SUP in 1980 - Who is that ?

[SUPGlobal Matt]

I have been sent two shots of SUP at Waikiki in 1980 by James Davies. I am sorry that I can't put them on here, but James has very kindly allowed them to go onto SUPGlobal.com (he is a professional photographer).

Can anyone help us figure out who it is (John Zabotocky ?) and what he is doing in a hard hat and knee pads !!

http://www.supglobal.com/stand-up-paddle/latest-sup-news/151-sup-in-1980-who-is-that-.html

I interviewed James earlier this summer and it is an interesting read.

[Sam Pa'e]

If my history is correct.........That is not John Zabotocky. I truly believe that is "Pop's Achoy" the father of the Achoy family and the original Stand-Up father of SUP......I'll see if I can dig you more pics.

Aloha.......Sam

[steamroller]

+1


 

[SUPGlobal Matt]

Thanks Guys,

Any idea why he is wearing a hard hat ?

Matt.

[corran]

cos SUPs hurt when they hit you on the head, and your knees get busted climbing onto the board all the time

lol

[SUPGlobal Matt]

I guess you could'nt get a gath hat in 1980 - a builders hat would just have to do !

[SUPirate]

That's Pops Achoy, he has been doing that way before we all started

[Sam Pa'e]

Any idea why he is wearing a hard hat ?

This is unconfirmed, but I think back in the day (around the early 60's) he never had a deck pad (don't think any was available) nor any way to keep your knees comfortable while paddling out. So thats the reasoning for the the knee pads. As far as the hard hat....I think it was to identify the in the water were he is (but I'm not sure).......I'll fine out later.

But that photo was taken in the 80's and hes' still wearing a hard hat & knee pads?.........I guess having a "signature" image can truly identify your legacy.

There's other stories out there thats someone other guy started this sport.........but I would differ. Needless to say despite who started this sport we all enjoy a legacy that was started by Kupuna. 

Aloha......Sam

[SUPGlobal Matt]

Thank-you Sam - the guy that took the photo in 1980, James Davis, is heading to Hawaii this winter - it would be great fun to hook him up with someone from the Achoy family to present the photo..

[Sam Pa'e]

Aloha Matt,
OK I digged deep into my researched and I can confirm that the photos on your link is indeed John "Pop's" Achoy.

                     

And theses photos taken by James Davies in the 80's are of him and I have proof to back it up. You see Mr. Achoy & his youngest son Mike walked in to our store at Pacific Rad Sport in Waipio and introduced himself. Eddie the owner was in shock that Mr. Achoy wanted to meet Eddie and visit his store after hearing so much about this place and all that PRS does to prompt the sport. I myself have not met him, but I did meet Mike and he give me the history behind SUP. He told me that the reason he used a hard hat was to keep his cigarettes dry and in between sets he would light one up.....Classic!!!   So what Eddie did in appreciation to Mr. Achoy and for ALL he did to set the history of SUP..........Eddie gave him an SUP board.

                                             

Sorry this is not the board that Eddie gave him, but it's something similar to it. The board is 11'-6" stinger, rounded nose, and green. We are so honored to be endorsed by the Achoy family it seem to be a dream for Pacific Rad Sports.

We got some pics from the Mr. Achoy that shows the same hat & the same color knee pads....And I believe that it was taken it the 80's & 90's...........You know I wouldn't  be surprised if it was taken by the same photographer (James Davies)........the shots are so similar! Check out the slide show.......Looks almost the same.

                                                          

Thank-you Sam - the guy that took the photo in 1980, James Davis, is heading to Hawaii this winter - it would be great fun to hook him up with someone from the Achoy family to present the photo..

From what I here Mr. Achoy has not been felling well, but I may be able to get in touch with Mike so you guys can hook up.

We would like to thank the Achoy Family for providing PRS with the photos that we all can enjoy.....

Aloha........Sam

[awe]

Sam,
What a great, great story. Mahalo so much for all your time spent on research.
Aloha, David

[DavidJohn]

Thanks Sam.. Interesting stuff.. 

DJ

[Dub_G]

  Thats some good history there. Thanks for sharing it.

[SUPGlobal Matt]

Thanks again Sam - that is great stuff, I will let James know - he will be stoked !

[SUPGlobal Matt]

James has asked me to publish this to you all

"I can't wait to get over to Hawaii again in February to do SUP for the first time there (with my best SUP mate Bob).  Its a very special place which I have been so fortunate to visit since the mid 1960's when I was a ship's photographer and time off in Honolulu gave me time to stand up for the first time on a surfboard at Waikiki.  I don't have a photo of that event but I'll try and find one of me from that time sitting on the beach with no high rise hotels to be seen!  Do hope Bob and I could meet up with some of you SUP surfers for a get together between 15 February and 11 March."