Ready to show your pride in the country's best paddlers? The Manhattan Beach-based Nikau Kai Waterman Shop has signed a deal with Team USA and Surfing America to become the exclusive retailer of Team USA fan apparel for the World SUP and Paddleboard Championships. Nikau Kai will also play host to Team USA at the end of the month before the team leaves for the championships in Mexico.

“This year’s Team USA features some of the best paddlers in the world and we jumped at the opportunity to be aligned with this nationally recognized team,” said Jason Shanks, founder of Nikau Kai. 

Nikau Kai’s design team created three exclusive items for sale, all featuring the Team USA spirit to help the American paddlers bring home the gold at the ISA World Standup Paddle and Paddleboard Championships to be held from May 10 to 17 in Sayulita, Mexico. Items include two custom T-shirt designs as well as a Team USA zipper hoodie. Portions of all sale proceeds will go to support Team USA. The items will go on sale April 24th.

Additionally, Nikau Kai will be hosting the official Team USA send-off in Manhattan Beach on Sunday, April 26. The day will begin with Team USA on the beach, north of the pier, paddling and surfing with the public at 9 a.m. From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. the team will be at Nikau Kai for photos, autographs, and meeting the fans.

Confirmed paddlers include Team USA members Dave Bohene, Candace Appleby, Sean Poynter and Slater Trout, with more paddlers to be added in the coming days.  

“The team send-off event will be a day that everyone will want to be a part of and something we are proud to bring to the community of Manhattan Beach," said Shanks.

Nikau Kai began offering paddle lessons in the summer of 2011, and opened its flagship location at 1300 Highland Ave in Manhattan Beach in the spring of 2012. The shop offers unique accessories and clothing to keep customers looking and performing their best in and out of the water.