Check out the latest in April 2013 ThePaddler Ezine Magazine – This issue Suzie Cooney is featured to inspire you and encourage those new to the sport of stand up paddling, to hop aboard and get started now.
These exercises will help you increase your overall SUP performance. They are presented with a clear progression from easier to advanced. All levels of paddlers can take away a few new training tips and techniques here.
As a trainer and paddler, I want to introduce a new concept that will help keep your brain and stand up paddling skills extra sharp in all dimensions.
What I mean by this is that we live and paddle in one dimension. We walk forward, we swim forward, we surf forward and we all can say we paddle forward. Sure we turn, we cut back and I have seen some paddle backwards to goof off, but we usually train and paddle in one dimension.
Now I have experienced, not on purpose; the act of sliding sideways on a big downwind glide. It’s almost like drifting in a racecar or doing what we call in the rally world, a 4-point drift! (Best freak’n, exciting rush ever!) Have you ever felt your board skid sideways? What did you? How did you react? Did you fight it or did you think it was way cool and go with it?
Have you practiced time and time again to step up; hop up over that small or medium sized wave or beach break attempting to get out, only to find yourself quickly stepping off the nose or back of board? These exercises will help you get up and over that small or medium side chop or wave.
Do you know how to brace yourself with your paddle before you fall? Can you instinctively plant your paddle without looking and confidently know it will be exactly where you need it, without falling off your board? Are you having trouble with quick turns into a wave or around a buoy? If so, these exercises will help you improve those skills too.
I want to tune you in to something that I do here in the studio or at the beach with some of my SUP folks and they don’t even know it. I’m training their brain to paddle and be in all dimensions at every moment. It’s not voodoo or island magic, it’s called training in different “dimensions or planes” of motion. I do this with force, no force, with weights or without weights.
For example we paddle forward on the right or left side of board in the sagittal plane, then we look and twist with our lower body to catch a wave or turn around a buoy in the transverse plane or lower superior of body. Sometimes when you’re doing a cut back, you’re paddling in all planes at once. As your board is sliding or floating across the lip of the wave you are now in the coronal or frontal plane.
This is trainer speak for and illustrated like this:
3 primary planes – transverse plane, frontal plane, and the sagittal plane.
Sagittal plane: divides body into right and left sides – We paddle left or right of board. Bracing with paddle lands us here.
Frontal plane: divides body into front/back – We respond, react and shift our weight as needed to recover, catch a bump or catch a wave here.
Last week, we introduced you to Brian Coppedge of Haiku Maui, who was taking on the challenge of learning to SUP. Read all about his first experiences here. Brian has been hard at work (and play) this week and has more insight to share!
“Week of one of my SUP training is now in the book that means it must be time to bare my soul to all of my new friends. I was excited to get in the water on two back to back days this week and really saw a marked difference in my confidence and basic board handling skills. I can already see that my biggest challenge to meeting my goal by the May 12 event is going to be carving out enough time in my week to make sure I have ample board time.
I think the best way to approach covering this past week is to break it down into two parts; Part 1 “Water Training” and Part 2 “Land Training”
Part 1: Water Training
My partner Max and I headed out to a beach in Kihei near the 5 Palms Resort. The weather was perfect, sunny, fairly glassy conditions with just a little bit of wind to mix things up slightly. The first day’s goal was simply to get use to our new (used) 16ft board. The big challenge for me was that the board was much narrower than the board I had used when I went on my first lesson with Suzie. At just over 27 inches wide the board did not leave me much room for error.
After paddling about 100 yards out from the beach on my knees I started the process of trying to get up and stay up on the new board. First attempt went well, as I got up and managed to get in a good 10 or so paddle strokes before I leaned too much to the left and went Continue reading Brian Coppedge’s Downwind SUP Training and Fitness Blog Entry Two
As part of the Conquer Your Fears Win A Dream Vacation ( sponsored by KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles ) featuring a contest giveaway at Maui’s beautiful resort retreat, Lumeria Maui; I had the pleasure of taking our their morning anchor/reporter Lynette Romero and crew for a fun filled morning of stand up paddling.
As you’ll learn from the video, she was first introduced to the water later in life, at the age of 18. Since then she’s had a big fear of things related. I assured her she would have success and be hooked! Well, see for yourself!
We loved hosting Lynette and her family and crew. Lynette, you keep up the good work! You are an inspiration to me and to thousands! You and your daughter Olivia and darling hubby can share stand up paddling together. We look forward to having you back on our beautiful island of Maui.
Warm Aloha,
Suzie Cooney
Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC Team Rider for Naish SUP.
Nevada SUP Paddler Scott Boyles checking in with a Big Win and Big Stoke
One of the many rewards of helping people with their stand up paddling stroke/fitness/technique is getting emails, photos and updates of their stoke and even better, wins in their local events. Makes a coach proud!
I had the chance to catch up with Scott Boyles at this year’s Battle of the Paddle at Dana Point where I could see from the fire in his eyes, discipline and strength in his body that this was only the beginning for him.
Suzie & Scott 2012 BOP Dana Point, CA.
Scott came to Maui with his wife Cheryl last year and took a lesson with me to improve his stroke. He was incredibly technical which I enjoyed all the more. He got it and he got it fast. As a student, he was a quick study and understood the finer nuances that take most people a little more time to grasp. With his anatomical knowledge and practice, I knew he’d have big breakthroughs too.
As he was already in excellent shape, it didn’t take him long to find his true core power ( about 5 minutes! ). He was able to understand how to use and transfer that power directly to the board and water. Impressive.
Scott writes:
“[I had] paddled [only] twice in my life. My wife Cheryl and I went to Maui, called Suzie Cooney. She invited us on a community downwinder from Paia Bay to Kanaha. Could barely stay on the board! Then I took a personal paddle lesson from her, and she demonstrated the great ability to coach technique, but more importantly communicate in an effective way. She was also so laid back as was the community she introduced us to, it really made it a awesome experience.
Went home, bought a board and set the goal to complete the 22 miler across Tahoe race (supported by a lovely wife who knows I need a “focus” on a physical activity). [I] achieved that in 2011. Did a number of other races, many sponsored by South Lake Tahoe Stand Up Paddle. Trained more, paddled lots, coached more by Tracy Day, bought another board a Flatwater Paddle, a fricking rocket. Then won the 18-55 age group in the 12′ 6″ class in the 2012, 22 miler. By the way, all at age 50!
Suzie is definitely a high ranking ambassador of SUP awesomeness, along with many others.”
So when I saw Scott again, as a trainer, of course, I noticed his ripped abs and asked if he’d share his training secret. He makes it look so easy!
Scott Boyle defying gravity in plank pose on his SUP
“For my abs: I do crunches once every couple months or so, up to 5 reps maybe 3 sets max. They are hard on the back and really unnecessary! (I learned a lot about true core strength following my second lower back surgery.) Ab strength is totally built on exercises that are based on core and balance as the primary foundation.”
Scott also came in 3rd in age group and 8th overall in the famous Tahoe Nalu long distance race.
I’m sure we’ll see and hear more of Scott’s wins, but most importantly he is spreading the stoke of SUP and is living proof that stand up paddling is a great way to stay in shape, build new strength and offers an amazing way to strengthen the core.
Having also experienced serious back issues myself, it is truly amazing how the body can respond. Proper guidance from your medical team is paramount. Scott rebuilt his lumbar foundation and amazingly is able to maintain his flexibility, range of trunk strength, leg strength and core strength. These combined components will enable him to enjoy SUP at this level and allow for a higher quality of life.
Scott, you are definitely an inspiration to me, and now you will reach thousands more.
Mahalo Scott for sharing and hope to see more photos. Maybe at next year’s OluKai Ho’olaule’a. We’d love to have you again.
Your fan, Suzie Cooney, CPTof Suzie Trains Maui, LLC
Maui, Hawaii (PRWEB) August 24, 2012 PLEASE NOTE:We’ve Added One More Hour 1-4pm…
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT
Stand Up Paddle Pro Talk with Suzie Cooney at Lumeria Maui November 3, 2012
Join Suzie Cooney owner of Suzie Trains Maui, Naish SUP Team Rider and guru SUP Fitness Training Expert for an informative “hands on” workshop and up your SUP performance. All levels of paddlers welcome.
Suzie Cooney, CPT owner of Suzie Trains Maui & Naish SUP Team Rider “Stand up paddling provides amazing health benefits and will change your life. Hop aboard and discover the sport that is globally growing in every community and on every body of water.”
Maui is the perfect location for this unique venue as it is a popular destination where stand up paddling, also referred to as SUP, allows for people to enjoy and experience the fastest growing water sport in the world. People from all over, all ages and any level of fitness travel to Maui where the waves are plenty, with big open ocean swells and warm tropical waters that offer amazing paddling adventures.
Discover the health benefits of stand up paddling and learn new fitness training techniques designed specifically to increase your performance.
The workshop topics will include:
Preparing Your Body for the sport of Stand Up Paddling
Ocean Preparedness & Water Safety
Preparing for the famous Maui Maliko Downwinders
Equipment and Gear Review: Boards provided by Naish International
SUP Techniques – Fine Tuning Your Skills – Finding your “power” in your stroke
SUP Fitness Training Demos and Group Participation
Meet new padding friends and join the fun. Giveaways and Drawings for those who attend.
Supporting sponsors: Naish International, lndoBoard Balance Trainer, Kaenon Polarized Eyewear & PocketFuel Naturals
Cost: $20 per person Prepaid reservations required. No refunds.
A portion of your registration fee supports Bring Change 2Mind.org, an organization working to eradicate the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. Additional donations are glady accepted.
I get lots of emails from folks exploring the sport of SUP and want to know if they need to be super strong to do it. Well, the answer is not really, but there are ways to get stronger for stand up paddling. This radio show is geared for beginners exploring the sport. Shari, pictured below is fairly new to the sport and while visiting from San Francisco we paddled out and then trained all the muscles she’d use to get strong and take her sport to new levels.
SUP Fitness Client, Shari
Click the button below to listen to my weekly radio segment. Our topic on this day: How To Prepare Your Body for Stand Up Paddling.
Listen Here!
Beginner Training Tips for New SUP Paddlers:
2 sets, 10-20 reps: ( adjust according to level of fitness )
Regular or Knee Bent Push Ups
Body Pull Ups
Alternating Shoulder Presses 5-15lbs
Leg Squats body weight or up to 12lb dumbbells
Lat Pull Downs 25-50lbs
Balance Training: Stability Ball, Knee Balancing, standind on 1 leg, or using IndoBoard training gear.
Core: Prone Floor Planks – hold 30-45 seconds
For more SUP Fitness Training Tips/Videos: go to my SUP Fitness Page: http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/sup-fitness-tips/
I am available for SUP Fitness training, SKYPE coaching and consultations. Contact me through this website.
I’ve been meaning to write this review for some time, but simply have been too busy catching glide after glide and bump after bump down the famous Maui Maliko downwinder stretch of ocean on Maui. Not too bad for a testing playground!
This 2012 Naish Glide handles well in calm conditions, side chop, and head winds and completely incredible in wind gusts up to 50mph with 8-10 foot wind swells. I also noticed that if I happen to start to nose dive on a big swell, it easily punches through and recovers without slowing me down or throwing me from one side or the other.
I must add, “wow” what an innovative design change from a year prior! I recognize one board cannot accommodate all conditions around the world, but Naish nailed it this year with the new lines and new attitude. Pros and weekend warriors are grabbing this board for their quiver and like myself, I am truly impressed. The comfortable “ledge” carrying handle sure makes a difference for someone like me with smaller hands and after a long run, it’s easier to carry.
Specs: 14’0” 27” ¼ wide & 5 ¾ Construction Options: Carbon construction with wood reinforcement in the stance area and a more durable option called AST, a glass construction also with wood reinforcement in the stance area.
Glide Highlights and Performance Review:
- The Glide 14 is a new shape and the second generation 14 suitable for open ocean conditions.
- This new version has less nose rocker, which makes the board better in lighter air and flat-water conditions. It gives it a longer water line and allows catching glides with less effort.
- It now also has softer rails further back. This makes it more forgiving and easier to steer in rough water.
- The slightly sunk in deck ads stability and the thinned out tail section gives the rider better control when on a glide.
- In general the Glide 14 in our opinion is the best compromise between a top performing but user-friendly board. With all the changes that we made since its first version it improved speed but got easier to ride at the same time.
- Available in both carbon construction for ultimate performance and lightweight, and AST construction for a better price point.
I’m totally stoked about this board and also noticed how it releases if I want to zig zag and catch bumps faster. It can also hold a very steep drop and doesn’t mind me getting way back literally on top of the fin if I need to. The deck is comfortable with a diamond pattern texture.
This board is sexy for sure in so many ways. Technically speaking and in performance, it’s very responsive and will really help you push your limits.
Be sure to check one out in your town or if on Maui, stop by and see Coach at the Naish Maui Pro Center.
Lumeria Maui is pleased to announce the addition of two professional athletes to our watersports faculty. Legendary surfers Suzie Cooney and Buzzy Kerbox will be spearheading the Lumeria Maui watersports program, offering classes in surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, wind surfing and kite surfing. Visitors may sign up for classes to enhance their stay at Lumeria and on Maui. Experience the “sport of kings”! Please see our watersports page for more information about our watersports classes and activities!
Sign up for Suzie’s May 2012 Stand-Up Paddling Fitness Experience at Lumeria Maui! Limited space is available! More information can be found here.
Maui, HI., Saturday December 3, 2011 was the place to be as a very entertaining, free, unique SUP ( stand up paddle ) event took place in North Kihei’s Mai Poina Ole La’u Beach Park, where participants were greeted with mild, calm conditions and a small south swell. The purpose of the event was to allow those new and experienced to the wildly, ever-growing popular sport of stand up paddling also known as “SUP”; participate in a very interesting and challenging fitness beach course and ocean paddle challenge. ( photo galleries and sponsor info below )
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.”
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. Continue reading Naish & Suzie Trains Maui Delivers Unique Stand Up Fitness Paddle Challenge As One to Remember
![STMplanesofmotion_final[1]](http://www.standuppaddlingfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/STMplanesofmotion_final1.jpg)
Maui, HI., Saturday December 3, 2011 was the place to be as a very entertaining, free, unique SUP ( stand up paddle ) event took place in North Kihei’s Mai Poina Ole La’u Beach Park, where participants were greeted with mild, calm conditions and a small south swell. The purpose of the event was to allow those new and experienced to the wildly, ever-growing popular sport of stand up paddling also known as “SUP”; participate in a very interesting and challenging fitness beach course and ocean paddle challenge. ( photo galleries and sponsor info below )
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.”
