STAND UP PADDLING with Mark Jackson

Our regular Stand Up Paddling (SUP) contributor is the energetic Mark Jackson, North Shore native and owner of Stand Up South Pacific Ltd, who is helping to introduce SUP to Aotearoa and especially to his Hauraki/Takapuna home town. In this issue he reports on the Wilson Home Paddle Play Day that he was inspired to organise after reading Channel – his favourite magazine!

Mission Possible!

You have to believe in yourself. Because after you’ve decided what you want, you have to believe it’s possible. Possible for you, not just for other people. Then you need to seek out models, mentors, coaches, visions, missions and values.

A vision is an imaginative concept.
A mission is the assignment to achieve that concept.
The inspiration for our Vision – to create a ‘Paddle Play Day’ for the children associated with the Wilson Home Trust was channeled by this very magazine and it’s FUNdamental purpose was Fun!
Thanks to all the great people who helped us on this project. We are proud, on their behalf, to announce both mission accomplished, vision in progress, and we’re gonna ‘Play it again Sam!’.
Mahalo Nui to all the volunteers who acted as coaches and mentors.
To Russ Wilkinson, Sarah Aston at Foodstuffs and Shannon Auton from Blue (www.blue.co.nz) for wicked licorice ice cream and blueberries.
To the Takapuna Boating Club for use of all their facilities.
To photographer Scott Sinton who captured the pictures that painted a thousand words... 10,000 if you were there to see them.
To ‘Stray Kat’ Katherine Heatley and ‘Starlight Rose’ Rose Houghton from Babes On Boards whose families accounted for many of the volunteers, especially Oliver the twister.
To Sally King and Russell Ness of the Wilson Home Trust who trusted us with their kids and gave us the green light to step with them into liquid.
Most of all to the Kids and Parents whose smiles and enthusiasm stole our hearts.
Our Wilson Home Paddle Play Day brought together an incredible bunch of people, all of whom I hope will join us in the Paddle Play Day Sequel and another great Toy Story. Our second Wilson Home Paddle Play Day will be on Sunday January 23rd from 10am until infinity and beyond.
If you’re reading this you’re a ‘Channel Head’. Nice one! If you haven’t tried Stand Up Paddling yet, become a ‘Paddle Head’ now. HOW? We invite you to review our offer on page 73 of Issue 6 “The Festive Holiday Issue” and to also have a squizz below at our Stand Up South Pacific Calendar of Events. Somewhere within there is a way for you to get a ticket to redefine your ride and ‘Get on board!’

If you would like some Stand Up Paddle lessons, or just have a one hour fun paddle, all equipment included with a free intro lesson, just look for our Stand Up South Pacific Flags right in front of the Takapuna Boating Club. Alternatively, call Mark Jackson on 0220 PADDLE 0220 72 33 53.