they’re doing.
I hope it just doesn’t go to everything being punched out, cheap cookie cutter stuff. I think there’s a real heritage in the Polynesian paddle sports and the surf industry where we have artisan craftsmen who make things and constantly are evolving the sport with their custom made things.
There’s nothing wrong with production stuff. You have to have the right people behind production things so that, when they feel that an innovation should be moved forward in the product, that they’ll put it in there even though it might cost them a few bucks. Or, if they’ve got a piece of crap out there, they take the thing off the market. All it does is frustrate new people to use junk stuff. So, I hope we’re responsible with all this.
SUPSURFMAG: If there is one thing that you could communicate to stand up paddlers around the world, what would that one thing be?
DAVE: Don’t take yourself seriously. Go out. Have fun. Don’t worry about being good. Just go out there and do it and if you’ve got a smile on your face it’s a good thing.
SUPSURFMAG: Great. Dave, thanks for your time. The insights you’ve given us are just awesome. And where can people go to find out more about Kialoa?
DAVE: Well, KIALOA.COM. We got a website and you can check in there. We also have a list of dealers probably in your area. Thanks for your time Nate.
SUPSURFMAG: Alright, thanks Dave.
 |
