As the saying goes, "The more things change, the more they stay the same". Well, almost.
Our waterlovers magazine, Standup Journal-now-Session Mag has just undergone a significant name change that may or may not have required more than one mind-altering spiritual journey, but our intentions are pure and our values are aligned.
How did we get here? As most of you know, the magazine started with our friend Clay Feeter who sent us all down this watery path when he published the first issue of Standup Surf and Sail in 2008 packed with inspiring images and stories of "naturally-powered standup watersports" from across the globe. A few years later, as the standup paddle scene exploded as one of the fastest-growing water sports of all time, he redacted the magazine’s title to the essence of its content focus as Standup Journal. It enjoyed a decade of riding that wave.
During that time, Clay - groomed his then associate publisher, Evelyn O'Doherty to succeed him as both editor and publisher. That fact officially took place with the printing of the Summer 2019 issue. Evelyn’s leadership team brought on fellow water lovers and close friends Jeff Henderson, Russ Scully and Adina Beaudry. This team helped her publish and deliver another 14 issues of stand out stories and photographs from some of the best content creators to ever grace our shorelines.
Under Evelyn's tenure, we witnessed the growth years of SUP and saw the emergence of specialties like touring, racing, surfing, flat water cruising, river running, and every other passion made possible with a board, a paddle and water. Standup paddling is and always will be one of the core disciplines that define this magazine and its team.
In addition, the team at the helm of this perfect bound, glossy, coffee table edition magazine is also passionate and inclusive of all standup water sports. We each recognize the continuous arc of innovation and evolution derived from the healthy curiosity and the never-ending pursuit to have as much fun as possible on the water. Our intention with this name change and gentle re-branding is to represent the pursuits of the many watermen and women who find daily physical and mental inspiration from being on the water regardless of craft.
In essence, it's in the underlying water sessions we all experience that give us our stoke for being alive and for connecting us with our natural world. Every session will certainly be different but each one will leave a lasting impression that forever informs us of who we are, where we came from, and where we're going.
As our time on this watery planet continues to slide by, we'll naturally try our best to control the things we want to preserve knowing full well that change is the only constant. As the new Publisher for Standup Journal-now-Session Mag, I certainly hope that this change we're announcing today gives you renewed excitement for the magazine you've grown to love under the same team you've grown to know operating at the same level of commitment and quality you've grown to expect. This magazine has always been for and about the water lovers. I will certainly do my best to make sure it stays that way.
Onward,
Russ Scully
