Gerry Lopez , it all started with love

Gerry Lopez is one of my favorite Surfers of all time. Often referred as the ''Zen Master''.. He offers up up some great advice on SUP and life.. 

SUP'er Profile Meet, Brian Vaughn

1. Who are you ? 

 My name is Brian Vaughn (Age 40) and I am a Hilton Head Island Native that has grown up on the water fishing and surfing and have been a fishing guide here in Hilton Head for over 25 years. My Business is.. Off The Hook Fishing Charters... and I specialize in light Tackle and Fly Fishing tours. My website is ; 

http://www.offthehookcharters.com

2. How did you start paddle boarding and why?

I started paddle boarding a year or two years after SUP started here in Hilton Head and of coarse Glen you one were one of the first few guys I saw promoting  and pushing it here in HH. Glen helped set me up with my first board a 10’2” Danai Swallow Tail. I probably saw paddle boarding for the first time in videos and magazines from guys in Hawaii like Laird Halmition and his crew of chargers.

3.How long have you been paddle boarding?

 I would say I have been paddle boarding for about 5 years.

4. Where do you do the most paddle boarding?

Most of my paddling takes place in the surf on glassy 1-3 ft days here in HH on North Forest Beach. I also enjoy flat water paddling and stalking the flats for redfish on my paddle board.

5. Who do you paddle with?

 Most of my paddle boarding is solo on flat water but occasionally with a few others when paddle surfing on North Forest Beach.

6. What type of equipment do you use?

 I currently have a 10’ Gerry Lopez Surf Music model and the paddle is the original one I got from you back in the day Glen

7.  What do you most like about Paddleboarding? 

Ease of catching waves of all sizes in the surf and constantly challenging your balance and knowing you are going to get a good work out every time you go.

8. An amazing experience or encounter while paddle boarding?

I would say catching a 30 pound Jack Crevalle on a fly rod while on my SUP would be my one of my all-time greatest catches and experiences on my SUP. When this feat took place it was the very FIRST TIME I even attempted to fish off a paddle board…. and with a FLY ROD. The whole thing was not planned at all as I was in a boat with my SUP, my wife Carin, brother-n-law Cory Cunningham and Byron Sewell and we were headed offshore to surf some outer sandbars off of Hilton Head on my SUP. On the way we came across a massive school of Jacks tailing on the surface and I ran to the bow of the boat to cast to them with the fly rod and my buddy Byron dared me to try to catch one on the SUP. I had to give it a shot as it was one of the most perfect days and opportunities to try. Once I approached the school of giant jacks I could hear my hear pounding with excitement and prayed I wouldn’t tip over while casting my 9ft fly rod. I made the cast and got the ultimate chase down and take on with the popper and once the fly line came tight I knew I was in for a ride of a lifetime! The fish took me 30minutes to land and towed me a half mile in the middle of Calibougie Sound. I got to give it up to my wife Carin and Byron for photographing and videoing to whole thing as well!!  Here is a link below to see one of my favorite catches of all time.

9. Favorite non paddling thing to do?

Fishing

10. Favorite after paddle grinds?

Eating a burrito from Amigos

11. Dream surf trip or vacation?

Spending a few weeks and surfing on Tavaura Island.

12. Your occupation or what do you do for a living?

 Boat Captain/Fishing guide and owner and operator of Off The Hook Charters

13. Your hero(s) or person(s) who had an influence on you?

For fishing….Hilton Head Island Capt. Fuzzy Davis played a huge role and influence on my life and career as a fishing guide. For surfing…Kelly Slater..Laird Hamilton for pushing the limits still to this day at there age in the sport of surfing.

14. Something people don't know about you and willing to share?

I am addicted to dark chocolate 

15. Last words or thoughts you'd like to share?

I am so blessed for having the ocean everyday as my office and having great friends and family in my life!

16.   Thanks to..? 

Thanks to Mother Ocean for everything you give to me.

) 

Here is a killer pic of the 'Heart Shaped Wave'  that our local waterman Jesse Cadman took. 

He calls it,   ''Ocean Love''

He entered the photo contest in a local Magazine call CH 2. We are trying to help him out and get the word out, The Contest is based on Facebook likes at the CH2 Photo contest page. 

Click on the link below and get to the photo in the contest page and Hit '' like'..

All of you out there the follow us and enjoy the pics on this site  lots are from Jesse. So lets get together and help him win this contest.  .. Thanks to all who do this for us. I thank you..

CH2 magazine link to Jesse's Photo

SUP'er Profile , Meet Scott Allen

1)     Who are you? 

Scott Allen

2)     How did you start Paddle Boarding and why?

glen shared the stoke and inducted me into the original paddle pack of hhi

3)     How long have you been Paddleboarding?

 Almost 5 years

4)     Where do you do the most paddling? 

 Burkes Beach

5)     Who do you paddle with? ( ..ie..family, friends, club, ect..)

core burkes crew and expanding standup nation

6)     What  type of Paddle Equipment do you use?  ( boards, paddles, gear  ) 

starboard 8'10" wide point carbon, kialoa methane paddle. technology curve for the future of sport is insane

7)     What do you like most about SUP ?

sup provides unreal canvas for riding all size waves, allowing for more time on the water. makes riding all other wave vehicles that much more fun

8)     An amazing experience or encounter while Paddleboarding?

sunlit morning bomb captured by jesse cadman with billy hughes in foreground. 

9)     Your favorite non-paddling thing to do? 

chasing the silver king...the tarpon

10)   Favorite after paddle grinds?

Scott's Fish market waterfront restaurant and bar  .. of course  

SCOTTS FISH MARKET

11)   Dream vacation or surf trip? 

Maldives

12)  Your occupation or what do you do for a living? 

Restaurant Owner 

13)  Your hero(s) or person(s) who have had influence on your life.?

My Mother 

14)   Something people don't know about you and willing to share?  

My Faith

15)   Last words or thoughts you'd like to share? 

Live this day as if its your last.

16)   Thanks to ?…..  

God 

Here is Scott's  captured experience .. 

First trips down in Harbour Town

Spring Break and great weather brings out the paddle boarders…. Just a couple few of the paddlers enjoying gliding on the water.. 

Local SUP'er Profile , Meet Fred'' DOC'' Roberts

1)     Who are you? 

 Doc Roberts... a 70 year old SUPer who really loves the sport.  Not fond of 'flat water', but really loves to catch the waves.

2)     How did you start Paddle Boarding and why? 

I live on Kaua'i's North Shore during the winter months.  8 years ago I saw some of the Hawaiian 'natives' catching waves on SUPs in Hanalei Bay were I was learning to surf for the first time on a long board at age 62.  I saw they were catching more waves more quickly and it looked like fun, so 2 years later I bought an SUP (age 64) and started catching waves.  I am now "addicted to SUP surfing".

3)     How long have you been Paddleboarding? 

6 years

4)     Where do you do the most paddling? 

Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kaua'i, Hawaii 3-4 months a year

5)     Who do you paddle with? ( ..ie..family, friends, club, ect..) 

 Locals in Kaua'i 

6)     What  type of Paddle Equipment do you use?  ( boards, paddles, gear )        
 I have 2 10'SUPs. One in Kaua'i (An 808 Performer) and one in Hilton Head [Bluffton] The one here is a beautiful Coreban Icon, Wooden model with split tail

7)     What do you like most about SUP ? 

The challenge of catching waves

8)     An amazing experience or encounter while Paddleboarding? 

 4 years ago in Hanalei Bay I paddled right over the top of a 12' Tiger Shark just at dusk. Hawaiian's call dusk "Shark Session" because that's when they feed.  I now don't go out after about 5:30PM

9)     Your favorite non-paddling thing to do?

 I have a kayak with a sail on it. When the wind is right I like to go kayaksailing on the rivers at slack-tide.

10)   Favorite after paddle grinds?

 Kalyso's Grill in the little town of Hanalei.  Best Kalamari steaks anywhere!

11)   Dream vacation or surf trip?  

Tahiti

12)  Your occupation or what do you do for a living?  

Retired

13)  Your hero(s ) ?

 SUP hero =Laird Hamilton...Greatest SUPer in history is a distant"neighbor" on Kaua'i I get to see him on the big waves of the North Shore...at a distance.(He does not know me, but I definitely know him and his wife, Olympic Vollyball champ "Gabby" Reese.) or person(s) who have had influence on your life.?

14)   Something people don't know about you and willing to share?

 I taught my grandkids on Northern Ireland how to surf and SUP in Ireland's cold waters.

15)   Last words or thoughts you'd like to share?

 I hope to catch waves on my SUPs until I'm at least 80. Let's go surf!

16)   Thanks to ?…..

 Glen for all his postings on this site.. 

Glassy chilly but fun... ..

Some fun clean leftover waves in the thigh waist high. Ricky really liking the SUP ''Thaaang''

Had the go pro out for a little while and snagged some shots.  Brandon, Tim, Scott Jamie and I shared waves on the SUP with a few locals surfing getting some awesome waves.. 

Brandon and Tim below on a few. Thanks to Sheryl for the pics.  

Starboard 2014 Brushed Carbon with Dan Gavere

Starboard's Team Rider and National Sales Director Dan Gavere discusses the Brushed Carbon technology in the new 2014 surf models from  Cocoa Beach at Epic BoardSports. 

If your down in the Cocoa Beach area stop by and visit
http://epic-boardsports.com

……………………  Brushed Carbon  ………………...………...

Lightest technology

Strongest Build Methed

The quickest response

Light paint job to reduce weight

Full deck and bottom wrap of high quality biaxial carbon.

Full deck and bottom wrap of high density foam

Fused cell core

Ultra light star-touch deck grip

Hexcel center and side fins

………………………………..

visit Starboard to see all the 2014 line of SUP models

http://www.star-board-sup.com/2014/

SUP'er Profile, Meet …. Mark Wray

1) Who are you?

Mark Wray

2)     How did you start Paddle Boarding and why? 

Tried it for the first time with Glen after bringing some boards back from the Surf Expo in 2008.

3)     How long have you been Paddleboarding?  

Since '08

4)     Where do you do the most paddling? 

Either Broad Creek on HHI or from either Burkes or South Forest Beach.

5)     Who do you paddle with?   

Family and friends

6)     What  type of Paddle Equipment do you use? 

Have a Werner Bent Shaft Nitro for flat water and have been using the Kialoa Methane for surf.  Mainly using whatever boards we have in our fleet at Outside Hilton Head, right now that the BIC 12'6 One Design for flat water and the Surftech Generator 9'6" for surf but always looking to try something new.

7)     What do you like most about SUP ? 

Exercise, calm quiet morning paddles, sharing the stoke with my girls, the healthy lifestyle, the wildlife, time with friends on the water, just the whole vibe.

8)     An amazing experience or encounter while Paddleboarding?  

While paddling on Broad Creek at sunrise had a dolphin come and check me out.  Swam around the board for a few minutes within feet/inches of the board and finally brought it's head out of the water and had it's snout over my board for about 10 seconds.  Exhaled a real strong fishy breath and then he/she took off.  Great way to start the day.  

9)     Your favorite non-paddling thing to do? 

Spend time with my girls outside, usually at the beach.

10)   Favorite after paddle grinds?

 Anything Mexican

11)   Dream vacation or surf trip?  

Kauai 

12)  Your occupation or what do you do for a living?  

Director of Retail at Outside Hilton Head

http://www.outsidehiltonhead.com

13)  Your hero(s) or person(s) who have had influence on your life.?  

Jesus Christ, parents, kids

14)   Something people don't know about you and willing to share?

15)   Last words or thoughts you'd like to share? 

1 Corinthians 16: 13-14

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.  And do everything with love.

16)   Thanks to ?….. 

Glen B for taking me out that 1st time on a cold February day 6 years ago, I've been hooked ever since. And thanks to my girls who love getting on/in the water with their dad, doesn't get much better than that.

Couple from today…..

Couple from today at the Beach Club. Waist to stomach chunky surf in the NE swell. Jesse grabbing a few before the rain and wind switch.. Below is a GoPro sequence of him floating over the section and a pic of him in the slot of a wedgey  slab..