YOLO Board

Introduction, Story, Paddle Sizing and Videos

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Welcome to the World of YOLO

YOLO Board is a Santa Rosa Beach Florida company that is dedicated to creating awareness of what is soon to be the world’s fastest growing watersport/recreational activity: Stand-up Paddleboarding.

Stand Up Paddling(or as we call it--"Yoloing"), also known as SUP, is the perfect combination of surfing and traditional canoeing or kayaking. Using a canoe-like paddle and standing atop a larger version of a traditional longboard surfboard, paddlers push themselves through the water with perfectly choreographed side to side paddle strokes. Stand-up paddling offers a phenomenal core workout with a cadence much like swimming or cycling. Before long, one is transported to another world that offers a completely new perspective and appreciation of the idea that You Only Live Once.

YOLO Board currently designs and manufactures three types of stand-up paddleboards. Each stand-up paddleboard represents a unique style that each stand-up paddler can adapt as his own.

The individually hand shaped new and improved “Original” YOLO is 12 feet long and 31 inches wide and offers a recessed carrying handle for easier transport. The “Original” YOLO is designed for all conditions and offers a completely different way to experience the water, whether for a quick core workout in the lake or surf or on an all day leisure adventure. The “Original” can also be enjoyed in less obvious pursuits, such as fishing or even crabbing!

New for Fall ’08 is the YOLO Express, which will be similar to the Original in shape and also offers a recessed carrying handle for easier transport. At 9.5 feet long and 30 inches wide, it has less volume and is perfectly suited for everyone from kids to ladies to men who rip.

The “YOLO Yak” is a hybrid board designed with elements of a paddle board and a kayak, which features a front bungee tie-down system, molded-in tri-fins, foam traction pad and front & rear handles. Designed as a full adventure board, the YOLO Yak has a recessed deck to facilitate better stability for fishing, crabbing or just paddling. Expected December, 2008.

WakaWai.com will be offering YOLO Boards, as well as a full line of watersport/stand-up paddle accessories, including a variety of paddles, leashes, waterproof backpacks, and a system for stand up paddle fishing.

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The YOLO Story

You Only Live Once

The theme of YOLO is very much in the hearts and minds of founders Jeff Archer and Tom Losee. Both are business owners with a keen entrepreneurial spirit. Balancing family, business, and recreational activities always has its challenges, yet the realization that life will never slow down caused them to look at maximizing fun in relation to responsibility. With the motto "You Only Live Once" as the mantra for these two entrepreneurs, the idea of YOLO as a bigger force was born.

After extensive research and development, it was determined that there was a need for more of a hybrid style stand-up paddle board--one that not only has its roots in traditional surfing but also in other related paddle sports such as canoeing and kayaking. With the endless supply of bodies of water in Florida and increasing momentum in this segment of the water sports market, YOLO BOARD was born… Standing up and paddling offers a whole new point of view: from paddling with dolphins, to sneaking up on blue crabs, to dropping in at your favorite surf-break, the act of YOLO-ing or stand up paddling has evolved from its surfing roots to a far more extensive means to enjoy time on the water from a new perspective—anywhere—anytime.

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both.” - James A. Michener

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HOW TO SIZE YOUR SURF PADDLE

Paddle shafts are designed to be custom-cut for an exact fit. As a general guide, add 8 inches to surfer's height to determine paddle length. Some surfers prefer to use a paddle that is 1-2 inches shorter in the surf versus flat water.

SURF PADDLE SIZING INFORMATION BELOW:

YOUR HEIGHT

PADDLE LENGTH

5'0"-5'2"

68"-70"

5'2"-5'4"

70"-72"

5'4"-5'6"

72"-74"

5'6"-5'8"

74"-76"

5'8"-5'10"

76"-78"

5'10"-6'0"

78"-80"

6'0"-6'2"

80"-82"

6'2"-6'4"

82"-84"

6'4"-6'6"

84"-86"

THE WAY PADDLESPORTS GEAR SHOULD BE.