Jodie Nelson Stand Up Paddles from Catalina to Dana Point!

On Sunday March 28, Jodie Nelson of Surfside became the first woman to Stand Up Paddle from Catalina to Dana Point! Jodie is an accomplished pro surfer and currently commentates for ESPN, Fuel TV, and covers most of the streaming ASP events. Jodie also runs theSUPSpot.com a business that promotes stand up paddling through boot camps, lessons, and more.

In an attempt to raise awareness and money for breast cancer education, Nelson, of San Clemente, paddled nearly 40 miles from Catalina to Dana Point on Saturday, a feat that only three or so men – one being famous waterman Laird Hamilton — have completed.

"I wanted to go out there and do something that was big and overwhelming ... and something I had a good chance of failing at. It's nothing compared to what they go through," she said. "They don't give up."

After watching helplessly as close friend Angela Robinson become ill from breast cancer and chemotherapy treatments, Nelson wanted to somehow show support.

At first, Robinson didn't like the dangerous idea. But she soon realized there was no talking Nelson out of it.

Nelson trained hard, spending long days paddling along the coast. About two weeks ago, her trainer and good friend Steve Adler died from an aneurysm – making the paddle that much more emotional.

She started the paddle at about 6:15 a.m., hours earlier than others doing a relay as part of the Ohana Ocean Catalina Challenge. She was the only person doing a solo paddle.

A few hours in, a 30-foot minke whale came up beside her board – at first startling Nelson and the boat crew.

The whale – dubbed Larry – was close enough that she could have pet it with her paddle. He started making bubbles beneath her, fluking, and showing his tummy to her. The whale stayed with her for about an hour and a half.

"It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life," she said.



Not once during the paddle did she ask the time, or how far she had gone.

But after 8 hours and 51 minutes of paddling, loved ones cheered as they saw her coming to the finish line at Baby Beach. Her son Taylor, 15, held a sign that read: "I'm Jodie's biggest fan."

When she got close to shore, she lifted her paddle in victory, then threw it up in the air.

"I'm pretty sure, besides the birth of my son, this was the most monumental day of my life," she said.

For Robinson, watching Nelson from the support boat as she struggled for hours from exhaustion gave her a different perspective of what Nelson experiences as she supports her during her battle with cancer.

"The struggle she went through today to encourage me was just enormous," Robinson said.
Donations go toward Keep a Breast Foundation and Boarding for Breast Cancer. Nelson’s goal is to raise $100,000, and as of Sunday afternoon had raised about $8,000. To donate, go to paddlewithpurpose.com

Gore Vent Plugs, A High Tech Epoxy/EPS Solution!

The newest high-tech product to the Foam E-Z family is the Gore Vent Plug. Now you can stop worrying about your EPS/Epoxy or Hollow Wood surfboard gassing and blowing up! It is the only vent on the market that is made entirely by W.L. Gore. The W.L. Gore design has the membrane bonded around the circumference using a very specialized process. This vent "breathes" constantly alleviating the need to open and close it. Or in worse case, your board soaking up water since you forgot to close it! The vent will flow 40 ml/minute max, and SUP's over 10' or hollow boards should use two (mid-board & near tail). Originally Gore designed this vent for sealed military electronics, so it meets very stringent spec's for a saltwater environment. This vent isn't an immunity to heat problem with EPS and Hollow Wood, and customers should understand that boards still cannot be left in the sun; especially upside down on your surf racks.

The Gore Vent Plugs come in two models:

Glass-In version is designed to be installed under the glass, directly into the foam.

Retro-Fit version is designed to be installed after the board has been glassed.

The Gore Vent Plugs are not cheap at $26.95, but are a great investment for your EPS/Epoxy or Hollow Wood surfboard especially if you want your board to last.

Check out the Gore Vent Plug Installation Manual for the correct directions on installing your Plug.

These plugs are another example of Foam E-Z's effort to carry the highest quality, made in the USA, surfboard building tools and products available. Feel free to let us know if you don't see something you're looking for on our site, most items are only a day away! We're open to all suggestions and comments so please let us know how we're doing.

Thanks for your support-

Brad

NEW SUP Board Building Kits!!!

For those of you that want to build your own SUP we have created complete board building kits. There are three sizes available in two different models, Surf and Flat Water. The Surf Series come in 9’, 9’6”, 10’ and the Flat Water Series comes in 10’, 10’6”, 11’. These sizes and shapes cover the range for most people and conditions.


The SUP Surf Series blanks are professionally computer designed and cut on a CNC machine out of White Hot EPS Foam. These SUP Surf blanks/boards are progressive and made to surf on, therefore they won't paddle as well as the Flat Water SUP's. All designs are proprietary Foam E-Z designs with the help of established shapers to make sure these "cut blanks" are truly original and legitimate. The blank is cut close to the finished product thus your shaping process has been simplified to blending the nose/ tail, sanding the blank smooth, and a few minor details. The blanks are designed so the customer can adjust the tail shape and certain dimensions if necessary.
SUP Board Building Kits come with all the highest quality materials/supplies to build your very own SUP. Includes: Professionally computer cut EPS blank, Resin Research CE Epoxy 3 gal Kit, 6ozx38" Fiberglass Cloth, Future EA Vector II or FCS M-5 Sidebite Production Set , 10.5" White Fin Box, 8.5" Future SUP Surf Fin, White Leash Cup, Vent Plug, Logo Paper, SUP Leash, and SUP Deck Traction. TOOLS OR INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED!



The SUP Flat Water Series blanks are professionally computer designed and cut on a CNC machine out of White Hot EPS Foam. These SUP Flat Water blanks/boards are thicker and wider making them float and paddle better than the Surf Series Sup's. All designs are proprietary Foam E-Z designs with the help of established shapers to make sure these "cut blanks" are truly original and legitimate. The blank is cut close to the finished product thus your shaping process has been simplified to blending the nose/ tail, sanding the blank smooth, and a few minor details. The blanks are designed so the customer can adjust the tail shape and certain dimensions if necessary.
SUP Board Building Kits come with all the highest quality materials/supplies to build your very own SUP. Includes: Professionally computer cut EPS blank, Resin Research CE Epoxy 3 gal Kit, 6ozx38" Fiberglass Cloth, 10.5" White Fin Box, 10" Future SUP Flat Water Single Fin, White Leash Cup, Vent Plug, Logo Paper, and SUP Deck Traction. TOOLS OR INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED!

Prices for complete kits range from $855 to $875. Each kit has a lead time of two weeks. Upgrade Kit with a C-4 One Piece Fiberglass Paddle 8.5" Blade for additional $217.00! To place an order or for any other questions please email Sales@FoamEZ.com or call the shop at 714.896.8233.