Supconnect Weekly Recap, 10-22-13

SAN DIEGO, California – Welcome to the Supconnect Weekly Recap - a countdown of the biggest news, reviews, interviews and features happening in the world of SUP.  This week we’re bringing you a mixtape collection of the latest SUP events both featured by Supconnect and other publications around the world. If you’ve got anything pressing, impressive, relevant, weird or worth reading, drop us a line via Facebook and share the scoop.

5. CA Paddler Meets Great White

~   HEAT SCORE {20}   ~ Mike Durand, the So Cal-based paddler who started swellmagnet.com, gave web viewers something to hoot about last week when he uploaded some hairy GoPro footage of him meeting up with a healthy, curious, adolescent Great White off Manhattan Beach. This comes just a week after a surfer was bitten further north near Humboldt Bay in Eureka. Thankfully neither incident resulted in any fatalities or serious injuries; the surfer wasn’t hurt too badly and Mike was actually rather cavalier about his encounter, according to news sources. This does well to emphasize two things about sharks and their relationship with humans: 1) They’re not out for human blood and 2) don’t try to prove this by paddling with them on a 6.2.

4. Paddlers Stand Up For Causes

When he's not making mature contributions to society, Ryan Maloney is pretty handy on a SUP.

~ · HEAT SCORE {21} · ~  2013 has seen paddle boarders around the world standing up for a myriad of noteworthy causes, from breast cancer awareness to programs aiding orphaned children and stray animals, with some big names getting behind each one. Almost every weekend we see a race or community paddle raising funds, getting people together, bringing a new issue to public attention. The next big event on the horizon is the Stand Up For Diabetes San Diego, a fun, light-hearted event hosted by Ryan Maloney, a fourteen  year old athlete with Type 1 Diabetes, who is reaching out to the community to help others facing chronic conditions. In his own words, “I enjoy sports as a way to show those with Diabetes, or any challenge, that our condition should not limit what we can do.” That’s pretty admirable thinking for a young teenager. The event is taking place at Mission Bay (Bonita Cove) on November 2nd at 10 a.m.

3. The 2013 La Torche Pro Hitting France

Benoit Carpentier (France) will be looking to take advantage of the home-court advantage.

~ · HEAT SCORE {26} · ~ The Stand Up World Tour heads to the North West of France this coming weekend (October 26) for the La Torche Pro France, presented by Naish and XXIX. The last stop in Huntington Beach did a number on the ratings, with recently crowned Stand Up World Series Champ Kai Lenny (Hawaii) taking a big win and strengthening his lead over Caio Vaz (Brazil) and Kody Berbox (Hawaii). The year is almost over, but it’s not a done deal for Kai just yet. The first women’s World Stand Up Paddleboarding Champ will be crowned. Brazilian Nicole Pacelli is currently holding down the lead, with American Candice Appleby, countrywomen Aline Adisaka and Hawaiian Vivina Walsh all snapping at her heels. One of the most remarkable things about the SUP tours is how far along and popular they’ve become in such a short space of time; it’s a real testament to the growth of our sport.

2. Paddle Diva Takes SUP Mainstream

~ · HEAT SCORE {37} · ~ Supconnect was lucky enough to catch up with Gina Bradley last week to talk business - literally. Gina is the brains behind Paddle Diva, her company that is taking Stand Up Paddle Boarding to a mainstream female audience. After noticing a gap in the overall development of our sport, she pounced on the opportunity to shepherd female paddlers into the fold, using her experience and knowledge to create an environment that would be both inviting and sustainable over time. She began the business in her home state of New York, offering beginner lessons to small and large groups; leveraging her success and skillset, she’s grown Paddle Diva into a thriving enterprise over time by introducing paddlers to a range of lifestyle benefits that go hand-in-hand with paddling. She now offers intermediate programs that can help paddlers progress, SUP yoga classes, retreats and paddle tours to Puerto Rico and adventure holidays. 

Learn more: Supconnect News. 

1. Candice Appleby On Epic TV

~ · HEAT SCORE {39} · ~ It’s not breaking news, but Ocean Minded athlete and Stand Up Paddle flag bearer, Candice Appleby, is starring in a very cool new web series on Epic TV. The show follows her around and documents her life of training, surfing, eating well and being entertained by mercurial partner, Anthony Vela. We’re longtime fans of Candice here at Supconnect, and think it’s great that one of the most admirable ambassadors of our sport and lifestyle gets this sort of publicity. 

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