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

Suzi Tucker in training!

I want you to take a good look at the next competitor at the 4th Annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a this next year in May racing down Maliko Gulch. My client, former sponsored skateboarder, amazing long board surfer, Suzi Tucker is up for the challenge and I’m thrilled to be in her corner as her coach and trainer. Not only is she riding the board I won my division on last year, but man oh man is she strong and laser focused on and off the water.

Our first paddling experience on her race board was impressive. We did a double session on her first

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Suzi Tucker enjoying Maui

day out with me, after I quickly discovered how much talent and strength this gal had. Nothing could knock her off her board, side swell, chop and strong head winds. I looked back and there she was right on my butt.

Suzi is new to Maui and has embraced our incredible lifestyle and is a natural beauty. She is one of these athletes I have to hold back and look her in the eyes to make sure she’s okay, as she smiles through some tough workouts.

Her footwork is amazing and sheer determination I wish I could bottle.  We are hard at work in the studio as she prepares for Maliko. We train her legs, do lots of loaded balance work, upper body and cardio.  I tell all my clients, your first 15 minutes out of that gulch can either suck your energy or you can leave people in the dust. Your choice. Cardio, cardio and focus.  She’ll be fine!

To get an idea of the Magic of Maliko and what Suzi and many have to look forward to the next year May, read my article for Makai Ocean Lifestyle on last  year’s race.

Also, for those of you new to SUP downwind racing, especially those who want to attempt Maliko here on Maui, check out this article so you know before you go – safety first: Know Before You Go  Down Maliko

We have some training to do out there on Maliko, but she’s a quick study and I know I’ve got my own new competitor to keep an eye on! I’m real proud of her progress, dedication and healthy lifestyle. She gets lots of sleeps, eats no sugar and leads a simple life.

Please drop a line and say hello to Suzi. Leave a comment to help prepare her for the big day when she’s at the start with me at the OluKai Ho’olaule’a. Cheer her on with me here and let’s get her ready.

Keep up the great work Suzi and your laser focus. See you training Friday! Let’s do it!

Follow @SuzieTrainsMaui

Suzie Cooney, CPT 
Naish Team SUP Rider

If you or someone you know needs a pro in their corner, Suzie Cooney is available for private training and coaching. You can contact here at this website: http://bit.ly/mf3vEF

Sign up for your FREE Suzie Trains Maui Email Newsletter

]]> http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/2011/12/keep-an-eye-on-this-new-sup-paddler-suzi-tucker-trained-and-coached-by-suzie-cooney-of-suzie-trains-maui/feed/ 0 http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/2011/12/indo-board-training-equipment-for-stand-up-paddle-training-for-every-condition-and-every-season/ http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/2011/12/indo-board-training-equipment-for-stand-up-paddle-training-for-every-condition-and-every-season/#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:33:03 +0000 Suzie http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/?p=3007

Kevin Vangritis of NCarolina and regular Maui visitor paddles in very cold conditions but also trains in his home studio on the Indo Board Balance Trainer

With winter conditions here on Maui or on the mainland, from super big waves to brisk chilly mornings on a lake you need to keep your legs strong and fine tuned even when conditions may interrupt your stand up paddling. Keep those paddling skills sharp and hop aboard the Indo Board Balance Trainer. Tweet

As owner of Suzie Trains Maui, Naish Team SUP Rider and Indo Board Team Rider, I’ve written many articles  ( see links below ) on stand up paddling fitness for all levels and I’m a huge advocate for functional training, as it is the most important part of your balanced approach to better paddling. This kind of training is also known as proprioception training or brain training where basically we are training the brain to fire immediately in the right order, the correct nerve impulse to the appropriate muscle in all plains of motion.

If you’re just getting started in SUP and you’re stoked about how your body is transforming so quickly, don’t lose that loving feeling of seeing a new lean and ripped body, when the weather turns sour. You can keep it real simple and that’s why I recommend to get the Indo Board Original Package in addition the 24 inch Indo Board IndoFLO Gigante‘ Cushion to create your paddling training indoors.

The Indo Board Balance Trainer will improve your core strength, tone and strengthen your legs, and really improve your balance and reaction time. It’s simply astounding how I notice a difference from land to ocean. I can tell when I’m off or on and it relates so much to my cross-training in the studio.

In addition to the Indo Board Original Package that includes:

• 30″ x 18″ deck, available in Natural or Multi-color finishes
• 250 pound maximum weight limit
• 6.5″ diameter roller
• 14″ diameter polyvinyl IndoFLO® Balance Cushion (mouth inflatable)

Suzie is training with one Gigante disc under her 9' Naish Mana

I also recommend for real SUP action, the 24″ inflatable  Indo Board IndoFLO Gigante‘ Cushion designed with SUP in mind to capture that 4 way water action from land to water. Sometimes I’ll even put two under one board with minimal inflation and wow, it’s crazy! One disc also offers the feeling of paddling down a wave. Check it out!

(side note: you may want to take out fins as not to rip out the fin box)

There are many uses for the Indo Board IndoFLO Gigante‘ Cushion and I’ve got lots of video coming in the New Year that will show you exactly how I do it.  ( see below for additional training articles on the  Indo Board IndoFLO Gigante‘ Cushion)  For example, just by sitting on the Indo Board IndoFLO Gigante‘ Cushion and holding an 8 lb medicine ball will really get that core and abs to fire up. Also by putting your toes on the Indo Board IndoFLO Gigante‘ Cushion  and then assuming a plank position, from one leg to two, look out! This photo of me was taken for article I wrote for Naish International  for my SUP Fitness Page, Called “More on the Core”.

I had the pleasure of training my good friends (pictured above )Kevin and Jenney Vangritis from North Carolina. They really dug the live-like feeling they got when we were all training in my studio. I was preparing Kevin for a Maliko run and he wanted to do and know absolutely everything and best prepare his body.  He’s a racer and now his studio is filled with the Indo Board Balance Training gear and he’ll be rock’n it ( when it’s snowing outside). He paddles in all extreme conditions and had some fun with me this past November:

Here, besides surfing in the studio, Kevin is learning how to perform a plank with hands in push up start position on Indo Board roller and board. To control board left to right he really has to engage his entire body and core muscles. To advance this move, he can lift on leg a few inches off the ground, and hold for 15 seconds then switch.  Joining us was his lovely wife who also paddles, Jenney! She is simply sitting on the Indo Board IndoFLO Gigante‘ Cushion and wow her abs and core are work’n. Later we tossed a 4 lb medicine ball while I was on the other one. Great fun, great training. 

The core Bug

 I also introduced to them the sensation of sky diving, or what I call “the bug”. It requires you to contract your glutes or butt muscles, lift your chest up off the Indo Board IndoFLO Gigante‘ Cushion, while keeping your head down or in a nuetral position and then squeezing your shoulder blades nice and together and this offers a killer core exercise.  The bug! You can make more challenging by holding 3-5 lb dumbbells in  your hand and increase hold time.

 I have also included in this photo the Indo Board Kicktail which offers a very sassy training platform and allows you to really strengthen your feet, ankles, knees and up to the core and  hips. I like to switch my stance from goofy to regular and then feet side by side. In this photo I’ve included a 15lb kettle bell held at the top of shoulder to add more force production down to the disc. A KILLER workout on the legs. This same exercise can be achieved nicely with the Indo Board Original Package. I’m just lucky to have all the toys! This is a simple loaded squat. To add to intensity, hold your squat, increase weight, deflate disc.

In this exercise I’m holding a 4lb medicine ball in the surf stance with the Indo Board Kicktail, arms extended on top of the Indo Board IndoFLO Gigante’ Cushion  .  Here you can practice your strokes with a ratio of like 3:3 and change the tempo and time yourself for several 30s or 1 minute intervals. Increase challenge by adding heavier medicine ball, squat lower, reduce disc inflation, or if you’re really brave ( advanced only ) close your eyes. WOW.

 It’s really endless of all the incredible exercises you can do when the weather is cruddy, or if you simply want to mix up your current routine. These exercises are fantastic even if you don’t surf or SUP.

 This equipment featured here by the Indo Board Balance Trainer company is designed to increase your enjoyment while at the same time provides an incredible training platform to perfect any specialized sport. I also use this gear to help my clients who are post op from hip or knee surgery along with the guidance from their physician. The low impact offers great stabilizing training for the major joints.  It’s easy, or incredibly challenging. Your core, legs and arms get an amazing workout and it’s never ever the same. 

Kevin & Jenney in Suzie Trains Maui Studio on Maui They rocked the Indo Board training gear and now are all set up in their home studio in NC. Great Maliko run Kevin. Keep those bodies strong!

I love to introduce my clients and you to the new way to train or to add to your current routine to keep you on the water longer. Building your body also builds your mind. Your mind is the key to your best performance. This is the ultimate in physical fitness conditioning for SUP or stand up paddling and surfing.

Share and care when you’re out on the water and don’t let a day of snow or extra big surf interrupt your training and fitness goals!

Here is where you can get your Indo Board Balance Training Equipment. Also, here are additional links to other SUP Fitness Articles you may find helpful that include the Indo Board Balance Training Gear:

 The Importance of Balance Training

SUP Fitness Tips & Articles  

No matter where you live, what kind of paddling you enjoy cross-training like this is fun, challenging and can be performed by anyone at any fitness level. You will notice a great improvement not only in your paddling but in your everyday activities. Functional training is taking the world by storm like SUP and is not really new, it’s just becoming more accessible. The family of boards and rollers and disc offered by the Indo Board Balance Trainer company is sure to change your life, like SUP. Training can be fun!

Stay tuned for 2012 for my new short HD videos that will show you how I train on the Indo Board Balance Trainer!

Please share this article on FaceBook, Tweet

Tweet it or feel free to post!

Also, to join my confidential mailing list and receive lots of great tips and more,  go here:

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As I pulled into the parking lot, I saw the Naish/Cooney crew already in full swing setting up tents and flags, marking off big areas of Mai Poina Ole

La’u Beach with pylons for fitness stations labelled mysteriously “Zig Zag” and “Taco Roll” (huh?). At 7:00am, the paddlers began to roll in. Men and women of all ages and fitness levels showed up to participate. The Naish Maui Pro Center was on hand to demonstrate the latest SUP boards and paddles, and TRX and INDO Board had their own stations to showcase some SUP-related cross-training equipment.

After an intro speech from the ever-enthusiastic Suzie Cooney and a special guest appearance by 2x SUP Surf World Champion, Kai Lenny, we were off to the starting area. The airhorn sounded and 55 paddlers charged into the water with boards and paddles in hand. Although it was a non-competitive event, that didn’t stop everyone from trying their best and pushing themselves through the course. Around three buoys, back up to the beach, on your knees through the “Crawl” station (butt down!), up again, run side-to-side in the “Zig-Zag” station, down again, on your bellies for 10 “Pushups” (real ones!), up again, flop down to the “Taco Roll” station for a horizontal roll down a 10m stretch of flat beach (nope, it wasn’t a sushi-eating station, sigh) and then back up again to do the whole thing…all over again.

Suzie grins when she remembers the day: “I’ve never seen such a sight in my life. People covered in sand, almost puking and still smiling!”.

It was fantastic. Everyone had a blast of a time, made even more special by a raffle draw of some amazing prizes. This was my first “Beach Fitness and Paddle Challenge” and, I have to admit, I’m hooked. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you Suzie Cooney and Nitsan Solomonov & Dave Wissink from Naish for putting the day together. Thank you to all who participated, both paddlers and volunteers. You guys made it such a special event. Aloha!

- Christy Stesky, Naish International   See article on Naish here.

Check out more of Suzie’s SUP Fitness for Naish here: http://www.naishsurfing.com/2012/lifestyle/sup-fitness.html

See lots of photos and other write up: Naish & Suzie Trains Maui Delivers FREE Unique Stand Up Paddle Fitness Challenge as One to Remember.

Follow @SuzieTrainsMaui

Kai Lenny!

The event  attracted over 55 participants men and women and was hosted by Naish International and Suzie Cooney, fitness specialist, Naish Team Rider and owner of Suzie Trains Maui. To wow and inspire the crowd local Maui resident and recently crowned 2011 SUP World Champion, and Naish Team Rider, Kai Lenny also demonstrated his skills on the water and then

Suzie and Kai

showed off his nose riding techniques atop of the Indo Board gear that was available for people and the public to try. In addition to the Indo Board demo by Suzie Cooney and Indo Board Team Rider, Leighton Nakamoto , a TRX Fitness Rip Trainer demo was also conducted to show how it can be incorporated into one’s stand up paddling fitness training.

Suzie Cooney TRX Rip Trainer Demo

Stand up paddling is drawing great attention world-wide but is also helping people of all fitness levels to embrace a more healthy lifestyle. This non-competitive event was designed to challenge, inspire and bring people together in an environment that offered something different than racing without any pressure. The mission of Suzie Cooney and Naish and all of the wonderful volunteers was to provide a fun venue that offered a sort of bonding experience through a little literally, heart pounding action.

The course: 3 buoys in a triangle format marked the water action as a mass start began at the sound of a horn! Off to the first buoy paddlers were met by Maui’s own downwind champion, Jeremy Riggs who cheered and helped people navigate, some for their first time ever near a buoy, around turn number one. Then as paddlers began to spread out with some of the more experienced paddlers, such as Donnie McGean, Bill Hoffman and a few more in front,  it was time to land on the beach and begin the crazy fitness obstacle beach course that consisted of 4 stations with volunteers to cheer, encourage and assist if needed.

Donnie, crawling left, writes, ” As for the funniest moment it had to be trying to stand up and run after the taco rolls.  As for what I enjoyed the most, it was meeting new people that were interested in SUP.  My goal is always to give 100% and still have fun. As for what I found inspirational, it was that some of the best in the SUP world came out to help and share their knowledge and love of the sport.  Thanks again for a great event.”

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Donnie On the beach, participants hopped off their boards and ran to station number one, a 20 foot long  by 8 foot wide crawl area. Here people had their own unique strategy and style as they crawled, dove on their bellies or some on all fours under yellow caution tape.  Then up to their feet to run a zig-zag cone course, then drop immediately at the pushup station where Coach Leighton Nakamoto, resident of Makawao made sure people did 10! Boy,  was he tough!

The most spectacular entertainment of the day, was the sandy taco roll. Here, immediately after the pushups, participants had to drop and roll for

taco rolling

about 20 feet while trying not to get dizzy or roll into the ocean. Tommy Callan, creator of this station cheered and helped people up to their feet and guided them to the two Naish flags where one then had to run through and then run or jog back down the beach to get their boards and hit the water for one final lap and then one final spin through the course.

Although this was marked as a non-competitive event, one had to take notice of Maui’s Donnie McGean who managed to stay in front and finish in the lead. My other buddy and downwind training partner, Bill Hoffman of Pukalani was hot on his tail and finished 2nd. Everyone finished and everyone at this event were winners. Anyone who could simply finish this grueling course deserves a round of applause. I’m totally proud of all of them. People were laughing, grunting and looking at me with the look of  “you’ve got to be kidding”, but they kept going. It was great.

Visitors, spectators and anyone who happened to be on the beach that day could not believe what they were seeing and stuck around to join in on the cheering.

Salma

After the final finishers joined the others rinsing off all the sand in the ocean, all registered participants and volunteers had the chance to have their name drawn for wonderful prize raffle by companies and brands who support the sport and lifestyle. Naish, Indo Board, OluKai Premium Footwear, Kaenon Polarized Eyewear, TRX Fitness, Watermans Applied Science Sunscreen and Maui Ripper clothing company all generously donated fantastic gifts!

Lisa with OluKai Premium Footwear

Sam Bittner TRX Rip Trainer Winner

Alfred Kaeon Polarized Eyewear Winner

Leighton Loves Kaenon

I want to thank all the volunteers who got up before sunrise to help welcome everyone and greet everyone

Bill Indo Board Trainer Winner

with a huge smile and encouragement. Also a huge Mahalo to Kai Lenny for being you and an incredible inspiration to the sport and to us. In addition to the talented, brave photographers Simone Reddingius and Tracy Kraft Leboe for capturing so many awesome moments. Coach and Martin from the Naish Maui Pro Center for providing all of the cool 2012 new Naish boards for folks to try and to Tommy for helping me dream this event up. It’s his fault if some of you are still dizzy from the taco rolls.

Bill Hoffman ( 2nd person to finish ) writes:

“I wanted to say thanks for a great event and all the work you did. There were a lot of happy smiles there. I think it might be because it was none competitive. I enjoyed sharing the experience with my friend Alfred and winning a prize. At most events the guys out number girls 3 to 1 but at this event there were more girls than boys. It was nice to see them getting into SUP. The funniest moment was trying to walk straight after the Taco Roll.”

Stand up paddling is here to stay and it’s so cool to see it grow and offer a way to stay healthy, meet new people and enjoy the water. As some are still learning, it’s important to learn about water and ocean safety as well as how to be safe in a line up with other paddlers and especially surfers. Always be courteous, check your equipment, wear a leash and share the waves and throw a shaka now and then.

I also want to thank Naish International for helping me bring this idea to life and also to the Maui County for allowing us to offer an event like this to the public. We hope that our community and the island of Maui will continue to support and embrace events such as this.

Follow @SuzieTrainsMaui
If you or someone you know is visiting the island of Maui or if you live here and want to check out or rent the new line of Naish boards, contact Coach at the Naish Maui Pro Center at 808-871-1500 or go to their website:    Also, if interested in fitness training and especially SUP specific training while on Maui, you can reach Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui at http://www.suzietrainsmaui.com/contact/

Our talented Maui photographers Simone Reddingius and Tracy Kraft Leboe share their works here:

Simone: http://beachgirlmaui.blogspot.com/      Tracy: http://www.tracykraft.com/

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Sponsor Links:

Naish International

  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

Matt Ripp'n with the TRX Rip Trainer!

Introducing Matt Lennert, long distance  and wave SUP paddler, SUP event director, windsurfer and surfer; stopped in for an all-on SUP performance tune up with me in my studio during his recent visit to Maui. He was up for any challenge, that’s for sure! I threw medicine balls at him full speed while he managed to amazingly hang onto whatever training apparatus I placed him on top of.

His sheer determination and already a finely tuned athlete;  he was on top of his training game. Wow! He performed well this day and left with a good sweat.  Unfortunately the conditions for a Maliko Run were not up to par but we’ll have to try again Matt when you come back with your family!

I see a strong SUP future for Matt as he returned home to share with us his adventure on Maui: http://windycitywaterman.blogspot.com/2011/10/suzie-trains-maui.html

Matt, come on back anytime and we’ll hit Maliko!
Aloha, Suzie Cooney, CPT  owner of Suzie Trains Maui

Suzie is available for fitness training for all levels and SUP coaching.

TweetTaken from the Maui Breakfast Club August 9th, 2011: Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui, Health & Fitness Segment every Tuesday morning at 7:38 am on KNUI 900 AM.  Listen here: Radio Segment

Throw away the diet books,  thigh blaster or ab roller and if you live near any body of water, hop aboard and paddle to shed unwanted pounds now!

It sounds like an infomercial but I’m really serious. I’ve been helping people shed unwanted weight here on Maui and spreading the word for some time now, on how thousands of people are, as I wrote this article for ATHLETA; are literally  “Sweeping Their Way to Health”. It’s really true. I’m hearing from so many people, besides seeing my clients and others around the world completely transform their bodies; paddling away the fat.

I wanted to share with you a couple nice entries of the many of received on how SUP has literally shaped their lives and bodies. It’s so inspiring and I hope they inspires you or someone you know who would like to enjoy losing unwanted weight. It is possible and it’s fun!

Here, my dear friend and avid paddler Lucija Kordic, from Alameda, California,  braves the chilly waters of the Bay Area and shares, ” My pants fit much differently now and I fit into some of my set-aside size 6 pants. SUP and intervals on the treadmill both make a difference!” Lucija is now training with me with her new SUP Endurance Program designed to help her improve her paddling strength and endurance for long distance racing.  Go Lucy go! See you on Maui soon!

If you live in the Bay Area and want to get to know some paddle buddies, Lucija organizes casual paddling groups and is the ultimate host. This I’ve experienced myself. You can hook up with her group at: http://Meet.Up.com/East-Bay-SUP

I’ve received so many emails on how stand up paddling, also known as “SUP” is changing people’s lives and it just so happens that one of the keen health benefits is amazing weight loss. I’m not just talking loss of pounds, but more like shedding their old ways.

I’ve always encouraged my clients and everyone to find a sport, especially SUP, to enhance their current training as a cross training tool. What happens more times than not, is it becomes an obsession!   Wow.  Besides having to throw away hard earned money on marriage counselors, maybe a new pair of $80 Spanx, the moderate investment of one or two boards, paddles, leashes and some sunscreen can also result in relationship bonding. SUP is so easy, couples are losing weight together AND getting quality time paddling off into the sunset.

I’ve always found that most of my clients and people who write me, have had the light turn on in their lives with SUP. They have found their calling and are so taken with the sport, it consumes every waking hour. Now they have racks on their cars, very cool, hang out at the local SUP shop and talk “board talk” or what event they may register in, or simply enjoy the “healthy” camaraderie that develops along with wonderful new friendships.

This sport is very contagious and what comes along with is the healthy lifestyle. What a great bonus. As one develops their love for SUP, unknowingly, because your total body is getting a continuous workout; one can easily start to notice remarkable changes in their body. What is commonly noticed first, is one’s core strength. I’ve written so many articles about the power of the core for SUP, and how to train your core to get stronger to paddle stronger, it’s truly the first thing that people always say, “Wow it really works my core.”

In Redding, way North of my hometown, Sacramento, California  lives Matt Ivey, very new to SUP and boy does he have the stoke and has he

Matt Ivey Looking Great!

gotten in great shape!  He says he was his wife’s ginny pig and suggested he do SUP with her while she was pregnant and suggested that he join  her too. Read the rest to see how he lost 10 lbs and also learn how SUP helped him manage some pretty serious injuries he had. He’s got big plans to grow SUP in his life and business.

Matt writes:

Suzie,

I just got into SUP about a month ago and I am totally hooked.  I have lost about 10 lbs and my core/lower back are feeling the increase in strength.  I love is so much my wife and I are adding SUP rentals, ecotours, lessons, and fitness/yoga classes.  My wife is 20 weeks pregnant and she is a manager of a gymnastics gym.  She has been using the SUP to stay in shape while she is pregnant and has been working on a fitness program.  So that means I have been her ginny pig when it comes to testing her exercises on someone.  I also like my alone time so every other day I have been paddling upstream on a local river for a hour.

I come from a background of playing sports and lifting heavy weights.   Over the past 6 years I have broken and dislocated my left ankle, separated my right shoulder, tore one of the heads of my left bicep, broke my right thumb, and sprained my right mcl.  I also have several degenerative disks in my back so needless to say I can no longer  play the sports I once loved.

But what that also meant is that I could no longer lift weights in the gym.  This lead to me becoming frustrated and out of shape.  After relocating to a new town and stumbling on SUP (we had seen it on Maui 3 years ago but were more concerned with surfing) I was instantly hooked.

In fact I even had my wife take a before photo so I have something I can compare it to after I feel like I have reached my goal.  I have also been incorporating a slackline into my balance and core training.   Between the SUP and Slackline I feel like I have found a great routine that works for me.

I could chat all day about SUP and what it has done for me mentally and physically.  Both my wife and I have out degrees in Recreation Administration and Business so we are looking forward to putting our education and experience to use helping others share the passion we have for SUP.  We have been following you and all that you have done for the SUP industry.  Thanks for all of the inspiration and knowledge you share so well.

Matt Ivey
Adventure Recreation LLC
530-255-4505 Business
707-321-7224 Cell
adventurerecreation.co  ( this is not a typo )

Thanks so much Lucija and Matt, and to the many others that wrote me and shared their SUP weight loss stories. As SUP grows so does the opportunity for more people to get fit and healthy. I really encourage those new to the sport to take the opportunity and feel and experience what all the buzz is about. As I always say, SUP will change your life.

To see all of my articles about how to get stronger for the sport of SUP, go to:

http://www.naishsurfing.com/sup-fitness/

If you’re on Maui in early November, stay tuned for more details on my SUP Cross Enduro Beach and Water Fun Fitness Challenge!

Paddle in good health friends,

Suzie Cooney, CPT owner of Suzie Trains Maui

See Naish SUP Team Profile here: http://www.naishsurfing.com/team/suzie-cooney/

I ride Naish boards. The line up for 2012 is  unreal! We’ll have up to 31 boards like last year and the lines, designs and graphics are killer. I’m so stoked for the winter, monster swells and for some exciting Maliko runs. Check out the current line up here:

http://www.naishsurfing.com/boards/

Some of the fastest, elite paddlers converge for the 6th year in a row. The field of competitors is growing bigger and bigger and the finishes even more exciting! This race is fierce and serious. Get your water packs ready, gel, gu whatever your fueling weapon, for this backyard Naish event will light Maliko on fire!

For more information and to register: http://www.mauipaddleboard.com/

Get race ready and see my SUP FITNESS Tips exclusively for Naish.

Increase your SUP performance. Catch bigger glides, dig in that rail and improve your footwork to keep ahead of that guy or gal on your tail. Your paddling will improve quickly from land to water. Training your brain, training your legs and step on your board and watch what happens. One INDO Board Gigante disc under your board with max inflation is a wild ride, and two less inflated; one under the nose and the tail helps beginners and intermediate paddlers sky rocket their stand up paddling action!

See you there!