Steve West with Perfect Paddles USA - Heroes of SUP: Present and Future Innovators
When it comes to athletics, what defines a hero? For SUP, we believe the answer is simple. Heroes are those who push the boundaries of the sport into new environments. Ones that test their own individual limits regarding their strength or stamina and help innovate the sport of SUP into new and exciting directions. Heroes also use their abilities and fame to help the community or the environment.
What follows is a short list of some of the present heroes of SUP. From one man’s journey to cross the Atlantic solo to another woman’s creation of an 11-city tour spanning her homeland, these people are pushing SUP to whole new levels.
Of course, this list is not comprehensive. There are many paddlers out there worth mentioning and we wish we had the room.
Read through the list and be inspired by each individual’s story but make sure to live your own - because SUP always needs new innovators - from paddling instructors to those accomplishing historic firsts in the sport.
The list includes Micky Munoz, Danny Ching, Chris Bertish, Bart de Zwart, Steve West, Jules Gismondi, and Lou Anne Harris, Kai Lenny, Connor Baxter, Seychelle Webster, Candice Appleby, April Zilg, Judie Vivian, Anne-Marie Reichmann and Dan Gevere.
Steve West has been a part of the SUP community from its origins. He is known for literally ‘writing the book on SUP.’
Steve was born in Africa and became a pro windsurfer in the 80’s. And he helped popularize the sport in the UK. In addition, he spent years in Hawaii and Australia getting deep into the outrigger canoe culture, winning championship races in 6-man teams that included many of the stars of the OC world.
In addition, he spent time as Australia’s National Outrigger Coaching Director.
But to truly understand Steve's contributions to SUP and why he is considered a hero to the sport, pick up a copy of his book,“Stand Up Paddle: A Paddler’s Guide.” In it, you will learn the origins of the sport, the mechanics of the perfect paddle stroke, locations around the world where paddling is popular, and as many helpful tips on how to paddle as you can handle!
Mr. West's complete rundown of SUP in his book is something every paddler around the world should have on their bookshelf.