Abraham and Donica Shouse

We met Abraham and Donica Shouse when we visited the Big Island, Hawaii in November 2011. They are a very easy and outgoing couple to get to know and quickly grow fond of as they are inspired by stoke and heavily promote it in many aspects of their lives. Prior to meeting them, Coli was a happy passenger on a paddleboard - but after she met Abraham and Donica, she was bitten by the stoke vibe, and with much of their encouragement decided to stand up! Since then - Coli made a pact to move forward, take charge of her condition and promote Stoke!!! 

Coli's first time standing up and paddling

It is truly amazing how sometimes - a little bit of genuine stoke can really go a long way which is why we'd like to share Abraham and Donica's story....

photo from Standup Journal

Abraham: When I first tried paddleboarding, I had only seen it once before, and even though the guy looked pretty wobbly it looked like the best way to travel on the water. I borrowed a 10'6" SoftTop longboard and paddled it into some good sized waves no problem. I probably rode my bike down to Kona Surf Co. a dozen times to borrow that board before I got my first SUP.
 

Donica: It was the winter of 2007 that I first noticed the paddle boarders showing up along big islands coasts. I was really drawn to how quickly the paddle allows you to move. I instantly fell in LOVE with the view and the leverage from a paddle! It was definitely a challenge but Abraham would always caddy my board and make it as easy as possible for me. It's nice that boards are finally getting small enough to fit under you arm, or at least have a handle.

photo by Sarah Lee

A: A passion for paddling keeping me coming back. Of course I'm always STOKED to be out testing my newest creations. Making functional art is really satisfying. By staying focused on paddle quality and innovation, and with the support of my family and friends, I have been able to develop some of the most unique and exceptional paddles.

D: There are so many different ways to experience SUP. Variety is the spice of life, and the view just gets better and better. For stoke just add water. 

photo by Sarah Lee

A: Mainly I like to paddle into waves and surf. I love to paddle the most crowded circumstances for some reason. Open ocean downwinders are great. SUP is pretty much guaranteed fun anywhere.
 

D: I like all types of paddling: Recreational, downwinding, racing. I've been trying to branch out more. I love downwinders, and paddling on flat water with kids is super fun too. I do a lot of SUP yoga, but mostly I SUP surf at least every other day.

A: Some of my favorite places that I have discovered are right down the mountain from my house. West side Big Island. Clear water, big channels and calm wind.
 
D: Pretty much everywhere I go is my new favorite place to paddle because that's how I roll. Honokohau Harbor has it all with a big protected lagoon to explore or anchor for a SUP yoga session before paddling out to perfect waves.

A: It's EASY! Just stand up and see for yourself… you might even go somewhere
 
D: It's like the Bicycle of the Ocean. Best view around and easier to keep moving.

A: There is a deep connection just under the surface find it. Special thanks to all the companies who've supported us over the years. Organik Hawaii, Imagine Surf, Odina Surf, Kaenon, Rareform, Kona Boys, FuturesSUP, and HawaiianBioAstin.
 
D: For a custom built paddle and more juicy titbits find us at PaddleHawaii.com

Abraham and Donica Shouse

Photo by Sarah Lee

Jesse - Ripped, Fast, and All Smiles!

Jesse is someone that I met at the Surf Expo Trade show. He had a very charismatic and enthusiastic vibe, and we instantly connected. Whether it was nerding out about product, comparing different subtleties between board shapes and paddle profiles, talking about racing, to downright family fun, Jesse is a very easy person to connect with and have a genuine conversation.

Not only is he super ripped from firefighting and race training, he has an amazing attitude about getting people out on the water from all different levels of paddling which is why we'd like you to get to know him, and this is his story:

I first tried paddleboarding around 2008. My whole life I had always surfed and in Florida, paddleboards had just started to pop up. I would head down to the beach with the family and let them play around on the boards and paddle out to the reefs and I slowly started riding them in the small surf. 

It took a few years, but my wife and kids slowly got bit by the SUP bug. Now it has become an activity that the whole family enjoys, whether we are heading down to the Florida Keys or paddling the mangrove trails with some friends. I really enjoy that there are so many different disciplines of paddling to experience; from Surfing, Racing, and “Sunday Fundays”.  I have also had the opportunity to make great friends from all over the country, as well as the world, by being involved in Racing and Trade Shows.

I just like to Paddle, it does not matter where or when as long as I get on the water. I am fortunate that my family enjoys paddling as much as I do, so whether I am Racing or surfing they are always there with me. We travel as a family to races and have developed a pretty nice extended paddle family along the way.

Photo: Katie Elzer-Peters Battle of the Paddle 2013

I really like to paddle in the Florida Keys. We have crystal clear water in South Florida, so it makes it interesting for the kids when they get to see fish, rays ,sharks, dolphins and manatees.  Tahoe, Utah, or pretty much anywhere there is water are in my favorites as well.  Washington State looks pretty nice too, I might know a guy who could show me around some good paddle spots. (we know where you're going with this one, Jesse!)

Paddleboarding is just FUN. I’m not sure how you describe the different aspects to people. You can just coast along and look at nothing but water and be happy, or charge a river in full gear; but it is up to the paddler to decide where their happiness comes from.

I am thankful to my wife and kids for be so supportive of this hobby of mine, and I’m really glad that I have had so many great moments with my family and friends. Thank you to all the people who have helped me get to where I am today and thank you to The Village of Stoke for allowing me to contribute, it has been an honor. (the honor is all ours, Jesse! We love to have an opportunity to get to know our friends better!)

L-R: Maxwell, Brandi, Miranda, Savannah, Jesse

Jesse 
Brandi 
Miranda (18)
Maxwell 14)
Savannah (6)

Henrik Friberg - Gliding in Scandinavian waters

Henrik Friberg is a friend of ours who paddles the waters out in Sweden. We were introduced to each other by a mutual friend Larry Allison, and immediately hit it off. Some of the stories we've exchanged in the past on the waters out where he lives sound amazing which is why we would like to introduce him to you all today and this is his story:

The first time I saw SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) was when I was reading a windsurfing magazine back in 2007 from the US. I was interested and wanted to know more about it, so I started searching around here in Sweden. I couldn’t find anything at all. 

In 2008 I found a place that sold boards. That summer I decided to sell all my windsurfing gear and buy myself a board. In 2009 I had the money and ordered my first board. I had found some forums and other interesting websites on the internet and that made me go directly for a race board. I had one small problem though, and that was to find a paddle that I thought was good. I couldn’t find any, so I had to go and order one from the USA. Lots of measuring and chatting and I ended up with a 79” full carbon paddle. And it worked!

My first time on a SUP was a total gamble because there was no one else around who paddled.  I had only seen it in a magazine and on the internet. I am so happy that I gambled.

I love SUPing and I can’t think of anything better to do to exercise or just have fun. Depending on the conditions it can be VERY challenging or just very relaxing. The paddling has a very positive effect on a stressful week, too. SUP is very therapeutic. I hate when winter comes and “my” sound freezes solid. It has become a very big part of my life.

The paddling I do most is recreational flat water paddling, or paddling in choppy conditions, because that is what is offered here. This summer I have done some shorter downwinding, and that was a real challenge. But I loved it, so I will try to find more places with the right conditions.

In my local area I am the only one who’s paddling, and that is very sad. I can’t really understand why it has not caught on here yet, but I am sure it will. In other parts of Sweden SUP is growing, and this year Sweden had its second year of national races. I am teaching my children how to SUP, and maybe they will be bitten by the bug too. Next year it is my wife's turn to try paddling.

At the moment my favorite place to paddle is in the sound just outside Färjestaden where I live. I also love paddling in Kalmar, which is a town on the other side of the sound. There you can paddle in the town in canals. It is an awesome experience to see 
contemporary buildings side-by-side with buildings from the 16^th century. Träslövsläge on the west coast of Sweden is a place I visited this summer. That place has a lot bigger waves, and I really want to go back and continue trying to surf my 12’6. Next time, hopefully, I can also try a proper SUP surfboard.

When I am out paddling I sometimes meet people, and and very often they have no idea what I am doing. They tend to think it is some sort of kayaking. So as you can understand SUP is still not a huge sport and lifestyle as it is in USA. Yet.

Henrik Friberg, Sweden
https://www.facebook.com/SUPisland

Sharon Ilstrup - the smile behind "Power Daisy"

Sharon Ilstrup is a name that constantly "pops up" here in the Pacific Northwest. We first met her at the Stroke the Slough race here in Washington full of smiles, support, and high fives. Recently, Sharon found a camera while paddling at Lake Sammamish, (a nice one too). Determined to return it to the original owners, she figured out ways through social networking to get these memories back to those that lost them....and succeeded.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/facebook-post-news-report-reunite-owner-camera-19764491#.UfCKAv2WW6w.email 

Sharon is just like that, and this is why we like her and want to share her story:

In the early 80’s, I lived on the island of Oahu and was part of an Outrigger Canoe club..I loved the connection with the water, the people and the amazing workout! Fast forward 100 years and I found myself on Kauai, SUP’ing (Stand Up Paddleboarding) down the Hanalei River, with my kids, paddling against the trade winds while watching sea turtles, below….I was hooked. I bought 2 surf style boards when we got back to the mainland.

I feel most at peace when I’m on, in or near the water... If I’m not near an ocean, lake or river for a few days, I start to feel out of balance.  SUP is, for me, THE best way to feel that connection with water.  The fact that it’s a killer core workout is a huge bonus. To be able to feed my soul AND get in great shape while being part of this amazing community of surfers and paddlers makes this the perfect sport for me. I loved running in the mountains back in my ultra days but SUP is an addiction for me.

It’s hard to say what type of paddling I love most. I come from a triathlete background so I come from a sport that is perfect for people that like the variety of the swim/bike/run.  I started as a recreational paddler…just getting on the water with my kids, having fun....After a while, I started to read everything I could get my hands on to learn more about the sport, it’s history, etc…and while doing this research, I came across and read a book that Rob Casey, of Salmon Bay Paddle, wrote.  I decided to find Rob and take some classes from him. After training with Rob and learning about stroke technique, safety & rescue, how to surf tidal currents, etc…I decided to take Rob’s certification course and become an instructor. After paddling for a while, it was only natural for me to jump into some racing. I can run in the mountains for hours but paddling is a completely different game, using completely different muscles. I found, quickly, that I had to leave the ego on the beach and just have fun. The majority of people racing SUP are incredibly strong!! I’m getting used to finishing near last.  Give me a couple more years. 

Then there is downwinding….The whole idea of surfing on Puget Sound seemed so cool to me. Rob sent me to Art Aquino of Downwind Warriors to learn more. Art took me out on what turned out to be an insanely crazy weather day, with several wind directional changes and a hail storm, but I loved every minute of it. Downwinding also gave me a ton of confidence on those 20 knot days on Lake Washington. I’ll go out in almost any conditions, year round.

Because I spend a lot of time teaching SUP, which requires a lot of talking, getting out and paddling on my own is important.  I crave the silence. Having said that, I would not trade my girlfriend time, on the water, for anything!

I would have to say my favorite place to paddle in the PNW (Pacific Northwest), is anywhere on the Puget Sound. I spend most of my time on Lake Washington because it’s convenient and easy to launch, but the Puget Sound is so much more ‘alive’ than the lakes, and also more interesting with the currents, tides, crazy swell and chop. I also have to mention the Slough…when it’s rough and windy and I need an easy day, I head to the Sammamish Slough. Just this week I went out, with my friend Ziggy, and it was so amazing seeing all the salmon runs! There were hundreds of Sockeye swimming under us and jumping all around. It was so surreal!

SUP is like walking on water. Kayaking is great but I love the feeling of being free and not having my legs feel trapped…It’s much more of a whole body workout and you can see so much more when you are standing!

SUP is for the young and old, athlete or just coming off the couch…It’s an amazing sport with an even more amazing community vibe…Everyone I meet in the sport of SUP has a connection with the water and we are all ocean minded. It’s so cool to be a part of this fast growing sport!

Sharon with her brand new custom board "Power Daisy" custom made by Sean Thomas at Echo Composites. Power Daisy is a very special board - custom crafted in every detail to compliment the personality, vibe, and laughs that you will get paddling with Sharon.

Sharon Ilstrup

http://www.emeraldcitysup.com/