Hundreds Paddle at Inaugural National SUP Day

Suzanne Yeo teaching the basics of stand up paddle boarding to the attandees. Photo: Sarah Bauss

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – Several hundred people gathered on Sunday, June 10 at the Newport Aquatic Center to enjoy a day of Stand Up Paddling and to learn more about the connection between ocean sports and Cystic Fibrosis. The inaugural NEXT National SUP Day for Cystic Fibrosis was one of six events held across the country which were organized by NEXT Swimwear.

Never before has a sport provided proven medical benefits until it was discovered that surfing improves lung function in those who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis. Surfing’s new sister sport, Stand Up Paddling provides the same benefits and is less challenging because it is often done in flat water.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections, and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

The discovery that those with CF who surfed had healthier lungs than those who didn’t became the basis for a hypertonic saline treatment that mimics a “surf session.” This research was funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and today more than 70,000 people who suffer from CF experience the healing effects of the ocean during treatments in their own homes.

NEXT, known for integrating swim, fitness and fashion, teamed up with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to give those with CF a chance to experience Stand Up Paddling. Other event sponsors included Quickblade, Paddle Surf Warehouse, Kaenon Eyewear, NSP Surfboards, SUP Magazine and Orange Coast Magazine. SUP World Champion Candice Appleby and NEXT yoga ambassador Suzanne Yeo provided clinics throughout the day.

Lisa Vogel, president of NEXT Swimwear, was ecstatic with the reception of the first year event across the nation. “Our goal with National SUP Day was to celebrate the burgeoning sport of Stand Up Paddling and to raise awareness of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, an organization we are truly proud to support. In total nearly 1,000 people attended National SUP Day events on Sunday, with 400 or so attending the Newport Beach event alone. Very exciting indeed. And we've already started planning the 2nd annual event taking place in 2013."

About NEXT Swimwear

NEXT Swimwear is an active and swim separates line that caters to the on-the-go woman’s wardrobe needs – taking her from her morning SUP session throughout her active day in comfort and style. Created by the swimwear experts at Raj Manufacturing — swimwear’s leading house of fashion – NEXT features on-trend tankinis, sport bras, boy shorts, one pieces, rash guards, hoodies, pants, and more in this season’s hottest colors and must-have prints. Each sleek, sexy, sporty piece features a unique blend of materials that is considered swim and active wear, providing the ultimate in breathable fabric technology to help keep you comfortable all throughout the day, while flattering like no other. Not to mention, our signature NextFlex fabric guarantees a minimum UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of 50 to block 98% of the sun’s harmful rays. The complete NEXT collection is available at fine retailers across the globe, including the online hot spot for all things swim, www.swimspot.com. For more information, visit www.nextbyathena.com.

About Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nonprofit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. The Foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to cystic fibrosis. It funds and accredits more than 115 CF care centers, 95 adult care programs and 50 affiliate programs, and has 80 chapters and branch offices nationwide.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is one of the most efficient organizations of its kind. It has received a four- star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator, the largest independent charity evaluator in the United States and is an accredited charity of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. The Foundation's business model has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health and by publications such as Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek.