Olympian takes yoga class on paddle board

An international Olympian was in the Bay this week to launch a new range of beach apparel and to take a yoga class on a Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) at Mount Maunganui.

Jaime Komer is a brand ambassador for the lifestyle clothing range Hinano Tahiti, a yoga instructor and a former silver Olympian for the US water polo team.

Jaime, who is based in California, visited Tauranga this week with her husband Matt (a former UCLA volleyball player) to celebrate the release of the apparel range into the New Zealand market.

Impel Surf owner Hiria Minnell-Rolleston; New Zealand agents for Hinano Tahiti, says they are thrilled to be involved with a brand that embraces the island style, and invited Jaime to spend time sharing her passion and knowledge of sports and clothing with them.

Hinano Tahiti is represented by a group of unique athletes who are at the top of their sport.  They travel the world in search of the ultimate experiences in the water.

"We felt combining SUP with yoga was pretty cool, because it reflects the island style of the brand - what could be more relaxing than doing those two activities?" says Minnell-Rolleston.

She says the class went well, although quite a few people fell off their boards.  "Downward facing dog was probably the easiest exercise to master on the board, but once we started doing the more advanced yoga moves, quite a few people got wet!"

SUP is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and Impel Surf's shop East Coast Paddlers, based in Mount Maunganui, has reflected this popularity.

"It's the perfect sport because you get a total core and cardiovascular workout that allows you to get fit while admiring New Zealand's beautiful landscape.  Also most people can stand up on their first lesson, so you don't have to have high fitness levels to start" says Minnell-Rolleston.

"We have been selling paddle boards and equipment for the last two years, however there's a demand by our customers for clothing that reflects this lifestyle both on the water and off, which is why we decided to branch into apparel," she says.

Hinano Tahiti is the name of a beautiful flower and a lovely Tahitian name.  The range is designed for men and women and includes board shorts, t-shirts, dresses and sweatshirts.  View the range here.