STAND UP for Women's Health & Fitness

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. 

“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.