Stoked!

Despite the windy conditions, we had two happy customers this morning after the successful completion of their standup paddle lesson.

Lynn and Fran came to us with little experience and were paddling around the marina in no time.

One tip that we have really found helpful for stand up paddle beginners is simply to relax.  When learning to standup paddle, it is so important to keep your knees soft and your back straight.  Also make sure that you are centered on the board.  If your feet are too far forward on the board, it forces the nose of the board into the water, making the board less stable.  If you are too far back on the board, the tail sinks under and the board becomes squirrely and difficult to maneuver.

Keep in mind that most boards these days come with a built in handle that is relatively centered on the board.  If you are unsure about where to put your feet, look for the handle as a rough guideline.  The arch of your foot should be lined up with the handle if you are centered on the board correctly.

For more information about our SUP lessons, click the Lessons link above or visit our website:

http://www.wetfeethawaii.com

Wet Feet Eco Tours

Wondering about fun ways to spend a morning on Oahu? Come join us for an Eco-Tour in Kaneohe Bay! Tours depart daily at 9am from Paradise Bay Resort! Call or e-mail us for more information and reservations.

808-373-7873
http://www.wetfeethawaii.com

Jeff Chang’s Molokai OC 1 Adventure…

Its always enjoyable doing the channel because its a chance to think about nothing else for hours except accomplishing the task at hand while enjoying the beauty of the ocean. There is a bit of suffering (I’m sure there is lot more suffering for those racing to place or win) but there are also moments of extreme clarity as your body responds to changes in how it burns fuel and creates energy. It requires almost constant focus except when you are awakened by things like a dolphin playing with you and crossing your bow, whales jumping, or flying fish buzzing in front of you. Then you are reminded of how amazing this place is that God created for us.

This year there was no wind! At the start and the days up to the race I was very disappointed because I was so looking forward to surfing the canoe all the way across. You can catch and surf every little bump and its way faster than a standup. At the start the boat wakes did provide some interesting little rides and from 1/3 to 1/2 channel there were actually some swells to ride but from halfway to Sandys it was pretty lake like. Once at Sandys there were tiny bumps to ride and my boat captain Cory said there was wind at our back but I did not feel it. Cory took me on a great line. As you can see he made a course correction where I was heading too south. A knowledgeable captain is key. I was aiming for Kokohead for most of the race but you can see how the current pushed me north then the slight wind pushed me south. I know it was a good line because I passed about 5 boats that were south of me as we went from Allen Davis to Hanauma. I got a great wave at China Walls that took me all the way to poles and it was high tide so you could surf all the way in without worrying about the reef. So it was a pretty successful day, I got a good workout, and it was another great experience.

Holiday Sale-A-Bration This Weekend at Wet Feet Hawaii!!!

Come join us Saturday December 18 and Sunday the 19th for our Holiday Tent Sale! We will be offering special board and paddle packages, goodie bags with purchase of $150 or more, free gift with Maui Jim purchase, raffle prizes and more. Bring a friend or 6 and come by from 9 to 6 and get ready for the Holidays!!!

Free SUP Clinic, Saturday December 11

Come join Morgan Hoesterey, Jenny Kalmbach, and Nicole Madosik in Hawaii Kai for a free SUP Clinic on Saturday, December 11 from 9am to 11am. Bring your board and your friends and come spend a few hours talking paddling with us!

Standup Paddle Training Groups with Wet Feet Hawaii

Here is our official flyer for our upcoming training groups. The groups will be a great way to get into shape and will be a good way to meet other paddlers. If you would like more information, or would like to sign up, call the shop at 808-373-7873 or come by and see us!

Free Half Day SUP Rental When You Volunteer With Us…

If you have ever spent time in or on the water in Hawaii Kai, then Maunalua Bay has been a part of your life. For most of us paddlers, Hawaii Kai is one of the go to places for standup paddling. We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful place to paddle, and it is time for us to give back to the bay that gives so much to us.

Come and Volunteer to support Malama Maunalua in their effort to “Huki”(pull) invasive algae on Sat 11/6 at 9am. Sign up at the Wet Feet store & receive a gift certificate for a free 1/2 day SUP & Paddle rental at Wet Feet! Gift certificates will be given out after the “Huki”. Come sign up today!!!

The spread of invasive, non-native marine algae is one of the greatest threats to Hawai‘i’s coral reefs and other near shore marine ecosystems. Hundreds of alien species have been introducted to O`ahu over the past decades. Free from predation and other control measures that would be found where these species are naturally found, some of these alien species are able to take advantage of new conditions and grow rapidly. As alien algae spreads, it grows over and smothers coral reefs and native algal communities, killing extensive areas of native habitat. Lowered populations of reef fish, a result of unsustainable fishing pressure and poor habitat conditions, are unable to keep the algae in check.

Five species of alienmarine algae have shown this ability to grow and spread at alarming rates, outcompeting our native corals and limu, and so destroying native reefs. Of these five species of alien algae, three are devastating Maunalua Bay. Gracilaria salicornia (a relative to our native manauea), Acanthophora spicifera, and Avrainvillea amadelpha.

Removing alien algae from high priority coral reefs is essential to the survival of Hawaii’s reefs. Currently, Malama Maunalua is implementing a number of measures to address this quickly growing problem.