NSP Team Rider, @paddle_racer
Changing Lives through SUP and Paddle Surf.
#noexcusesjustempowerment
I'm a Professional Athlete in SUP racer and paddle surf. Small Business Owner and Entrepreneur. Certified Coach in Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Health and Wellness, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset and Lifestyle. Some of my specialties are stand up paddle and paddle surf, behavior and body change, sports performance and corrective exercise (SUP, paddle surf, gymnastics), metabolism and biofeedback, female hormones, hormonal metabolic balance, moderation365, mindfulness and intuitive eating.
My goal is to help you build confidence, trust and excitement on the water which in turn translates to land and life. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or currently looking to take your skill set to the next level, there’s always more room for improvement. I offer a wide variety of services and experiences built to suit every need and level. Jump in with me and learn how to have memorable fun in a safe and secure way.
Meet Rachel
As a former gymnast, I have always loved fitness and movement. I grew up in the Chicagoland suburbs and moved to Laguna Niguel in 2013. In 2014, I relocated to Bluffton, South Carolina where I started my own fitness, training, and wellness business at a brand new facility called The Wellness Institute.
Initially, I was focused on personal training and bootcamps. As business grew and I continued to expand my knowledge and expertise in the field, I chose to transition into small group personal training which at the time was in it's early stages. Business continued to grow, and I eventually went out on my own, officially launching Fusion Fit in 2018. the Fusion Brand has always been my vision and direction. That is, the coming together of fitness/training, nutrition, lifestyle, and health and wellness in one space.
It wasn't until 2017 that I discovered paddle boarding and became a certified PaddleFit Coach. With my love for fitness and paddle boarding, I created Paddle Fused Fitness in 2018. Two years later I completed my first SUP race. The same year I took ownership of Stand and Paddle. Since then, I have continued with SUP racing - winning multiple races along the east coast and southeast US, and built Stand and Paddle to what it is today.
Education & Background
SUP Background & Education
Certified SUP Coach and Professional Athlete
Paddle Fit Certified SUP Coach
Paddle Fused Fitness SUP Coach and Creator of Paddle Fused Fitness and SUP Coach Certification Course
Credentials and Certifications
Fitness, Nutrition, Health & Wellness, Life
NASM CPT (Certified Personal Trainer)
Performance Enhancement Specialist
Corrective Exercise Specialist
Small Group Training Specialist
Behavior Change Specialist
Weight Management Specialist
Certified Virtual Coach
Education
University of Illinois at Chicago
B.S. Movement Sciences/Kinesiology (Exercise and Fitness) and Nutrition, minor Psychology from University of Illinois at Chicago, cum laude
Paddle Racer
Professional Athlete,
SUP Racing and Paddle Surf
Race and Competition Story
Rachel's first SUP race she watched was when she lived in California at the Battle of the Paddle in Dana Point over 10 years ago. She was immediately in awe of the athletes, sport and boards, but intimidation and costs kept her from pursuing things further.
The first year she moved to Bluffton, she saw another local race on the May River. Fast forward another few years to when she became a SUP coach and connected with a local paddler who also owned a SUP business in town. They connected over created a SUP fitness class and she ended up purchasing two paddle boards from him, one of which was a 14'x24'' race board.
The first Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle on Hilton Head scheduled for September 2019, Rachel accompanied Roddy, former owner of Stand and Paddle, and some other local paddlers to spectate the race and manage the sponsor tent.
Upon Roddy's suggestion and encouragement Rachel signed up for the race the following year, 2020. Though she was on the water regularly the entire summer she only trained for less than two weeks on the board she raced on (a 14'x21" inflatable race SUP). The first two thirds of the race she managed to remain up within the top 10 leaders of the race, however the weather and wind conditions, fatigue and board challenges the final stretch knocked her off and bumped her finish back.
Committed to returning and placing the following year, Rachel spent all summer outside of taking customers on the water to paddle and working out in the gym, training on the water. That spring she also purchased her first official hard race SUP - an old used NSP Ninja.
September of 2021, Rachel indeed returned to race in the Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle and placed 1st in her age group for the short course.
She went on to place 1st in two more races that season.
Since then, Rachel has entered numerous SUP races in the Southeast US, as well as Mexico and Costa Rica.
In 2023, Rachel took up Paddle Surfing and 2024 started competing in paddle surf as well.
Rachel's SUP Race History and Results
2020:
First SUP Race - Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle, 5k
2021:
1st place - Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle, 5k
1st place - Hunting Island Paddle Fest, 5k
1st place - Carolina Cup, 5k course
2022:
2nd place - Carolina Cup, Money Island (8 mile) course
1st place - Hunting Island Paddle Fest, 10k
1st place women, 2nd place all - Clemson Paddle Jam, 10k
2nd place - 8th Annual Flora-Bama Gulf Coast Paddle Championships
4th place - Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle, Pinkney Island (13 mile) course
Key West Paddle Classic
1st place women, 5th place all - Urban Kai's King and Queen of the Bay, 10k
2023:
1st place - Treasure Coast Paddle Battle, 5k
1st place - Paddle at Skull Harbor, The Pass (5 miles)
Carolina Cup 2023, The Graveyard
4th place - Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle, 10k
2024:
1st place - Paddle at Skull Harbor, The Pass (7 miles)
Carolina Cup, the Graveyard
Sponsors, Partnerships
YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT IS NEEDED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Currently seeking sponsorships and partnerships to support My Professional Focus in SUP Racing and Paddle Surf Competitions. Expenses for travel, race registration, accommodations, transportation, boards and equipment can be costly. I have plans to travel nationally and internationally in 2024, 2025 and hopefully beyond for races and competitions, but I will need assistance to make this a reality. If you are interested, willing and able to help support my goals and visions to take my SUP and paddle surfing as far as possible please email me, contact@standandpaddle.com.