Whilst the original Live Love SUP logo was designed by Nathan Johnson at Blacklist Studio, Nina has taken on designing and defining Live Love SUP apparel's look and style. Many a breakfast, lunch and dinner has been huddled over sketch books and laptops and it is Nina's artistic talent and digital skills that breathes life into our ideas. But as you'll see below, she loves our brand and is passionate about sharing it with others on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. She even spoke at length about stand up paddling and Live Love SUP to Manu Bennett, actor on Spartacus and avid SUP'er. Look how wide that smile is! ... and Nina's flashing her pearly whites too!Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Favorite Place to Paddle
Eastern mangroves off Abu Dhabi island and paddling to the mangroves by the kite surfing beach on Saadiyat Island.
What attracted you to SUP?
I was looking to do a new activity and always wanted to try surfing so SUP was the next best thing in a place where we lack waves (this was before Wadi Adventure!). It's a way for me to still get out on the water and get a great workout at the same time!
Describe your first SUP experience
My first time SUP'ing was actually a lesson with Jen at the Sheraton Hotel, Abu Dhabi. To be honest, I was a bit nervous about wherehr I would be able to get up on the board or not but with Jen's fun and friendly teaching methods, my friends and I were up and paddling in no time - even daring to try pivot turns. It must have been 15 minutes into the lesson when my friends and I looked at each other and said we wanted to buy our own boards... and two weeks later I got my first inflatable SUP board!
Why do you keep paddling?
I enjoy the social paddle events where you get to catch up with friends whilst getting in some exercise, some sun and being out on the water. I'm also now moving more in the competitive side of paddling and hope to improve and race more - I can be quite competitive so this is mainly for own satisfaction of putting my fitness ability to the test.
Where do you dream of paddling?Hawaii - the land where SUP'ing all started!
How are you involved with your local SUP community?
I'm a part of the Abu Dhabi Stand Up Paddle Club which organizes social events as well as various charity and clean up events. I also got certified to teach flat water paddling and hope to use it to get more people out on the water. I encouraged my local social club to get in some SUP boards as another form of firness to offer to their members. It seems quite popular but I want to start some sort of fitness classes there with the SUP boards - either SUP yoga or a boot camp involving SUP'ing.
Why are you excited by Live Love SUP?
I believe Live Love SUP is a great way of uniting paddlers all over the world to raise money and awareness for various good causes through an activity we're all passionate about. However, an exciting factor for me is that it is a community where we get to share our experiences with SUP and to encourage others to get out and SUP more!How do you approach designing for Live Love SUP?
I feel it's important to keep the designs simple for now and focus on the Live Love SUP logo with various color combinations of the t-shirts. It's such a great logo design from Nathan Johnson of Blacklist Studios that it needs to be showcased and recognized instantly with the Live Love SUP name.
What is in the future for LLS and design?
I hope to incorporate various influences from all over the world (as we're aiming to be a worldwide community) especially designs with a connection to the ocean such as Polynesian. However, I do want to mix things up as well so let's wait to see what I can come up with!
We can't thank the SUP gods enough for bringing us together. She's with us every stroke of the paddle Live Love SUP grows through the collaboration and efforts of people like Nina. We are in the process of designing further Live Love SUP designs and styles so look out for Nina soon.
