Twenty-nine and Ikaika Kalama has done it all; shortboard, longboard, tow, so it seemed only natural that SUP was the next evolutionary step for him.  Ikaika, born and raised in the water though officially his hometown is Kalapana on the Big Island of Hawaii, sat down with us and shared with us about “paddlin’ in style”.

Ikaika began his involvement in SUP through Uncle Buff, who has had a stand up division in his contests for the past six to seven years even before SUP gained popularity. “I enjoy SUP, it’s a really good sport to keep your skills on point. There is so much skill involved in stand up...its not as easy as it looks, its very challenging. I like to be challenged plus I just have so much fun doing it. I figured I’ve done everything else why not SUP.”

When Ikaika is at home in Tahiti you will find him on a whole different program.  His beautiful home on the mountain over looks Temae, which means eye-popping sunsets and gorgeous views.  His day usually begins with milo (hot cocoa) in the morning and French bread, which he claims is key to a good start.  After his good start you’ll find him and Hearii (William) checking the waves with his boat and usually its firing.  If it’s not firing then Ikaika’s next option is to go out fishing for Mahi Mahi then back home for fresh fish for lunch.  His girlfriend Hermiti makes the best Poisson Cru Coco Ikaika boasts.  Powering up with a fresh smoothie he’ll head back out for a late session.  Coming back home at the end of the day for a nice Tahitian dinner with his family is the best way to end the day and then get ready to do it all over again; it makes one envious!

A day in the life of a Pipeline SUP’er is slightly different then the latter mentioned.  Ikaika describes his typical day,  “When you wake up you call the Volcom house, that’s where all the boys hang to see what the waves are doing. He knows what boards are going in the truck and gets down there to have a little safety meeting with the boys.  “I’m probably the only one that stands up at Pipe on a regular basis.  I show a lot of respect to the boys out there and that’s why I get a lot of respect in return.” He claims confidently.  They are all family out on the water.  “If you’re one of the Pipe boys you ask the same thing to all of them.  It’s our life.  We don’t move from the house until it’s dark.  We can just sit there all day long, surf, watch all day, barbecue and drink beers.  I’m no different than everyone with the exception that I see the sets before everyone and I got a paddle for all the guys on the shoulder in my way.” He laughs. “The most important piece of advice I can offer though to all the SUP guys is be humble.  If you want some respect then show some.  Don’t blow it for everyone!”

With living in two of the most beautiful places to SUP one can’t help but wonder where is the most intriguing place Ikaika has paddled.  He has island hopped near the lava at home, been to Bali, all over Tahiti, at home, Puerto Escondido, you name it you’ll find Ikaika trying to be different than your local stand up ripper.  He’s paddled down the Kings River in Cali, “which was a four hour river cruise that was so cool.” He states.  Though the most memorable he recalls was in Tahiti where he paddled from Tahiti to Moorea; escorted by whales and dolphins the entire way across, some literally five feet away from him.  He even managed to catch some little wakes from the whales.  “That was pretty sick,” he smiles, “but my stand up is in my traveling quiver so I’ll be seeing a lot more beautiful places to stand up soon.”

It has been whispered that Ikaika has SUP fishing tales and he can definitely back it up.  “Oh brah, it’s the best thing to do while training.  Why not catch dinner at the same time?  I’ve been doing a lot of trolling behind my stand up.  People laugh when I paddle by them, then when they see what I come in with and then I like to see whose laughing.”  He has caught his share of fish, anything from little stick fish to seven-pound Omilu.  “I just got home from Puerto, I went trolling off my stand up and I caught two Papios on one hook at the same time.  I was pretty stoked and the locals well.” He pauses for effect, “They were frothing at my set up.  I’m planning on putting on an underground first annual stand up trolling fishing tournament this year.  Now wouldn’t that be fun.” He winks.

SUP offers everything from distance, to training; to surfing it is well rounded even in its own division.  Ikaika’s interest mainly has been surfing though recently he has been getting into distance paddling.  “I’m not really into racing but endurance. I’m planning on doing some channel crossings this year, not for records or any of the stats or politics but for myself to what I can accomplish.”

Steeped in tradition Ikaika draws his motivation from being Hawaiian.  “You don’t see Hawaiian by blood making names for themselves in the surfing world so I would like to see Hawaiians representing our roots.”

Travel will be eminent in his future with SUP.  “I'm all over it. I'm planning on hitting some big waves and different spot this year in Hawaii and worldwide. I’ve already got my special quiver made for this winter so you'll be seeing a lot of crazy shots soon.  Pipe is one thing; don't think that anyone can just come out (to Pipeline) with your stand up and expect the boys to bend over and let you get waves. You have to earn your spot and waves out there!”

The various conditions and wave size makes one wonder what kind of equipment Ikaika tends to favor and we noticed from two to fifteen feet it’s been the same board.  He works with his shaper Blane Chambers and Ikaika vouches that Blane’s the man behind the magic. “Him and I really link when we do our r & d.  Right now he just made me a new board for Pipe this year.  With him I have so much trust.  Every time he says I have to try this board it will work much better than the last it does.  I’ve got some new boards that will blow minds this winter.”  Ikaika is looking at pushing the sport to another level and warns “Don’t blink & keep your finger on the trigger!”

So not only does Ikaika take SUP to another level in every aspect, he also seems to grab some attention with his attire at Pipeline with that schoolboy look.  If you’re not familiar with Ikaika’s fashion sense let’s just say he has always tried to be stylish when he does SUP. He has a drawer with all his shirts and hats for stand up surfing. He aspires to, too be creative when he's surfing. “In my surfing I like to make it look effortless, especially stand up because it’s so hard to do. I try to have that laid back attire look when I’m out there.” His signature look is his hat; he never paddles out without it. Not to say that he hasn’t lost his share of hats.   “It’s a good thing I have an entire quiver of just hats for stand up. The thing is every time I fall that’s the first thing I’m saving is my hat.  The paddle and board float so I can always get it later.  It’s pretty funny because when I head to the beach to stand up I have a checklist for things to bring.  It’s not just grab your shortboard and your out. I have all kinds of different gimmies to paddle out.  You’ll just have to wait till I paddle out to see what I’m wearing next.  You might see Santa or Nacho Libre standing up out at Pipe this year.”