SUP Dominican Republic

SUP Dominican Republic
Flat water Lagoon and Waves

Monday, February 15, 2010

SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boarding Camp)

Method SUP Camps

 

We use the Latest NSP paddle boards as well as Naish and Starboard. We have 20 boards in stock ranging from 8'5" to 12'. If you are interested in a certain size or brand please contact us to reserve the board.



Rental rates are:
Boards rent for $20usd or $700 pesos per session ($40usd or $1400 pesos per day)
Tours and Lessons on the Lagoon = $40usd or $1400pesos per session (the Lagoon is  across the street from Kite Beach)
Tours and Lessons in the Surf = $80usd or $2800pesos

We ship boards internationally, so no matter where you are, we can get a board to you. Packages start at $1199usd. Please email us your height, weight, age and location for a custom quote. 

 

Method SUP Camps

Rates start at $49usd per person. All rooms are on the Ocean side of the road and include a quality breakfest. The Hotel is right on the break (Glenn's Point) and has a beautiful 24mile lagoon with a SUP canal. Instruction is with Dominican National Paddle Boarding Champion "Maui" John Holzhall. 



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=302oRaCXcRM



Interview by Juan Ariel
 
Paddle boarding with  Maui John

Q. How did you get into Paddle Boarding?
A. I started Paddle Boarding years ago as a way to get waves on the outer reefs. I brought Paddle Boarding to the DR from Maui mainly for spear fishing.

Q. How did that go?
A. Not very well, I found out two things for sure:
1. Paddle boards don't work for spear fishing when there is surf.
2. There is a lot of quality surf around the DR.

Q. So you ended up surfing instead of spearing?
A. Ya, I would go out on what I thought were "small' days and I realized quickly that there is quality surf on the outer reefs. The more I paddled the more great waves I found.

Q. Was anyone else out?
A. It was funny, because the older guys from this island know about the waves on the outer reefs, but most people who visit don't think there is any surf other than Encuentro...it's great.

Q. More waves for you.
A. Ya, there are more great waves around the DR than great surfers, that is for sure. Can't say that about many tropical places. In Costa Rica or Puerto Rico there may be 40 good guys on a wave, and here one guy maybe working two or three great breaks.

Q. How has Paddle Boarding changed since you first brought it here.
A. Definitely growing, there are probably 4 or 5 shop/schools now. A lot more people paddling.


Q. What do you enjoy most about Paddleboarding?
A. Coaching...I love to get out in good surf and share my knowledge of how the waves, currents and reef work as well as Coaching the strategies of wave riding.

Q. Do you still get solo sessions?
A. All the time...the North Coast of the DR is amazing...there are so many waves, almost every one I know who paddle boards has their own spot. This is a huge island. It is also an old Island, which matters, old islands have a lot more beaches and reefs.  

Q. So behind the beach there is a lagoon?
A. Yeap, the Kite Beach Lagoon is directly behind the Kite Beach, it's all National Park, beautiful and perfect Paddleboarding. The fact that there is no current and no wind makes it perfect for  anyone of any age to experience Paddlboarding. We offer rentals and tours.

Q. How big is it?
A. Over 80sq kilometers

Q. Huge
A. Yes, massive and beautiful!

Q. Where do you see Paddleboarding  going?
A. Gonna be huge because you can surf the power in the paddle, the wind and waves. You are always surfing when your are on a Paddle Board.

Q. Will it replace surfing?
A. No...well...it will replace parts of surfing like longboards, but  waves like Encuentro and La Boca will always be great for surfing and never be great for Paddleboarding (compared to the outer reefs).

Q. Why is that?
A. Waves close to the beach and hollow are great for surfing where as a big Hawaii-five-0 wave breaking a mile off shore is perfect for Paddle Boarding. Going a mile or two is no problem on a paddle board. I would never lay down and paddle so far away.

Q. So both sports exist but not on the same wave?
A. Ya, that's right. A great paddle board wave is probably not a good surf spot and a good surf spot is probably not a good Paddle board spot.

Q. Which do you like better, Maui or Dominican Republic?
A. Maui and the Dominican Republic are very similar, both are 18 degrees off the equator and surrounded by outer reefs. With that said,  I prefer the DR much more because there are a thousand more breaks and beaches. I love being able to surf solo and develop new spots. DR is the 'new' Hawaii!


--
John Holzhall
Method Lodge, Dominican Republic
methodlodge@gmail.com
Kite Boarding
SUP
Method Lodge
Kite Beach, Dominican Republic Video

SKYPE kbcmaui
(305) 432-2530
cell - 8098492147

methodlodge.com



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Rates start at $49usd per person. All rooms are on the Ocean side of the road and include a quality breakfest. The Hotel is right on the break (Glenn's Point) and has a beautiful 24mile lagoon with a SUP canal. Instruction is with Dominican National Paddle Boarding Champion John Holzhall.
Gear includes Naish, Timpone, Starboard and NSP. Tours, down winders and wave riding lessons happen daily. To book your tour contact us. 809-849-2147 methodlodge@gmail.com

SUP Dominican Republic

Paddle Boarding - Dominican Republic

Training
All lessons are supervisied by "Maui" John.
 John is the premiere Eco-X-Ocean Sports Trainer, particularly Kite boarding, Kite Boating and SUP.  Email us  to reserve your space.

John's Training Schedule is broken into sessions.

7am- 10:00am Stand Up Paddle Boarding - SUP daily from $20usd

1pm-3pm Intro to Kite from $60 usd

3pm to 5pm Water start/Advanced Kite from $110 usd

5pm to 7pm Wave Riding/Advanced Kite  $40usd



The Lagoon is always open for Paddle Boarding,  for more about our SUP Camps, Accommodations and SUP tours 
email us at methodlodge@gmail.com

Boards

We use the Latest NSP paddle boards as well as Nak Swell, Naish and Starboard. We have 20 boards in stock ranging from 7'8" to 12'. If you are interested in a certain size or brand please contact us to reserve the board. Rental rates start at $20usd a session. Group and long term rentals apply.
We ship boards internationally, so no matter where you are, we can get a board to you. Packages start at $1199usd. Please email us email us your height, weight, age and location for a custom quote.




Interview with National Champion John Holzhall.

Q. What do you think of Stand Up Paddle Boarding
A. I like everything except the name.

Q. What would you change it to?
A. Remo con Mesa...this means Paddle Board in Spanish.

Q. Tell us about your Paddle Board center in the DR.
A. It is freaking awesome!!! The Kite Beach Lagoon is only 100 meters from the Kite Beach, we have flat water jungle tours on one side and an incredible uncrowded Paddle Boarding Beach on the other side.

Q. Do you teach on both sides?
A. No, the lagoon side is safe enough to go unattended...the only thing that can happen back there is a person can get lost if they don't pay attention. The Kite Beach Lagoon is massive.
We teach SUP wave riding on the Ocean Side. We have a great spot but it requires, Technique, Strategy and Local Knowledge.

Q. They say this sport doesn't need any lessons.
A. Those guys who say that don't paddle in surf. Sure in the flats anyone can do it, but in waves there are things you really want to know and practice.

Q. Like what?
A. First thing is to learn how to turn a board with body weight, then how to surf the board with the paddle. A lot happens in the surf! We have an outer reef which is alive also.

Q. How much are lessons?
A. About $70usd.

Q. When do you go?
A. 7am daily.

Q. Which is more popular, SUP on the Lagoon or SUP in the Waves?
A. The Lagoon for sure...SUP fits perfect in the Lagoon and there is a lot that remains to be discovered. Plus anyone can do it. Wave riding is a skill which is acquired. Wave riding is great for the athlete.

Q. How do people book?
a. Stop by, email us or call 809-849-2147


Tuesday, December 22, 2009


This piece was shot by renown photographer Richard Sibbald, featuring the Smits brothers from Toronto. The Smits Brothers were on kite beach to shoot their next magazine layout featuring "Paradise Boot Camp". In this camp, the Smits brothers along with Premiere Water Sports Trainer, John Holzhall, use the sports of Paddle Boarding and Kiteboarding to help participants develop core strength in a fun, natural way.

Saturday, October 17, 2009


Lagoon Tours


Oh man...reviews are in...everyone loves the lagoon tours...here is the map! To book a tour, stop by or email us. methodlodge@gmail.com

Sunday, August 9, 2009


Paddle Board Kite Beach Lagoon