Long time paddler Steve Shlens shares his intro into the sport, what’s changed for him, and his love for the paddling community. For those of you who don’t know Shlens- you’re missing out! Introduce yourself at the next race or go hop in for a paddle with his crew up in Santa Barbara, and you’re sure to learn something about technique, nutrition, or hear a great story. The best way to learn anything- especially how to paddle better- is to watch paddlers like Shlens who have been doing it for a while, and doing it well.
How and when did you start paddling?
I grew up in the South Bay of Los Angeles in Palos Verdes, just a few years behind Joe, Andy & the gang. I began paddling in Junior Lifeguards when I was about 9 years old and immediately loved it. I wasn’t the best swimmer or runner, but paddling was something that immediately translated to surfing so it appealed to me. Back in the early 80’s, we’d use the old wide and square tailed stock boards for sprint races. They usually weighed a ton with a 1/2” stringer, had about an inch of old wax smeared on their decks, and had been trashed by the masses. Big ugly yellow things, those boards. In about 1986, the LACo JG program through Bill Harkins spoiled me rotten with an EPS foam paddleboard that was mind blowing. I used it at Huntington Beach for State Champs twice which I won in ’87 and ’88, and was able to bring it to the USLA Championships in Honolulu in 1987, I think, where it performed magically. Pulled my way to a second place, mainly losing due to a lack of local knowledge. Got pipped at the end. I ended up snapping that board at huge Huntington Beach in 1988, and with that I stopped most of my paddling for a few decades.
I fell back into this great sport in about 2008-2009 in a deal with Joel Pepper after I was coming back from a surfing mishap which led to shoulder surgery. Our deal was to do the 2009 Catalina Classic, a race I’d always wanted to do but for multiple poor excuses I’d never done. Turned out to be one of the best deals of my life. After one wrong turn trying to recreate that magic 1987-1988 board, I went straight to Joe.
What is your favorite part about paddling, and why do you still do it?
Our paddling community is a tribe. Everyone cares about each other and it doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, brown, green, whatever. If you paddle, then you know. I’ve met some of the best people in my life paddling and have made friends all over the world due to this little tribe of ours. Any time - and I do mean any time - I see a car drive by with a board on the roof, I’m scoping that car to see who it is and how I know them. It makes my wife laugh. And I love surfing beyond words - but while surfing is a great sport it is inherently selfish, whereas paddling is something I love to share with others. If I see someone out paddling or someone wants to talk paddling with me, I’m always up for it. I’m getting older every day, now in my early 50’s, so I’m not the young buck I once was, but I love this tribe and wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m not as competitive as I once was, but I also won’t just give up yet. On top of that, I’m super stoked to see the young up-and-coming crew getting on it and loving it just as we always have.
What is your occupation? How does paddling relate to your work/daily life?
I returned to paddling as a lawyer in 2009, but in 2018 made a major career change to be a personal trainer. It fits so beautifully into my life now and always provides me an excuse to get out into the sunshine. I repeatedly tell my clients to go outside, live life, and don’t be the best at just working out in a gym. Get outside and be the best you can be there.
You’ve been paddling for a while! Has anything changed over the years in your training and racing?
Haha! Everything! Boards, nutrition, training, notoriety. The boards are really better than ever and so available to everyone now. That didn’t used to be the case. Not even 10 years ago was it as open and available to new paddlers as it is today. We live in a great time! Nutrition has also taken a bunch of twists and turns, but the one constant in my estimation is electrolytes. So many guys just don’t focus on that aspect of it, and I think that’s the single most important aspect.
Is there a notable race/paddle that has stuck with you over the years?
There are so many it’s hard to say. I loved winning gold at the ISA World Games in 2015. In 2012, I had a great Catalina Classic with a perfect plan, a terrific crew, and an epic race which I won. But in 2013, I also had a great Classic where I came in 2nd but felt nothing but awful about since I was in such a horrible emotional state. That was a personally tough year. Honestly, the line between great and terrible is mainly a result of “head space.” So with that, I’m actually most proud of my Catalina Classic in 2018 when I came in 2nd place at 48 years old. I was old but happy. It was a tough race, and 28 year old Costner McIntosh crushed it, but I was so happy to find I could still compete when I was content in my life. It helped me come to peace with everything.
I also laugh still about a trip I took with Joe, Jack, and a crew of others to Florida a number of years ago. That one was the stuff of legend with a bunch of stories I can never tell.
Best advice to a new paddler? To a paddler about to do their first Classic?
To new paddlers I say just keep paddling. Enjoy the process and learn as much as you can from older guys. I remember Woody Maxwell - a stock winner from the 80’s - explaining speed and hand position to me once. I still use that advice and I give it out: quiet hands. I love that. No headphones while paddling and get into the moment. For those about to do your first Classic my advice is always do the Rock-2-Rock. It’s the best approximation of the Classic experience that you can get. Oh, and new paddlers - get a GPS. Invaluable piece of training equipment to let you know how you’re doing and where you should be on your board.
Also, to everyone: Do Molokai! It’s a great race and so much fun. I’ve done it as a relay 6 times and solo about as many times. It’s not about trying to prove you’re some tough guy; it’s about Type 2 fun. It’s a logistical nightmare, but once you’re there it’s worth every hassle you had along the way. I mean, what’s better than paddling in warm water?
Finally… Burrito Mondays. Where’s the best burrito place in SB?!
Burrito Monday is the best. Yes, I really do enjoy a breakfast burrito most Mondays.
I have to ensure the record is clear here. I didn’t invent Burrito Monday - Ventura paddler Jack Malone is the true genius behind Burrito Monday. He just set me on "the course of righteousness." Jack, Joel Pepper and I used to laugh about it and then we started taking it a bit more seriously. Not too serious - I mean, come on, it’s still tongue-in-cheek. But we all still text on Mondays about what we ate and why. We’re old guys amusing ourselves.
So to get to your question about what’s the best burrito place in Santa Barbara? I know the answer but I’ll let you find it! The joy is in the discovery.
Anything I missed?
I can’t think of anything, but I want to say again how much I dig this tribe of ours. Not just the folks in Santa Barbara, or California, or the US. I’m talking everywhere. I still text and speak pretty regularly with lots of friends in Oz, France, Brazil, you name it. I’d have never met these people without paddling and I truly treasure these friends I’ve met along the way, and continue to meet!
Photos - Only have old ones. Here’s the finish of the Classic in 2012 when I won (Nick Bobroff photo), one of me in Mexico in 2015 at ISA Games (photo by Greg Panas), and one of me winning the Jay Race in 2014. Oh! And since I couldn’t resist, surfing Mavericks on my Catalina Classic Trophy (the gun):
