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Raves and Rants

Raves!

Spring has taken its' sweet time getting here, but it looks like it has finally arrived.  The water is still a little on the cool side, but everyone at the shop is finally getting out on the water with some regularity. Yay!
I  had a great time at the Carolina Cup a couple weeks ago  and hope to get around to posting a full recap in the near future. Just in case I don't, let me say now, "It was an awesome event." Yay!

Testing out the Surftech 14' Bark Dominator

  


East of Maui started our weekly Tuesday Night Group Paddles this past week, and will continue all Summer, weather permitting. Yay!

Details: Join East of Maui for a weekly Stand Up Paddle around Annapolis.  We paddle out at 6pm.  Suitable for  recreational paddlers, however,  this is sometimes an open water paddle, and is not recommended for 1st time paddlers. We are happy to pass on some paddling tips , but the Group Paddle is not a lesson.
We will usually paddle about 2 1/2 miles with a longer option for more experienced paddlers
This a FREE event if you have your own board.  Rental boards available by advance reservation $20.
Stop by or call East of Maui for more information.
410-573-9463

A Typical Tuesday Night! 

 

Some Great Upcoming Events: 

May 31st. Bliss on the Bay:

Bliss On The Bay is Baltimore’s premiere SUP race event. The day will include different levels of stand up paddle board (SUP) races, a corporate challenge event, and will be followed in the afternoon by Ultimate Watersports' annual Paddlefest! In addition to the events taking place throughout the day, there will be a racers’ village for attendees to visit throughout the duration of the event.  

June 1st. Surf Swap Challenge

The Surf Swap Challenge is an event that covers all levels of stand up paddleboarding. It is a full day of racing, eating, and enjoying a wonderful day on the bay at Fager’s Island Bar & Restaurant, 60^th St. & the Bay, Ocean City, MD.Proceeds from the event will go to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program.  Dawn runs a great event. This is a don't miss!

July 12th. The East of Maui/Eastport Yacht Club Chesapeake Challenge. This an open water race set in Annapolis Harbor and the mouth of the Severn River. There will be two course options: The 6.5 mile Challenge for more experienced paddlers and a 3-3.5 mile Challenge suitable for more novice paddlers. Both courses can be subject to wind, chop, and boat traffic. This is a MASRA (Mid-Atlantic SUP Racing Association) Points Event.
Food, drinks, awards, and live music following the race.

yay!

RANTS!

Buyer Beware

As the sport of Stand Up continues to explode,  more and more people are getting into the business from from all sides. 

From the manufacturing side, it seems like everyday I get phone call from overseas, from somebody wanting to build boards for me CHEAP! I have been the board business a long time, you get what you pay for. A turd with a fancy paint job is still a turd. Sorry,  I don't want to sell turds. 

It also came to my attention this spring, that there is an online company that has copied/stolen the designs of a well know brand, and then are having them built using inferior materials, and then trying to pass them off as the real deal "but with different graphics". Buyer beware!   -Boo!

From the retail side, there are a lot of people selling Stand Up. There are many quality retailers that know what they are doing, and do a great job matching up the customer with the right equipment. -Yay! Unfortunately there are many people selling boards that have no clue. It really is a bummer to hear that someone bought a board that is totally unsuited for them. Instead of being stoked on an awesome sport, they are turned off, maybe for ever. -Boo!

 Myself, my business partner and our employees all paddle. We know what really works, and what really doesn't. We have chosen the products we want to sell, represent,  stand up on, and stand behind in our store.   Having the right gear is fun.   East of Maui has been helping people have more fun since 1979. 

 If you or one of your friends a looking to buy a board or learn about Stand Up Paddling, please stop by and visit East of Maui. We promise to do our very best to put you or your friends on the right gear.  

Aloha- Mark B 

Like East of Maui on Facebook! Friends don't let friends paddle junk!

 facebook.com/eastofmaui