DK’S C4 WATERMAN SUP SOLUTION

Daniel Kereopa has already established himself as one of New Zealand’s finest surfers. In the past couple of years he has cemented his credentials as a big-wave charger — both paddle-in and tow-in. Further, after a long history of competitive success, he became the first to hold both the NZ shortboard and longboard surfing titles simultaneously. It would be easy to go on, but we can sum things up quickly. When you add up Daniel’s surfing successes it becomes clear that he is not just a very good surfer — he is well on the way to becoming New Zealand’s finest and most comprehensive waterman.

For the last few years Daniel’s love and respect for the ocean, which he has in abundance, has seen him take his “surfing” in a new direction. In some respects, Daniel has been developing Aotearoa’s own version of the traditional Hawaiian approach to “surfing.” He has refused to limit the ways he has fun in the water. Rather, he has been riding nearly anything that can catch waves, and investing the time and effort needed to transform surfing strange craft into an art form.

Daniel’s latest gig is his bid to master yet another form and style of riding waves — the recently revived art of stand-up paddle surfing which started in Waikiki (Hawaii) during the 1960s. A new generation of Hawaiians have brought it back, including Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama, and the Makaha Beachboys. These guys brought stand-up paddle surfing back, firstly, because it is fun, and secondly, for exercise. What these guys found is that stand-up paddle surfing also provides a unique and effective way to train your core and legs for tow-in surfing.

A few days ago we caught up with Daniel to ask a few quick questions about stand-up paddle surfing. The sun was shining and the weather, sweet. It was 2-3 foot, a light off-shore was blowing, and the crew at surf.co.nz were calling it an 8/10. Daniel had just taken a new C4 Waterman SUP (stand-up paddle board) shaped by Dave Parmenter for a test drive and he was very happy. Having long since mastered the old 12 foot windsurfer and old broken paddle combo he started out with three years ago, he had been on something of a quest — to find the hardware that would satisfy his performance requirements and help take his stand-up paddle surfing to the next level. After the test drive, and trying out many different makes and models, it appears that his quest had come to an end. The C4 Waterman were the answer (www.c4waterman.com).

What conditions do you ride SUPs in?
DK: Whatever — seriously — you can ride them any day and in any conditions. Today was perfect. The biggest I have ridden so far is solid 6 foot. But I am keen to try riding bigger waves on them. I might take my new C4 Waterman down to Pap’s [Papatowai] and ride some 20 footers.

How do you choose the right paddle board?
DK: It’s a difficult question because it depends on so many factors — just like for any surfboard — how good a surfer and paddler are we talking about?
I ride the 10 foot C4 Waterman. There are shorter ones, but this one gives me the thickness and paddle power yet allows me to ride it like I ride my performance longboards. It’s a hot dog board, and exactly what I was looking for. For someone else, perhaps someone who is just starting out, one of the other boards would be better. The C4 Waterman SUPs range from 9’0 to 11’0 so there’s a few to choose from. My advice is that people who are just starting out or looking to get into it should try a few different boards and paddles out.

How long did it take to get it sussed?
DK: Not long. I have been paddling an out-rigger for 6 years and riding longboards regularly for 5 years — so it was pretty easy to transfer my skills across. For the average surfer who hasn’t done a lot of paddling it might take a little longer, but not much longer. It depends, of course, on a lot of things. If he or she has got the right board then it should not take long. I suggest that new stand-up riders start on flat water, even if they are good surfers, just to get comfortable with the equipment. Don’t start trying to ride waves straight away!

SUPs are attracting a lot of attention, some of it is negative. What would you say to the critics of SUPs?
DK: Some people are always going to be that way … for various reasons. Maybe they don’t like the new thing or they are scared of change. But if you focus on the positive side, your love of the ocean and the sheer fun of it then there is no need to answer critics.

To test-drive a C4 Waterman SUP drop by Quiver Board Shop, 322 Maunganui Road (the Mount)
OR
Come along to the Shot & Go/Boardworks Surfboards Demo Days:

reprinted thanks to www.surf.co.nz