The Top 5 Myths, Mistakes, and Misconceptions

by Dave Parmenter 

HAWAII'S TOP WATERMEN AND THEIR COMPANY "C4 WATERMAN"

Through their own highly respected pursuits, Hawaii's Brian Keaulana, Todd Bradley, and Mike Fox have brought together more than 100 years of ocean experience to create the C4 Waterman brand of wave-riding toolsand equipment. Sharing a passion for ocean sports, the drive to excel, and a desire to share the waterman's spirit, their state-of-the-artpaddles, stand-up boards and accessories are the modern evolution of the ocean-based lifestyle that Hawaii is famous for. These decorated innovators have opened a portal to the rest of the world.

C4 Waterman offers a diverse range of high-performance stand-up boards, ranging in length and design from 10'0", to 10'6", 11'6", and even a new high-performance racing board-- the Vortice XP. These boards are the product of technology and techniques that can be applied to every size and type of wave - or even to flat-water. C4's innovative inflatable stand-up board, the "Uli" , is made for travel and ideal for lakes andrivers, opening up the lifestyle and cross-training benefits to those who live inland.

Keaulana, a mentor to surfers worldwide, has teamed up with former prosurfer and respected shaper Dave Parmenter to create a progressive blend of rocker and curves for boards that maintain speed while staying 'loose'. The Beachboy style of surfing, which originated during the early days of riding the waves at Waikiki, has never had so many options or as much room to move as it does today, thanks to C4 Waterman.

When it comes to paddles, C4 Waterman's quiver of "Pohaku Paddles" includes wood, carbon, and hybrid wood/carbon models that cover the gamut from stand-up surfing, to canoe-paddling, to steering and big-wave models that allow you to "hook in" and manage the speed andmaneuverability on large days. There's also a travel-friendly 2-piece paddle that doesn't compromise function for form.

With the number of surfers and paddlers growing exponentially around the earth's coasts and shores, the 'fun'-damentals are being revisited. Advancements in materials and design, and the added benefits of time and experience have opened up a whole new door of possibility. Today, the rest of the world is catching on to an idea Hawaiians have long-understood: that you don't have to limit the way you have fun to one means of taking to the water.

Ironically, stand-up paddling and surfing was founded in laziness. The old Beachboys of Waikiki learned that they could better teach the tourists and take their photos if they could use their surfboards like a platform. By using a paddle they were able to move about more freely and easily, with minimal effort. What started as laziness soon became a tool for training, after they learned it actually improved their core strength and balance while at the same time being a lot of fun. These principles, core to every type of training, and to life, are the basis of C4 Waterman.

"Anybody can do this," says Keaulana. "It's not about being 'somebody', it's about being your best and creating your own best experience in life. Within every person there's a waterman. C4 is a concept based on a waterman's lifestyle and values. It represents the Core 4 disciplines of being a waterman: Balance, Endurance, Strength, Tradition (B.E.S.T.) The same skills we need for life."

While they've individually clocked up a stunning amount of water time, it is by embracing the history and accumulated knowledge of their forefathers that the C4 watermen have shortened the learning curve and lengthened the surfing lifespan for those who share their love of riding the ocean - be it on a stand-up board, or in an outrigger canoe.

"Our philosophy is based upon a respect for the ocean and the Hawaiian roots of these sports, along with the desire to extend the culture and camaraderie of true watermen," said Bradley. "It is our goal to develop a complete line of waterman equipment and accessories, utilizing our own expertise to offer a better product for those who wish to further explore the lifestyle."

 Todd Bradley

Like his partners, it's hard to believe Todd Bradley ever sleeps. He lives what he loves and wastes no time in doing so. Balancing family life with a highly successful career in brand-building, sales and marketing, he somehow still managed to reach elite levels in a slew of sports, particularly canoe paddling and surfing. His passion and energy are huge driving forces in the C4 mission of further exploring the waterman lifestyle.

Brian Keaulana

 If you've heard of surfing, you've heard of Keaulana.

Son of legendary, pioneering Hawaiian waterman 'Buffalo' Keaulana, Brian's ocean roots run deep. In both work and play, his life is defined by the ocean. Professional stuntman, stunt coordinator, featured in films such as Riding Giants and Billabong Odyssey, his accomplishments all stem from a life in the ocean. Born and raised on the beach at Makaha, Brian has made major contributions to the surfing world both by way of his own sporting achievements, and through his ocean safety expertise that rewrote the safety and possibilities of enjoying the ocean, saving countless lives along the way. A master of tandem, canoe surfing, big-wave riding, and tow-in, his experience cannot be surpassed.

Dave Parmenter

Dave shaped his first surfboard in 1975. Since then he has shaped under his Aleutian Juice label, primarily for an extended clientele of friends and  family. Working with Brian Keaulana at their testing grounds at Makaha beach, he was able to arrive at the first high performance 10'-and-under SUP boards. This is what makes him the leading shaper in the world today for standup paddleboards.

As a pro surfer, Dave joined Rusty Preisendorfer and Canyon Surfboards in 1983 and commenced to win six straight California events on his first board shaped by Rusty, and by 1986 was in the Top 16 of the ASP World Tour. He has not stopped ripping, taking home the 1st Place title at the Noosa Surfing Festival in 2007.

Dave moved from Central California to Makaha in 1994. Dave enjoys being connected to surfing traditions and revers the  gallant men who first surfed giant Makaha Bowl and Point surf.  

We are honored to have Dave bring his state-of-the-art design expertise and surfing abilities to C4 Waterman.

Friends of C4 Waterman

Mike Fox

An integral part of the initial start up of C4 Waterman, Mike Fox is now owner of Boardworks, one of C4's manufacturing partners. Boardworks ' proprietary Thermal Epoxy Compression (T.E.C.) construction allows C4 Waterman's SUP boards to be light and strong.