By Pete Williams
When people try stand-up paddle boarding for the first time, they inevitably marvel at what a phenomenal core workout it is.
If you have any doubt, consider the story of Chase Kosterlitz, profiled in today’s St. Petersburg Times. Kosterlitz played college basketball for Loyola University in New Orleans before transferring to Eckerd College in St. Pete. Judging by basketball photos of him from that period on his Facebook page, he was in pretty good shape. These days, he looks like a model. In fact, he was voted “best abs” during on online poll during the Wilhelmina Hot Body Model Search last fall. (The Times story includes a picture of Chase and his eight-pack.)
Not surprisingly, Chase now makes a living at SUP, giving lessons and tours out of his Water Monkey Shop in St. Pete and organizing the Fall Paddle Festival, where I made my SUP race debut in October.