Getting to know Mr Robby Naish - SUP Pioneer
He might be getting on in years, but he's
still as cool as ever...
still as cool as ever...
But it's taken his whole life to get there, and this interview with Soul Surfer is a fantastic insight into the life of one of the most influential people in not only stand up paddling, but windsurfing and kitesurfing as well.
From his early days surfing and sailing Hobie cats, Robby's dad taught him to love with the ocean. Eventually learning to windsurf, that's where Robby took off and began pioneering new ideas and concepts within the windsurfing community. He humbly doesn't claim to have invented things like footstraps and waveboards, but he does acknowledge his involvement with the sports growth and innovation, often giving credit to his friends and colleagues during the interview.
As the interview goes on, Robby talks about the transition from windsurfing, through kitesurfing to stand up paddling. Saying that the move to stand up paddling was largely influenced by his staff who were interested in the downwinder side of the sport. Preferring to choose the more extreme side of things when it gets windy, Naish says he still loves the flat water and surfing styles of stand up paddling, instead leaving the racing and downwinders to the other guys in the team.
Speaking of the team, Robby holds every one of his team members close to his heart, especially Kai Lenny who's been totally dominating the competitive scene and the social media circles of late. He's definitely bringing a lot of attention to Naish and to the colour yellow in general, another thing that's really set Naish apart from the other companies, particularly in stand up paddling.
The yellow colour scheme is instantly recognisable in the sport now, so much so that if you see a yellow stand up paddle board on someones roof you immediately assume it's a Naish! The brand doesn't seem to be straying from the colour either, with the all new one-design boards the Naish One being very recognisable as a Naish. In the other sports of Windsurfing and kitesurfing, the colour doesn't feature as heavily, but maybe it will over the next few years, especially after the enormous success the marketing decision has been for SUP.
Check out the interview below to see and hear for yourself. But grab a beer and relax because it's a 20 minute video full of great advice, interesting stories and insane action footage that will leave you busting for a ride.
Bondi, NSW
