Training and Racing with Danny Ching

This past weekend I had a really unique and awesome opportunity to train with hands down one of the best paddlers on the planet—Danny Ching! Danny made the trip over to Florida to host some clinics, including a stroke clinic right at Suncoast Surf Shop. On Friday night before the clinic, we had dinner with Danny and the other 404 guy Brett at my grandma’s beach house. They are both super nice and it was too fun to sit around the fire pit with them & some of our other friends. The next day, bright and early, I met Danny at the beach for a workout and some coaching. He is so perceptive and experienced, I learned a lot more about my strokes, what I am doing wrong and what I’m doing right, and how to be aware of my technique and fix it. After our training session I helped out with the clinic, which was mega informative and entertaining. Everyone walked away as a better paddler after that class.

Later that day I did an interview with Operation Innocent, a ocean awareness group creating a video about using surfing to promote conservation of our beaches locally and globally. We did the interview right at the shop and I really enjoyed it. I’m so glad that I can use my position in the public light in order to promote causes I really believe in. That’s big reason why I’m going to be working with Ocean CREST Alliance, an organization that uses education and inspiration to work towards the betterment of our oceans. I’m really excited to be promoting their mission and making a positive difference in the world.

On Sunday, nearly the whole Florida Junior SUP Team headed over to Treasure Island for a training session with Danny! He essentially gave a shorter version of his clinic adapted to a kid’s understanding, and the whole team absolutely loved it. After running some drills, they took turns on the baby waves breaking on the sandbar right across the street from the surf shop. I can’t help but smile every time I see the amount of stoke they have for surfing and paddling! I believe that their lesson with Danny helped a lot of them to further understand stroke, and it’s awesome to have renowned paddlers come and work with them.

After practice the team headed down to the Sweetwater Paddle for the Cure, where they took over the race! Many of them raced the long course, and the younger kids raced the shorter distance. They all crushed it, and I’m seeing a staggering amount of improvement. It will only take a couple of years before they are topping Florida podiums over much older competitors. They’re bringing the sport to a whole new level and I can’t wait to see how far they go.

When I started the team, I never anticipated it getting any kind of funding other than sponsorship from surf shops buying tee shirts once a year or so. But I’ve received some very generous surprise contributions that I’m so humbled by and grateful for. I just want to give thanks to Stephanie Davis, Danny Ching, Ralfie Steiz, and Bob & Sandy for their contributions to the team. All of the families make sacrifices so their kids can paddle, and I’m so glad that I’ll be able to support them more because of your support. Next on my to do list—buy decals for the kids’ boards!! Thank you all <3

March is a training month in preparation for some BIG BIG things to come! Can’t wait to share them with everyone who supports me so much!!

xoxo Bailey