Keahi goes back to the future in Indo - Sessions part 2
Similar things happen in sports of all types, you’ll see one guy try something new like an aerial, then next year there’s a few guys doing it… Then you skip a few more years into the future and it’s become normal to see. Take skateboarding and the kickflip for instance, the once elitist maneuver is now done by 6 year olds.
Already the ‘Keahi style’ top turns are becoming quite standard in stand up paddling, that characteristic slide of the tail as he hits the lip was started and made famous by Keahi about 4 years ago when he showed that aerials were in fact possible at the Noosa Festival of Surfing. His style has been imitated since then to shape the way paddlers go about their turns and airs, but you know what they say about imitation!
Check out the video below to see the future for yourself. Keahi’s on a trip to Indonesia and hits some world famous breaks, (as well some not so famous ones) to show off what the JP Australia range of stand up paddle board shapes can really do. Those little pro boards seem totally at home amongst shortboard style carves, deep barrels and fast reef sections that are normally only reserved for kiteboarders.
For those of you who’re wondering why we haven’t seen Keahi in the competitive SUP scene this year, it’s because he doesn’t need to. The multi-talented waterman is trekking all over the world thanks to his sponsors JP, NP and Cabrinha (who are all part of the same parent company), all he’s got to do is bring in the media. More shots, means more overseas trips, more gear and more time on the water. The media managers at Neil Pryde asked their SUP dealers this year if it was possible to “over use” Keahi in their advertising. The response from one of the biggest dealers in Australia was “Well you havn’t yet!”. Jealous? Good luck catching up to him!
Check out the video to see some of the best stand up paddle surfing you’ll ever watch. At least for this year anyway…
margaret river, WA
