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Gabe Capodanno (Seaside Park, NJ)
My name is Gabe Capodanno. I am 35 years old veterinarian and an SUP rider from Seaside Park, New Jersey. I am happily married and I have 2 kids, Kate and Kyle. I can honestly say that SUP riding has changed my life.
I first saw a guy riding an SUP while surfing at San Clemente Pier on a trip to So California last April. Upon returning to NJ I went on "you tube" and also googled SUP riding and I knew I had to try it. At the time no one at my local surf break was doing this. It took me weeks to even find a surf shop that carried such a board. By May I was up and riding. Initially I considered it something to do when the surf was too small or mushy to ride my 6'10 thruster or 9'0 longboard. It helped me to shake off the disappointment of poor surf and was much more fun than going running or cycling for exercise. As my skills got better in the surf, I became completely hooked. I have not been able to lay down on a board in over 6 months. . .
Unfortunately, I broke my first SUP on a sandbar by getting caught inside after an awesome ride last labor day with sets well overhead. However, that just gave me an excuse to buy a smaller SUP more suited for surfing. I now ride a 10'3" Paddlesurf Hawaii All-Arounder. I love this board! It has brought my SUP surfing to a whole new level. I can now make later drops, smoother bottom turns and use less effort to do a top turn off the lip.
In NJ the wave faces are often steep and it takes a lot of rocker to make late drops. This board holds up well even in the bigger, overhead conditions. I consider SUP surfing more of an extension of short boarding than longboarding. I can do far more on my SUP than I ever could on a longboard. Yet, I can catch many more waves than I ever could on a short board. To this day I only see 2 other guys riding an SUP in my area. At this time, they do mostly paddling and less surfing. I am sure it will catch on more and more over time.
I often wonder why I am even keeping my conventional boards around. I guess mainly for sentimental reasons. It is possible the kids will use them when they get older.
I purchase all of my SUP equipment from Terry at Island Surf and Sail in in Brant Beach, NJ. I purchase all my other surfing gear from Mike at Right Coast Surf Shop in Seaside Park, NJ.
My home surf break is in Seaside Park, NJ anywhere from 5th to 9th streets. It all depends on the sand bar that day. I will also occasionally paddle down to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights. Great sand bar near the pier but often large crowds on good days. I hopeful that and SUP division will be added to surf competitions in the Northeast as this sport catches on around here.
Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures surfing larger waves as my wife (and photographer) usually stays home with the kids on those days. For now, it is unlikely I will convince her to take any pictures this winter as the air temp is usually in the 30's with howling off shore winds on the good days. However, I made her promise to take pictures on bigger days this spring and summer.
Thanks for sharing the stoke Gabe! And, thanks to your wife for wielding the camera. Looking forward to some more East Coast shots. Peace.
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May 24, 2011
209.50.153.237