Meet Joe Paddler: John Acosta, San Diego, California

Where you were born and where you live now?

Born in Salt Lake City, UT. Currently living in San Diego, CA.

What is your occupation?

Commercial Truck Driver.

Where do you SUP the most?

Mission Bay and Coronado, CA.

Do you have a favorite local paddleboard shop?

Yep, West Coast Paddle Sports. Friendly and helpful people, great inventory.

What paddleboard, surfski or OC do you ride most?

My 2016 Starboard Allstar 14X25.

Do you own any other paddleboards, surfskis or OCs and what kind?

I have a 16X32 Starboard Tandem Inflatable for the wife and me. Also going to be picking up a 2016 Starboard Sprint 14X23 in a couple of weeks….a FlatWater Rocket! Very excited for that one!

What paddle do you use?

QuickBlade Trifecta 86 and a V-Drive 91.

Have you changed boards/paddles/equipment since you started? If so, why?

For sure. I started SUP just 8 months ago on a 11X32 Inflatable. I quickly realized I wanted something faster, so got a Starboard Elite Touring 14X30. Awesome board, but Chase Kosterlitz pointed out that due to the minimal tail volume, it wouldn’t buoy turn well and it was a bit wide for a race board. Hence the upgrade to the Allstar.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world to paddle, where would you go?

My wife is from the Philippines and we haven’t been back there since I started SUP. I’m anxious to get over there and explore. There is so many beautiful spots, the water is always warm and the sea life is abundant.

Best piece of SUP advice you’ve ever received?

That’s a tough one. I’ve done clinics with Danny Ching, Noa Hopper and Jim Terrell and have had private lessons with Chase Kosterlitz and Zibi Wadzynski. These guys have tons of knowledge and are extremely fast on the water. They happen to also be humble, friendly and generous in sharing advice. It’s all been very helpful.

Weirdest thing that’s happened to you while paddling?

I got caught, passed and dropped by a 67 year old guy at a SUP Race. A local paddler here in San Diego; Jim Baumann is amazingly fit and fast. I hope I can tear it up like he does when I’m that age.

Favorite SUP nutrition? (During races/ during a long haul)

Clif Bars, GU Gels, Bananas.

Goals for this next year?

Currently focusing on the Cal 100 Race in June down the Sacramento River.

Favorite post-paddle nosh (snack/beer/recovery drink)

Two Bananas, Chocolate Almond Milk, Peanut Butter, Protein Powder…blended up. YUM.

Your favorite non-paddle thing to do.

Relax with my wife and watch NetFlix.

What piece of SUP gear do you wish someone would invent?

Don’t know. I’m pretty set with everything that’s available at the moment.

What’s your biggest challenge with SUP?

Getting my paddling technique (catch & exit specifically) to be more efficient.

What is your proudest moment in a SUP race or event?

Winning the 2015 Turkey Paddle “Race” with my wife on our Tandem board. We were the only Tandem on the water, so victory came easily…lol. It was only our 3rd time paddling that board and you really have to get the timing down perfectly to avoid launching each other off the back…lol.

Tell us about the best friend(s) you made through paddling.

I met a guy named Chris that is into the long 10-15+ mile grinding paddles that I enjoy doing. He can hammer.

What was your best SUP travel trip?

My wife and I went up to San Francisco this past January and paddled out to Alcatraz. The water was cold, but the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the surrounding areas were awesome.