An avid water woman, I spend a lot of time in the ocean and am always game to try any and every water sport. When I first heard of TANDM Surf’s new SIT + SUP Kayak Paddleboard I thought it sounded too good to be true. A board that allows you to kayak, paddleboard, or do both at the same time? Sign me up!
I live on Oahu, Hawaii and am blessed with beautiful conditions and incredible paddling opportunities year round. My roommate Jenna’s parents were recently in town, so we decided to take them on the ultimate Oahu adventure: a paddle out to the Moks!
Na Mokulua, typically referred to as the Moks, are two islets located on the windward side of the island. Na Mokulua means “the two islands” in Hawaiian: the left island is Moku Nui and the smaller island is Moku Iki. The islets are located about a mile out from Lanikai Beach in Kailua and are make for a great day trip.
We met in the parking lot at Kailua Beach Park on a Sunday afternoon and got to work inflating the boards. We used the electric pump and the SIT + SUP was inflated in no time. Attaching the kayak seats and the fin was a breeze and we were quickly in the water en route to the Moks.
Us kids were on standup paddleboards and the Kory and Sharon Miller were on the SIT + SUP. They quickly fell into a rhythm and made the mile paddle out to the islets look like a walk in the park.
“We rented a kayak in Kauai the week before and our comparison is that the inflatable tandem seems to be easier to transport and with the right pump, it was easy to inflate,” says Sharon. “We both felt it was stable and easy to paddle and easy to get on and off. We think the versatility of using it as a kayak or SUP adds to the value.”
“It was the perfect ride for an old guy and the sweetest lady on the sea,” says Kory. “It didn’t stink because it didn’t sink.”
When we got to the island, we took turns messing around on the SIT + SUP and alternated between kayaking and paddleboarding. Jenna and I paddled over to the surf break near the Moks and attempted to kayak surf, but the waves were too small—you can bet we will be trying again when the swell is up.
After everyone got a turn on the SIT + SUP, we donned facemasks and snorkeled in the surrounding waters. Once we had our fill, we hiked to the backside of the island for some cliff jumping. After sharing snacks and drinks on the beach, we began the return trip home, the islands and the sunset provided an incredible setting in which to paddle.
The SIT + SUP is the perfect addition to my quiver of boards. I already have a bunch of surfboards and paddleboards but have never had the space to store a kayak. The SIT + SUP is the perfect solution to my storage woes and is a great option for paddling with friends, in both wind and calm water. This was my first adventure with the SIT + SUP, but it certainly won’t be the last.
