“ Kudos to Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui and Tommy Callan of Beach Boy Events for putting on a wonderful, free stand-up paddling event for women Jan. 9.
They pulled together an amazing array of sponsors and helping hands to put women out on the water, some of us for the first time on a stand-up paddle board. As one of those beginners, I felt very well cared for, even though on the day of this event – with some 300 women and their boards showing up on the beach in front of the Four Seasons Resort – there was a serious shore break.
In addition to putting on a great fitness-oriented program with a slew of prizes for participants, Suzie and Tommy seemed to have pulled in a significant portion of the stand-up community on Maui to help. I especially appreciated the “board caddies,” a bunch of very fit and helpful gentlemen, who helped us with our boards and got us safely in and out of that hairy shore break.
Although I spent a lot more time in the water and climbing back onto my board than I did standing up, I had a great time, and I hope the event raised lots of funds for the American Breast Cancer Foundation.”
Thank you Jill for your kind words and comments about the board caddies and all the volunteers, and especially the Four Seasons Resort Maui who contributed hugely to the day’s success and fun. We’re all so glad you attended and particiated in all the fun!
It was a joy to meet Susanne and learn of her journey to Maui for our special day. Her genuine, warm smile was contagious. As an experienced SUP paddler, she even brought her own board and her passion for the sport was quite obvious!
Her professional interests are in integrative and lifestyle medicine- specializing in chronic illnesses, allergies, environmental medicine, nutrition and detoxification.
I really appreciate her kind words that she wrote and I wanted to share the following:
“Hi Suzie and Tommy,
Suzie, as promised here is some of my thoughts about the fabulous event that you created with Tommy.
The first information I received about your Stand up for Women and Health event was from my newsletter from www.supsurfmag.com. It was only one month away but I was determined to register and find some flights from SoCal to Maui! The location of the event in Wailea was perfect even with the intense shore break and Four Seasons Resort gave their best support and hospitality. From the moment I got to the registration booth I knew that it would be a very special day for me and that I would feel it close to my heart.
Everyone listened and received the beautiful Hawaiian chant and prayer, safety information and happily joined in on the warm-up exercises by Suzie. I could feel that each one of us ladies were here for many different purposes. We were all from different ages groups, nationalities and athletic levels and were here to feel the love and joy for ourselves, women and well being. I was honored to be in this community of paddling waterwomen- we share and receive energy, vitality and strength from the water.
The board caddies and all the volunteers provided safe launches into the water through the big waves as well as getting back to the beach after the paddle. I entered the long paddle headed by Anne-Marie Reichman and with so many women on the water, I felt this sense of oneness with the beautiful waters of Wailea as well with my feminine side- my non-competitive and loving side. What topped the day was the magical humpback whales breaching during our paddle to Makena Beach and back. We must have seem over 20 breaches and each one was so divine!
After we got back to shore, I felt so alive and peaceful. The Exhibitors and vendors gave out tasty drinks, food and information about their products. And it was so much fun for us to receive the donated gifts! They were awesome! Next year, I want to win the grand prize-a brand new SUP board!
Thank you Suzie and Tommy for providing this gathering, not only for the love of the water and paddling but also to bring awareness to our beautiful bodies and health. Stand up paddling is one of the best ways to keep your heart open and body strong which is a great start to prevention of all illnesses including cancer. Please count me in for next year’s Stand Up for Women and Health, I will definitely make a commitment to join you every year.”
Mahalo and Aloha,
Susanne
Dr. Susanne Bennett, CEO
Wellness For Life Center, www.drsusannebennett.com
PURIGENEX, www.purigenex.com
PurGlo, www.purglo.com
1821 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 300
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Clinic: 310.315.1514
PURIGENEX/PurGlo: 877.787.4469
STAND UP For Women’s Health & Fitness at the Four Seasons Resort Maui, January 9, 2010 was
photo by Simone Reddingius
definitely the place to be! Although the pounding West swell did keep some on the beach, for those who braved the over head-high beach break, everyone went in smiling and came out smiling! No injuries to report, only two broken boards.
Congratulations to all the women who so bravely participated. These women water warriors earned their stripes today for sure!
photo by Nicole Sanchez
It was quite a site! The beach covered with boards, groovy music; the buzz and adrenaline was everywhere. Besides the beautiful back drop of the waters of Maui with whale spouts appearing now and then, women of all ages from all over the globe were about to partake in a worthy cause to support women’s health and STAND UP to breast cancer. Since this was a FREE event, donations were and are encouraged through our website to support the American Breast Cancer Foundation.
Early before dawn, the army of volunteers, retail shops and sponsors appeared. Flags in the sand, tables up, tents up, and then the stage! Soon a sea of eager smiles with boards and paddles in hand began to appear, ready for a day of adventure and fun. The thought on everyone’s mind with the over head-high beach break was..” hmm this should be interesting!”
Photo by Nicole Sanchez
The day began with a beautiful blessing, delivered by Maui’s own Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaialii Jr. His words and heartfelt grace touched everyone and assured our day to be peaceful and safe.
photo by Nicole Sanchez
photo Nicole Sanchez
photo by Simone Reddingius
Groovy tunes by DJ DEL SOL and DJ CIA brought the women to a state of bliss as I prepared them for some dynamic stretching, light core work and modiefied strength training.
We were really fortunate to have Tiare Lawrence, C4’s pro rider who happens to be due any day with a
photo by nicole sanchez
new baby girl, come up on stage and do her paddle instruction and tell us why the ocean and stand up paddling is so important to her. She didn’t answer her cell phone today, so maybe her daughter has come!
With such a strong West swell, the beach was peeling fast with a huge over head-high beach break all the way across, and rolling swells behind it! At least 7-8 waves per set coming through with only small lulls in between and forget a safety channel. Nail biting, knee knocking for some and rightly so. Just in case we were fortunate to have on the waters as our safety patrol, North Shore Explorers that had a team of Clay Everline,MD. Mike Adrian to shoot the day and Chris and Todd as the captains.
Harry Donenfeld News correspondent of Harry Thankyou TV, geared up to get some fun water shots see below!
photo by Nicole Sanchez
photo by Simone Reddingius
Loch Eggers, big wave surfer and water safety specialist, made sure that safety was in the forefront of everyone’s mind. His team of board caddies, which included Milton, who tows from a helicopter; Robby Funk, Carlos M, Chris W, Bruce and Larry from Paia, Ian H, John and Michael Leake, Gary Tuttle, Ironman Phil McGain, Joel Edwards,Mark H, Jon Graham,
photo by Simone Reddingius
Dennis O, Lenny Cappe,
Phik McGain photo by Simone Reddingius
hero caddie by Simone Reddingius
Kevin Hager from Hawaiian Island Surf, Jeff from Big Kahuna, Ralf Sifford’s team from Second Wind, Nitzan and Dave from Naish and so many more heros made the day safe. Common sense, fast thinking and timing was critical. On the beach was Dr. Rick Sands and on the boat, Clay Everline, MD.
Teri, who held the front line in the registration tent writes, “It was truly an inspiring event and I am honored to have played even just a small part in this and would gladly volunteer again! The conditions were scary for beginners however the CADDIES rock as they made it all so much easier by being so on it. I sincerely congratulate the team for no injuries and for making it so safe! The DJs kept the party going and kept it happening!”
photo by Mike Adrian
Three paddle groups went out in stages. First group was the advanced group led by Starboard team rider, Anne-Marie Reichman. Down the south coast they went towards Makena and the small island of Molokini. I’m told that whales were spotted on their tour. Second group out, was mine. Beginner and intermediate as we went up towards Kihei. The water was pretty calm for the most part, with light variable winds.
The women had nice easy paddling styles.
photo by Mike Adrian
It was the time to push yourself a little and test your endurance. Last group out was our first timers. Wow, something they will never forget I’m sure. The pictures tell all.
The bay sweepers, which included the strong pro team rider for Starboard, Tiffany Ward
photo by Nicole
managed to calm the nerves of many and get them to their feet smiling. A big thank you to personal trainer, Anne Barnett of Haiku, water athlete Corrine, and another great instructor Jenny visiting from Big Island who works for Naish. Also on board to help, was Maui’s own Kalia Kelmenson, experienced water girl and personal trainer wrote, “My favorite moment of the day was paddling along next to a woman who was struggling a bit with her balance- I traded boards with her- she was so happy for that- come to find out she was from Rapanui, now living in Bora Bora- and I had such a great time chatting with her about one of my favorite places on the planet- French Polynesia- I got a terrific reminder about how small this world is, and the things that inspire us are consistent across cultures.”
photo by Simone Reddingius
After about an hour and a half or more of water time, refreshments provided by Recharge, Vita Coco, Sambazon, Guayaki and Luna Bar, along with fresh Maui grown fruit from Kula Fields were provided to help refuel. A big thank you to Snorkels for serving up some great turkey wraps and sandwhiches.
On stage next were three lovely inspirational guest speakers. Suki Halevi, a new resident to Maui who battles unseen neurologicial challenges, and who has conquered many physical obstacles through the sport of stand up paddling. Raw food specialist, Chef Susan Teton Campbell shared all her jewels about health and nutrition, and finally Rita Whitford not only a survivor to breast cancer, but has also survived colon and skin cancer. A delightful trio of women who opened their hearts and inspired many to stay healthy and be aware of their bodies.
By now everyone was ready to learn to hula. Wilmont brought along two lovely and beautiful Maui professional hula dancers to wow the crowd. Even the men on the beach joined in. Who said men can’t hula? Wilmont played his 12 string guiatar has he led the beach into histarics and giggles while we were moving to the tropical rythm. You should have seen Chris Wurtele from Haiku swaying his hips back and forth! Fun had by all.
Finally, to wind down the day the moment everyone had been waiting for, the amazing prize raffle.
photo by Simone Reddingius
Tommy worked very hard for many months to gather a huge amount of prizes to please everyone. After tossing a tub of Maui Jim t-shirts, towels and Recharge frisbees into the crowd,
photo Simone Reddingius
the big prizes were now up for many lucky winners. From a cool IndoBoard training board, to Kaenon sunglasses, a new 2010 “Pipes” Kialoa carbon fiber paddle, gift certificates from Athleta, a killer basket of Love Inside Out beauty products, to a dinner for two at The Four Seasons Resort restaurant, Ferraro’s Bar E Ristorante.
photo by Simone Reddingius
The grand prize, a spicy 9′8″ Starboard stand up paddle board was won by Elle who came to the event from Los Angeles. She wrote to the president of Starboard, “I cannot thank you enough for donating an SUP board to the STAND UP FOR WOMEN’S FITNESS event this past Saturday in Maui that Suzie Cooney and Tom Callan organized. I was jumping for joy when I won the grand prize…I couldn’t believe it! The event was amazing and inspiring to all – Wailea beach was packed with women of all ages and SUP levels…every participant I spoke with had a wonderful time. I flew out from Los Angeles for the event with a friend of mine and we loved it.
Suzie and Tom ran the event seamlessly – it appeared as though the event was in it’s 10th year with how organized and smoothly everything flowed. I was extremely impressed at their professionalism and I imagine that this event will become an annual tradition on Maui and hopefully elsewhere. Suzie and Tom were so gracious and patient with all of the volunteers and participants. I believe I can speak for everyone at the event when I say that Suzie is extremely inspiring to women. Everyone left Wailea beach with a smile, a new or re-ignited love for SUP, a greater passion for fitness and health, and an awareness for breast cancer.” Thanks Elle!
Well, as the emails and photos pour in, there is much to share and do. Tommy and I would like to thank the community of Maui, the amazing team at the Four Seasons Resort Maui, our dear friends and volunteers, sponsors and those who traveled from far away places to contribute to such an inspiring, contagious day of joy and health. New friends were made, water fears conquered and we all discovered just how powerful one sport, that anyone can enjoy almost anywhere in the world; can bring such a dynamic group together for a good cause.
Keep the donations coming in! Stay tuned to this site for hundreds of more photos.
STAND UP for your health each and everyday. The ocean, our health and friendships are always free.
Aloha Everyone! I’d like to introduce Tiffany Ward, Pro Team Rider for Starboard will be attending and assisting for STAND UP For Women’s Healthy & Fitness January 9th, 2010 at the Four Seasons Resort. This girl and rip and did you know she is also a famous culinary artist and gourmet chef?
TIffany has kindly offered to volunteer her water woman skills to coach our gals in the water and offer a friendly tip or two. She is a great instructor and is always smiling with great enthusiasm. She is an inspiration to us all and we are stoked for her to join us.
Here’s a little more information about Tiffany:
Tiffany started windsurfing at a young age(5hrs.) in Utah and Oregon. Thanks to her parents, who are both avid windsurfers themselves, she became quiet the sailing enthusiast. Her passion and drive for windsurfing launched her into a professional windsurfing career. After graduating from Culinary school, she moved to Maui and begin touring on the PWA World tour. Competing on the World tour for a couple years, she found Maui to offer the best conditions and arena to excel in.
Being a part of the Pro Star-board team, Tiffany has access to many of the new SUP boards and prototype’s. A new comer to the sport of SUP, she quickly embraced the up and coming sport with open arms.
”SUP is a good intro to the ocean for new comers and provide an excellent workout/training for all water-enthusiast”.
Not only is Tiffany a professional Windsurfer and water women, she is a Gourmet Chef as well. Tiffany has a degree in culinary arts from the CCA in San Francisco, CA and is the owner of Maui Catering Services. (www.mauicateringservices.com) Providing excellent food and service for weddings, retreats, and private clientele…
Tiffany writes, “Living and Playing in Maui has been a dream come true. Maui’s
lifestyle has turned me into a true Water-Women and I love it… ”
Tiffany is a beauty! She inspires many and I’m sure she’ll inspire you too!
She is sponsored by:
Starboard
Severne sail
Dakine
Chinook
Pakaloha suits
MCS
A big mahalo Tiff for making our day extra special!
Thanks to Malika Dudley of KGMB 9 News, and Todd Bradley of C4 for supporting our event. Here’s a quick video of the live news segment, yesterday December 30th, 2009. If the videos don’t work on your computer click here:
Posted: Dec 30, 2009 9:52 AM Updated: Dec 30, 2009 9:55 AM
Featured Videos
STAND UP For Women’s Health I – see 1st video above
STAND UP For Women’s Health II – see 2nd video above
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Stand up paddling has become the newest craze for fitness enthusiasts. An event on Maui, has women “getting on their feet” to support the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Malika is live at Ala Moana beach with details.
Come celebrate women’s health and fitness through the sport of stand up paddling, listen to inspirational guest speakers, meet women pro SUP riders, Tiare Lawrence and Anne-Marie Reichman, support The American Breast Cancer Foundation, learn to hula, and win amazing prizes from our official sponsors just for participating.
Stand Up for Women’s Health and Fitness at the Four Seasons Wailea on Maui. This event is a Free, non- competitive, women’s stand up paddling event. “The Four Season’s is the ideal location to introduce Stand Up Paddling to beginning enthusiasts. It has a beautiful beach and its calm, clear waters offer the ideal, safe paddling conditions. Plus it’s on Maui, the best place in the world! You might even see a few sea turtles and whales!” says professional instructor and event co-host Tommy Callan of Beach Boy Events.
Due to the overwhelming response, the cut off date to register for this event, STAND UP For Women’s Health & Fitness Event, January 9, 2010, will be Thursday, January 7, 2010.
We will take walk up registrations, but only until 8:30am. The table will then close. The event begins at 8:30am
I’d like to introduce to you Anne-Marie Reichman, professional team rider for Starboard to lead the long distance paddle for STAND UP For Women’s Health & Fitness Event, at the Four Seasons Resort Maui, Wailea Beach, January 9, 2010.
She is a delight and really rips! As a professional water woman, her experience will be welcomed and an inspiration to all. More about Anne-Marie:
The first of November 1974 Anne-Marie Valeria Reichman was born in Leeuwarden, a city in the northern province of the Netherlands. She started with classical ballet, jazz ballet and piano lessons early in life. At 16 years old she chose to focus on her latest passion; windsurfing. It led her to many lakes (flat water) all over the country and to a Dutch championship title at 19 years old. After high school she chose Scheveningen as her new home; a cute little fishing town on the Dutch west coast. Competitions were over now, for she studied on the Sport Academy and learned to windsurf in the Dutch North Sea waves. Good times. A few years later her first international travels started in countries like Denmark, Sweden, South Africa and Maui (’97). There she got introduced to the big waves and got infected again with the virus to compete; this time in the windsurfing discipline WAVE. Her debut in the PWA (professional windsurfing association) World Cup was in ’98. Besides competing, Anne-Marie made a pact with herself to travel to a new country or place every year to discover the world, new cultures, different languages and off course new waves. She wrote down her travel experiences for magazines and published them on the internet. In 2002, a few years into ‘the tour’, she made it into the top 3 world wide. Not only is Anne-Marie a professional windsurfer, she also is a passionate surfer and Stand Up Paddler making the most of every condition the ocean provides. Yoga and (art) painting are her other passions. These activities create balance in her sometimes hectic life. Instead of only enjoying this lifestyle herself, she makes it her goal to share it with other people around the world during clinics, interviews, promotion activities and events. By doing what she loves to do most, she wants to motivate and inspire them to follow their dreams and passions in life. Her motto being: “Dream of life, live your dream”. Anne-Marie now lives (most of the year) in Maui, Hawaii. The perfect island for an active, professional, passionate ocean water woman.
STAND UP For Women’s Health & Fitness at Four Seasons Resort Maui, Wailea Beach Hawaii
January 9, 2010
Outline of the Day’s Events:
7:00 - 8:00am Registration / Check- in to receive wrist band Protect your skin with
Waterman’s Applied Science. See the big Pump at the registration desk!
8:30am Welcome & Hawaiian Blessing
Followed by dynamic stretching, core exercises, strength exercises led
by Suzie Cooney, CPT of Suzie Trains Maui
9:00am Maui Resident Tiare ”T” Lawrence C4’s Pro Team Rider
Land demo/instruction/ water safety of Stand Up Paddling
9:30am Three different Stand Up Paddling Choices:
1. Bay Paddle for First Timers or Beginners / Board Caddies on beach and on water to assist beginners/first timers
2. Short Distance Paddle led by Suzie Cooney 20 min + each way fast paced Beginner/Intermediate
3.Long Distance Paddling group led by Starboard’s Pro Team Rider, Anne-Marie Reichman 30 min each way Intermediate/Advanced
There will be a safety boat and patrol paddlers to ensure the safety of our participants.
11:30am Snacks refreshments provided to participants / lunches for purchase at
Snorkels if people choose
Snacks provided by Luna Bar, Kula Fields. Drinks: Recharge, VitaCoco,
Sambazon, Gauyaki and Menehune Water Company
12:00pm Inspirational Guest Speakers
12:30pm Hula Performance / Lessons
1:00 – 2:00 Amazing Prize Raffle (must be pre registered and present to win)
Our decision to make this a FREE event was a choice based on the hope that you will make a donation to the American Breast Cancer Foundation … You can access their site through ours! In lieu of a registration fee, we hope you will generously donate what you can. We are all very lucky to be healthy enough to enjoy this day, but know there are many others that are not. Your donations do so much and are very appreciated!
The Four Seasons is offering a special “SUP” rate to registered participants only at $325 per night. You will have to contact the resort directly. Click here for more details:
Aloha Kelly, and thank you for offering your services to one lucky winner and up to 10 of her friends for a Maui SUP adventure. Her service will shuttle you from point to point for a day of fun on the water!
Kelly Moore(BA Psychology), is a former U.S champion windsurfer, ranked 3rd in the world. Kelly has traveled the globe publishing her travel adventures and was the first woman ever to windsurf from Bimini, Bahamas to Ft. Lauderdale to raise funds and awareness for “Clean Water”.
In 2008, Kelly created “Camp Green Wave”; kids eco-adventure surf camps and after school surf club. Most recently, Kelly launched the “Moore Watertime” Maliko shuttle service through which she aims to make downwind coast runs more convenient and accessible to paddlers and water sports enthusiasts of all levels.
Thanks Kelly for making our day extra special. All I can say, is that whoever wins call me! I want to do a Maliko run with you! Long distance paddling is a great way to stay in amazing shape! So look for her on the water with us, January 9, 2010
I’d like to introduce North Shore Explorerswho have generously offered to volunteer their boating skills and vessel, to support STAND UP For Women’s Healthy & Fitness Event at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Beach Maui, Hawaii. Todd Winn and Chris Quarre, owners of the well-known water adventure business’ mantra is: “Go Boldly applies to everything we do. It is the mantra that we live by.”
The Pailolo will be our sea safety craft and support film boat. We are so stoked that you’ll be there for assistance and to lend a friendly hand if needed! Thanks so very much Todd and Chris! Suzie
To contact Chris and Todd at North Shore Explorers :
After we got back to shore, I felt so alive and peaceful. The Exhibitors and vendors gave out tasty drinks, food and information about their products. And it was so much fun for us to receive the donated gifts! They were awesome! Next year, I want to win the grand prize-a brand new SUP board!
Well, as the emails and photos pour in, there is much to share and do. Tommy and I would like to thank the community of Maui, the amazing team at the Four Seasons Resort Maui, our dear friends and volunteers, sponsors and those who traveled from far away places to contribute to such an inspiring, contagious day of joy and health. New friends were made, water fears conquered and we all discovered just how powerful one sport, that anyone can enjoy almost anywhere in the world; can bring such a dynamic group together for a good cause.
Aloha Everyone! I’d like to introduce Tiffany Ward, Pro Team Rider for Starboard will be attending and assisting for STAND UP For Women’s Healthy & Fitness January 9th, 2010 at the Four Seasons Resort. This girl and rip and did you know she is also a famous culinary artist and gourmet chef?
Her debut in the PWA (professional windsurfing association) World Cup was in ’98. Besides competing, Anne-Marie made a pact with herself to travel to a new country or place every year to discover the world, new cultures, different languages and off course new waves. She wrote down her travel experiences for magazines and published them on the internet. In 2002, a few years into ‘the tour’, she made it into the top 3 world wide. Not only is Anne-Marie a professional windsurfer, she also is a passionate surfer and Stand Up Paddler making the most of every condition the ocean provides. Yoga and (art) painting are her other passions. These activities create balance in her sometimes hectic life. Instead of only enjoying this lifestyle herself, she makes it her goal to share it with other people around the world during clinics, interviews, promotion activities and events. By doing what she loves to do most, she wants to motivate and inspire them to follow their dreams and passions in life. Her motto being: “Dream of life, live your dream”. Anne-Marie now lives (most of the year) in Maui, Hawaii. The perfect island for an active, professional, passionate ocean water woman.
