Girl Power!

Wow, we couldn’t have asked for a better day here on Maui! Water clear and calm, and lots of smiles of success! We arrived at 7am and boards off the car and ready to rock!  In [...]]]>                                                  July 24, 2010 :    Maui, Women’s Free SUP Clinic with Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui

Girl Power!

Wow, we couldn’t have asked for a better day here on Maui! Water clear and calm, and lots of smiles of success! We arrived at 7am and boards off the car and ready to rock!  In the line up, Lark, Karen, Amy, Suki, Joan, Elaine and Rhonda was my assistant “sweeper”.  

I was so impressed with the enthusaim and immediate skill with these eager gals, I just couldn’t believe it. We started with some light stretching and then we discussed the importance of water and board safety, followed by land instruction and off we went past the small break.
    ( see comments below from participants)

A special thanks to “Coach” from the Naish Maui Pro Center, for filling our goody bags with awesome beach towels. Also a big thanks to Matthew from OluKai Premium Footwear  for our special VIP cards. I love my OluKais! And lastly to Amy Hampton who also joined us, who is the director of the Maui American Heart Association, and gave us healthy recipe books and walking pedometers to encourage our goals of living a healthy lifestyle!

Here’s a fun slide show that shows off these sporty wahinee’s SUP skills. 
[[Show as slideshow]]

“Today was really special, made so by a beginner’s Standup Paddleboard lesson for women by a woman, Suzie Cooney — fitness trainer/paddleboard racer/and model. 

 I have to admit, though, that I did have some deep reservations.  Would I be able to standup without repeatedly falling off?  Would my inexperience keep me from the experience? And, more importantly, would I still have my two front teeth afterward? 

 Well, I’m happy to say that my worries faded away almost as soon as I met Suzie, who with her calm and confident manner shortly had me feeling much the same way!  We started with stretching exercises, water awareness and proper board techniques, all of which gave us a better understanding of what we were about to face.  Then with boards and paddles in hand, off we slipped into the ocean, belly butterflies in tow. 

 Within minutes we were all standing and paddling this way and that.  Photos were taken, laughs were shared, boards were traded and at one point we even did pushups on them!  How’s that for new-found confidence? 

 I guess it proves the theory correct, that if the instructor is all she should be, so shall we be all we can.  Funny how that works because today, one woman – Suzie — instilled new confidence in six other women — through Standup Paddleboarding!  Now that was really special!”   Elaine from Lahaina

“Suzie –

 I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful morning.  As you know I’m not a regular “water person”.  My first time trying SUP, I wouldn’t have imagined I would have had such a good time.  Your instruction and coaching made it a great experience.  As you saw when we were out there I couldn’t stop smiling.  Your tips and encouragement made all the difference.  Meeting all the girls was great, what a great way to spend a beautiful morning.  I’ll be looking forward to the next time I can get out there with you.  Thanks for being such a good teacher, friend, and example of an empowered woman.  I always feel so cared for when I join you on one of your adventures.”
With Love and Aloha, Lark from Makawo

“If you haven’t taken a SUP clinic from Suzie yet, I highly encourage you to do so!  Her enthusiasm for the sport is infectious and very obvious in the way she handles both herself and the participants.  She takes great time and care in helping us to prepare both mind and body through stretching exercises and safety awareness before we enter the water. And she does it in a way that is fun and enjoyable.  Once we are on the water, the fun continues and I can guarantee that you will lose track of time and not want to get out.  Thank you, Suzie, for your time and patience in empowering women to be healthy and active through the sport of stand-up board paddling!”    
Rhonda, Makawao

“Thank YOU so much Suzie! I had such a great time with you and ladies out on the water yesterday! It can be intimidating to try a new sport  like SUP (especially for women) but your safety briefing and instruction instantly put me at ease as a first-timer. I appreciated your taking the time to tell us about all the different options for equipment and the goody bags were amazing! I look forward to paddling with you again soon!

 Thanks again!”   Amy Hampton,  Kihei, Director of Maui American Heart Association 

“Aloha Suzie, Thank you and Naish for sponsoring a truly special day.  The day was everything I could have imagined and more. You are such a professional from the first phone call to the follow up emails.   Your love for life shines through and makes everyone around you happy to be out on the water with you. (even when you had us doing 20 push-ups on our SUP boards!)  Your SUP instruction was why I came to a SUP clinic and I was not disappointed. However, it is the joy I felt sharing the day with such an amazing group of women that I will remember always. Suzie’s love for the ocean and desire to share health and fitness is inspirational.  Mahalo for a wonderful experience!!!”  Karen Gallagher, Paia

I am so glad to know these women and may this special day inspire you and everyone you know to be as healthy as you can be. Now get out there and paddle!!!

See you on the water, your fan, Suzie Cooney.

Join me my Face Book Page:  http://www.facebook.com/suzietrainsmaui.com

Stop by and see Coach and the rest of his great team at the Maui Naish Pro Center, 111 Hana Hwy in Kahului.

http://www.suzietrainsmaui.com/blog

http://www.suzietrainsmaui.com

http://www.suziemodelsmaui.com

To join Suzie’s Face Book Page: http://www.facebook.com/suzietrainsmaui.com

Mormaii – Pailolo Channel Crossing – Standups

Here are some pre race photos taken by Maui Photographer, Simone Reddingius:

Pre Race Maui to Molokai

Entering Honolua Bay

The Start Honolua Bay

Naish has recently signed team rider Suzie Cooney, Maui’s most recognized personal trainer. Suzie uses SUP as a training tool and a way to inspire people toward a healthy lifestyle. She has sponsors such as ATHLETA, Kaenon and the American Heart Association. Check out Suzie’s website and blog [...]]]> Suzie Cooney Joins the Naish Team

Naish has recently signed team rider Suzie Cooney, Maui’s most recognized personal trainer. Suzie uses SUP as a training tool and a way to inspire people toward a healthy lifestyle. She has sponsors such as ATHLETA, Kaenon and the American Heart Association. Check out Suzie’s website and blog and watch for upcoming clinics, coupons and physical fitness tips. Welcome aboard, Suzie!

You can see Suzie’s website and blog at:

http://www.suzietrainsmaui.com

http://www.suzietrainsmaui.com/blog

http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/

Join Suzie on Face Book Suzie Trains Maui   http://www.facebook.com/suzietrainsmaui.com

Also check out the line up of Naish SUP boards: http://www.naishsurfing.com/en/index.html

Suzie Cooney, CPT

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 [...]]]>

photo by Nicole Sanchez

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.

Warm aloha,

Tommy Callan and Suzie Cooney

our day is done

  ]]> http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/2010/01/mauis-womens-sup-event-huge-success-despite-heart-pounding-surf-check-out-video/feed/ 17 http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/2009/11/starboard-donates-a-new-stand-up-paddle-board-to-the-stand-up-for-women%e2%80%99s-health-fitness-event-to-be-held-at-the-four-seasons-resort-maui-this-january-9-2010/ http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/2009/11/starboard-donates-a-new-stand-up-paddle-board-to-the-stand-up-for-women%e2%80%99s-health-fitness-event-to-be-held-at-the-four-seasons-resort-maui-this-january-9-2010/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:14:14 +0000 Suzie http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/?p=327 Starboard donates a new Stand Up Paddle board to the “STAND UP For Women’s Health & Fitness” event to be held at the Four Seasons Resort, Maui this January 9, 2010!

 Starboard, an SUP industry pioneer and market leader, has stepped up to the “STAND UP For Women’s Health & Fitness” call for a remarkable prize and will be [...]]]> Starboard donates a new Stand Up Paddle board to the “STAND UP For Women’s Health & Fitness” event to be held at the Four Seasons Resort, Maui this January 9, 2010!

 Starboard, an SUP industry pioneer and market leader, has stepped up to the “STAND UP For Women’s Health & Fitness” call for a remarkable prize and will be providing a new SUP board in the highly anticipated RAFFLE event.

 “Our event sponsors have shown an incredible willingness to be involved and their generosity has been truly amazing.  Raffles are always a fun part to any event and I’m blown away with the sponsor’s gifts.  Participants will not only have the opportunity to learn SUP at the Four Seasons Resort, but may also win prizes from the industry’s biggest names.  Sponsors include C4, Naish, Focus, Indo Board, Clif Bar, Maui Jim, Vita Coco, Dry Freak, Oxbow, Sambazon, Recharge, Kaenon, Posh Pua, Love Inside Out, Watermans Applied Science and more are signing on daily!” says co-host Tommy Callan of Beach Boy Events.

 So come join the Aloha and learn how to do the fastest growing water sport in the world on the beautiful island of Maui at the Four Seasons Resort.  Stand Up Paddle Surfing (SUP) is making surfers out of everyone.  You’ve seen the “Stars” do it … now it’s YOUR turn!  SUP will improve your balance, endurance, strength and mindset.  Receive patient, guided instruction from professional instructors and experience the feeling of the “surfer’s glide”. 

 ”STAND UP for Women’s Health & Fitness” is a FREE, non-competitive event to promote healthy lifestyle choices, self-confidence and breast cancer education for women through sport, nutrition and self awareness.  You’ll not only enjoy learning to SUP, but also to Hula!  Enjoy inspirational guest speakers, plenty of healthy treats and amazing prizes.  Maybe you’ll even win your own Stand Up Paddle Board!

 Please visit http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/ for event and registration information.

 You must be pre-registered to participate and be present to win raffle prizes. 

Aloha, Tommy Callan

e:tommy@BeachBoyEvents.com