Casa PŌNO Sayulita Becomes The Title Sponsor Of The Sayulita JR SUP Team

This year has seen some changes with the kid's SUP Team.  Our coaches, Bicho(a Mexican national) and wife Shelby, are temporarily relocated up in Kentucky,USA as Bicho's immigration paperwork is sorted out.  Bicho cannot come back to Mexico during the process so the family is away from the SUP Team this winter.  We have an interim coach in place.  "Nando" is a 5 year member of the team, and assistant coach and Mexican National Champion.  The problem was that while he was familiar with the program and the kids he just couldn't do what took three people to do when the coaches were here in Sayulita.

So, Shelby reached out for some parent help and a group was formed to assist with Team operations this year and allow Nando to focus on his strengths...working with the kids and their paddling.  The rest of us would worry about dues collection, sponsors, paying bills, equipment etc.  It provided a chance to make some upgrades, repairs and to rethink all things Team while the coaches were taking care of things like life, family and their future.

One of the things I was in charge of was sponsors.  Something that the coaches had never pursued or had much luck with in the past but I was willing to try and gather some financial and equipment support for the kids.  The last year our family has made some good industry connections and I also felt like some local parents could do their part in having their business support the Team with some pesos.

Well, I was right about that.  We did get a new local SUP supplier to give discounts to the kids for the brands they represented.  This business, Performance Stand Up Paddle, was the same outfit that introduced Trace and Alex to the high quality brands they use like SIC Maui and Quickblade.  Finally the Team had product support!  Prices would not be cheap but considering there is very little brand representation for SUP equipment here this was a HUGE step forward.

The next thing that was developed was a tiered sponsorship structure.  Real basic and each level of support had it's benefits.  Almost all the sponsors were parents who had local businesses and kids committed to the Team or had supported the Team in previous years so as soon as we started asking around the sponsorship positions filled up quickly with one exception.  The "Title" sponsorship.  The hope was that a business in the SUP or surf industry would fill the spot and it looked like the business we were targeting would take it.  We had one in business in mind but needed the decision to be made ASAP since we were looking at the beginning of 2020 and the Team had practices beginning and several events on the calendar.  We certainly wanted the kids to look fresh in the new neon orange jerseys and of course be walking around with the 2020 sponsors on the backs of every paddler.

Well, the hopeful Title Sponsor did not fill the position like we hoped.  The other sponsors were offered the spot but everyone was happy with their commitment and declined the offer.  Shit!  Now what?  Well, I knew four things.  One, these uniforms were probably going to be in use for the better part of 2 years.  Longer than the one year sponsorship support.  Two, our kids were two of the most dedicated kids on the Team and we would be involved for the foreseeable future.  Third, I knew we were going to be printing up Team sweatshirts for the Team and our family would certainly buy 4.  Well, 4 Team sweatshirts were part of the Title sponsor benefits so that fit since we would buy 4 anyway.  Fourth, I knew that new uniforms and sweatshirts would give the Team a new look and image and to have our house printed on both as sponsors was a no loose situation.

Trace and Alex with their long time SUP team mates, Kolbi and Kaden.

So our house, Casa PŌNO Sayulita became the title sponsor for the Team.  It was certainly NOT the plan but I am stoked we stepped up to support a very important program for us.  The investment keeps the Team supported and we can get some new upgraded equipment for the Team and I have made some valuable connections in the world of SUP in the future should the Team need them.

Plus all the kids look really good!  Good and loud in neon orange and the sweatshirts are selling quickly too with our name on them for as long as they last.  There are always a few things I would have done differently with the printing but hey, not too bad and every sponsor is represented fairly.  We pick and choose who and what to support here in Sayulita and we are stoked on this one!