Naish 2012 Alana 9.5 and matching carbon paddle

I have the pleasure to add to my quiver of Naish boards the two new 2012, gorgeous,  high performance boards designed to grab the attention of those who appreciate fine quality, great lines and wow, shaka throwing graphics. This one featured here (left) is called the Alana. It’s designed for women as it’s easy to carry too. Dimensions: 9’5″ x 31″ x 4″ 3/4   The construction is a sandwich wood composite.

This three fin or tri fin board compliments the already extensive line of 36 boards manufactured by Naish International, based here on Maui. If you want stability, effortless wave riding this board rocks it.  The pad is very comfortable and the kick-tail pad is handy when you’re carving deep on larger waves.

Second in the line up of the Alana series is the way cool, single fin, 10’10″ by 32″ wide super stable great all around board for strapping on snorkel gear, dry bag and can also impressively handle the waves. I couldn’t believe how well this board tracked and allowed me to paddle 13 times or more on each side. This board is perfect for first timers, those seeking a smooth elegant ride. Check out Robby Naish in the video below as he explains all the features!

I think Naish has done a fine job bringing these boards to the forefront of the stand up paddling world that gives women what they want. Ease of use, fun wave riding or cruising and exploring with friends and family. The Alana Series is beauty and versatility.

If visiting Maui, you can rent these and try them out from the Naish Maui Pro Center located in central Maui on Hana Highway. Call them at 808-871-1500. Or go to their website here:

 Thanks for stopping by and if you’d like to post your comments, questions, please feel free! We’d love to hear from you.

Suzie Cooney, CPT owner of Suzie Trains Maui
Naish Team SUP Rider  I also ride the 14′ Glide, 9’0 Hokua & 9’0 Mana.

Also, check out my SUP Fitness Articles written for Naish. Keep in tip top SUP paddling shape: http://www.naishsurfing.com/2012/lifestyle/sup-fitness.html

Follow @SuzieTrainsMaui     For more info on SUP training, events, clinics, people, friends and of course more Naish stuff, go to my other website:

Stand Up Paddling Fitness

  COOL Sponsor Prizes         SUP Training Fitness Demo          Naish 2012 Board Demos

M A U I: Saturday 12.03.2011 Naish & Suzie Trains Maui Presents:

IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION: Parking: Please carpool, unload boards safely. This is a NON-Competitive event, ALL levels of paddling and fitness welcome.  Arrive early, registration begins at 7:00am – event cap 75 participation.

Paddle off those holiday meals and come join the fun and see what you’ve got!  Bring your board and bring your grrr, for the first of its kind beach fitness and SUP challenge! This non-competitive, co-ed event will put you to the test from the sand to each buoy turn. Demo the new Naish 2012 SUP boards and learn some new training tips for SUP with Suzie Cooney, Naish Team SUP Rider and Maui’s elite trainer. Indo Board & TRX demos.

Awesome raffle prizes! (must be present, participate and registered to win )

Date: Saturday, December 3, 2011

6:30 am – Drop off boards at drop of station near bathrooms (we highly encourage car pooling – parking limited)
7:00 am – On site registration, sign waiver, receive wrist band, register for prize drawing (Participant Cap, 75)
8:15 am – Indo Board & TRX Demo Suzie Cooney
8:45 am – Skippers meeting, challenge and course review
9:00 am – Challenge Start!

All levels of SUP experience welcome in this FREE EVENT!

Location: Mai Poina Ole La’u Beach Park, S. Kihei Rd., Maui

Course Map & Challenge Description:

Mass start for all participants. Paddle around each buoy counter clockwise for Lap One. Hop off board and run to first of (4) four fitness challenge stations and complete each fitness challenge. Then, run back to board and complete final lap and then back to beach for final beach fitness challenge. You are encouraged to give it your all!

Stick around to try out the new Naish 2012 SUP boards, cool down and maybe win some awesome prizes offered by our generous sponsors: Naish International, Suzie Trains Maui, Olukai Premium Footwear, Indo Board, TRX, Kaenon Polarized Eyewear, Waterman’s Applied Science and clothing from Maui Rippers!

Need to rent a board for the event?  Call the Naish Maui Pro Center: 808.871.1500

Direct link to SUP Magazine

One of the beautiful aspects of standup is it’s appeal to women. In this fine game we “play,” ladies play a key role in the sport’s development. Now and into the future. This fall and winter, SUP magazine is catching up with the female faces of SUP to find out what they’ve been up to, and what’s in store for 2012.

As an avid waterwoman, fitness expert and sports model, Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui has helped hundreds of people get in shape, conquer their fears of the ocean and experience standup paddling. Featured in SUP mag’s 2011 Summer Fitness issue, here’s what’s on tap in the wonderful world of Cooney. –-Shari Coble

How did you get into SUP?

I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and have worked in sports orthopedics and the physical therapy field. I moved to Maui, chasing the wind for windsurfing and in April 2009 I broke both my legs. I had tried SUP just prior to my injury and thought it was a great platform for reconditioning and rehabilitating. Now as an athlete for Naish, I have developed a niche for functional training for SUP and held one of the the largest free SUP clinics with about 430 participants.

Tell us about your 2011.

2011 has been really great. I only competed in a few downwind races, including the Naish race and OluKai’s Ho’olaule’a, where I won my age group. I went to Costa Rica on a media tour and have held 10 free SUP clinics for women as well as 4 full moon paddles, which have all been a lot of fun. I’ve also written a lot of SUP fitness articles for Naish, but my biggest accomplishment of 2011 would have to be winning my age group at Ho’olaule’a. That was really big for me because it was an important goal.

What’s your favorite experience been with SUP?
A major personal breakthrough for me is helping people conquer their fear of the waves for the first time. I ease them in – practically strapping them to me – and it changes their life…it’s pretty neat. My focus isn’t racing or personal, it’s being able to just help people get out on the water standup paddling. It’s important to me to help others aspire to set goals and fine-tune land-body skills that translate to the water.

What do you have planned for 2012?
I’ll do a couple downwind races next year and am very excited to be hosting Ho’olaule’a. There will be a few free SUP clinics and I’ll be writing a lot for Naish, but before the New Year starts, I will be helping Naish hold the free and non-competitive SUP Fun Beach Fitness and Paddle Challenge.

Suzie Cooney, of Suzie Trains Maui, in action on a Naish SUP from Naish International on Vimeo.

Suzie Cooney, of Suzie Trains Maui, in action on a Naish SUP from Naish International on Vimeo.

Top photo by Darrell Wong

I had the pleasure of doing a few training runs last year with her when she was here training for another event, and asked her to write about why this event, the Ho’olaule’a and why it meant so much to her.   Her story is heartfelt and expresses her thoughts on how Maui and our community here has embraced her, as the ocean and land embraces everyone.  She will inspire you and others to hopefully make the same journey to Maui!

Jenny writes: I can remember as kid I LOVED the beach! We lived so close and my mum would take me almost every day. I can remember playing in the ocean and getting tossed round by the waves never being scared. I can remember very vaguely, around the age of 4 having to go to the doctors. Something was wrong with my ears. Little did I know it spelled the end of my ocean love for a decade..

From the age of 4 to 13, I had several ear infections and grommets all was going okay until I was 7. One grommet came out early leaving a hole in my ear drum – and until it healed. I couldn’t dive, swim, etc. So I was always swimming with my head above the waves. I got to the age of 13 and was old enough to have a skin graph operation on my ear to close the hole. The operation was a success and for the first time in many years I was free to swim again. Until about 2 weeks later where I caught an unknown tropical ear infection. My ear would weep nonstop and this continued for about 12 months. Doctors, specialists, Ct scans, bone scans, referrals; no one knew what to do It wasn’t until my specialist suggested an old wife’s tale of Aluminum Acetate that it stopped in 3 days . I was 14 and had lost 70% of my hearing due to scar tissue, but I had the all cleared and within a month I picked up a surfboard.

I started surfing and loved it straight away and it was freedom. I could leave all my problems at the shore go for a surf.and somehow everything would be better.

I have been short boarding on and off for 10 years and gradually over time would see more and more SUPs. I was curious and a close friend was getting into it. He was telling me how awesome it was. Doubtful and curious I had to give it ago.

It was a 10ft Bonga Perkins. I lost count of the number of times I fell in. Persistence paid off and in a few months I was entering SUP surfs comps. Due to the small number of women entering these events..we were always up against the Men. We continued to enter the events and only recently have women surf sup has its own division in all the main surf contests. It’s great to know that in some way I’ve contributed to the progression of Women’s SUP in Australia alongside my fellow competitors/ friends. My proudest moment was placing 2nd in the first Women’s Australian SUP Title and this result enabled me to be sponsored by Laguna Bay Stand Up Paddle.

As SUP started exploding in oz races were starting to become more frequent. After a small fun race, Phil Gregory (aka Iron Phil) approached me – saying I was a weapon of a paddler and that I should really think about getting into racing. If it wasn’t for Phil that day i don’t know if I would be racing now. I started training with Phil for local races and started to build my confidence and strength.. it was during these training sessions I started to hear about how amazing the race scene is in Hawaii.. and about all the races, the people, and just the sup scene in general..

It was NYE 2010 when I decided that I was going to do the International Naish Race. I had only been training one month barely doing 10km and this race was 16km. I set myself a time of 1:40:00 and decided to go for it. Six months of solid training was my lead up and before long I was heading to Maui.

When I first got to Maui the first thing I noticed was the wind! I couldn’t believe how windy it was all the time. We hardly get over 15knots at home. This was something foreign. I did my first Maliko run. I couldn’t believe the runners. It was an amazing experience surfing the swell bumps, seeing turtles, and taking in the amazing coastline of Maui.

It was so inspiring and I was so excited to keep doing these runs. Race day came round so fast. I was nervous, and excited but enjoying every moment. It really started hitting me. This was it. Everything I had been training for was here and now! The prayers were said before we raced. This tradition is something I really admire. It gave me goose bumps. I felt instantly the energy at Maliko.

The race was amazing. I caught some of the most amazing runners of my life and hit my target time of 1:40:42. To say I was happy was an understatement! For me I learned that if you really put your mind to something you can make it happen. It was after this race that my whole belief system changed. I started to believe more in myself and wanted to come back to Hawaii again.

The Maui experience for me was more than racing. I got to meet some amazing people, and also see/ meet some amazing athletes. I had an overwhelming feeling that I belonged. I didn’t feel out of place. I knew I had to come back to spend more time with the beautiful people I had met. The people I met in Maui really made my last trip memorable. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming with open arms. The whole SUP scene in Maui is incredibly different to that back in Australia. There is a very strong competitive edge in Australia. This is not a bad thing, just different.

I didn’t know at the time but during my time in Hawaii, I had anemia. It was only once I got back to Australia that I couldn’t handle the fatigue anymore. I was burnt out, emotionally drained, over trained so I took a break from paddling to make a 100% recovery. This took 5 months. I got back into surfing and started getting into Pilates.

I started back at training in January with Phil. We decided to mix training up a bit. We did lots of ocean training and also flat-water distance. My body was coming back and my desire to compete came with it. I really started to enjoy training again. I started to enjoy training in the ocean.. I got to see so many amazing sunrises, dolphins, and surf great waves on my 12’6 Secret Agent SUP. I also enjoyed the early morning long distance training. Getting up before dawn and hitting the water.

We paddled in the canals on dawn, through several housing estates and also through swamp land. The swamp land was my favorite part – I would often see Kangaroo’s, Wallabies, Cockatoo’s, and other wildlife. It was a great way to start the day. I started to look at races back in Hawaii, and I recalled hearing about the OluKai race.

I started researching this race and started feeling that this was the race I should be entering. This race wasn’t only about competing but it also focused on the tradition that is Hawaii, something that I never got to really experience on the other islands or other races. I wanted to be able to learn about the Hawaiian tradition. For me the OluKai Race was the best opportunity. I decided to make the OluKai race my main race of focus for this year. This event is a measure of how far I have come in the last 6-12 months; a measure of the my strength, and my soul.

Its apart of my journey and I’m following my dream of becoming an athlete. I want to be able to inspire other girls to get out there and give it ago and to be able to follow their dreams and to be able to make them happen. Not just in SUP, but in all aspects of life.      Jenny Ryan

Sincere thanks Jenny for sharing this great story and I look forward to seeing you the morning of the race in our circle of prayer. I wish you all the best in the event and with each race you enter in the future. May Maui and the Ho’olaule’a be as special to you as it to me and thousands of others.  See you on the water!

Suzie Cooney

Jenny’s Accomplishments

Results

2009- 1st – Kirra Surf Stock Paddle Race
2010- 3rd Noosa SUP Race
3rd Roar Industries SUP Race
6th Naish International Paddle Race
2nd Australia SUP Surf Titles
2nd Kirra BOP Race
2011- 2nd Wild Women’s Surf Day
4th Noosa SUP Women’s Division
3rd Noosa SUP Race
3rd Malfunction Sup Surf

For those of you who have always dreamed about Hawaii, one often thinks of the warm tropical breezes, palm trees swaying amazing sunsets and beaches, but the most exciting attraction for visitors and locals alike is the ocean. The blue-green waters, giant open water swells and waves that surround the island chain make our islands the biggest playground for two very popular sports, one man outrigger canoes (OC1s) and for stand up paddling (SUP).

Here in Hawaii stand up paddling and OC1 are a way of life, a source of fitness and a pastime as common as baseball is on the mainland. Now the world has a chance to see how dynamic, action-packed and inspiring this sport truly is.

On Maui, Ocean Paddler TV, our Honolulu-based paddling sport show, will cover the Ho’olaule’a this May 14 and May 15, 2011. Their coverage will be broadcast nationally on Universal Sports, an NBC Sports partnership. This means over 50 million households will get a glimpse into the athleticism and beauty of paddling. This is awesome! Check this out: http://www.olukai.com/NewsEvents.aspx

I am so excited to be a part of this movement as we grow the sport and get the word out. Make sure to sign up online by May 4 to get your spot and receive a pair of OluKai slippers!” 

Also, if you’re new to the sports and want to experience the Ho’oleaule’a and thrill of doing an open ocean down winder, be sure not to miss our New Ohana Fun Paddle! Register today and join me in our first non-competitive, 3 mile fun paddle. We welcome everyone who may not be quite ready for the Maliko race, but may rather like go at their own pace.

Stephanie's First Down Winder! She's hooked!

With only a month away, in preparation for the event, we’re offering a practice fun paddle. Join me Saturday, April 30^th, from the Paia Bay Youth & Cultural Center, to the life guard tower at Kanaha Beach Park.

Where: Maui’s N. Shore  Paia Bay – Paia Bay Youth & Cultural Center

When: April 30th, Saturday  Check in time 8AM         Skippers/Safety Meeting 8:45      Paddle: 9AM

Course:  3 miles Coast Paddle  Down Wind   This is not a race.

 This is your chance to go with a larger group for a supervised fun paddle. We’ll have coffee and juice for you at the start and refreshments at the finish. Click here to see a video from our last practice paddle and for more details.

As an avid paddler, this event is first class and will inspire you too. I really hope you can join us. 

Aloha, Suzie Cooney
Suzie Trains Maui

January 5, 2011 – Reporting from the most beautiful SUP, surf and fishing spot in Southern Costa Rica, The Zancudo Lodge!  Owner, Gregg  Mufson is hanging ten on the INDO Board as he and the crew prepare for the surf rolling in this week.  I’m here introducing the team on how The INDO Board is great workout for everyone, especially those entering SUP to advanced paddlers.

We have all the gear from INDO Board, including the new Gigante to challenge beginners to the hard core SUP’rs and surfer alike.  Gregg, Yvonne, Sloan, Elle, and Di all participated in an afternoon of learning, laughs and some thigh-burning fun. I can tell their addicted and promised them, after this workout we’ll all be ready for any water action tomorrow!

We started the morning on a mellow, slower surface. Next we graduate to the beach to hard pack sand for some faster action and more fun.  In such a short time, everyone got their groove on and was hang’n on the nose. I challenged them to an upper body challenge which Gregg, Di and Yvonne immediately worked up a small sweat with the plank and one leg lifted behind them, alternating at 5 – 10 second intervals.   Below, Gregg is performing the advanced plank with one or both feet behind him, on a Gigante disc.

The Gigante disc is the newest platform training tool for INDO Board, that inflates up to 12 inches that achieves the 4-way action intended for those who want to enhance their SUP or surf performance.  We placed both discs under Gregg’s surf board and what a ride. Inflate it more and hang on!

It’s my favorite piece of equipment in my studio at home. I also use it for clients just recovering from major hip or knee surgery as a rehab element. Today we’ve kept the inflation to 6 inches as my willing participants start their training.

Then down to what I call the core bug.  This move is in the prone position requiring glutes and the upper scapular region of the shoulder blades to work in unison as we seek the most stable position. I recommend keeping the head in a neutral position. I also suggest to keep breathing smoothly and hold the position for 15 – 30 seconds.  Rest, then repeat 5 times.

In addition to this great core exercise, by placing the INDO Board board directly on top the Gigante, together we performed leg burning same side lunges, for a count of 5-10 each leg. 

Gigante sitting came last where Yvonne, Di and Elle gracefully sat on top of the Gigante as feet and hands stayed off the ground lending to an extreme, deep core constant, contraction! Well done girls.

You can tell we’re having too much fun. I can’t wait for this spring when I host my STAND UP For Women’s Health and Fitness in April, here at the lovely Zancudo Lodge ! All the gear is here and so is the fun.  For more information go to: http:www.suzietrainsmaui.com/events.  This lodge is like staying at the Four Seasons. From warm waves to a cozy robe in your room, excellent food and gracioius staff, to healthy, to amazing food prepared fresh everyday. 

Thank you Chip and Hunter at INDO Board, for sending these boards and discs over. Gregg and the others are on their way to be SUP stars. Also a big gracias to Gregg and the Zancudo Lodge for hosting us and the SUP clinics with the other trainers this spring!

Pura Vida and Aloha!

Suzie Cooney, CPT  Suzie Trains Maui      Follow Suzie on Face Book:  http://www.facebook.com/suzietrainsmaui

 photos by Marvin Ortiz