Live Love SUP

What a fantastic time we had at Stony Creek, Michigan with 100+ stand up paddlers. Together with Great Lakes Surf Shop, we introduced lots of people to stand up paddling, to SUP Yoga and to Paddlefit. We were stoked to raise $377 for charity: water through direct donations and also through a Live Love SUP tradition: donating 10% of sales at all LLS events.



The day started out introducing people to our wonderful sport. Brian LeFeve, owner of Great Lakes Surf Shop, and our very own Jen Scully went out with over 45 people and showed them the paddling basics.


Great Lakes Surf's resident instructor Josh demonstrated and took two classes of people wanting to try SUP yoga. Of course there were a few people who ended up in the water but Josh's easy approach to yoga helped everyone to many successful poses.




Next we organized a partner and family relay race. As you can see, everyone had a blast!





Throughout the day there was a "How fast is your stroke?" challenge. $1 got you a chance to test and prove yourself on a short course using a 12'6 Naish One Inflatable SUP board.


The last event or challenge was the Paddlefit course. Pretty much punishment. Casey and Brian dished out a challenging course to complete that left people with a lasting impression...



Thanks to everyone who came and who donated to charity: water. People were so generous in their donations and supporting us through purchasing the charity wristband, tanks, t-shirts and hats. AWESOME!!! 

Mikaella and Jen met in Cyprus in the early part of 2013. They instantly clicked over flatwater stand up paddling and SUP surfing. Jen also met the Windsurfers on Tour group that SUP and windsurf around different places on Cyprus. Mikaella is an active member of this group promoting and converting people to stand up paddling. She's an awesome person full of passion who loves to paddle and share it with others. Meet Mikaella, our latest Live Love SUP Brand Ambassador.

Location
In beautiful Limassol, Cyprus.

What is your favorite place to paddle?
I have been very fortunate to live in this beautiful small island in the Mediterranean that has amazing weather all year round. My house is only 5 minutes from the beach and every single morning I paddle with my school 'Windsurfers on Tour'. During the winter time we surf as we have very good waves.

What attracted you to SUP?
I have tried surfing and fell in love with it back in Costa Rica in 2009. After that I was lucky enough to mee the 'Windsurfers on Tour' team and Costa Symeonides, who showed me the beauty of Stand Up Paddling and SUP Surfing in Cyprus. This was an amazing experience and wonderful opportunity for me. Since then you can't get me off my board!!!


Describe your best SUP experience.
The feeling that you can 'walk on water' and where there connection that I feel between 'me' and the 'ocean' is something that I can't describe! I love loooooong SUP rides and my best SUP experiences was paddling for 7 hours straight. (Mammoth paddle - Nick).

How are you involved with your local SUP community?
Without my coach Costas Symeonides owner and found of 'Windsurfers on Tour' school, I wouldn't be able to know the beauty of this amazing sport. In our school club, we are a family of ocean lovers that SUP, surf and windsurfing! Last year I came first on the Naish SUP Isthmus Speed Crossing in Greece, one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life.

Why do you keep paddling?
What I love most about stand up paddling is the ability to do whatever you want. We can surf in the waves, do downwinders, paddling on flat crystal waters, paddling under the moonlight etc... We can certainly see the effects on your health and on your body.

Why are you excited about Live Love SUP?
Live Love SUP is a great way of meeting new people around the globe that have the same passion as you. At the same time, we can all help an amazing charity (charity: water) and make a difference. I hope that more people will be involved in this great sport and share some Live Love SUP love.


Where do you dream of paddling?
My other love is travelling so one of my craziest dreams is to travel with a backpack, a Naish One SUP, and a paddle through the whole of Central and South America to SUP and surf in so many countries in two of the most beautiful continents in the world.

How many of us would want to join Mikaella to SUP in some amazing latin American places? Or even SUP'ing in beautiful Cyprus? Oh yeah! We do, that's for sure.