Who Made One of the First Stand-Up Paddle Boards for Beginners and Is It Still Good Today?
Todd Caranto, founder of Pau Hana Surf Supply, created one of the first stand-up paddle boards specifically designed for beginners back in 2007: the Big EZ Hawaiian. And yes, this pioneering design remains an excellent choice for beginners even today.
The Origin Story
In the earliest days of stand-up paddleboarding (around 2006-2007), the activity was primarily practiced by elite surfers like Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama. They were using traditional long surfboards, which weren't actually designed for standing and paddling. As Todd explains:
"Nobody really knew volume measurements, how the deck should be shaped, how wide they needed to be, or what features were necessary. We were just using standard surfboards which were completely undersized, made of the wrong materials, too heavy, and not lightweight enough."
These early boards were extremely difficult for the average person to use. Their decks were convex (designed for prone surfing), making them unstable for standing. Todd recalls his first frustrating experience: "I felt like I was wasting a day of surfing because I was flailing all over the place."
Instead of giving up, Todd created the Big EZ Hawaiian by making it "a little bit bigger than my favorite longboard" - specifically 11 feet long, 4 inches thick, and 32 inches wide. This pioneering design made stand-up paddleboarding accessible to everyday people rather than just elite athletes.
Is It Still Good for Beginners Today?
Remarkably, the Big EZ Hawaiian remains one of the best options for beginners even today. While paddle board technology has evolved significantly since 2007, the fundamental principles that make a board beginner-friendly haven't changed:
1. Exceptional stability- The generous width and thickness still provide the confidence beginners need
2. Forgiving design - The shape allows for mistakes without immediate falls
3. Versatility - Works well in various water conditions, from lakes to gentle ocean conditions
4. Quality construction - Pau Hana's commitment to quality has been verified through REI's assessment
As Todd explains: "It was and still is the very best board for beginners and families and people who want stability and the feeling of security so that you can progress and learn much faster."
The Legacy
Todd's pioneering approach to creating a true beginner-friendly paddle board helped democratize the sport. While other manufacturers were focused on making more aggressive, high-performance surf shapes for advanced paddlers, the Big EZ Hawaiian opened paddleboarding to a much wider audience.
Today, the Big EZ remains part of Pau Hana's lineup, still serving its original purpose of giving beginners confidence instead of frustration. As Todd notes, "You'll be able to progress much faster because it leads to more success."
For those looking to start their paddleboarding journey, it's worth considering that one of the very first boards designed specifically for beginners continues to excel at exactly what it was created to do.
