Rebekka Stone had not quite overcame her fear of water when a friend persuaded her to try stand-up paddle surfing in March 2008 at a Miami beach.

A year and two months later, Stone finds herself teaching this unique sport to others in one of the most unlikeliest of places — the Great Salt Lake.

Stone, who grew up in Hartford, Conn., owns and operates Utah Paddle Surfing, a company that provides lessons primarily on the weekend and by appointment on other days at the Great Salt Lake. Stone moved to Salt Lake City in January after spending four years in Miami, and received a business license for Utah Paddle Surfing in early March.

Stand-up paddle surfing can best be described by its name — a mix between surfing and paddling. The sport utilizes a sizable surfing board (10 to 14 feet long) and an angled-blade paddle with that is usually 6 to 9 inches taller than the surfer’s height. Though the name implies that surfers stand up, they can also paddle surf on their knees or sitting down, all while using the paddle to direct their movement and speed.

Stand-up paddle surfing originated on the shores of Waikiki in Honolulu in the 1940s and has become increasingly popular. It doesn’t require big waves, allowing it to gain a following among people who live in land-locked areas, such as Utah, where only rivers and lakes are available.

The sport helped Stone overcome her fear of water, and she believes that it could provide similar benefits for others.

“My whole life, I’ve been afraid of water, and swimming has been a challenge for me,” Stone, 34, said. “About a year and a couple of months ago, a friend introduced me to surfing. I don’t have good balance, have never been a good skier and can’t skateboard or roller blade, so I didn’t think I’d be able to surf. But the first time I tried it, I thought maybe this would help me overcome my fear of water. So, I went back every week, a couple of times every week, and I started being there almost everyday. Then I kind of needed to get my own board to cater to that craving.

“It’s helped me overcome my fear of water and helped me develop balance and focus. There’s an inner peace that comes when you’re able to be on a board.”

Stone and fellow trainer, Greg Gbrow, offer clinics for $10 from noon to 2 p.m. every Saturday at the Great Salt Lake Marina State Park. Their boards, which can hold up to 300 pounds, can be rented for $20 an hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Private lessons are available for $40 an hour on Saturday and on Sunday. Rentals or lessons for other days are arranged by appointment. The company occasionally holds lessons at the Saltair.

Stone said that between five and 10 people attend each clinic. She believes that the business is growing well, despite the misconception that you can’t surf in Utah.

“People think you can’t go surfing in Utah, but you can go surfing anywhere there’s water,” she said. “People will take these paddle boards on the river, and even in whitewater rapids.”

Shawn Young, 36, received his first taste of stand-up paddle surfing in late May and liked it.

“A couple minutes into my first time out, I felt myself feeling that sensation of planing across the water,” said Young, who lives in Washington, D.C. “It was wonderful; I felt stoked. I just think that it’s the most surreal place, this salt water lake in the middle of the Rocky Mountains.”

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The SIMA Environmental Fund raised more than $50,000 at the fifth annual Waterman’s Weekend Underwriting Party on Friday, June 5. More than 100 surf industry executives and friends attended the underwriting party, held at the oceanfront Cyprus Shore Community Park. The money raised from the evening will help underwrite the costs for the upcoming 2009 Waterman’s Weekend to be held August 6-7, which will benefit 18 ocean-related environmental organizations.

“The SIMA Environmental Fund is excited to be going into our 20th year for Waterman’s Ball,” said Paul Naudé, SIMA Environmental Fund president. “This year’s economic climate has presented many challenges, but through a combined industry effort we are determined to maintain our support of 18 proven ocean-related environmental organizations, and look forward to achieving our fundraising goal of more than $400,000 raised at Waterman’s Weekend this year. The success of this Underwriting Party was a tremendous step toward meeting this goal. We know the very deserving event beneficiaries much appreciate the support of all the event underwriters.”

Throughout the night, guests tasted gourmet appetizers from San Clemente’s own Vine restaurant, and an array of drinks, with island lager donated by Primo Beer. Attendees mingled amongst blue-linen tables decorated with orchids and acoustic musician Rachel McGoye provided relaxing music as the sun set on the ocean. Many guests took advantage of the raffle tickets available, with a trip to the North Shore of Hawaii, tickets for the 2009-2010 Lakers vs. Magic grudge match, and a Stand Up Paddle Board plus Ritz-Carlton Spa package as the prizes. Raffle tickets can be purchased at http://www.sima.com/watermans.aspx. Guests were also given the opportunity to underwrite several components for the upcoming Waterman’s Ball. Centerpieces, wine, cocktails, D.J., VIP Reception, and more were all generously underwritten.

“We are proud to see the significance of Waterman’s Weekend continue to grow in ocean-related environmental circles,” said Naudé. “The surf industry and the surfing lifestyle’s very survival depends upon a healthy ocean and preservation of surf breaks. Surfers automatically become stewards of the ocean, as every time they paddle out they are engrossed in the environment around them. Surfers realize the work our beneficiaries are doing greatly affects our surf lifestyles, and in turn, we are glad the SIMA Environmental Fund serves as an avenue for surfers to support these groups.”

The Waterman’s Weekend begins Thursday, August 6, with the Waterman’s Classic Golf Tournament at the Monarch Beach Golf Links, and culminates on Friday, August 7, with the 20th Annual Waterman’s Ball and Auction. SIMA is excited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Waterman’s Ball by returning the event to the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Calif. This year’s honorees include Waterman of the Year Rob Machado, Environmentalist of the Year Dave Rastovich, and Lifetime Achievement Award for the late Dick Baker.

Waterman’s Weekend Underwriting Party event photos are now available upon request from Mandy Johnson, SIMA Communications Coordinator, by calling 949. 366.1164 x 7 or by e-mailing mandy@sima.com. Individual tickets for the Waterman’s Ball are scheduled to go on sale in July. For more information about the Waterman’s Weekend, visit http://www.sima.com/watermans.aspx.

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMA actively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 19 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $5 million for the environmental groups seeking for protect the world’s oceans, beaches and waves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established in 2006 to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people. Please visit www.sima.com for more information.

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(The Salt Lake Tribune) – Rebekka Stone had not quite overcame her fear of water when a friend persuaded her to try stand up paddle surfing in March 2008 at a Miami beach.

A year and two months later, Stone finds herself teaching this unique sport to others in one of the most unlikeliest of places — the Great Salt Lake.

Stone, who grew up in Hartford, Conn., owns and operates Utah Paddle Surfing, a company that provides lessons primarily on the weekend and by appointment on other days at the Great Salt Lake. Stone moved to Salt Lake City in January after spending four years in Miami, and received a business license for Utah Paddle Surfing in early March.

Standup paddle surfing can best be described by its name — a mix between surfing and paddling. The sport utilizes a sizeable surfing board (10 to 14 feet long) and an angled-blade paddle with that is usually 6 to 9 inches taller than the surfer’s height. Though the name implies that surfers stand up, they can also paddle surf on their knees or sitting down, all while using the paddle to direct their movement and speed.

Standup paddle surfing originated on the shores of Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii in the 1940s and has become increasingly popular. It doesn’t require big waves, allowing it to gain a following among people who live in land-locked areas, such as Utah, where only rivers and lakes are available.

The sport helped Stone overcome her fear of water, and she believes that it could provide similar benefits for others.

“My whole life, I’ve been afraid of water, and swimming has been a challenge for me,” Stone, 34, said. “About a year and a couple of months ago, a friend introduced me to surfing. I don’t had good balance, have never been a good skier and can’t skateboard or roller blade, so I didn’t think I’d be able to surf. But the first time I tried it, I thought maybe this would help me overcome my fear of water. So, I went back every week, a couple of times every week, and I started being there almost everyday. Then I kind of needed to get my own board to cater to that craving.

“It’s helped me overcome my fear of water and helped me develop balance and focus. There’s an inner peace that comes when you’re able to be on a board.”

Stone and fellow trainer, Greg Gbrow, offer clinics for $10 from noon to 2 p.m. every Saturday at the Great Salt Lake Marina State Park. Their boards, which can hold up to 300 pounds, can be rented for $20 an hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Private lessons are also for $40 an hour on Saturday and Sunday, with rentals or lessons for other days arranged by appointment. The company occasionally holds lessons at the Saltair.

Stone said that between five and 10 people attend each free clinic. She believes that the business is growing well, despite the misconception that you can’t surf in Utah.

“People think you can’t go surfing in Utah, but you can go surfing anywhere there’s water,” she said. “People will take these paddle boards on the river, and even in whitewater rapids.”

Shawn Young, 36, received his first taste of standup paddle surfing in late May and found it to his liking.

“A couple minutes into my first time out, I felt myself feeling that sensation of planing across the water,” said Young, who lives in Washington, D.C. “It was wonderful; I felt stoked. I just think that it’s the most surreal place, this salt water lake in the middle of the Rocky Mountains.”

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