ACA SUP Instructor Certification Workshop - Newport Beach, CA

On Wednesday we began a 3-day SUP Instructor Workshop in Newport Beach with 9 Instructor Candidates with a wide range of skill and educational background. Candidates came from all over California for three intensive days of paddling, teaching & learning.

These courses are designed for experienced standup paddlers with solid Level two skills. Over the course of the workshop we attempt to progress each candidates skills by breaking strokes & maneuvers down into pieces and reinforcing paddling concepts.

2014.1Matt PalmarielloMarch 23, 2014ACA, ICW, Instructor Certification Workshop, SUP, standup paddleboarding, standupComment

40 hour vacation

I turned my phone off at 9pm on Friday, tossed it in the drybag, launched my paddleboard and began my 40-hour vacation from email, phone, texts and work. We planned an hour to make the crossing to the campsite and with wind and current at our backs we met up with the rest of the BPC at 9:45pm. Dinner was made, the full moon was shining, the fire was burning and the relaxation could continue.

2014.1Matt PalmarielloMarch 17, 2014Red Paddleboards, SUP, camping, inflatable SUP, standup paddleboarding, standupComment

ACA Kayaking Level 2 ICW - Redding, CA

Last weekend I assisted an ACA Kayaking Instructor workshop in Redding, CA hosted by Headwaters Adventure Company. Joe & Terri opened Headwaters 4 years ago and have helped foster a wonderful community of paddlers in the area. Most participants in the course had really solid foundation skills to work from and were able to progress significantly in a short time.

2014.1Matt PalmarielloMarch 12, 2014sea kayak, sea kayakingComment

Don't be an Inflator Hater!

Inflatable standup paddleboards get a bad rap from too many people. My first & second experience was on a borrowed POS (piece of shit) that I rolled up and took East - twice. Yes, it was great that I could travel with it, especially to an area where board rentals were mostly non-existent at the time. But the board was heavy, slow, unstable and way to flexible.

GGSKS 2014

I measure the success of GGSKS by the amount of fun I have and I had a ton of fun this year. So I guess that makes the 2014 event very successful. At least by my standards.

GGSKS is a subset of the sea paddling community and a damn fine one. Sean Morley and I receive lots of feedback (positive and negative) and probably way too much praise. But, here's the reality. If you enjoy the event, you can't blame us.

2014.1Matt PalmarielloFebruary 9, 2014ggsks, golden gate sea kayak symposium, san francisco, sea kayak, sea kayaking, symposiumComment

Inflatable SUP bike trip

Mission accomplished. I was paddling in Oakland Saturday with some friends and figured it was the perfect time to see if I could bike there with a SUP and all my paddling kit. I loaded the cargo bike with an inflatable Starboard 14'x30" Touring SUP with paddle, pump, clothing and the rest of my normal junk. Pedaled the 7 miles to the put-in, pumped her up with ease and paddled out.

Black Canyon SUP Trip

In a whirlwind tour with a disparate crew of Bay Area paddlers I finished off 2013 and started up 2014 on a standup vacation! For four days we called the Black Canyon home and relaxed in it's beautiful surroundings. Warmed and cooled by the sun and the shade, we camped, we paddled, we laughed, we ate, we soaked, we relaxed. On top of all that, we paddled upriver - one of my favorite things.

2014.1Matt PalmarielloJanuary 8, 2014SUP, San Diego, arizona, camping, standup paddleboarding, standup, starboard, sup surfing, vegasComment

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