Stand Up Paddle Surfing Magazine - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dave Chun (Kialoa Paddles) Part 4 of 4

HOME

FEATURES

Interviews

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dave Chun (Kialoa Paddles) Part 4 of 4

By: Stand Up Paddle Surfing Magazine
Saturday, 15 December 2007
- The Future of the Sport - SUP Heritage - Integrity - Smiles - SUPSURFMAG: From the perspective of an industry leader like yourself and Kialoa, where is the sport headed? DAVE: You know, I have no idea. I gotta say, right now, I think a lot of what’s happening is people are seeing opportunity to make money and they’re diving into this thing. I hope I’m wrong. I hope the people who are involved understand that we’ve been kind of given a gift from the Ancient Hawaiians and we’ve got to take care of this thing. We have to make sure that in out zeal to make money we also nurture the sport and encourage new people to come in. Also, we don’t want to piss off the regular board surfers. We don’t want to create a them-and-us kind of situation. We’ve got to make sure we’re respectful of what they’re doing. I hope it just doesn’t go to everything being punched out, cheap cookie cutter stuff. I think there’s a real heritage in the Polynesian paddle sports and the surf industry where we have artisan craftsmen who make things and constantly are evolving the sport with their custom made things. There’s nothing wrong with production stuff. You have to have the right people behind production things so that, when they feel that an innovation should be moved forward in the product, that they’ll put it in there even though it might cost them a few bucks. Or, if they’ve got a piece of crap out there, they take the thing off the market. All it does is frustrate new people to use junk stuff. So, I hope we’re responsible with all this. SUPSURFMAG: If there is one thing that you could communicate to stand up paddlers around the world, what would that one thing be? DAVE: Don’t take yourself seriously. Go out. Have fun. Don’t worry about being good. Just go out there and do it and if you’ve got a smile on your face it’s a good thing. SUPSURFMAG: Great. Dave, thanks for your time. The insights you’ve given us are just awesome. And where can people go to find out more about Kialoa? DAVE: Well, KIALOA.COM. We got a website and you can check in there. We also have a list of dealers probably in your area. Thanks for your time Nate. SUPSURFMAG: Alright, thanks Dave. 0 Comments Write comment Welcome! Login or Register Below To Post Your Comments...

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Login or Register to Post Comments and Join the Forum

Latest Interviews

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Surf Photographer Sergio Oliveira - A lens-eye view of stand up padding.

Anyone who has gazed endlessly at a surf photo in a magazine or on the web has experienced the power and magic of surf photography. For decades, wherever you find surf, there’s bound to be a photographer on the sand or in the water capturing the moment. Sergio Oliveira is a 40 year old Brazilian surf photographer living and shooting on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Sergio was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro and has been settled with his wife and family in Maui since the mid ‘90s. We were thrilled to interview Sergio and get a lens-eye perspective of stand up paddle surfing.

SUPSURFMAG: What can you tell us about your history with the ocean and how photography became a part of that?

SERGIO: Growing up on the beach was pretty much how it all started. The ocean has always been a part of my life and I don’t think I could ever live away from it. I started surfing when I was 17 and it instantly became a passion. I knew then, it would be something I would do for the rest of my life and that hasn’t changed a bit.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dave Kalama - True Waterman and Stand Up Paddler

SUPSURFMAG: Welcome Dave, it certainly is a pleasure to glean some wisdom from true waterman and pioneer of modern day stand up paddle surfing who to this day is still breaking new ground for the sport. When we got the word that you would share some of your experience with us, we spread the word and everyone has been really excited about it. From the U.S. to Australia you are definitely a much admired waterman. In fact, most of the questions here come directly from stand up paddlers around the world. First off, for those who are new to the industry, what can you tell us about who you are and where you're from?

DAVE KALAMA: I was born in Newport Beach California. So. Cal. for elementary school then moved to Mammoth for high school. Moved to Maui July 2, 1985. I was a professional windsurfer till 93', then professional tow surfer and waterman ‘til present.

SUPSURFMAG: When and did you first get involved with stand up paddle surfing?

DAVE KALAMA: My first experience was in 95' when Laird and I were doing a photo shoot for Oxbow. We were riding 12 footers a lot at the time and the surf was real small so we got bored pretty quick. I had a couple of canoe paddles with me from just doing a OC.1 run so I went and grabbed them just for something to fool around with. It was really funny because we were bent over from the paddles being so short. Anyway we had a great time and Laird went and had some taller paddles made the next day. After that we just started doing it more and more.