Maui to Host ‘First of its Kind’ SUP Challenge

By Laura Greene

SUP. Courtesy photo.

If you’re looking for a decent physical challenge, the upcoming Naish SUP Fun Beach Fitness and Paddle Challenge could be the ticket.

Kihei’s Mai Poina Ole La’u Beach Park will be playing host to the December 3 event, which is free and open to all.

“We welcome people of all ages, fitness levels and SUP abilities,” said Suzie Cooney, Naish team SUP rider and Maui’s elite trainer.

“We’d never turn anyone away. It’s going to be a very fun and entertaining day. With us, everyone is a winner.”

The SUP Fun Beach Fitness and Paddle Challenge is a non-competitive event and will begin at 9 a.m., with a mass start for all registered participants.

Challengers will be put to the test in the water and on land as they paddle counter-clockwise around three buoys before returning to the beach and running to the fitness challenge station to complete a circuit.

Image by event organizers, Naish.

Then it’s back to the boards to paddle another lap around the course before entrants run back to be put through their paces on land in the last beach circuit course.

Entrants will also have the opportunity to try out the Naish’s 2012 SUP boards and learn some training tips for SUP with Cooney.

There will also be raffle prizes for participants and finishers from the day’s sponsors.

Participants can drop off their SUP boards at the drop-off station near the bathrooms at 6.30 a.m. and are encouraged to car pool due to limited parking at the site.

On-site registration begins at 7 a.m., where participants will sign waivers and receive wrist bands and register to win prizes.

There will be the Indo boards and TRX Demo at 8.15 a.m., with a skippers meeting, challenge and course review at 8.45 a.m.

The Challenge begins at 9 a.m and organizers encourage everyone involved to “Bring their grrrr!”

This event is sponsored by: Naish International, Suzie Trains Maui, Olukai Premium Footwear, Indo Board, TRX, Kaenon Polarized Eyewear, Waterman’s Applied Science and clothing from Maui Rippers.

The SUP Paddle Challenge event map.

There will be SUP board rental available for the event from the Naish Maui Pro Center: (808) 871 1500