HOLIDAY SALE!

Now through December 24, 25% off all new custom Dean standup paddleboards!


Call shaper/owner, Dean Johnson, to quote your order today. Offering demos on Thursday, December 22, by appointment only.
dean@deanwatersports.com
Shop: (843) 795-8000
Cell: (843) 345-6379

Give them what they really want this holiday season while supporting local manufacturing and MADE IN THE USA!

Introducing the Dean 12'6 & 14' SUP Race

Introducing the new Dean carbon fiber 12'6 and 14' race SUP. Utilizing our proprietary infusion process, these boards are extremely light and durable.
Owner and shaper Dean Johnson will be demoing these two boards throughout Florida October 21- 30, so contact us if you're interested!
Dean@deanwatersports.com
(843) 795-8000

Always 100% made in Charleston, SC USA.

Custom ARB designs for SUP fitness

It’s no secret that we’re passionate about SUP Fitness. After a gorgeous summer teaching SUP, Pilates and SUP Fitness we took our knowledge to the shop and the results are the new Dean ARB FIT SUP. Designed to be stable while exercising, yet light enough to handle easily, Dean Watersports has manufactured a board as strong and light as our SUP Fitness students! The rails on this board are reinforced with Kevlar for additional resiliency, and constructed with two layers of carbon fiber for extra strength. We utilized our proprietary resin-infusion method and added a bamboo skin for more surface durability and a clean aesthetic. The new Dean ARB FIT SUP weighs only 25 lbs, and is built to last many years. Take one home today for only $1850.

Pictured is a custom 12’ Dean ARB FIT that measures 30 inches wide and 5.25 thick. Using latest software technology, we plug in our client’s specifications to give them a 100% customized board. Call us today to discuss a SUP designed for your lifestyle, and let’s get you on a Dean board today!

Shop: (843) 795-8000

dean@deanwatersports.com

Made in Charleston, SC USA.













Finishing options on this custom board include carbon fiber detail through the Dean logo and a top bamboo skin.

Mission accomplished! Dean board now up for bids!

Hunt Summerford did it! He paddled 160+ miles in 5 days to raise money for the Susan B. Komen Foundation & Paddle For The Cure to honor his mom, a cancer survivor. Along with many of his friends and family, we greeted Hunt at the Charleston Maritime Center late Sunday afternoon as he paddled in.



Dean Watersports donated a 14' LDR SUP for Hunt's journey. The board will be auctioned off on Thursday, Sept 22, 2011, with proceeds going towards breast cancer research. Because this board retails for $2500, we're hoping to get at least $2000 to help Hunt with his crusade. We are currently taking bids so if you're interested, please email misty@deanwatersports.com and make us an offer! Proceeds will go to the Susan B. Komen Foundation.
misty@deanwatersports.com
Dean Watersports: (843) 795-8000



Hunt Summerford makes his way to the docks and hugs his mom, a breast cancer survivor. To read Hunt's entire story or to make a donation, please visit:
http://bit.ly/n8dwb5

Also pictured, Hunt with his mom, dad, Dean Johnson, and the 14' LDR SUP that will go to one lucky bidder this week!

CONGRATS TO YOU, HUNT! What an inspiration. To see all photos taken at Hunt's homecoming, please visit:
http://on.fb.me/pysYgj

Paddle For The Cure

Today, Hunt Summerford embarks on a 160+ mile journey from Columbia to Charleston, SC to raise awareness for breast cancer. And everyone we know has been affected by cancer in some way, so Dean Watersports wanted to get involved by donating a 14' SUP for the trek. Please keep Hunt in your thoughts and prayers as he braves the rivers, wildlife (there are gators!), and mother nature to accomplish this feat. We plan to be at the finish on Sunday, September 18, as Hunt reaches Charleston.
Follow Hunt's adventure on Twitter: @Paddle4TheCure

Hurricane Irene passes by Charleston

Hurricane Irene passed by Charleston on Friday, August 26, 2011.


With waves topping 10 feet, the storm brought the surfers out in droves. All photos taken on Isle of Palms, SC.



Dean & Daisy, wave watching


The double rainbow was a spectacular scene. Lasting only a couple of minutes, the rainbows ran parallel and in a full circle.


Thank you Irene, for the amazing sunset.
Photo taken at the Boathouse, Breach Inlet.

BOOM!

Pictured: The DEAN 14' LDR

We threw everything he have at our new race board designs and the end product is the Dean 14' LDR (light displacement racer). Using ship design and 3D modeling software and built with the latest composite technology, the final product has it all— fast on the flats, stable, and super speedy downwind. Welcome to the new generation of Dean Watersports race board design.

Introducing the new fleet of Dean boards

Introducing the new fleet of Dean boards. These boards are built with cutting edge manufacturing technology in Charleston, SC USA. The race, all around, and SUP surf boards can be customized to fit your needs. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (843) 795-8000.

Making dreams come true

Photo caption: Dean Watersports recently upgraded to a bigger manufacturing facility in Charleston, SC.

Hands down, it’s been a challenging two years for a one-man startup manufacturing company. But creating a product for a sport that you are absolutely passionate about has kept the motivation and stoke alive and strong. It’s that resolve that, in just 20 months, Dean Watersports has grown from a dilapidated, 400-square foot vacant (and borrowed) room, followed by a warehouse space with no heat or air, finally to a 3000-square foot proper manufacturing facility.

Flashback two years. After a short stint owning and operating a restaurant, ex pro-cyclist Dean Johnson rekindled his competitive nature and started racing standup paddleboards. It was at the September 2009 national Naish race series in San Diego, CA that Dean realized he needed a faster board. At that time, no one in our hometown of Charleston, SC was selling (or paddling) race boards. So with his background in art and construction, he was determined to build a board that was as good, if not better than anything on the market.

We were very optimistic heading in to 2011. SUP was blowing up on the East Coast and starting to gain momentum in Charleston. It was time for us to get serious. Dean met Tony Blakley, a composites engineer, and the two immediately hit it off and began developing high performance technology. Five months later, Dean Watersports welcomed Shawn West to the team who handles all customer relations and sales. With a good crew pulled together, the next step was obvious...we needed a larger space so manufacturing could get underway.

























The future is bright. Dean Watersports is no longer a one-board-at-a-time manufacturing company. We are on the cutting edge of technology and design, and we do it with a passion for the sport of SUP. We welcome SUP retailers, tour/rental companies, and consumers to visit us at our new factory in Charleston, SC. Call us at (843) 795-8000 to set up an appointment.

The Dean Team:
Dean Johnson, shaper/owner/operator
dean@deanwatersports.com
Misty Johnson, marketing/fitness/tours/rentals
misty@deanwatersports.com
Tony Blakley, engineer
tony@deanwatersports.com
Shawn West, financials /sales/customer relations
shawn@deanwatersports.com

Words by Misty Johnson

Get ocean fit Monday & Wednesdays on beautiful Isle of Palms, SC

Don't forget.. Misty Johnson of Dean Watersports will be leading SUP Fit classes at IOP Marina on Mondays & Wednesdays at 7am. Reserve your spot by contacting Ocean Fitness at (843) 559-6073 or BeOceanFit.com. Classes are designed to teach basic paddle technique while building strength, flexibility and balance.
Who said exercise had to be dull? Get ocean fit!

-Misty
misty@deanwatersports.com

2nd Annual Shem Creek Shootout Weekend- July 8-10

Mark your calendar for the 2nd annual Shem Creek Shootout, hosted by David Clifford from Charleston Watersport. Demo day, registration event, race and post party info include:

• July 8th - SUP Demo with leading SUP manufacturers Starboard, Hobie, Boardworks, Yolo and more. The demo will be held at Station 30 on Sullivan's Island, Sc starting @ 4:30pm and running until 7pm.
• July 8th - Registration Party @ Red's Ice House on Shem Creek in Mt Pleasant, Sc. Starting at 6pm for registration, bib pick up and general information. Food and drinks are on the house for all racers. The general public is welcome for a small donation to The Wounded Warrior Project. Party runs to 9pm.
• July 9th - 8am Paddlers Meeting - It's recommended that all racers attend to review the course, WPA rules and for specific information.
• July 9th - 9am - Race Start Time for Elite Race - Start/Finish line in front of Red's on Shem Creek, 9:15 Start for the Recreational Race, Youth Race 9:25 start.
• July 9th - 11:00am - Awards and Post Race Party - The Cottage, next to Red's (formerly The Big Game Club). We'll have food and drinks are on the house for all racers. The general public is welcome for a small donation to The Wounded Warrior Project. Prizes and Trophies will be awarded around 12 noon. Official Party will run from 11:00am to 2pm, unofficial party will continue at Red's.
• July 10th - Station 30 on Sullivan's Island demos and instruction will be held from 9am to 12pm.

* The Charleston Watersport crew is working working on additional activities including a group paddle, instructional classes and etc. Stay tuned.

Sign up is now available at http://www.active.com/surfing/mt-pleasant-sc/2nd-annual-shem-creek-sup-shootout-2011

Hotel and Lodging info: http://www.shemcreekinn.com/ please call (843) 881-1000 and mention the Shem Creek Shootout 2011 for special rates. A limited block of rooms are available due to the hotel being "in season".

Board Storage - Board storage is available at Charleston Watersport for this event, please contact the store for directions and storage.

For more info or to sponsor this event, contact David Clifford @ info@charlestonwatersport.com

SUP Fitness classes take off in the Lowcountry

Standup paddleboarding has really come to life here on the East Coast in the last two years. We're proud to be on the cutting edge of that movement as we continue to build and manufacture SUPs locally, offering lessons and sharing the stoke of being on the water. Recently Dean Watersports started teaching SUP Fitness classes through a couple of local rental companies and it has become all the craze! Why not get fit while having fun on the water and exploring Charleston's beautiful waterways? It's a no brainer.
If you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, you should check out a SUP Fitness class designed to help you develop good paddle skill and flexibility while strengthening your core and improving your overall balance. In our classes, we warm up on land and go through core exercises that we then take to on the water. Students are feeling core burns in places they didn't know exist! And the very best part is that we're having a ton of fun.

Sup Fitness has launched all over the East and West coasts. Recently we read this motivating quote from Brody Welte of Paddle Fit Tampa in SELF magazine: "The average male can burn between 800 and 1,000 calories per hour with the average female burning about 500 to 700 calories per hour," he said. "Compare this to running on a treadmill or an elliptical machine where an average male burns between 600 to 700 calories and the average female burns between 300 and 400 calories."

Maintaining a good fitness and nutrition regimen is something that everyone should incorporate into their regular routines. And no one ever said it had to be dull. Hope to see you on the water!

Class offerings, taught by the Dean Watersports team:

Island Paddle Adventure
Brittlebank Park Lockwood Blvd, downtown Charleston, SC 29403
Mondays & Wednesdays with Dean, 7:00-8:15am
Tuesdays & Thursdays with Misty, 6:00-7:15pm
Drop-in: $25
BYOB: $15
10-Class Pass: $200
10-Class Pass BYOB: $100
(save $50 with the 10-Class Pass!)
To sign up: info@barrierislandpaddle.com
More info: http://www.islandpaddleadventure.com/fitness

Ocean Fitness
Isle of Palms Marina 50 42nd Ave Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Mondays & Wednesdays with Misty, 7:00-8:15am
July 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 and 27
6-Series Class Pack: $150
To sign up: (843) 559-6073
More info: http://www.beoceanfit.com/fitness-4


Photos courtesy of Ocean Fitness (top), and Island Paddle Adventure (bottom)

Dean introduces the All Around SUP

It's called an "All Around" board for a reason! With it's lightweight construction, this 11' SUP is intended for easy cargo after casual cruising or surfing small waves. We're currently working with a graphic designer to offer more contemporary styling, but your custom order can include a minimalist / modern paint job as well. Give us a shout via email to find out more!

dean@deanwatersports.com

misty@deanwatersports.com

The Floral Wahine All Around board pictured below on sale now at Charleston Watersport (Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC).

Design, simplified

Photos of Dean shaping the new race board inspired by modern yacht design.

Recently we've been inspired by the Axe Bow and more current yacht designs. Taking from that influence, we have utilized the same engineering and mathematical formulas to determine the most efficient shape for our new Dean Watersports SUP race board design. By simplifying the overall design and reducing the amount of wet surface area on the front, we've made the board faster and more efficient on the water. We'll finish the new Dean board design using our proprietary manufacturing process, FORM (more on FORM later!). The end result will be a board that is durable, light weight and fast.


To contact shaper Dean Johnson, email:
dean@deanwatersports

Meet the Shaper!

Join us Thursday, May 12
6pm-8pm
Charleston Watersport, 1255 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Charleston Watersport presents, Meet the Shaper!
Dean Johnson, owner and shaper at Dean Watersports along with partner/engineer, Tony Blakley, will discuss the board construction technology behind the brand, and what makes a race board fast.

THIS NIGHT ONLY: Enjoy 10% off all Dean board orders, select SUPs and paddles, and merchandise. Also, take 75% off select clearance items! Get info on upcoming demos, classes, and how to tap into your paddle technique to become a stronger paddler. Complimentary brews available for those who come thirsty!

RSVP to dean@deanwatersports.com
or on our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dean-Watersports/202750409763720#!/event.php?eid=159616150769952

Follow us on Twitter:
@DeanWatersports

Dean Johnson photographed above with a 2010 12'6 race board.
Photo by Ben Williams.

Behind the scenes at the Charleston magazine photo shoot

Behind the scenes at Shem Creek Boat Landing

It's always a pleasure working with a talented photographer. Yesterday's late afternoon photo shoot for Charleston magazine's upcoming "Water" issue (June) was at first terrifying, and then a real treat. With tornado warnings in effect, Charleston-based photographer Ben Williams didn't feel like we should reschedule due to "a little wind." Obviously he's not a regular SUP'er! But we were good sports and did what he said, including stripping down to shorts and bikinis in the rain for the first round of portraits at Red's Icehouse as the happy hour crowd poured in. The clouds eventually parted and the lighting was perfect for a group paddle session at Shem Creek Boat Landing.
It's good that Charleston's local media have finally taken an interest in standup paddleboarding and her growing community. With so many rich waterways and calm beaches, there's no reason this can't be a top SUP destination.
Look for Charleston magazine's June issue featuring locals who live to surf and standup paddleboard. With Ben Williams behind the lens, it's sure to be a beautiful sight.

Contact us at: dean@deanwatersports.com

Padding 2,200 miles for two great causes

Will Rich and Mike Simpson paddle in to Shem Creek after 670 nautical miles

Pictured: Mike Simpson, Dean Johnson, David Clifford, and Will Rich

Tonight we had the honor of meeting Mike Simpson and Will Rich from SUP the Coast during their short stop here in Charleston, SC. These guys are paddling from Key West, Florida all the way to Portland, Maine for two great causes- the Wounded Warrior Project and SUP Cleanup. They've been at it since March 1, in hopes to paddle at least 30 miles per day. Most days the weather has not been on their side, but they keep plowing up the East Coast regardless of the sideway rains and strong winds. Paddling 17' Bark boards, they are equipped with camping gear, bug suits, zinc sunscreen, and a leaky waterproof bag carrying an iPhone, GPS and SPOT tracking device. Will uses his iPhone to blog, tweet, and update the SUP the Coast Facebook page. As we shared a bucket of PBR, Dean Watersports got the lowdown on their 670 nautical mile journey thus far. These guys are rock stars! And they are going to have a lot of great stories by the end of this trip.

To learn more about SUP the Coast and this charitable quest, visit:

http://www.supthecoast.com/

To follow their blog:

http://supthecoast.wordpress.com/

Best of luck Mike and Will! We hope to see you in Wrightsville Beach, NC for the Carolina Cup on April 30.

The 2011 Dean SUP design released, just in time for race season!

The 2011 Dean SUP design was released this past weekend on Shem Creek in Mt Pleasant, SC. Making its debut, this hand shaped, carbon fiber and fiberglass hybrid is catching a lot of attention on the water. It's not only stable, fast, and lightweight, it's sleek! Pictured is the new 14' Dean SUP race board. Custom made to fit the specific needs of the 6 ft tall, 220 lb customer, Dean shaped the width at 27" wide and it's plenty stable.

If you're looking to take your racing to the next level, this is the board for you. (Or if you're looking for a few honks and hollars, well, we have helped clients achieve that too :)

Board color options are available. All 2011 Dean SUP boards are outfitted with Larry Allison fins.

Stay tuned to our blog posts where we'll release photos of the 12.6' Dean SUP team boards in a couple of weeks.

It's been a long winter! Race season officially kicks off in Charleston on Saturday, February 26 on Shem Creek. Charleston Watersports and SUP Nation will host the first of this six-race series. It's $5 for the recreation class, and $10 for the elite. For more information about the race, prizes, or to sign up, please visit: http://www.meetup.com/supnation/

For more information about Dean boards or to get a quote, contact Dean Johnson:

dean@deanwatersports.com

Dean Watersports Knows Good Design!

We know our board design, but we also know our graphic design! Just announced today, Dean Watersports logo designer Jay Fletcher (of J Fletcher Design), has won an ADDY® Award for Best Logo Design. The awards ceremony and event takes place on February 18 here in Charleston, SC.
http://adfedcharleston.com/2011/02/01/addy®-awards-party-coming-up/


Thanks to the talented Jay Fletcher! And as he says it, "Dean Watersports 4-eva!"