Category: News

A passion for getting outdoors as a way to wind down and keep fit has inspired Noosa Stand Up Paddle to offer free stand up paddling to locals over winter.
Owner James Howard-Clarke took over the business almost one year ago and would love to see more locals experiencing what Noosa River has to offer.
“Stand up paddling is a great way to get fit and a very accessible water sport,” he said.
“Almost anyone can learn to SUP, but the other benefit is it gets you out into nature and away from screens and daily stresses. When you are on a board, you have to be present and in that way it’s like a form of meditation.”
Noosa Stand Up Paddle is starting a new program allowing locals to enjoy free board hire weekdays from 8am, as long as the boards are returned by 8.45am.
James has travelled the world as a surf coach, and Noosa remains one of his favourite places to explore the water.
“One of the things I love about stand up paddling is that it is an eco-friendly way to enjoy the water,” said James.
“It is just a board and paddle, and when you leave there is no trace. You can explore almost anywhere on the river and do no damage.
“We are really blessed here in Noosa to have an abundance of national parklands and beautiful waterways.”
Noosa Stand Up Paddle is located at 72 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville and offer group and private classes as well as board hire with delivery.

Champion hurdler Sally Pearson has a go at Stand Up Paddling

SHE’S the face of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and Sally Pearson has continued to spread word of the event throughout the state after making an appearance at the Noosa Triathlon festivities at the weekend.

Pearson took part in the Legends Triathlon at the weekend with Olympic swimmer Jess Schipper and Channel 7 sports presenter Mark Beretta, impressing the crowd with her hurdling ability after leaping over a barrier during her run leg.

With less than 18 months to go until the Gold Coast Games, Pearson took time out from her training for some Stand Up Paddleboard practice while up at Noosa and shared her excitement at the prospect of competing in the 100m hurdles on home turf.

“Having a home Commonwealth Games is special but having it up the road from where you live, I can’t describe how exciting it actually is,’’ she said.

“I’m really looking forward to it and I think everyone who will be a part of it is looking to give it their all and do really well, so I can’t wait.’’

Pearson decided earlier this year to cut ties with a formal coach and take on the task of organising her own program, something she said was “invigorating’’.

“It’s going really well, it’s quite rewarding,’’ she said.

“But you do play games with yourself when you’re sitting down in front of your computer and writing down your program.

“You go, ‘I don’t really want to do that session but I know it’s required of me’, so I have to write it down.

“And then once it’s on paper, you have to do it.

“I’m finding it’s quite a different perspective to write your program and then do your sessions … so I’m quite excited by that.’’

Expanding on her feelings in her blog, Pearson said she was in a “good headspace’’ having taken on the role.

“I have been coaching myself for a few months now and the feeling is invigorating,’’ Pearson said in a blog on her website.

“My training is going really well, I’m taking it slow, making sure that I am listening to my body while still working hard to get fit.

“Sometimes it can be hard being a coach and an athlete to yourself, for example, when you’ve done a hard workout and you’re lying on the ground gasping for air, you look up and there is no coach to give you a hand and tell you it’s going to be ok.’’

And while injury has prevented her from competing for much of the past year, Pearson is relishing the prospect of getting back on the track soon.

“I haven’t been able to reach my full potential for over a year,’’ she said.

“It really hurts to know how much I have to give but can’t deliver.

“I have had plenty of sleepless nights and a lot of crying myself to sleep at nights because of it.

“I feel now I have finally got on top of everything and am ready to really see what I can achieve.’’

Read the full article here

Noosa Stand Up Paddle appears in OK! and Singapore’s Beam Magazine

Noosa Stand Up Paddle was recently visited by OK! Magazine’s Travel Editor, Annabel Mackie. Not only did she glide down the Noosa river with us but she also explored Noosa’s other hotspots, including the fine  food, coffee, bars, walks and adventures.

This article, titled ‘Navigating Noosa’ will also appear in Singapore’s Beam Magazine.

Click here to download the article. 

As seen on Creek to Coast…

See the video produced by Mantra Group advertising their newly refurbished French Quarter at the top of Hastings Street, Noosa and featuring Noosa Stand Up Paddle.

 

 

Pat Rafter is an Australian icon; and the great news is he’s a Queensland boy! So where does a former world Number One tennis player who’s travelled all over the globe choose to spend his latter years? The Sunshine Coast… and he wouldn’t have it any other way!

Pat loves the laid back, outdoor, healthy lifestyle of the Sunnie Coast, and he couldn’t recommend it enough as a holiday destination. His tip? Find yourself a great hotel, in a good location and naturally, hit the beach!!!

Only 50 metres from the ocean, on the top end of Hastings Street is the newly refurbished Mantra French Quarter. Five million dollars has been spent on improving the hotels facilities, including a face lift to the one and two bedroom deluxe apartments, reception areas and massive outdoor pool. Mantra French Quarter currently have a special deal running for Creek to Coast viewers called the
two night Refresh Package.

As for activities, there’s plenty to do and just a short walk from the hotel in the Noosa River is the team from Noosa Stand Up Paddle. They offer an array for different classes including SUP yoga and SUP fit, and it’s a whole lot of fun.

Stand up paddling in the 1930’s – was Australia the first?

Some incredible photo’s have been produced down on the Gold Coast this week of two guys and a girl on what look to be stand up paddle boards. Written on the bottom of the photo is the date – 1939.

Take away the black and white colour scheme, the 30’s style swimming trunks and a headland that hasn’t got a single million dollar mansion – and these pics could have been taken yesterday. The boards are long with a pointy nose, much like modern race boards. A deck grip is generously sized and placed in the center of the board and in the paddlers hand is a long paddle, obviously designed to be used while standing. It’s Stand up paddling for sure, and this was back in the late 1930’s.

So where did this stroke of genius originate? A little beach in South Australia called Moana. The tiny coastal suburb still only has a pollution of 5000 people, and in the 1940’s, it was relatively unknown. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that it had another surge in tourism, after a new road was built to access the area from Adelaide. The short 40 minute drive from the city made it one of the most popular getaway destinations of the time.

But anyway! Long before that all happened, three unsuspecting people were out there in a one foot swell, having an absolute whale of a time. And that’s what stand up paddling is all about.

 

As featured in The Australian

As featured in The AUSTRALIAN Weekend Edition-16-17 July 2011 …… COAST with the MOST article

Paddling the Noosa waterways: Stand up paddle (SUP) surfing has become so popular that at many beaches relations between surfboard riders and “stick surfers” are at flashpoint. Still-water paddlers face no such problems, and Noosa’s varied waterways have become a paddling nirvana.

Using a paddle to support yourself while standing on a surfboard was originally a trick of the Waikiki beach boys so they could take photographs of tourists plunging down the waves in outrigger canoes. Leading beach boys Leroy and Bobby Ah Choy turned it into an art form in the 50s, but it took another half century to catch on.

In Australia it was pioneered by Noosa waterman Chris De Aboitiz, himself a former Waikiki beach boy, and introduced as a competitive sport at the 2007 Noosa Festival of Surfing.

These days Noosa Standup Paddle runs the best SUP school on the coast, and after mastering the flat water basics on the canals of Noosa Sound, you can take off on your own with endless kilometres of rivers, creeks and lakes to explore. And not only is this a great way to see Noosa from the water, but SUP involves a full work-out of muscles you didn’t know you had.

Matthew Hayden

Stand-up paddle surfing is a traditional Hawaiian sport that promotes balance, strength and general fitness. It began in the 1950s when tourists in Hawaii wanted pictures of their surfing lessons. A local put a camera around his neck, grabbed a longboard and paddle for balance, and stand-up paddle caught its first wave.
It is excellent for surfers and non-surfers as it gives an isometric workout, which strengthens the core muscle groups, and is great fun.
Noosa Standup Paddle (with its surfing origins beginning in Noosa back more than 23 years ago with Surf Legend and waterman Ross Phillips) provides lessons in the sport, and supplies paddles and specialised stand-up paddle boards for all skill levels….and by the way, Ross also founded one of the very first surf schools in Noosa, and has been advisor to Government on Surf School policy and safety for many years…
While it looks simple, it’s much easier to learn in still water before taking on the ocean, so Operation Sunshine , as seen on Getaway, went to the Noosa River with Rick Halkett of Noosa Standup Paddle, along with cricket Australia Legend , Matthew Hayden, to experience some expert SUP tuition.The Stand Up Paddle Surfing course teaches you advanced strokes for turning and catching waves, safety on the water, safe methods of carrying your gear, basic strokes and turns, correct stances and how to use the paddle for stability. Rick also recommends that the first lessons be in virtually windless conditions, so that usually means early morning, or a sunset paddle. It’s the most beautiful part of the day and the water, where lessons are undertaken, is usually like glass.

Carrying the equipment correctly is crucial. Beginner boards have carry handles, but as with all boards, the safest carry is on the shoulder. Simply pick it up by the nose end and walk with outstretched hands down the deck until the weight feels balanced. Ease the board onto your shoulder and place the other hand on the top.

Once the basics are under control, you go on an a very serene SUP excursion around the estuaries. From Noosa Heads Lions Park there are more than 40km of estuaries to explore.Every year the town hosts the Noosa Festival of Surfing. It was established in 1992 by members of the Noosa Malibu Club as an amateur surfing competition. It provided the perfect excuse for members to invite friends to surf Noosa’s pristine right-hand point breaks at their best. The event’s popularity among longboarders far exceeded expectations and encouraged the club to take the classic competition to the next level.While tandem surfing and nose-riding have always been popular at the festival, this year stand-up paddle surfing has hit the popularity stakes.