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  • Fri, June 02, 2023 9:36 AM | Kristin Thomas (Administrator)

    by Grant Cooper

    (founding Board Member)

    Photo by Author - Utah Lake Storm 06/02/2023

    Living in the high desert area of Utah, Spring, albeit a late spring this year, and the transition into Summer is a time of afternoon thunderstorms and unpredictable winds.

    This of course brings additional challenges to planning and enjoying time on the water paddleboarding.

    A worst case scenario in windy conditions is becoming separated from your paddleboard. The paddleboard is your biggest flotation device in adverse conditions. 

    Leashes, and your understanding and use of them, can prevent separation from your paddleboard and potentially tragic outcomes from your paddle sessions.

    In addition to taking the time to evaluate weather conditions, checking forecasts, checking flags that may be out on your journey to the water, observing the water and clouds, and then assessing your ability to paddle in those conditions, your leash should be the first piece of equipment you reach for once you have decided to paddle out.

    But are all leashes created equal ? I would like to share here, an article  from our friends at NZ SUP, more specifically Bill Dawes, the NZ SUP Safety Officer. 

    https://www.sup.org.nz/safety/leashes/

    Unfortunately it is becoming an all too common occurrence for paddlers to be caught out in conditions which can change in an instance.

    So if you are paddling and see someone with a leash dragging in the water behind the board, politely recommend they attach it to themselves and explain why.

    And if you are a paddler that does not wear one, I shall leave you with this thought a race director shared with his competitors a number of years ago.

    "As a race director I cannot force you to wear a leash, there is no law that says you must, but I would ask that you remember, each time you go out on your board you are an ambassador for your sport. You get to choose how you represent that sport" 

  • Wed, May 03, 2023 8:30 AM | Kristin Thomas (Administrator)

    by Grant Cooper

    As humans, we are social creatures, and we thrive in communities. Our sense of belonging and connection to others plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. In modern times, the definition of community has expanded to include not just physical neighborhoods, but also the coming together of people based on shared interests, values, and goals.

    One of the fundamental values of a community is the desire to help others in need. This innate human instinct can be traced back to our evolutionary history, where cooperation and mutual aid were necessary for survival. Today, this instinct manifests in various forms, but visibly in acts of kindness and generosity throughout our paddle community.

    Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Southern Utah and participate in the Dig Paddlesports "Paddle Poker" community event.

    Each year Bill and Michelle Ennis, Owner / Operators of Dig Paddlesports in Hurricane, Utah, organize and run this event, which is a fun paddle around Quail Creek Lake to card stations, some of which are floating and some on shore, where you pick up a playing card to complete your hand. Each hand gets a donated spot prize based on make up of the hand, ie a pair, 2 pairs, Flush etc.  

    So a lot of fun for the paddlers of all skills and craft, in typically beautiful Southern Utah weather.

    You can see some images from the 2023 Paddle Poker here :- https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrL-TvqMxuI

    What makes this event special however, is this year, as in previous years, ALL monies raised (entries and silent auctions) was donated to a local family in need.

    This year all proceeds benefited a local family battling cancer. The recipient was Andon Mitchell from St George, Utah.

    Family members were also out at the event, and some even paddled. 

    So like many others in our wonderful paddling community, Bill and Michelle are taking their passion for paddling, rallying the community around this event and donating to a worthy cause in service of others. 

    The event was a success, and it not only raised much-needed funds to help Andon and his family, but also served as a reminder of the importance of community and our human desire to help others in need.


    If you would like to join a local community to make a positive impact, reach out to your local paddling communities at USA SUP. Here you will find resources to get you started.

    Or if you know of existing members, selflessly helping others in need through their passion for SUP, drop us a note at stories@usasup.org and let us know so we can give them a shout out.

  • Tue, February 28, 2023 10:16 AM | Kristin Thomas (Administrator)

    by Grant Cooper

    In modern sports psychology there is an assertion you should "enjoy the journey, the process and not focus just on the goal".

    It is of course based on sound principles, that the emotion of a single event / goal will flourish but then ebb and be gone within a moment while a journey provides a lifetime of lessons and learning, not only about life but you, yourself as well.

    However it is equally sound to argue that "if you don't know where you are going, you can never be lost".

    Eight, or maybe nine, years ago, every time I drove past a body of water, I would see people out enjoying themselves on paddleboards and a dream was born. I knew I wanted to do this, and could do this, so the journey began...

    Soon after, I had my first inflatable board and was off and running, or paddling, towards my dream.

    I very quickly learned about "enjoying the journey / process", as like many others my first attempts to paddle were very humbling..... and wet. But through this journey I have never lost sight of what it was I personally believed I could achieve. 

    I knew then, and still now know, that one day I could wear my country's colors, my national flag, and win a medal at a World Masters SUP Event.

    It will be, and is, hard work, but that dream and your "why" will fuel the flames of your efforts on your journeys path, and ultimately your growth as an athlete and person.

  • Wed, February 01, 2023 11:02 AM | Kristin Thomas (Administrator)

    14 Life Lessons My 14ft Race Board Taught Me

    by Kyle Kushner

    1. GET A NEW PERSPECTIVE

    I like to go about a mile offshore and look back at the city. So quiet and peaceful from out there. It always recharges me with a  new perspective. Sometimes we must physically remove ourselves from the chaos and the noise to gain a new clear perspective. It helps give a new way of looking at any situation or circumstance.

    2. CHARGE AS HARD AS YOU CAN

    When I race, there’s always someone in front of me and behind me. It doesn’t matter where we are at any moment. What matters is that we know we are doing our best. ALWAYS do your best. Charge as hard as you can. Win or lose; knowing you did your best is all that matters.

    3. STAY BALANCED

    On a race board in the ocean, this is imperative for obvious reasons but in daily life; we must constantly remind ourselves. Work, relationships, health, and family can all be so overwhelming. Always give what you can but make room for what you need. Take an assessment. What have you been neglecting? What needs some attention, and what needs less?

    4. VALUE YOUR LEASH

    My leash has saved my life a few times. They can be a pain, but I was sure happy I had one when I needed it. Value your friends and all your loved ones. They can be such a lifeline at times when we need help. Let them know when you need them and show them you care.

    5. KNOW YOUR DIRECTION

    It’s usually best to plan your route when paddling and when navigating life. Have purpose and intent on where you are headed. Define for yourself where you’d like to go and why, then, again, do your best to get there.

    6. HAVE GRATITUDE

    Sometimes it is actually good to stop charging too hard on and off the water. We must stop and smell the roses (or sometimes the pelican poop, haha). There is beauty all around. If we move too fast, we might miss it. Find an appreciation in all the little things you usually take for granted. 

    7. FLOW WITH THE TIDE, NOT AGAINST IT

    When I find the tide’s flow direction, I go faster and with more ease. Resisting flow causes conflict. Be willing to have acceptance for how things are going, good or bad. Don’t resist. Find the momentum and go with it. Life has funny ways of letting us know it’s time for a change. When we don’t fight it, we give way to new opportunities.

    8. EYES UP!

    When paddling, always keep your eyes up. We lose sight of what’s in front of us when looking down. This is dangerous on the water, and it’s counterproductive in life. With your eyes up, you’ll make informed decisions and see the obstacles that may be in front of you.

    9. HYDRATE

    Always stay hydrated when paddling so your body and mind stay optimized for performance. Hydrate your body and mind regularly with exercise (and water, of course) to remain optimized in life. You’ll feel better, sleep better, and perform better.

    10. HAVE SELF-AWARENESS

    Certain conditions on the water call for truly being aware of one’s level of ability and skill. It can actually be a matter of life or death. In daily life, we must work on having self-awareness for different reasons, but they are equally as important. Be conscious of yourself and your actions. Have an awareness of yourself to be more thoughtful and less reactive. When we make rash or impulsive decisions, we lack the self-awareness that might otherwise tell us to choose more wisely.

    11. WEAR SUNSCREEN

    Just wear sunscreen. That’s it. 

    12. GET PLENTY OF SLEEP

    Rest and sleep are so vital for racing and for performing in life. Always prioritize rest and sleep. You’ll never be at your best without it. You’ll also live a longer, healthier life, so get plenty of sleep.

    13. HAVE FUN

    Yes, races are competitive and can get serious, but at the end of the day, it’s just a race. You can’t win them all, so lighten up, have fun, and enjoy life. You don’t have to be so serious all of the time. Everything’s not a competition, and remember, we’re all on our own paths.

    14. NEVER GIVE UP

    When the storm clouds roll in, and the wind picks up, pushing you out to sea, you can never give up.

    When you lose your job, or your business, or your home burns down, or the person you love says they don’t love you anymore, or you lose a friend, or you lose a family member, or your bank account goes negative, or your car won’t start, or your child pushes you away, or that bully embarrasses you, or the doctor says it’s not good, or you feel completely alone, or you have no more energy left, or you feel like you can’t get out of bed, or you feel worthless, or you feel like your world is imploding, or you feel like you can’t go on, NEVER NEVER EVER GIVE UP.


    Remember life is always flowing with the tide, and the tides are always changing.

    Don’t resist, just flow and know it’s always only just a moment.

    Moments change, and they pass.

    Life will go in so many directions that we cannot control.

    But, if we flow and never give up, we’ll always inevitably find our way back to the shore.

    Be well and live well my friends,

    Kyle G. Kushner

    Kyle is a web designer and owner of KGK Digital.

    ( He recently built a site for PRO SUP SHOP - check it out! )



  • Wed, February 01, 2023 7:13 AM | Kristin Thomas (Administrator)

    Paddleboarding alone,

    On calm blue waters I roam,

    Nature's symphony surrounds,

    Peaceful mind, my soul astounds.

    Breathing deep, I close my eyes,

    The sun, a gentle warm surprise,

    Wind whispers secrets on my face,

    A smile, I cannot replace.

    With each stroke, I feel alive,

    Free from worries, free from strife,

    Just me, the board and the sea,

    A moment of pure serenity.

    Dan Smith is a race director & owner of Paddling Paradise in Palm Bay, Florida



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