STAND UP PADDLING with Mark Jackson

Hull oh Aloha lo – what’s all this then?

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.

Hull oh Aloha lo – what’s all this then?

It’s one hull of a concept squared! It was inevitable – the 'Standamaran' – from Stand Up South Pacific, and it’s coming to a toy store near you!
It has always been forward thinking minds that bring about futuristic changes. Remember when Dennis Conner’s Cat, Stars & Stripes US1, slaughtered Bruce Farr’s New Zealand challenge KZ1 in the 1988 Americas Cup (yeah, we'd rather forget that one too!). Well forget all the painful appeals in New York courts between Michael Fay and Dennis Conner, because without them, we would never have reached the bizarre and mind blowing phase of the present day Americas Cup racing.
Another forward thinking mind, disguised behind Joe 90 spectacles, and a Dave the Wave haircut, is the Chairman of the Takapuna Beach Business Association (TBBA). He’s Dave Donaldson, a thriving optimistic adventuring capitalist multi hull freak. I like the nickname DD squared since every project he’s involved in more than doubles it’s ROI and has been a DD smash success.
Dave has been involved in properties for many years, specialising in developing older buildings including the Steel Works (Mt Eden) and the fabulous Takapuna Beach Cafe. He was also involved in remodelling 10 Northcroft Street – home to The Department Store – which subsequently was named number one new retail store in the world by Monocle Magazine.
Dave lives in Takapuna and wants to be involved in its future. He believes that Takapuna has fantastic potential but it needs to be realised by land owners, businesses, developers and residents all working together. Along with like minded members of the TBBA, Dave’s on a mission to put the '*Puna back in our *Taka'. He’s a Stand Up Takapuna guy, standing up for our Takapuna. His present mission is to turn Takapuna to the tātahi (the beach).
Step 1 in his mission – Renovate the old Roberts Electric Store (most recently a toy shop) so that it flows through to the tātahi.
Step 2 – Find a retailer who goes with that flow and also 'stands up' for Takapuna. Both these Missions are accomplished. Stand Up South Pacific will be the new front door/back door watersport store at 53 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna.
Our mission – Flood Takapuna with saltwater serious cruisers, inviting everyone to 'come around' and play. A big thank you and tribute (rahi mihimihi) to 'Dave the Wave' Donaldson for igniting my entrepreneurial mind to be part of the *Taka *Puna!

Give Mark Jackson a call at Stand Up South Pacific:
0220 PADDLE, 0220 72 33 53 or get online www.standupsouthpacific.co.nz Opening soon at 53 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna.

*Taka (verb) to come round – as a date or period of time. *Puna 1 (verb) to well up, flow. 2. (noun) spring (of water), well, pool.