Mike, tell us a little bit about your Coronado story, what brought you to the ‘island’?
I am San Diego native and the week after I graduated high school (1988) my parents and brother decided they wanted to make a move to Coronado. Both my dad and my brother are real estate brokers/ developers and they bought a piece of property on the 200 block of “A” Avenue which was to be their first project. The rest, as they say, is history. I’ve been working in Coronado real estate since 1992 after I graduated from SDSU.
Stand up paddling (SUP) is a relatively new activity for you and for many participants – how did you discover it?
About a year ago, a friend invited me to come out stand up surfing with him. He already had several boards and paddles. Without much of instruction he gave me a board and a paddle and we headed out. I only caught two or three waves the first day but I was hooked! Within a couple weeks, I bought a stand up surf board as well as a race board, I had quickly become a junkie.
Do you consider SUP more of a sport, activity or lifestyle?
I would say SUP is all of the above. It’s a sport as you can race and surf and compete at many different levels. It’s such a athletic endeavor but you don’t necessarily have to be a good athlete to enjoy it. SUP is an activity that almost anyone can participate in regardless of age and health. I’ve seen persons in their 80’s doing it as well as kids as young as 3 or 4. Paddling on a flat body of water provides the entire family a chance to get on a board and participate. Certainly, similar to surfing and many water sports, for many of us SUP is becoming a lifestyle. For me, racing is driving me on daily basis to keep fit and healthy, stand up surfing keeps me in the waves when conditions are favorable and , and SUP is providing an opportunity to travel to places near and far to challenge myself and my SUP skills. Most importantly, SUP has provided a new social circle that I didn’t have before. I spend most of my weekends surfing and racing with a new group of friends that I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
Mike enjoying a paddle in the San Diego Bay.
Tell us more about SUP racing and events.
The SUP racing events are springing up all over North America and abroad most every weekend. Currently, Southern California has become the epicenter for racing. Dana Point has established itself as the breeding ground for many of the world’s best racers as well as some of the best SUP related companies. One of the coolest things is that many of the races are still fairly “grass roots” and you and on any given weekend, you might find yourself racing next to the world’s most elite racers. It’s kind of a strange phenomenon. It’s kind of like entering a local golf tournament competing against Tiger Woods ! SUP racing is quickly becoming very popular, and many athletes are making the crossover to SUP racing as the prestige and prize money is rising quickly. It’s growing so mainstream that a US National team is being formed, with trials being held at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista in April of 2011. Many of the Nation’s fastest paddlers will be there!
Mike (third from left) starting a race in Sayulita, Mexico. Read more about this race.
Do you have a favorite place to paddle?
I have a number of places I enjoy paddling, most notably San Diego Bay. I typically launch into the bay on the West side of the Coronado Landing condominiums. I like to paddle from there to Shelter Island, which is about a 6.5 mile loop. I enjoy the bay as I’m very often paddling near a variety of interesting watercraft including Navy aircraft carriers, cruise ships, commercial cargo ships and Navy Seal small craft. The hair on the back of my neck stands up every time a group of small craft with Navy SEALs fly by going out on training maneuvers. If I want to cruise, I enjoy paddling through the channels in the Cays. As a realtor, it’s interesting to view the Cays by water.
What about Coronado? Are the conditions good for SUP? If so, beach or bay?
Initially what attracted me to SUP is that on any given day you can have a great time with a paddle and a board. If the surf is good, you will find me in front of the Shores surfing most mornings. If it’s flat you will find me in the bay doing some distance paddling. No matter the day, you can normally find some fun SUP’ing.
We’ve heard that sometimes SUPs can get ‘vibed’ by surfers or lay down paddlers. Have you had any negative experiences?
This has been the subject of much controversy in the surf world. Many surfer’s resent the fact that someone on a SUP board can potentially catch any wave and hog a break. A lot of crowded surf breaks around the world have had problems as prone surfers and stand up surfers try to establish a peaceful coexistence. The truth is that most SUP surfers are pretty respectful and don’t go out to hog all the waves. Most of us that SUP now, grew up prone surfing so we are courteous as we don’t want to spoil any others experience in the water.
For beginners, what do you recommend is the best way to try it out or get started? Are there any places on Coronado or in San Diego that you recommend for lessons or getting a board?
For beginners, the best way to get started is to find a local surf school that specializes in SUP. For Coronadan’s, I suggest visiting www.PaddleSurf.net and contacting John Ashley for either group or private lessons. John, is an accomplished surfer, stand up surfer/ racer and has the idea attitude and temperament for sharing his love of SUP. He primarily teaches at Grand Caribe in the Coronado Cays.
Once someone has mastered the basic’s of stand up paddling, John will move you to the beach and teach you to ride the waves, which is a thrill for most. I truly believe that SUP is a better, if not easier way for people to learn to surf! For boards and equipment, I suggest visiting Emerald City Surf Shop in Coronado. Kelly Kraus has a nice selection of boards and paddles. I believe he does rentals also.
Ok, tough choice: selling a multi-million dollar Coronado property or incredible 2 minute SUP wave ride along an exotic shore?
Wow, that is a tough choice. The real answer is that, selling the multi-million dollar house still get’s my blood flowing like little else. Selling homes is definitely in my family DNA and really provides me the greatest thrill. There’s nothing like to long lasting satisfaction of finding the right home for the right family! Mastering SUP and riding the world’s best waves is an elusive goal that will always be just out of reach. That’s what makes it so compelling!
Do you have any SUP events or trips coming up that you can share?
I have some really incredibly trips coming up this year. I will be racing in Hawaii at the Battle of the Paddle in May. It’s the “Super Bowl” of stand up paddling. In June, I will be racing in the British West Indies for one week, while living aboard a sailing yacht. The highlight will be going with Dave Kalama to FIJI and surfing “Cloud Break”, which is one of the world’s best surf breaks. All of my SUP related activities can be tracked on my blog www.SupJunkie.com.
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You can contact or learn more about Mike by visiting his real estate and SUP websites.
