Come Join Me for a Four Star SUP Adventure in beautiful Costa Rica
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.
It’s been an amazing year! I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to meet so many fantastic women from around the world and on Maui, who joined me to share the sport of stand up paddling. My mission is to empower women and men, by introducing the sport of SUP into their lives, and make it a part of their fitness and health. This was my last clinic of eight since the “big event” at the Four Seasons this past January. What a delightful group of inspiring gals. We started the day at 6:45 am and after we reviewed board/paddle features, board safety, water safety and new techniques, it was time to warm up the muscles and body before we hit the water. A little active stretching, and a few light push ups and lunges, we were off on the warm waters of Maui! See photos below:
photo Simone Reddingius
With waterwoman, Deb Driscoll as my official assistant sweeper, it was a morning of fun and laughter and time to learn some new tricks. Some were off and gliding and perfecting their strokes, others were learning how to step turn or how to increase board speed. Then it was time do a few board exercises like push ups , squats and planks. The ultimate surprise challenge, a long distance lap around a parked boat. Jenney was leading the pack and others soon followed. The sprints around the buoys were exciting too. Some also took their new step turn skills and successfully made it around the Naish buoys with ease, focus and speed. This was a time of discovery for everyone.
During my recent vacation in Maui, I was fortune enough to participate in Suzie Cooney’s last Maui women’s SUP clinic of the year. What an awesome way to close out my last day of vacation! I enjoyed several hours with Suzie and other great ladies from Maui as well as Maui visitors, just like myself, learning more about the SUP sport and getting a great workout. We started a great sunny morning on the beach learning about the different board and paddle types and what to consider when purchasing equipment, covering safety tips, and then doing a quick stretch session. Then we all hit the water with Suzie to develop and apply our paddling skills. While on the water, Suzie and her “Sweeper” Deb, shadowed us to make sure we were applying proper technique. We were down on our boards in the water doing a few exercises to build strength and then back up on our boards to test our turning skills. We finished our water time with a long distance charge across the water. It was so exhilarating. Once I returned to the beach, I saw many smiling faces. Everyone was so excited about having such a great time. SUP is truly a fun and exhilarating sport. I first discovered it in Maui two years ago, and I have grown to love the sport and the versatility that it offers. It’s a sport that I have enjoyed with my friends and it has given me many great adventures across the water with my husband. I love the fact that you can leisurely tool around on the water and enjoy the beautiful shoreline vistas, or you can crank it up a notch to challenge yourself for speed and endurance, or enjoy the sheer exhilaration of catching a few waves if you like. Suzie, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge of this wonderful sport with us and helping us become competent water woman so we can enjoy a fun and healthy life. Jenney V Morrisville, NC
Stephanie Brennan, First Timer:
I had such an amazing time at Suzie’s SUP clinic. It was my very first time ever on a SUP and the environment could not have been better for a beginner. I was surrounded by awesome, positive women all learning and having fun together. I simply enjoyed doing something new for the very first time. I charged it all day in the water after the clinic. Suzie gave me all the tools I needed to start my journey into the sport of SUP. I’m hooked!!!
Suzie, thank you so much! I had such a great time. It definitely goes down as one of my favorite days here on Maui! My boyfriend and I went to Puamana after and practiced in some little waves! What a blast, we had so much fun!! I really hope to get my own board soon, saving up the $$$!!
Thanks again!! Maybe I’ll see you at a race one of these days!
Women of all ages are discovering the thrill and strength that stand up paddling offers. You don’t have to be a “water” person to learn and enjoy SUP. It’s my greatest reward to see women AND men have health break throughs in life. This is a sport you can do solo or enjoy with the entire family and it is a lifestyle!
If you haven’t already I encourage you to try SUP, you’ll be glad you did!
Come one come all for this fun social paddle on Maui! Canoe or SUP under the full moon, meet new friends and enjoy a new experience. Very casual and we meet at sunset.
Bring your board or paddle down from N Kihei Canoe Club. Glo sticks provided to first 50 people, trying to get more!
Aloha and Merry Christmas! As we approach the New Year, it’s time for many of us to take special inventory of family, life and our own personal health. I am so thankful for being on Maui and to stand up paddle or surf on Christmas; a tradition in my house!
Not everyone is as lucky to live in Maui, eat fresh fish, and simply enjoy the natural healthy lifestyle that surrounds us. But even if you are in the coldest place in the world, you can embrace health even in the simplest ways:
1. Make YOU a priority each and every day to exercise or do an activity you enjoy.
2.Embrace your life as it is today, and strive hard to make everlasting healthy lifestyle choices. Surround yourself with people that challenge you, inspire you and believe in you. It really makes a difference! I like to surf or do sports with people that are pretty aggressive. It keeps me on my toes and makes me a better surfer. I also have several mentors that act as my compass. Who is your compass?
3. Look in the mirror and like what you see. Having a healthy body image and loving yourself inside and out is contagious and I think very attractive.
People with negative body images have a greater likelihood of developing an eating disorder and are more likely to suffer from feelings of depression, isolation, low self-esteem and obsessions with weight loss.
I often come across training clients who have a vision of how they want to see themselves vs. who they really are and how their bodies are made. Genetics, medical conditions and other physiological factors play a role in how our bodies take shape.
4. Forget New Years resolutions…. they don’t work. Chunk it down and be realistic with your fitness goals. People expect not to keep their resolutions so it’s almost self defeating. Treat your goals as a process or journey. Reward yourself with a new workout top, new surf board, or whatever makes you happy!
Lastly, reflect back and see where you are now and where you want to go; in life, love and health.
Wishing you all that you love to come your way. Be strong in every step you take. Try something new!
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!
Stand up paddling or SUP is a fun way to get in shape. It does require a little upper and lower body strength and really targets your core muscles. Here are a few exercises for you to try to improve your upper and lower body endurance:
1.Leg Squats:
Imagine sitting in a chair, keep heels on ground, look straight ahead. As you come up for the next rep, keep knees slight bent to avoid locking them. Do about 2 sets of 10-15 reps.
Leg Squat
2. Shoulder/Front Alternating Arm Lateral and Side Raises:
If you’re just starting out, start with lighter weights and work your way up to heavier ones. You don’t want to compromise good form. If you start to struggle a little bit on that last rep, try to avoid any swinging motion of the body. Stand with soft or slightly bent knees, posture up and shoulder back. At a decent tempo, raise right arm just up to your chin, left arm, then to the side. Attempt 2 sets 10 -15 reps
Alt arms front raises
Lateral side raises
3. Regular and knee bent pushups:
Pushups don’t have to be hard, so don’t avoid them because they are very good for your upper body strength to help you to your feet faster. You will get stronger if you do them everyday. Remember breath out as you come up, don’t lock the elbows, keep your head in a nuetural position. Avoid doing a “head” push up which is cheating – bring your butt down as you lower your body. Wider shoulders target more chest, hands closer into body targets more triceps.
Pushups
4. Core Plank:
Your core is heavily worked when you stand up paddle. Another reason to SUP! The basic core plank challenges all your deep floor pelvic muscles radiating outward towards your lower spine, abs and glutes. Remember to draw in your belly button in front of your spine, keep your head and bum down, and keep breathing. Avoid grasping your hands in front of you. Time yourself – 15, 30 – 60 seconds! To advance this move, raise the rear leg, hold for 15 seconds, then switch.
Start Core Plank Position
Advanced Core Plank
These should be a great start for anyone who wants to be stronger for the sport of stand up paddling.
If you have any questions about these exercises, contact:
Aloha and Merry Christmas! As we approach the New Year, it’s time for many of us to take special inventory of family, life and our own personal health. I am so thankful for being on Maui and to stand up paddle or surf on Christmas; a tradition in my house!
Photos by Simone Reddingius :
Starboard
