1. Dave Kalama

Born in California, living on Maui, Dave Kalama or DK as he’s known within the Stand Up Paddling world has been at the forefront of training and technique for the past ten years. With extensive experience in all forms of paddling, he’s the go-to guy when it comes to paddling technique and design. Now working for Imagine SUP, he’s been releasing stacks of great videos full of inspiration, tips and advice for paddlers in how characteristic style. Cool, calm and collected, no matter what’s going on.

2. Robby Naish

Immersed in the world of watersports for over 40 years, Robby Naish first found fame winning a windsurfing world title at the age of 13. By the time Stand Up Paddling came around, he’s formed one of the largest wind and kitesurfing companies in the world, with a reputation to match. So immediately, Naish began offering Stand Up Paddling equipment, and could be credited as one of the first to begin marketing the sport to the masses. They’re still going strong today, and helping spread SUP all over the world.

3. Angie Jackson

Inspiring women all over the world, Angie is our home grown SUP superstar from Currumbin. The Jackson duo (you know her husband Paul) started a shop on the Gold Coast when SUP first came to Australian beaches, and it hasn’t stopped from there. Now you can’t drive through Currumbin without seeing SUP’s on the water, and Angie is still on top of the world rankings and keeping up with the boys, showing girls all over the world that ‘Paddling like a girl’ means training hard, pushing your limits and never giving up.

4. Laird Hamilton

It could be successfully argued that Mr Hamilton has also motivated a lot of women to get into Stand Up Paddling. Not only is he credit with ‘inventing’ tow-in surfing, he’s also a model. Sporting the classic Californian surfer boy look, he’s also one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. Avoiding self promotion whenever possible, Laird is one of the background hero’s of the sport, doing his part from the shadows, but always spinning a positive light on Stand Up Paddling.

5. Keahi De Aboitiz

When it comes to the cutting edge of modern stand up paddling, sailing head and shoulders over other paddlers is Keahi De Aboitiz. We’re not talking figuratively either, he was practically the first stand up paddler to consistently land aerials and is THE ‘dishpan’ himself. From Noosa, his slippery style of stand up paddling has formed the basis of almost all competitive stand up paddle surfing not just in Australia, but worldwide, and he continues to top the world rankings. Right now he’s in recovery after a nasty surfing accident, but he’ll be back soon, and is probably itching to try something new on the water.