Learning Stand Up Paddle Surfing

FirstStoke.com talks with Jeremy Fry from Wave Rod about stand-up paddle surfing, making the move from Hawaii to the mainland, and the growth of SUP-ing and his company.

How did you get into stand-up paddle surfing (SUP)?

Well, I was skeptical of SUP-ing and maybe even what you might call a “hater of it.” I was firm in my mind that I did not want to be one of those guys catching all the waves and irritating the line up. But a lot of my friends were SUP-ing and kept telling me to try it. One friend in particular, my friend Matt kept saying, “just try it.” He took me out one day to a spot where no one was around and showed me the basics of how to hold my paddle, how to lay down on the board with the paddle blade under my chest so I could paddle through the surf, how to paddle on my knees, and where to position myself to catch some small waves. I was really amazed at how difficult and involved it was, and I liked it because it was a challenge. He told me that to have my perfect session, I had to paddle out, catch a wave standing up, ride it all the way to the beach, and paddle through the waves standing up the whole time through the surf without falling down. Well, I could not do it my first time, but I was intrigued because it was a new challenge. I have been a waterman my whole life towing into the huge Hawaiian waves, towing in on a Hydro Foil, being a professional kite boarder, boat captain, scuba diver, kayaker, wake boarder, etc. I was thinking that I should be able to do this, but I was just a kook, and that just made me want to try harder! I eventually had my perfect session, and I was hooked.

Why would someone who has surfed their whole life be interested in SUP?

I really like it because you can find new spots where no one is around. You look over to a spot that maybe isn’t that good for regular surfing, but it can be great for SUP-ing. These boards can cover large areas of water and when you catch a wave on such a large board that is light weight, the speed that you can generate in a turn on a head high wave that makes you feel like you are a 15ft face wave is ADDICTING! So if you are someone that has surfed your whole life and you want to get away from the crowd, and you see that outer peak that no one is out at, buy a SUP. Go have fun with no one around and get an all body work out using every single muscle in your body paddling, balancing to stay on the board, and surfing on the wave.

Why hasn’t stand-up paddle surfing caught on as much on the mainland as it has in Hawaii?

SUP-ing is more popular in Hawaii because it has originated there. SUP-ing will be as popular or more on the Mainland and it is catching on. The Mainland will follow suit of Hawaii in the sport. The Mainland is about 2-3 years behind Hawaii, and the East Coast is about 2-3 years behind the West Coast.

I heard you moved out to San Diego from Hawaii a while back. How is the transition to the mainland going?

Yes, we did move to San Diego for about 7 months, spending time with family, and working on our new SUP company. We have done a lot of traveling to Las Vegas, Seaside in Oregon, Baja, El Salvador, Florida, North Carolina, and New York. I have lived in Kauai for 20 years, and I have been happily married for 11 1/2 years. My wife and I sold our house and guided kayak tour business and went into the SUP business so we could travel more and spend time with our families on the mainland. We are here back at home now in Kauai for 3 months before we get back to traveling, spending time with family, and spending time on our new business venture SUP-ing. So the transition is all good, but Hawaii is our home.

Some people may know that you are also a professional kite surfer. How do you balance your pro kite surfing career with building momentum around Wave Rod?

Well to be honest with you, kiting has had to take a back burner. I reached a point in my kiting career and I had won and competed in many contests. As I am getting older, it is now all about the 17 year olds that can do things that baffle the mind. Kite loop double handle passes, landing in the blind, and all kinds of stuff where you would need to watch it in slow motion to understand the tech side of their tricks. The 17 year olds also will lay their body and lives on the line to do the ultimate trick, and they are at an age where they can heal. Haha! I got to a point with my kite sponsor Caution Kites where I did not need to compete anymore, but I still go on kite trips and photo shoots. My main thing now with Caution Kites is my kite school where we give kite board lessons, teach people the safe way to learn kiteboarding, and sell Caution Kites and gear. I am now using my SUP boards to kite board in really light winds.

What are you guys doing to promote interest in SUP?

Well the best way to promote the sport is to be out there doing it. So we get a lot of exercise and get to be outside in the ocean doing what we love to do best. It is really cool here in Kauai, because we have lots of rivers to paddle up. My wife takes all 4 of our dogs (Jack Russels) on her SUP, and paddles up the calm rivers. It is a sight to see! She even surfs with them at the beach breaks and is usually the talk of the beach.

What is your advice to someone who wants to get into SUP?

Try it before you buy it! Whatever SUP company you choose to go with will probably offer a free demo to try the board and see if the sport is for you. Or rent one for the day and make sure you have the right size board for your height and weight. Remember, these boards are a big ticket item and you want to have to right one before you spend the money.

Out in California, there seems to be some resistance to SUP. What’s up with that?

Well there is a new hate in the water! It used to be that the longboarders were hated, but now they are the good guys because there is an even bigger board in the line-up. SUP-ers gotta remember, even though you can catch all the biggest and best waves, it doesn’t mean you should! Make sure before you go into a line up of surfers that you are not a danger to others, and always stay to the side of the line up and wait your turn. Try and always be helpful to someone if they lose their board and go and get it for them. Help other surfers spot waves, because you are at an advantage standing up and can see waves that maybe they cannot. Always give more waves than you catch and do not always go to the same spot. Switch it up and pick a beach break or outer point break that no one is out at and surf there. If someone drops in on you, encourage them to go and have the wave. You can straighten out and have fun riding the white wash while practicing riding goofy foot, doing spinners, trimming in the soup, and connecting reforms.

SUP-ing in the Mainland is a lot like physically living in Hawaii. If you move to Hawaii as a new-comer or Haole and you have the attitude to take more than you give, you will stand out like a sore thumb to the locals. They will show you resistance and give you the 3rd degree. It is okay to the locals to live here as a Haole as long as you give more than you take and show respect to others. So remember, if you are going to be an SUP-er on the Mainland, you are going to get automatic resistance, just like a Haole gets from Hawaiians. But it is what you do as a Haole or a SUP-er that will get you either grief or the trust and respect of others.

What are you guys working on these days at Wave Rod?

Our newest model is now out and available and it is a 10’0” x 27 3/4” x 4.” This SUP is a rip stick with a round pin tail, double barrel concave bottom that fades into concave in the nose. This board is for experienced surfers, or someone that is light weight. Women especially like this board because it is smaller in size, light weight, and even easier to maneuver. I won my first SUP Wave Riding contest on this board, it is a performer!

What are you hoping to do with Wave Rod over the next few years?

We are just a mom and pop company and we are trying to always come out with new designs that will be good for everyone to learn and have fun while providing good boards for the experienced riders out there. Please visit our website at www.WaveRod.com to check out our latest in boards and pictures. A lot of people only think we are a stand up company, but we also have some awesome shortboards. So check em’ out!

Aloha,

Jeremy and Stephanie

For more information about Jeremy and Wave Rod check out the Wave Rod Profile Page