No one can say "there's nothing to do in the Lake Norman Area tomorrow". There is so much going on. Here are three options for you if you need ideas for staying active this weekend. 

#1 

Complimentary In Store Yoga at lululemon Birkdale Village 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 

# 2 

Yoga with EMILY POLETTI at Gotta Yoga Lake Norman 11:30 a.m. 

# 3 

Twilight 5K by Summit Coffee

3rd Annual Twilight 5K Benefiting Movember. The final race of the 2013 Summit Twilight Racing Series, the Movember 5K is our only event run COMPLETELY in the dark. The Davidson greenway will be lit with 1,000 luminaries, and the race caps off our monthlong fundraiser for Movember, a global non-profit raising awareness for men’s health issues. Don’t forget your moustache! Register now!

Wine + Shopping + Music!!! I wouldn't miss it! The 4th Annual Sip & Stroll Art, Wine & Music Festival was a blast. The festival took over the EpiCentre in downtown and brought a variety of culture together in one place. 

My friend and I sampled many of the award winning wines at the kick off party. There is just something about drinking wine with a view of the stunning Charlotte Skyline at night. We were also able to see items from local artists and even meet the artists in person. One of my favorites was "Cool Ass Art" by Edie Lee. She "blings out" these bottles and packages from well know items and turns them into art. Check out photos in the gallery below. You can find her on FB under "Cool Ass Art". Great business name wouldn't you say??? 

Another highlight of the evening was hearing one of my favorite local bands, Simplified duo, who kicked off the party. I think everyone should put the 2014 Sip & Stroll on their list of "to do" events! Links below to the website. 

I think my friends and neighbors in the Charlotte area would all agree that we are lucky to live near such a beautiful lake! I know I have some of my best times out on Lake Norman and I'm so happy that Stand Up Paddleboarding has become popular! 

lululemon Birkdale is celebrating the 50th Anniversary this weekend!! Now that they are a part of our community they are looking for ways to support the lake and lake activities. Today they are displaying one of My Aloha Paddle & Surf's Suplove Stand Up Paddleboards. This is a great opportunity to check out this unique line of boards and to see what lululemon has going on that is new and exciting. 

For more information about Lake Norman click the link below....it has a very interesting history. 

I love that Katie Dixon is brining events like this one to our area. This was my first time participating in a Murder Mystery "play". I was labeled a "Party Crasher" but hey....party crashing is fun! I have often felt that the Charlotte area was lacking "culture" compared to other cities. This type thing mixes it up and gives us a chance to have a different type of experience. Watching football at Taco Mac is fun BUT sometimes it is nice to try something new. 

I learned that I am by no means a detective.....I did NOT solve the crime but I did find one of the clues....a suspicious flannel shirt which belonged to the one hit wonder  (terrible voice by the way). 

This event also supported a great cause. All donations went directly to Meg Gutekanst's trip to Kenya this December. Meg is involved in an awesome project which will help so many children. You can reach out to Meg (instructor at KadiFit) to find out more about this. 

Stay tuned for other events coming up at KadiFit.....no telling what she has up her sleeve next! Click the button below the slide show to get more information on KadiFit and the events and classes there. 

I always talk about making fitness fun. If you dread it you won't do it. Staying active does not have to mean going to they gym and lifting weights and grinding away on a treadmill. Find something you love. This morning was a prime example of an event that made fitness fun! lululemon Athletica opened it's doors in Birkdale this weekend and there was no lack of fun energy today. Hundreds of people came out to support the opening and to participate in the fun run, exercise stations and Yoga Practice. If you want to surround yourself with active people these types of events are the right place to meet them. Thanks to the lululemon Birkdale team for organizing this event and bringing people together. Runners, yogies, triathletes, paddleboarders, pilates instructors, Pure Barre fans, crossfit "ers" all came together to network and enjoy being outside. Lots of fun! Below is a link to some of the pictures from this mornings activities. 

WOW! Amazing what a little sunshine and a new Stand Up Paddle Board can do for your attitude! I will admit (and this is tough) I've been in a winter FUNK. I went through a major downsizing and move (for a good cause) and we've had some odd rainy, cold March weather in N.C.

I am happy to report that things are looking up!! The sun is out....Stand Up Paddleboard Season is starting in full swing on Lake Norman in April and there are so many outdoor events on the schedule. Vitamin D is GOOD! To top it off my brand new Suplove Paddleboard is on it's way from California. I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival early next week and can't wait to get it out on Lake Norman.

These boards are incredible! So durable and FUN! I'll be happy to let anyone who is interested demo it. If you'd like to get one of your own feel free to contact me. If you live in the Charlotte area you can check them out at My Aloha Paddle Sports & Fitness showroom (www.standuplkn.com ) If you live outside of that area I can chat with you about how to get one. Hopefully you have NOT been in a winter funk. But if you have, Stand Up Paddleboarding might be just what you need!

I wanted to share this blog by Brody Welte who is the creator and visionary behind PaddleFit. This really resonated with me and I thought it might give you food for thought as well. It obvsiouly applies to other areas of your life besides fitness and Stand Up Paddleboarding.


I would also add something that I heard recently at a business seminar which is also key in personal/professional growth and improvement. Everyone needs a "truth sayer" in their lives. Your mentor might be your "truth sayer", that person who is close enough to you and cares enough to tell you how "it really is". Sometimes friends out of kindness say what we want to hear. There are times when we all need to hear the real deal even if it stings a little bit. This is how we take next steps to getting better and reaching our goals.

From Brody Welte:

Where did your coach or trainer learn their knowledge? This is a great question to ask and in our society today It is real easy to “fake it till you make it”.  The days of learning under someone and being an apprentice is long gone for the most part.  The ones that get the concept of learning under someone and being an apprentice have the greatest longterm success. It is something that I constantly try and focus on and I seek out those who I respect and admire. PaddleFit owes a lot to 3 people who I have been personally connected with and have learned under.  First and foremost I respect Dave Kalama for who he is and how he gives back to SUP.  He is the best teacher of any subject that I have ever met.  Dave has forgotten more about paddling than most people will ever learn and he is always trying to learn more and get better.  I am very thankful for Dave trusting me enough to show me how to truly paddle.  The second person that I respect a lot and have learned a lot from is Todd Durkin.  Todd has trained many of today’s pro athletes and has given more back to the fitness industry than anyone I know.  Todd has shown me the details of a great strength and conditioning program and has taught me to use the outdoors as your gym.  Last but not least is Mark Verstagen.  Mark’s company called Athletes Performance annual trains about 25% of all drafted professional athletes.  The greatest thing that I have learned from Mark is how to develop a system.  When you have a properly developed system you are the most effective in helping people achieve their goals.  All three of these guys I admire a ton and I am thankful for my interactions with all of them.  Whether they know it or not they have had direct, positive impact on PaddleFit.   less