Why are Stand-Up Paddleboards all the rage? Because they're ridiculously fun, like walking on water.  CLC made a lot of believers out of folks who have tried out the Kaholo SUP kits at shows across the country.

It's taken five years and more prototypes than we care to count to refine the two Kaholo SUP boards.  Working with surfing and paddleboard guru Larry Froley of Gray Whale Trading in California, we've created two beautiful hollow wooden boards with that rare quality of being fast enough to race but stable enough for first-timers.  Tracking is great and a fine bow with kayak-derived shaping lifts the Kaholo 12-6 and 14 up and over waves.  The tail shape and twin fins facilitate surfing on long swells once your skills build up to that.

With their uncanny speed, the Kaholo 12-6 and Kaholo 14 have found a following among racers.  The 14 is better for larger paddlers (or those who might carry along dogs or small kids).  The 12-6 is more compact, better for smaller-statured paddlers, and it fits in several increasingly popular racing classes.

There are no other SUP boards in the world that are easier for a first-time boatbuilder, or better-looking.  But you don't give up one bit of performance if you build your own Kaholo!

Kits include premium nonskid deck pads, cut to shape, breather tubes, and custom laminated skegs.  The comprehensive instruction manual suggests ways to customize your board with fabrics and other stylish tweaks, as seen in the photo gallery.

It's also a major workout---every muscle in your body is at work as you ride over waves and work the long-handled SUP paddle.  If taking a walk is healthy, taking a walk on water is healthy AND the view is better.  Harris says he can envision shifting one of his hobbies---wandering marinas on foot looking at boats---to a Kaholo.  Nature lover?  Paddle quietly through the shallows.Designer John C. Harris counted himself among the skeptics before trying out his first SUP in California in 2006.  "It's the most amazing sensation---as close to walking on water as you're going to get.  But a little faster.  You achieve kayak-like speeds, but your visibility is vastly improved because your eyes are so much higher off the water.  You can see more, see further, and in clear water you have a much better view of sea life than you do in a kayak."

Construction is similar to the popular and highly refined San O' 14 and 16 paddleboards (which are too narrow for stand-up paddling).  The Kaholos are okoume marine plywood, stitched-and-glued together and sheathed in fiberglass and epoxy, with a grid of bulkheads and stiffeners inside to make the boards stiff and light.

Move fast with a simple finish and 40 hours is a realistic construction time. Lavish your board with an artful finish, and it could stretch to 70 or 80 hours.

Please note, the Bulkhead Kit is intended for plans builders as a time saving measure to avoid the bulk of the detailed cutting. All CNC cut components (including bulkheads) are included in the Full and Wood Only kits.

Which Kaholo Stand-up Paddleboard is right for me?

Kaholo Upgrade Kit

The Kaholo Upgrade Kit consists of a deck plate with bag, Gore-Tex breather valve, valve base, and deck plug.

An indispensable accessory for your Kaholo. The deck plate with bag can be used to store your phone, keys, wallet etc. in a water tight compartment in the board itself, will be supplied in either white or black depending on stock.

The Gore-Tex breather valve and base replaces the stock breathing tube with a high tech, flush mountable valve. Simultaneously improving waterproofing and aesthetics.

The flush mountable deck plug for leash rope is both easy to manage whilst remaining small and compact which not only looks good, but is functional.