This was shot by our friend and European distributer, Jean Phillippe Wuilmart of sunshort.com

Cold Stroke Classic in Wilmington, NC

Meg and Dave Chun, founders and owners of KIALOA Paddles, are at the Cold Stroke Classic this weekend in Wilmington, North Carolina. Cold is definitely and apt title this year as they are currently experiencing freezing weather. The SUP races start at noon on Jan. 9 at Dockside Restaurant & Marina, 1308 Airlie Road and tonight there is a pre race dinner where Chuck Patterson is the key speaker. Paddlers will do a 3.5-mile recreational course or a seven-mile “elite” course. The race is put on by Coastal Urge and proceeds benefit the Cape Fear Surf­rider Foundation.

Stay tuned to KIALOA's blog, facebook and twitter to get results!

Young Bobbie Cooper Takes Home Some Hardware

Bobbie Cooper is one of KIALOA's young sponsors in the UK. She won the BSUPA Championships in 2008 and is well on her way to a repeat victory this year. The first in the British SUP contest series started last weekend and Bobbie placed in several Categories. The 17 year old placed first in Womens Sprint and Wave Expression while taking second in the Women's distance.

Good job Bobbie! We'll keep checking in with her throughout the season.

Paddle Core Fitness

In an effort to explore all aspects of stand up paddling, from wave riding to racing or just recreational paddling, we at KIALOA hope that no one is too intimidated to try something new. Understanding that we all need to respect each others chosen sport and experience level what better way to prepare yourself than to get fit and practice, practice, practice!! We think you should check out Paddle Core Fitness.

Reid Inouye, president of Paddle Core Fitness, LLC, is hooked on stand up paddling. From the fitness aspect, wave riding and open ocean crossings, he finds there is nothing better in life than connecting with the ocean. Living in Hawaii and being surrounded by the water, there is no place better in the world than the islands.

Paddle Core Fitness starts the world's first ever water workout this Fall/Winter season at Ala Moana Beach Park with it's certified personal instructors. During the month of November, come out for a free trial session and see if this is your way of getting both an instructional in paddle technique, isolation body workouts, as well as a good cardio session.

Please check out the program by following the link to their site. There is something for all levels of experience and it is a great way to improve or introduce yourself to this wildly crazy new watersport.

Mel Puu Interview

The Mel Puu video interview is available at Stand up Paddle Surfing Magazine. Check it out.