Whitecap Stand Up Paddleboarding

17/10/2016

At the Outer Banks on the annual Whitecap Windsurfing trip that becomes a SUP trip when the wind doesn't blow. Here's a good logo shot from the session yesterday across the "street" in Avon.

13/09/2016

02/07/2016

Figit sharing the day with the SUPer kids of Camp Kemo a couple weeks ago. This camp, held annually in June, is for kids fighting the big C. My buddy, John Tate, dedicates enormous energy to make this camp happen every year. It's held just outside of Possum Kingdom, SC. These kids are amazing! (Delay of this post due to permission process for use of these photos.)

09/05/2016

26/02/2016

At Georgia Chapter of Surfriders Foundation at Octane Coffee House in Atlanta

06/02/2016

I just signed a petition to Secretary of the US Navy Ray Mabus, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, The Georgia State House, The Georgia State Senate, Governor Nathan Deal, The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama: Stop the US Navy from using dea…

11/12/2015

Real people are buying these killer Starboard and BIC closeout specials! Sold in last 7 days. Terry Perkins of Columbia and Steve Zwemer of Augusta jumped on the SPRINT 14' carbon (with free paddle!) at 50% off. (Heck, Steve got the Fanatic FLY 11'6 All-Around close-out, too!) Mark Hamrick of Evans, got the TOURING 14' x 28 and Kathy Lindgren of Hanahan, SC got here first SUP -- the 2015 BIC Cross-FIT 10' at a great deal.

08/09/2015

We got a nice send-off to Surf Expo in Orlando from my neighbors on Broad St, Augusta, GA. I'm traveling with Fred Franklin, who first attended this Expo in 1977 -; yes, I said 38 years ago!!! -- as a pro team rider for Progressive Skate Boards. These neighbors spied Fred loading our SUPs for the trip and picked up on the skate vibe. They pulled out these sweet sticks for the photo.

12/08/2015

The "Save Our Water" tour stop tonight for the raffle of this awesome 12' touring Bote' SUP is at Bees Knees /The Hive in Augusta at 10th and Ellis St. just off Broad.

11/08/2015

YOU can win this BOTE' SUP board! "Ride the Sweetwater" promo tour is in AUGUSTA. That's Marci Cannon, Development Director of Savannah Riverkeepers, with me at Pizza Joint in Evans Sunday night. We'll be at Nacho Mammas/Stillwater Tap Room tonight, 6 - 9pm. Raffle proceeds benefit Savannah Riverkeepers 100%. Drink a beer - get a ticket! Got to love that! Buy more tickets if the spirit moves ya'. The board is a 12' touring model by BOTE' that is truly state-of-the-art. Unique, cool graphics, too! A board that would sell in the shadow of $2000.
Next stops are as follows, 6 to 9 pm:
Wednesday, 12th -- Bees Knees / Hive
Friday, 14th -- Mellow Mushroom (downtown)
Saturday, 15th -- Beer Festival (1 - 4pm, and 6 - 9 pm)
Sunday, 16th -- Pizza Joint in Evans
More dates announced shortly. Raffle drawing on 8/29. (Do not have to be present to win.)

13/06/2015

Figit's day as a SUP'n therapy dog at Camp Kemo 2015, the camp for kids battling with cancer that was held last week in Honea Path SC. That first picture requires no words. What an amazing day.

03/04/2015

Happy hour on a Savannah River sandbar at the Waterkeepers Alliance conference yesterday. Riverkeepers from all over the southeast on the scene for a 3-day training and stategy-sharing session. (As always, the various Riverkeepers expressing their love for the fantastic support they get from Sweetwater Brewery.)

18/12/2014

I was a bit distressed to see these pics and advice concerning how to cartop your board published on the SUPconnect.com blog dated 12/16/14. Two serious, majorly dangerous flaws in the author's method with these very popular spring-loaded, friction-grip clamping buckled straps.
(1.) In first pic, at the very end of his process, he brings the strap back excess away from the friction clamp! That is contrary to the entire ergonomics and physics of the design of these spring-loaded clamps. The first few inches of strap excess should flap back over the clamp.
(2.) In 3rd pic, he uses one strap when two are just as easy, just as fast, but give twice the security!
Those are the most important errors because of their outright danger, but also as depicted in this same SUPconnect.com article, the popular idea that tail first (whether fin is up or down) is the "right way" is simply not so, at least not with a surfboard-shaped SUP with some rocker. The idea that the SUPconnect.com author states that fins up in front will catch on the straps if the board slides backward on the rack is dubious at best. If the board slides back that far, the strap is totally loose and it's coming off. Never heard in 20+ years of anything like that happening, where a fin caught on a loosened strap and saved the day. The increased wind resistance of the tail-first idea is a bigger threat to a board working it's way loose, in my opinion, and not worth it. (Perhaps it could be the correct orientation with a displacement-hull race or touring shape, but it's not necessarily so.) See the actual scientific analysis accomplished in a wind tunnel as reported in a 2007 article in Windsurfing Magazine.
I literally have over 200,000 miles -- what's that?-- equivalent to some 8 times around the planet -- with board(s) on my cartop and below is my experienced opinion. It's fast, easy, simple and never once even loose, much less actually let go altogether.

05/12/2014

As they say...whatEVAH may come...be prepared! Wave board on top. Touring board below. Gone to the coast for the weekend. St Simons and on to Savannah tomorrow for Riverkeeprs Pick and Pinch event Sat. night at Hogans Marina.

01/12/2014

THIS SATURDAY in Savannah! Join Whitecap SUP on the scene and have a great time while raising money for Savannah Riverkeeper! There will be delicious BBQ pulled pork, boiled crawfish, beers provided by SweetWater Brewing Company, a silent auction featuring local art and items, and live music by Savannah's own City Hotel. Raffle for awesome items, including a kayak. All of the evening's proceeds go to support Savannah Riverkeeper's mission of cleaning and protecting our river. We hope to see you there!

Whitecap SUP is doing a guided marsh paddle at 3:00pm. See events on this fb page.

More details and register here: http://www.savannahriverkeeper.org/roast-on-the-river-ticket-purchase.html

HOGAN'S MARINA
36 WILMINGTON ISLAND ROAD
SAVANNAH, GA

21/10/2014

The scene at this year's trip to the Outer Banks-- Oct 11 to 18.

18/10/2014

Memorial paddle-out ceremony for Maya Spicer and Chuck Roberts at the Whitecap OBX 2014 Windsurfing/SUP trip.
We had a very meaningful gathering in the traditional Hawaiian aloha style for our two friends who were a huge presence at this trip for many, many years. This ceremony -- which is not somber -- helped us find a little peace and comfort. The elements of the paddle-out included
>> a celebration of their lives and the memory of them we will keep forever represented by fresh flowers thrown by each of us into the circle
>> the brother/sisterhood of the water culture we shared with them represented by throwing water to the skies as it rains back down upon us all,
>> and the joy of life, as the Chuck Roberts and Maya expressed it with us, and as we go forth to continue living with appreciation and gratitude
Many stories of Chuck Roberts and Maya Spicer where shared. We laughed more than we shed tears. May they Rest in Peace and their memory never fade. Aloha!

15/10/2014

We did a photo shoot last Friday on the Savannah River in Evans for an article on SUP fitness for Augusta Magazine's annual fitness/nutrition issue which comes out in January. With Pam Childs, Poly Schwartz, Robin Gaston, Samm Powell, and Jacqui Perry...and, oh yeah, Figit made the scene, too!

11/09/2014

Does this look like a SUP sales call to you? Well, it started out that way, The management of the Terminus Wake Park cable park (http://terminuswakepark.com/ ) in the sprawling Lakepoint sports complex in Cartersville, GA is looking to add yoga and fitness on SUPs to their mix. My buddy, Phil Kobierowski, set up a meeting with Whitecap today. I had to have a little fun after business was concluded. My snowboarding background served me well, i felt, for this first time at a cable park.

18/08/2014

There's nothing like getting 'em SUP'n young. I had a great outing today with the family of Joanne and Greg Grzybowski on Betty's Branch in Evans, GA, You got 8 year old Amelia, and 10 yr old Madeline.

06/08/2014

Yeah, it rained. So what? 28 SUP paddlers had a great time regardless.

22/07/2014

Ridin' the legendary Whopper W/ Cheese at Ziggy Mahoney's on July 4th put a smile on my face almost as much as ridin' it at the Outer Banks!

21/07/2014

Come to the Savannah Riverkeeper's PADDLEFEST in downtown Augusta on August 2nd. The SUP race is part of this USA Canoe/Kayak sanctioned race that fills the Savannah River with paddle enthusiasts from all over the southeast in canoes, kayaks, standup paddleboards and homemade rafts.
Event held on a very cool urban course with lots of structures and interesting features. Beginner friendly SUP race. But also with electronic timing for the more serious racer.

27/06/2014

Many people don't realize the Godfather of Soul, who was know to love his hometown of Augusta even when it did not love him back, in his later years loved to SUP the Savannah. You can see why he required a board and paddle to be included in his statue on Broad St. If you come for the ALOHA Sundown Paddle tomorrow, Soul Brother #1 will be there in spirit. Come Feel Good and Get on The Good Foot!

It’s our inland version of a traditional Hawaiian-style Aloha paddleout! Beautiful sundown paddle on the Savannah River in downtown Augusta in celebration of surf culture and the fellowship of water sports enthusiasts. Elements will include a little bit of ceremony, a little repast of meat, cheese, fresh fruit, etc., perhaps some champagne… and of course my infamous “Island Sangria”.

>> Saturday evening, June 28 – 7:00 pm to 9:30-ish. (Experience not required*)
>> Launch at Hamonds Ferry Landing in N. Augusta, SC. Take out at Rowing Club Boat house ramp. Map or route is here.
>> Event fee $10/person to cover some refreshment cost and light sticks (!!)

19/06/2014

Emilio Castro on his new Fanatic Pro-Wave 8'5 LTD he got from Whitecap ripping it up on the June OBX organized by Neil Woisard, including Atlanta Surf Posse members.