Fiji, France, Brazil, Hawaii – these are all stops on the 2012 Stand Up World Series, a global tour which features some of the top stand up paddle racers on the planet in what is arguably one of the world’s fastest growing watersports.
While the aforementioned venues rank as “the usual suspects” when it comes to international watersport competitions, next week the Stand Up World Series will be kicking off the US leg of its tour in the least likely of locations: Chicago.
Yes, I will say it again. At the end of this month there is going to be an international caliber surf competition in Chicago.
Well, sort of. The difference between the Stand Up World Tour and the Stand Up World Series is that the event taking place in Chicago features racers who compete on flat-water courses in an effort to cross the finish line in front of their fellow paddlers, as opposed to competing against other paddlers in heats where the object is to ride the biggest and most complex waves possible. In races such as the one taking place in Chicago, utilizing the wind is often a determining factor in success, so it makes perfect sense that “The Windy City” will soon be hosting such an event.
Taking place from June 30-July 2, competitors will take to the waters off of North Avenue Beach and introduce Midwesterners to a sport usually associated with the tropics. While many Chicago city dwellers may be surprised to think of their beach as a water sports destination, for some Chicago residents the event vindicates Lake Michigan as a legitimate source of regional surf travel.
Recently we told you about Expedia’s Flip Flop Report and let you know the lowdown on beach behavior from around the world. We learned that the average beach vacation lasts 7.7 days, Germans are the most likely to sunbathe nude and Indians think it’s important to find new locations for beach destinations.
So how about those travelers looking to enjoy the beach in a truly unique beach destination? While you’ve probably seen pristine white beaches with azure waters and picture-perfect surroundings, what about a beach made of glass? Or the world’s largest indoor beach? How about a beach littered with mysterious indigenous rock carvings? These are just a few of the many unusual beaches you’ll find in the gallery below.
There’s no denying stand up paddling is one of the fastest growing sports on the planet. Unheard of 10 years ago, waterways from Lake Tahoe to the Mekong River are now home to dedicated groups of paddlers who are stoked to walk on water. Aside from being a challenging workout, what makes stand up paddling so immensely popular is the versatility of the sport, which allows it to be enjoyed in a wide array of conditions. Whether it’s gliding along a placid lake at sunrise, pulling into an eight-foot barrel, or flying along on a classic downwinder, there’s a stand up board to match your mood.
For those not familiar with the concept of a downwinder, it’s a point-to-point excursion where the paddler keeps the wind at their back and navigates through the constantly morphing ocean swells. Throughout the paddle, the main goal is to position yourself properly on one of the rolling swells and use the energy to literally surf the wave until it fizzles out and dies. Ideally, a downwinder should consist of more surfing than paddling, and the stronger the winds, the larger the swells are, and ultimately the better the ride.
While there are a number of runs across the globe that meet the criteria for an epic downwinder, none are more notorious and better suited for the sport than the famed Maliko Run on the north shore of Maui. While it’s highly recommended to acquaint yourself and get comfortable with the sport before attempting a run such as Maliko, here is a “how-to” to give you something to shoot for.1. Get a good stand up board and a light, carbon fiber paddle
As mentioned above, there is a proper stand up board for every activity you plan to undertake. The same board that you would use for stand up surfing an overhead reef break is not the same board you would use for an epic downwinder. As you are going to be navigating open ocean waves and needing to cover a fair amount of distance while paddling, a longer and more narrowly shaped board is preferable for a downwinder such as Maliko. At a minimum you should have a 12-foot-6-inch stock stand up board, although anything 14 feet and over is a better choice. Want to get real professional? Spring for an F-16 downwind board that’s tapered in the nose and specifically meant for catching swells. While a carbon fiber paddle isn’t essential, your arms are going to be feeling it by the end should you opt to use anything heavier.
2. Take a few practice runs elsewhere.
Just as you wouldn’t attack a double black diamond run or attempt heli-skiing immediately after your first lesson outside of the lodge, so goes the same for stand up paddling. The Maliko Run usually puts the paddler over one mile offshore depending on the wind direction, which is a terrible place to find yourself if you’re struggling and don’t know what you’re doing. If you can put the wind at your back while close to shore and paddle for at least a mile without falling, you might be ready for Maliko.
3. Find a partner
The same way you wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) go scuba diving or mountain climbing solo, so goes the same for when you put yourself at the mercy of the ocean a far distance from shore. Not only is having a partner a safer option for doing the Maliko Run, but it’s a lot more enjoyable. Although the sensation of stroking solo through the deep blue Pacific can be immensely calming, it can get a little bit lonely offshore, and having a partner there to share the moment with you is a markedly safer and a more enjoyable experience.
4. Wait for the right conditions
It should go without saying, but one of the chief ingredients of a downwinder is a good amount of wind. If you go out on a calm day you’re going to be in for a brutal paddle. Twenty knots of wind will be enough for a nice paddle; get over 35 knots and you’re in for a fast-paced screamer. The Maui trade winds are at their strongest and most consistent during the summer months of May through September. Also, since the Maliko Run is located on the island’s north shore, the winter months of October-April can bring surf that tops out at over 30 feet, turning the run into a death wish that only the most talented watermen should ever attempt. While it’s possible to tackle an extreme Maliko Run in the throes of a massive winter swell, it’s most likely best to stick to the summer months of steady winds and calm waters.
5. Drop a car
Such is the crux with one-way sports (such as whitewater kayaking), seeing as if all goes as planned you are going to end the day in a different place than where you started your journey. Although it may have taken you anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours to paddle from Maliko Gulch to Kahului Harbor or Kanaha Beach Park, it’s only going to take you 20-30 minutes to drive back there. Without the car, however, trying to hitchhike with a 14-foot board suddenly becomes an unenviable task.
6. Paddle out at Maliko Gulch
A rare protected cove on the otherwise exposed coastline of Maui’s north shore, Maliko Gulch is the same place where many of the world’s best tow surfers launch their jet skis for a tow surf session out at Jaws. Drop your board in the water and paddle through the protected gulch until you reach the tumultuous ocean swells awaiting you on the outside. Depending on the direction of the wind you’ll have to paddle at least a half-mile offshore to get a good angle on your end destination. If the wind is from the east you will have to paddle further out than if it is blowing from the north (rare) or northeast (more common).
7. Bring a leash and let someone know where you’re going
Nothing’s worse than losing your board while over a mile offshore and in 500 feet of water. Save yourself a terrifying situation and wear a leash, preferably around your upper leg to avoid it creating drag in the water. While hopefully it will never come to it, if someone knows you’re doing the Maliko Run and you still aren’t back by dark, it’s better than swimming aimlessly offshore (or worse) and not having anyone know that you’re there.
8. Shoot for Kahului Harbor or Kanaha Beach Park and enjoy the ride
You’ve done all the hard work of training, dropping a car and driving all the way to Maliko, so now it’s time to reap the fruits of your hard work and enjoy the epic ride. If the conditions are right you could literally just sit on your board without paddling and still end up near your destination, but that pretty much defeats the purpose of tackling one of the world’s best downwinders. Why not make a workout of it and test your balance and paddling skills by navigating your way through the heaving open ocean swells, which, if played properly, can get you an adrenaline-inducing ride.
As a tip, when you’re paddling you should keep your weight a few steps forward of the middle of the board, and once you’ve caught a swell you should back up a few steps so as to avoid the dreaded “pearl dive,” a move where the nose of the board dips beneath the water and you end up taking a deep water swim. Do your best to stay out of the water, keep up your momentum and you’ll be entering next year’s Naish Maliko Race before you know it.
Nature is inspiring for humans (most humans). That’s why we (most of us) long for fresh air, gasp at sunsets and use our free time to do things like hike, bike, walk, run, paddle, climb, cave and garden. Nature is so inspiring to some that they choose to live off the grid, despite easy access to all modern amenities. Photographer Eric Valli has spent years with a group of off the grid people. He recently released a photo series documenting these people. The photos can be seen on Valli’s website here. What a trip that would be: go live with a group of off the grid people for an extended period of time. Watch how your priorities change.
A thick streak of teal striped the water as we crossed over it on the Mackinac Bridge. The Mackinac Bridge connects Lower Michigan and Upper Michigan. The waters I marveled at as we crossed were to my right, making up Lake Huron. Lake Michigan was to my left. I never suspected, until then, that I could see Caribbean blues in the Great Lakes. The drive I made from the Mackinac Bridge to Houghton, Michigan, was filled with detours. I pulled off the road a handful of times to take in the scenic Lake Michigan beaches along the way. The core beauty of the Great Lakes and surrounding areas seems to lie within the pristine nature of the outdoors. If you want to plan an outdoor adventure near one of the Great Lakes this summer but you don’t know where to begin, here’s a list that should help get you started.1. Isle Royale
Lake Superior’s Isle Royale is a rugged National Park. It’s the largest island in Lake Superior at 45 miles long and 9 miles wide. Comprised of 400 small islands in addition to Isle Royale itself, the park’s above-water land is still relatively small at 209 square miles. Wolf and moose populations make Isle Royale a popular destination, particularly because this is the only known place where wolves and moose coexist without bears. The largest trail is the Greenstone Ridge Trail. At 40 miles long, this trail is generally a four- or five-day hike. The island boasts a total of 165 miles of hiking trails. Visitors can also canoe or kayak around the area. A lodge and 36 designated wilderness campgrounds make Isle Royale ideal for a backpacking trip.
The Hiawatha National Forest is an 880,000-acre forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. With over 100 miles of shoreline, this forest is a great destination for water activities. Steep rock walls create dramatic landscapes alongside tall trees, streams, rivers and waterfalls. Nestled alongside three of the five Great Lakes (Michigan, Superior and Huron), this forest is filled with campgrounds. What’s more, lighthouses, Native American artifacts and archaeological sites make this forest worth the visit for outdoor fun.
The Apostle Islands are a group of 21 islands in Lake Superior. These islands lie off of the Bayfield Peninsula in northern Wisconsin. Identified as the “spiritual home” of the Lake Superior Chippewa, the islands were originally named after the 12 apostles by historian Pierre Francois Xavier de Charlevoix, despite the presence of 21 islands. White spruce and balsam fir trees dominate the islands. Sea caves throughout the islands feature beautiful arches and chambers. Campgrounds are available on 18 of 21 islands. Scuba diving, kayaking and hiking are all popular activities on the islands during the summer.
Covering a 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has been called the most beautiful place in America by many, including ABC’s “Good Morning America” in 2011. Forests, beaches, dune formations and ancient glacial phenomena attract visitors to this island destination. Primitive, rustic and even more luxurious (with electricity and showers) campsites are spread throughout the Dunes.
Impressive clay rock formations drop into the shores of Lake Ontario at Chimney Bluffs State Park in New York. The park has only four miles of hiking trails, but the scenery is worth the short trek. Open daily from dawn until dusk, this park is not one for camping or multi-day journeying, but it is a great destination for a vividly beautiful day trip.
