3 years ago at the Surf Expo, a lone vendor represented the sport.  Last year, three vendors including C4 and Surftech were there to showcase the sport.  This year, almost 50 vendors were in the house and the SUP zone featured a huge demo pool.  Mix in some of surfing’s legends, SUP-stars, and tons of product and you get one amazing showing for Stand Up Paddle boarding.  Robert ‘Wingnut’ Weaver played host to the SUP Demo Pool for three days at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

January 11, 2010 -Florida was somehow colder than Canada but that didn’t matter – The 2010 Surf Expo was held at the Orange County Convention Center and there is no doubt that Stand Up Paddle Boarding made a splash this year.  Almost 50 vendors surrounded the Indoor SUP Demo Pool, hosted by Robert ‘Wingnut’ Weaver, and there was a constant flow of traffic in and around the zone.  It was our first trip to the show and we were impressed with the energy and excitement for SUP.  By the sounds of it, the economy is turning up again and there was a sense of renewed optimism.

SUP has been a bright spot for many companies who have been watching surfboard sales decline in the past few years. Todd Bradley of C4 put it this way “Imagine this, only 3 vendors last year and now we are 50 strong – It’s amazing to be a part of this growing energy“.

Consider the fact that only 3 SUP-related vendors were at the show last year.  Surfing legends, brand owners, and everyone who loves surfing, suping, and the lifestyle were at the show.  All three SUP magazines, Stand Up Journal, Stand Up Paddle, and Stand Up Paddler were distributing their newest issues to the many fans and friends around the show.  C4 Waterman, Starboard, Surftech and Naish, who many consider as the frontrunners in SUP boards, had their newest lines on display along with a number of other solid companies like Hobie, Kings, Rogue, and Riviera.  Rogue was one brand that stood out for their graphics – something that the industry seems to shy away from.  Surftech had Jamie Mitchell’s winning 12’6 race board from the ‘Battle of the Paddle’ on display and have announced that a production model will be available in late spring, early summer.  C4 was showing a preview of their new River SUP video and it was pretty motivating to watch how fast that disipline is progressing.

Our votes for ‘Best in Show’

Best Pool Demo – Werner Paddles and Wingnut of course

Best Inflatable – C4 Waterman C-Mac 10’6

Most innovative Paddle – Werner 3-piece / Neptune Ergonomic

Best use of the Pool - Werner Paddles, Starboard and Nikki Gregg

Most anticipated Board that didn’t get in the pool – Surftech Jamie Mitchell 12’6

Best SUP Graphics - Rogue Stand Up Paddle Boards, San Clemente, CA

Best Free Beer – C4 Beerman

Most impressive Booth - Starboard

Comeback of the Year – Local Motion, Hawaii

Most common reply – You can surf in Canada?

Check out the gallery >>

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2 Comments

1.   Tweets that mention Stand Up Paddle Board Okanagan -- Topsy.com   |  Monday, 18 January 2010 at 1:56 pm

   [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by surfexpo, Maui Nix Surf Shop. Maui Nix Surf Shop said: RT @surfexpo: Great report on the @surfexpo SUP demo pool from http://www.oksup.com/ Nice work guys! http://bit.ly/8wuixT [...]
2.   Stand Up Paddle Board Okanagan   |  Wednesday, 24 February 2010 at 10:18 pm

   [...] the recent Surf Expo in Florida, it was the upstart SUP companies like Hypr Nalu and Rogue who dared to be different and [...]