By

Meghan Fitzpatrick Via Baja.com

"Life is like a wave, so why not take a big one and get a long ride all the way to the beach!"

Mike Doyle

Who is Mike Doyle? For the third year, Los Cabos is home to the annual SUP Mexico-Mike Doyle Los Cabos Classic Stand Up Paddle Race. So, who is this guy and what is he doing in Los Cabos?

Mike Doyle circa late 1960's

Mike is a champion surfer and paddler from the 1960's. Today, Mike is also known for his custom surf and paddleboards and for being the author of his own highly popular story, the autobiography "Morning Glass."

One of the defining characteristics of Mike Doyle and his surfing style is his attachment to the tradition of 'The Waterman.' This term refers to someone who embraces surfing, paddling, rowing, and rough-water swimming as well as possibly being skilled at diving, fishing, spear fishing, tandem surfing, lifeguarding, and handling outrigger canoes. Sort of a 'renaissance' approach to surfing.

Today, such notions in regards to surfing and paddling are sometimes considered to be old-fashioned and unimportant…yet it is quite possible that it was this approach that separated Mike Doyle from other surfers.

Mike saw the importance of learning and understanding the water, believing that knowledge about the ocean, the tides and even the etiquette of water activities were extremely important.

Mike started surfing when he about 13 years-old. Mesmerized by the older surfers he saw when he was just a tyke, Mike decided at a young age that surfing was for him and he was determined to learn and be the best he could possibly be at the sport. Mike's surfing career took off when he was voted "Best Surfer" by Surfer magazine in 1965 and 1966. He earned the nickname"Ironman" for his participation in surfing, tandem and paddle races all in the same day and usually winning at least two of three competitions. In 1968, Mike won the coveted Duke Kahanamoku Contest at Sunset Beach, Hawaii and the world surfing title in Peru. He holds the honor of inventing the first snowboard and the soft surfboard.

Today, Mike lives every surfers dream by splitting his time between San Diego and Cabo San Lucas where he surfs and paints scenes of the ocean and the flavor of Baja.

And, he has become wildly successful at another aspect of surfing and boarding.

Today, Mike Doyle custom surfboards are among the best that money can buy. Mike has been studying, designing and crafting surfboards for more than 35 years and is recognized not only for handcrafting individual boards but for designing and producing customized selections for surf shop owners. Mike Doyle surfboards are shipped all around the globe. The company logo states "Working closely with the individual surfer during the ordering process to ensure that we tailor a board to each surfer's specific needs." It is this commitment combined with Mike's extensive experience that make Mike Doyle surfboards so famous within the industry.

It was a natural progression that Mike would come to be involved with the Los Cabos Classic Stand Up Paddle Race. In 2012, after two very successful years, the race will be even bigger and better than ever before. Hennessey's Stand Up Paddle World Championships has joined forces with the race (The 3rd Annual SUP Mexico-Mike Doyle Los Cabos Classic Stand Up Paddle Race & Hennessey's World Paddle Championships) for what is sure to be an outstanding event — and with none other than Mike Doyle as the SUP championship ambassador.

Who is Mike Doyle and what is he doing in Los Cabos?

To find out more, or for tickets and entry information about this year's, "3rd Annual SUP Mexico-Mike Doyle Los Cabos Classic Stand Up Paddle Race & Hennessey's World Paddle Championships" please view the event information here: http://baja.com/cabo-san-lucas/events/hennesseys-world-suppaddle-championships-los-cabos-2012/.

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