Hawaiian watermen and women have set up a non-profit association to promote distance paddle training. Known as Stand Up Paddle Association of Hawaii' - aka SUPAH. Initially SUPAH will be conducting novice training days and distance paddle instruction through accomplished paddlers such as Dave Parmenter, Morgan Hoesterey, Todd Bradley, Jim Howe and Doug Lock.

The initial sessions are to be conducted on:

1/24/09 Paddling Technique 1 and Ocean Safety
2/21/09 Paddling Technique 2
3/7/09 Open Ocean Paddling and Bump Riding
4/18/09 Equipment and Mock Race
5/24/09 Maunalua SUP Ocean Clean Up (see blog)
5/30/09 Kaimana Run and Graduation Party

At this point the race season starts so its a good opportunity for new paddlers to try out some of the techniques they will have learnt.

The Paddle Clinics are scheduled on the Saturdays with no Kanaka Ikaika racing. Start time will be a nice and early 7:30am and they are expected to go on for around two to three hours. The format will include instruction and personal tuition along with the chance to try various race SUP boards. These will be held at Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai.

SUPAH are pleased to announce that they will also be doing community service projects such as shoreline and ocean cleanups using stand up paddleboards and will also be conducting public awareness and educational campaigns on SUP safety and surfing etiquette.

We congratulate the movers and shakers behind this organization and wish them all the best in their endeavours to bring stand up Aloha to the masses.