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April 30 OluKai and Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui hosted a second “Practice” Fun Paddle from Paia

Saturday April 30th, 2011, Maui’s beautiful N. Shore attracted 72 paddlers of all ages and levels of experience for our second three mile Ohana OluKai Practice Fun Paddle!  With only two weeks away from the Third Annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a, we welcomed  SUP paddlers, prone paddlers and Heather our OC1  paddler; joined us from Paia Bay to the lifeguard tower at Kanaha Beach Park, in preparation for the New Ohana Fun Paddle @ 9AM, May 14th, 2011.

Peter Swanzy and the kids!

This paddle was our second practice paddle since our first April 2nd, 2011 was such a huge success. Click here to see the video. We wanted to share again and encourage families, new paddlers and those who’ve never done a down winder, to come and build their confidence.

Peter Swanzy and Julianna Prater from Paia Youth and Cultural Center had five youth from 13 to 14 years old join in the practice paddle. The youth have been training with Pete and Julianna over the last month and their training paid off as this was the first time that these youth had paddled this 3 mile distance. A huge sense of accomplishment and pride way to go! We also had paddlers from Sweden, Nevada and England participate.

For some, this was the first or second time ever experiencing a coast run. After everyone signed in, had a little morning coffee and juice, we all gathered as Matthew Murasko, OluKai Hawaii Ambassador,  announced our 3 mile course.

Stretching and Jumping Jacks!

Then the ice chest was turned over to me, and I stood up and asked everyone to join me in some warm up exercises and jumping jacks to shake off any pre-paddle  jitters or butterflies!

The conditions were perfect and inviting. The trades were light at about 10 knots that provided for some fun glides.

copyright Ron Dahlquist

The first group of paddlers arrived to Kanaha in 30 minutes and the last group arrived in 60 minutes. Upon completion paddlers were treated to water, juice, granola bars and Whoopie Pies, a chocolate cake-vanilla ice cream confection handmade by my boyfriend Tommy Callan.

The Finish! Kanaha

Mahalo to the Maui lifeguards ( Tony Colletta ) from Baldwin Tower and Kanaha Tower for PWC saftey…and special mahalo also to Milton Martinson of Haiku for PWC water safety as well as SUP water safety guards, Chris Pagdilao, John Smalley, Joshua Kjorven, Randy Royse. Also lending a hand and expertise, Deb Driscoll and Blair Thorndike.

We’d also like to thank the crews at the Naish Maui Pro Center and Second Wind for providing a few extra boards for the kids from the youth center.

I know this paddle provided many an amazing, life-changing ocean experience. I was touched to see everyone supporting one another out there and on the beach. For others it was a chance to encourage their loved ones and friends to go to the next level. Well done.

Keep up that that training!  The real OluKai Ohana Fun Paddle is May 14 at 9am, same place, same course. Arrive by 8am and Register at OluKai.com. Entry Fee for the 3 mile OluKai Ohana Fun Paddle is $20 and includes one luau dinner wristband.

Aloha and thanks for supporting in community.

Suzie Cooney, CPT  Suzie Trains Maui    SUP Clinic/Director/ Instructor   SUP Team Rider for Naish

May 2nd, 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Media & Press, OluKai Ho'olaule'a Events, SUP Events, SUP Everything, SUP Fitness, Suzie's SUP Clinics | 2 comments

Kevin Vangritis Wins First Place in SUP Cold Stroke Classic with Hard Training and Excellent Paddle Technique!

Kevin Vangritis First Place!

Kevin Vangritis Wins First Place in SUP Cold Stroke Classic with Hard Training and Excellent Paddle Technique!

I want to introduce to you Kevin Vangritis who recently won first place in the 3rd annual Cold Stroke Classic in North Carolina.  I had the pleasure of meeting he and his  wife Jenney, also a strong paddler on Maui this past November. Kevin, Dave and I are very proud of you and for sure we’ll get you out on the waves on your next visit here to Maui!

Thank you both for helping with my last clinic of the year and Jenney, for bringing your

Jenney "Kevin V" Suzie in Paia, Maui

 bright smile and beautiful gliding style to inspire the other gals!

I anticipate we’ll be seeing more of Kevin in the SUP news. His training is consistent and very focused, and also includes a great deal of deep core training. 

And, right back ya, Dave and I are thrilled to have you as a friend too!  Good luck in the Carolina Cup in April! Make sure to boogie over here in July for the big Naish Race down Maliko Gulch!

Below are a few photos and the interview with Kevin, brought together by PaddleBoard Specialists. To go directly to PaddleBoard Sports  click below!

http://www.paddleboardspecialists.com/info_blogpost.asp?id=63

PaddleBoard Specialists had the priveledge of interviewing Kevin Vangritis. Kevin recently purchased a 14’ Double Carbon Bark from us, and raced it in the 3rd Annual Cold Stroke Classic held in Wrightsville Beach N.C. Kevin finished 1st in his division and had the second fastest time overall. In the following conversation, Kevin tells us about his passion for SUP and some of his impressions of his new BARK.

PBS: How long have you been doing standup?

 

Kevin: I started riding approx. 26 months ago. I discovered Stand Up Paddling while vacationing in Maui for my B-Day Nov 08.

 

PBS: Did you come from a surf background or more traditional paddling background?

Kevin: I have always been a fan of water sports in general. Around the age of 14 yrs old, I tried surfing for the first time using a friend’s borrowed board. I only surfed for a couple of years here and there. I live about 2 hrs from the nearest beach, and at that age, without a car or license I had limited resources to make the journey to the coast. With access to a few local lakes, I transitioned on to water skiing, wake boarding, bare footing and jet skiing. I would consider my skills about average.

PBS: How long have you been racing?

Continue reading Kevin Vangritis Wins First Place in SUP Cold Stroke Classic with Hard Training and Excellent Paddle Technique!

February 2nd, 2011 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: SUP Everything, SUP Fitness, SUP Friends, SUP Tips | One comment

Stand Up Paddle with Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui in Costa Rica! SUP and Train With Her at the Zanduco Lodge April 2011

Come Join Me for a Four Star SUP Adventure in beautiful Costa Rica

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SUP Logo New

Mark your calendar!  April 10th -17th, 2011  Costa Rica.  Join me on a 4 star SUP adventure. Train with me daily and SUP while we enjoy the beautiful accommodations at the Zancudo Lodge.   See photos below.  Space is limited space. Book now!
 
 
Suzie has taught hundreds of women how to stand up paddle ( and men too), but more importantly she has the contageous ability to make everyone at all levels feel comfortable no matter what level of fitness or skill level. 
 
As a professional Team Rider for Naish International, her knowledge of the water and her own experience in the waves and as a SUP racer is easily translated to her students.
 
She is a world renown fitness expert for over 11  years and blends her training to compliment the sport of stand up paddling.  You will learn all of her tricks of the trade on and off the water and have a blast doing it.
 
All levels of fitness and stand up paddling are welcome!

The Zancudo Lodge is surrounded by the beauty of Costa Rican wildlife and foliage. Stretching for miles and miles, the private Zancudo beach offers the perfect setting for a massage or pure tranquil relaxation and the conditions offer fun for all to stand up paddle. Learn more here: http://www.standupcostarica.com/
 
 The lodge is located on the scenic pacific coast of Costa Rica, on the bay of Golfo Dulce 4 miles from Golfito. The property is ideally bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Sabalo River on the east.
To see Suzie’s first STAND UP For Women’s Health & Fitness event at the Four Seasons January 2010 with over 400 women, go to: http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/2010/01/mauis-womens-sup-event-huge-success-despite-heart-pounding-surf-check-out-video/
November 18th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Media & Press, SUP Events, SUP Everything, SUP Fitness, Suzie's SUP Clinics | One comment - (Comments are closed)

Just Add Water and SUP Board New Dimension to the Traditional Core Plank

Water is an unstable element and it’s always moving. When you add any unstable element as a training platform, such as an Indo Board or an inflatable disc or maybe the BOSU, you increase the intensity and nueromuscular challenge of any exercise.

The traditional core plank is often employed by the Navy Seals as a suitable challenge and is harder than it appears. I often use it to measure a clients level of performance and endurance of their core. As a reminder the core is simply everything excluding your extremities and is where all movement begins. Having a strong core is critical for the sport of stand up paddling SUP, for it is what engages first and foremost as you initiate a smooth paddle stroke, whether catching a wave or simply gliding on a leisurely cruise. 

Plank 2

A weak core may cause you to fatigue, muscle imbalances and reduce your overall performance.  There are so many variations in which you can improve your core strength, but since we’re on the topic of stand up paddling fitness, try this one for fun one day. Make sure you are in deep enough water so you don’t wreck your fins.

Assume the traditional core position:

  • Start in the plank position with your forearms and toes on the board. Avoid clasping hands together
  • Keep your torso straight and rigid and your body in a straight line from ears to toes with no sagging or bending.
  • Draw in your belly button to the front of your spine
  • Your head is relaxed in a neutral position and you should be looking at the board.
  • Hold this position for 10 – 60 seconds to start
  • Keep breathing then lift one leg as your progression.SUP Core Plank Advanced

    • Hey if you fall off it’s just water! Have some fun.

    If you have any questions about the above exercise feel free to contact me:  Suzie@SuzieTrainsMaui.com

    Also check out my training site for more tips: www.suzietrainsmaui.com/blog

    Looking forward to meeting you at the event!  Don’t forget to register.  www.standuppaddlingfitness.com

    Practice your planks!

    Aloha, Suzie20D_MG_3021

    November 10th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: SUP Tips | 2 comments