Time on the Water

[PonoBill]

Another great post from Dave Kalama: http://www.davidkalama.com/ .  I think Dave is a little nervous about doing these introspective pieces, he told me if I didn't like it not to publish it. Personally I think it's really great stuff and in some ways a lot more important and useful than technical tips (though I certainly appreciate those too). But I'd like to hear your comments, either here or as comments on the site. I know Dave will be receptive to your thoughts.

[Pureadrenalin]

PB this is truly one of the best pieces from Dave. A friend and I had the same conversation when we were shuttling back to pickup the other car. We were talking about the appreciating the time on the water is so great that when you come out its like all your stress and pressures are gone. On that particular shuttle back to my friends car we had a dumb ass tailgating us and he pulled on the other side of the car and was giving us the eye we was just driving along slow talking story about our run and the great mental inspiring  healing the water shares with us as paddlers. I told him when I come out of the water its like everything is left out there and nothing bothers me its like being at piece with yourself unreal feeling. Another thing Dave is so right about is the part about being sick or not in good health and going for a paddle. This topic is so very true because at times I suffer from allergies or I even start to get congested and the sniffles I think its from being out of the water for more than a week. My true experiences with that is consistent and yesterday I had that same symptoms when I got into the water. When I got out and saw my kids with there smiling face on the beach of Kaimana the Ocean healing was left with the water gods. Dave speaks true words of wisdom fo'real.

[Takeo]

A very well written post.  My day job is in social services dealing with abuse and I've found that the ocean is my getaway, whether it be fishing, spearfishing, or stand up paddling.  We who live near a body of water are fortunate.  I find myself telling my friends who are hooked on video games and DVDs, my passion is about connecting with the ocean...it does bring healing, both physical and spiritual.  I've been nursing a pinched nerve for 2 weeks, no ocean time...that's it, I'm going to the beach, see ya!

[kseal3]

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH ALL OF YOU!!!

I've been out of order now for going on 3 weeks because of serious Carpal Tunnel syndrome and a new job that is requiring my work hours to begin in the wee hours of the morning to the dark of night almost everyday... I'm ready to start dishing out some "CRACKS" to some of my workers! 

THAT'S IT!!! I'M GOING PADDLING!!! NO IF, ANDS, OR BUTS....

[JustPaddle]

PB, are the posts not in chronological order because Dave wanted to highlight the stroke techniques first? Dave should get into some video clips. Either way the site is great and it would be nice if more of top athletes had a website too.

[1paddle2paddle]

Absolutely concur here.  For one, being on the water just burns up some of that nervous energy I accumulate riding a desk from 9-5.  And the workout standup paddling gives me helps burn up some of the aggression that life's stresses pile up on me.

Then there is the psychic part of being on the water which gives me a relaxation I just can't get at the gym or even going for a run.

It was tough recouping from injury in 2008, out of the water for 3 months after shoulder surgery.  But it just made me realize how special being out there really is.

[SEA]

We are so blessed to be living near Ocean and have clean air here in Hawaii. I have been in the ocean since I was a baby and was lucky enough to be able to walk out my back door and be in the ocean within a minute for most of my childhood. I have surfed , windsurfed, dived , paddled and deep sea fished. The Ocean is a healing and calming place. It can humble a prideful man in seconds and it can comfort a hurting soul and heal our weary minds.

I agree with all these posts and especially Dave's.Spending time in the ocean is HEALING !!!  I had a serious shoulder surgery that entailed 12 months of intense PT. I was out of the water for almost 1 year !! However my healing began to accelerate when I was to the point where I could go in the ocean. I began stand up paddling in flat water 5 months ago( doctors suggestion)  strictly for rehabbing my shoulder. It has taken me on an amazing journey in these short 5 months. I have complete healing in my right shoulder, I have lost over 20 pounds, I have met the best people and made some lifelong friends. I am doing down wind paddling now and it has brought a new level of appreciation for the ocean as well as for being physically and mentally fit.  Daves comments are right on when he says  .....

"My longer paddles have taught me that once your will has decided to do something, your body will follow. And without that will, that the ocean somehow gives, your body at best is a beefed up race car with no steering wheel. You just can't get far without mental strength."

That is what is so cool about this sport and the ocean it will continue to teach you if you are willing to be taught. Relax and enjoy the ride, enjoy the ocean, enjoy your family and friends; focus on technique and increase your mental focus , spend time out there in the ocean and fast will become a by product. Thanks for the post Bill and thanks for the article Dave. I have a minor  injury right now (can't paddle) but I can't wait to go in the water tomorrow and just play with my little girl and ENJOY !! 

Aloha

[stoneaxe]

Hhhmmm...the healing power of SUP? I don't know about that one...

[PonoBill]

PB, are the posts not in chronological order because Dave wanted to highlight the stroke techniques first? Dave should get into some video clips. Either way the site is great and it would be nice if more of top athletes had a website too.

The blog has two major sections: technique and news. When I helped Dave set it up I thought it would be mostly technique, honestly, I had no clue that Dave could write, or that he had all these great insights to share. Shame on me. So I need to change the design sooner to later to reflect how the blog is working out.

There IS a video section, I just need to get it populated. There's a big set of DK technique videos on the Naish site that don't look like they get much traffic. I'll figure out a better way to call attention to them, but they, and other videos featuring Dave are (and other soon will be) available in the video tab.

Right now it's my car racing season, so I've been busy with that, and downwinding in Hood River is taking up time, but I'll get dug out quickly