Has surf helped or hurt the growth of SUP?
In the beginning, after Laird created the heavens and the earth. … he said, “Let there be a big board,” and there was a big board.…
Category: The Mullet
Safety Discussion from the Surf Expo
“We need to take responsibility for the safety of the people in our sport.” Tyler callaway leads off the stand up Paddleboard manufacturer’s safety meeting…
Surf Expo Day One and the stoke factor
For those of you unfamiliar with Surf Expo, it is a convention held twice per year (September and January) where manufacturers bring their product lines…
Detroit Rising: OABI (Once Around Belle Isle) as a reflection of a city’s rebirth
“We’re going to try to get you on the water and started on time to avoid the weather that’s forecasted for later today.” Thunder boomed…
How can the sport be growing when the industry is shrinking?
So many people have asked us what we think of the Standup Paddleboard industry after attending the Outdoor Retailer Expo in Salt Lake City. Is…
The mainstream media and stock photography have no idea about SUP safety
While news reports tend to find a local expert to guide them through the sport of SUP, the articles written for the general public by…
Can leashes solve all our paddleboard safety problems?
Every month, we hear of someone either drowning while paddleboarding, or having to be rescued because they either underestimated the wind or didn’t see it…
Tips for Race Directors starting a SUP race
In the past 6 weeks, there have been two examples of disastrous races. Races that barely escaped being headlines in the local paper. Races where paddlers…
After years of abuse, SUP surfers return to lineup with knives attached to boards
In response to rising verbal and physical anti-SUP harassment, a team of standup paddleboard surfer/engineers have designed the first V-Edge blade hydrofoil SUP board. Not only…
Paddleboarder drowns in Whangamata and a discussion on leashes
We read this tragic story from the stuff.co.nz website about the death of paddleboarder Amie Russell whose leash got stuck under the keel of a boat, she…
How can a paddle race with 100 people have 3361 divisions? Let’s do the math
This mathematical exercise is based on a comment that suggested we as a sport adopt standard marathon age groups and recognize every division in each race We are going to…
Trailblazers: It’s time to bring your own division
I’ve been around events for a long time and there seems to be a consistent theme. With 80,000 potential divisions, people end up paddling a craft,…
We’re launching a magazine and it’s all about you
In April, we are launching The Mullet magazine: The first free, quarterly community paddle magazine that tells the stories of local paddlers, local events, local shops…
Danny Ching to paddle stock class in M2O
What happens when a top pro owns his own board company? He rides the boards he produces. According to instagram, “This means all our team riders…
Finding a way to give back to your community: The 24
I received a text from a friend, “my 7-year old nephew has a rare form of brain cancer and we’re looking for a few items…
Paddleboard Safety: Personal responsibility and it’s impact on others
At what point do our choices affect others? At what point does saying “personal responsibility” really mean we’re not taking personal responsibility or responsibility for…
Reflections on the 2016 Winter Surf Expo
I keep having the same off-the-record conversations about the 2016 Surf Expo in Orlando. For many of you, this glimpse into the industry won’t make…
We just want to say that Mickey Muñoz is amazing
Mike Muir from Riviera Paddle Surf sent me this photo this morning. What a gift. “We should all aspire to be doing what Mickey is…
The SUP Narrative is changing: Letter from the Publisher of Distressed Mullet
A number of years ago, our friend Casey at SUP Gladiator posted about SUP as being the Gateway drug to other watersports. Can you say SUP…
Celebrating under 17, over 50 paddlers and categories with less than 3 competitors
Results. Wow. Let me tell you about race results. From a race director’s point of view, they often are the hardest part of running a…
Lina Augatis on paddling and pregnancy
2014 Battle of the Paddle and World Series Champion and 2015 Lost Mills Champ, Lina Augatis, is enjoying time with her husband Andrew in anticipation…
Basic Skills Test: Should a Paddleboard Skills Certification be required to rent or race?
What if prior to a race or rental, people had to show that they could safely perform a set of basic paddleboard skills in order…
Paddleboarder on surfer violence, staying safe and surf etiquette
I came across this article this morning and it struck a nerve. First, it’s on a site that is obviously anti-paddleboarder, so the tone rose…
Sponsor a Special Olympic Athlete
This is an opportunity. An opportunity to share your stoke. To share your love for paddling. To share the sport you love with a Special Olympic Athlete. On Oct…
Stand Up Paddle Board Safety Progress: A Surf Expo Update
It’s been three weeks since Andres Pombo went missing in the Gorge. And while it may seem like things are quiet, there is actually quite a…