Tristan Nicholas Chitty

Ku Hoe He’e nalu… Stand Up Paddle Boarding it all began in Maui while visting my good friend Keone Kali. I was down on the North Shore when I saw a surf instructor walking on water. My personal love of paddle boarding started in January of this year. I got to stay at a beach house on the east coast of Florida. I always thought paddle boarding looked like great fun and could fill the gaps between waves worth surfing here in Florida. I called around to see if local surf shops had any boards for rent. Picked up one my first day NP. The local “surf shop” rented me one included straps and I had a great carbon fiber paddle from http://www.supatx.com/. The first board I had was fun shape board. I enjoyed it but only had 24 hours with it and the water gone from calm to choppy something that I am usually happy about.

After the first day I was hooked. So after I took the board back I asked if they had a used one for sale. They did and gave me a steal on it. It was pretty beat up it was a fish tail 12′x29″x3 3/4.

The board was a little beat up and had some crap quick repairs done on the tail and some general bad treatment of past renters and the normal wear and tear on fishtails that get put on there end. For the most part this was cosmetic the boards was still strong and functional. The next week was great fun everyday I couldn’t wait to get out on the board. I love the feeling of wave memory in the body after a good day on the water.

So after a fun filled week and couple days in islands of Miami Beach I decided the board was worth some TLC. This is what the restyling and repairs looked like.

Boy was it a wreak. I was not so excited about the red/black/yellow color design. As I started down the road of repair I decided a redesign was called for. So here is the classic green/cream styled design I came up with. Let me know what you think.

I paddle on the econlockhatchee river in Florida most days. This is perfect expect for some rather large Gators that live on the river. Not that I am scared that they will attach me on the paddle board. It is still a little disconcerting as they slowly slip into the water with nary a ripple right under you in the tea colored murky waters of the econlockhatchee river . It is kind of like when you see a large Manta under your board or shark swim by in it’s sleek manner. The only other thing is cypress knees can put a nice knee dent in the board if you are not careful.

The perspective of paddle boarding is great for enjoying the waters of most anywhere. This one quality and it’s simplicity that really makes this sport a absolute pleasure in waves or flat water even white water can be fun on these boards. The point of view is far superior to a kayak in that you can see all around you and you are high enough that glare is reduced. Paddle boarding is almost like flying on water when you get in a nice rhythm it can be….