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. After 25 years competing and teaching in Hawaii, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, Mark Jackson has brought Standup South Pacific to New Zealand. As a water sports instructor he has taught for many well known sports stars and celebrities. Some of his competitive results include: 1987 Wailea Speed Crossing 1st Place; 1988 Maui County Slalom Championships 1st Place; 2nd 3rd & 4th places in the Papa He’e Nalu Tandem Maui Surf; 2007 Maui Canoe & Kayak Club S.U.P. Division Champion; 2007 SUP Starbucks Maui to Molokai Challenge 1st Place.
Joe’s Bark!
Three North Shore ‘B’ locals have had custom made “Joe Bark” 14 foot Stand Up Paddle boards direct from California – and as if it isn’t enough to hunt and sometimes even lead the pack around the Takapuna Beach Series SUP three kilometre course – these three guys have also been chasing boats. BIG boats!
After receiving tuition from the “Mark Jackson Standup Paddle Board” school (found at www.standupsouthpacific.co.nz), Troy, Dion and Simon all riding their carbon racing boards have been looking for a ticket to ride and a race to win. Recently they have been testing their newly learned skills by challenging the wake pushed by massive container and cruise ships.
The Rangitoto Channel is “gate keeper” and “key master” to numerous aqua traffic daily – Troy, Dion and Simon adding another three! They haul out to the Channel from Takapuna Beach which can take anything from 15 up to 35 minutes, depending on the currents and wind direction, with a target to catch the biggest “cruise or container ship’s” swell available back to the beach.
The Ports of Auckland website provides details of all inbound and outbound vessel movement allowing the three to plan an onslaught – and as soon as the ship protrudes it’s bow around North Head, off they go and the fun begins.
On the menu today is one of the “Princess” cruise liners leaving Queens Warf at around 5pm – so the three take off from Takapuna and enjoy another swell evening hacking out to the Channel and screaming back at full pace.
Can you think of a better way to end the weekend? Fitness, Wellbeing and enjoyment all in one fun filed crazy session. Can’t beat it. Come down to Takapuna,
give Mark Jackson a call (0220 PADDLE - 0220 72 33 53) or get online www.standupsouthpacific.co.nz
Authors note: Mahalo to Simon Osner for co-authoring this article as well as sharing his cruise ship chasing adventures with Troy and Dion out in the Channel and now in Channel Magazine – a publication that is truly a SUPlement to our North Shore lifestyle.
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.
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