This article is from Mark Jackson, North Shore native and owner of Stand Up South Pacific Ltd, who is helping to introduce S.U.P. to his Hauraki/Takapuna home town. With a 25 year career in professional water sports, teaching and competing all over the world from Hawaii to the Caribbean and Mediterranean, Jackson exclaims; “The Hauraki Gulf ! It’s gotta be one of the best, most beautiful waterscapes in the world, and postcard perfect for Stand Up Paddling. “It offers up mostly calm protected waters from Devonport to Mairangi Bay and beyond. When it does blow a wicked hoolie out of the north east or south west, more experienced paddlers can catch the glides in a downwind run from Whangaparoa Peninsula to Takapuna Beach or from Point Chevalier to Torpedo Bay. While competing, Mark won several international events including the Starbucks Maui Challenge (37km SUP race Maui to Molokai); Maui Slalom Windsurf Champs; Hawaiian Pro/Am Wailea Speed Crossing Maui to Molokai; Maui Canoe Kayak Club SUP Division Championships; Omaha Boardriders SUP Wave and most recently the 'old farts' over 50 division SUP North Shore Beach Series.
Most North Shore residents and visitors who have had a good gander at our Waitemata Harbour’s glorious Rangitoto Channel are gob smacked by the glitter of it’s sparkling waters and goose pimpled by it’s seasonal blood red sunsets. Born from a volcanic eruption 700 years ago (the day the blood of Tamatekapua was shed) Rangitoto, the iconic landmark of (Akarana) Auckland, channels both the rhythm of our harbour, and the dance of those who play and passage upon her waters.
The newest player to ‘walk the Waitemata’ is the Stand Up Paddler! Yep… you’ve seen em…those waka ama wackos, those yoga yoyo yachties, those pedestal paddlers who do it standing up. Sweepers if you will, of our Moana Nui. Gladiators of the gulf on their chariots in the channel. Stand Up Paddle (SUP) is fun, fashionable, funky, and a sport growing faster than our GST.
Q. So. What is it?
A. It’s a big surfboard, a long paddle and if ya get one it’ll become your Love Boat.
Q. Who’s doing it?
A. Every man and his dog. (see picture)
Q. How easy is it?
A. Ask the dog in the picture!
Q. How much does one cost?
A. More than a Mohawk hair cut less than a Lexus! Ok ok about 2.5k to get fully kitted out, board, board bag, and blade.
While Auckland might be “The City of Sails”, North Shore is “The City of Serious Cruisers”. During summer The North Shore Beach Series has Takapuna Beach bubbling with good keen Kiwi’s giving it their best in running, swimming, canoe/kayak, and now SUP racing. An event every Tuesday night (for 16 weeks) that draws the likes of very serious cruisers like the Ferg fraternity
(Ian, Steven and Alan Ferguson) as well as hundreds of other Waitemata warriors.
North Shore people really get into their sport and fitness, and many of them are getting stung by the buzz of Stand Up. Our postie, Carolyn Watts and her Flintstone partner Barney Rubble bought Jimmy Lewis race boards from me and while Mr Rubble dominated in his Waka, Carolyn paddled proud and won her SUP division. Shane Wijohn from Mairangi Bay is your outside the box addict. He has paddled two hours almost everyday for three months and lost over 8kg. Shane, an ex pro kick boxer/boxer and former NZ Champ in both, retired four years ago and says that nothing else could compare with his former profession in terms of the WOW factor until he started Stand Up.
Matthew Mason paddled his maiden voyage with Paul Jackson from Bayswater Marina to Takapuna Beach. Paul, who placed 3rd in the toughest division of the SUP race later stated. “Matty's bloody fit, kept up with me no sweat and I was charging hard the whole way.” Matty is exactly FOTB (fresh off the boat). He’s done six Americass Cup's, two Whitbread's, and is currently boat director for BMW Oracle Racing.
Manu Bennett won the SUP sprint race in the North Shore Beach Series. Manu’s another North Shore paddler and actor, who plays Crixus, the lead Gladiator in the hit TV series, Spartacus Blood and Sand. A true 'Gladiator of the Gulf', he can often be seen with his two and a half favourite ladies, Karin Horan his partner, Huia, their three year old daughter, and their next little miracle is due in October. Manu has a big wave surfing background and rides a Jimmy Lewis Bomborra big wave gun. His latest SUP adventure was with yours truly and Browns Bay surf photographer Scott Sinton, chasing and catching barrels at Shipwrecks Bay. Tu Be or not Tu Be…that was Manu’s question!
So. What’s your question you maiden voyage Channel Magazine readers? If you have one about SUP and want to give it a whirl then lets have a board meeting. Stand Up and be counted for what you are about to receive. Anyone can do it and it’ll change your life. Just be warned… it’s highly addictive and may just get you fitter than you’ve ever been… without you even realising it.
For more info, contact Stand Up South Pacific
0220 PADDLE (72 33 53)
www.standupsouthpacific.com
mark@standupsouthpacific.com
Meanwhile, the tide is high and CHANNEL Magazine is out. So get into it. Hangloose. Be Happy. Aloha.
