A sport Jay happened into shortly after his return—with no intention of making it a lifetime journey—was paddleboarding. To this day paddleboarding is his true passion. He competed in his first Catalina Classic in 1995 and has participated in the race every year since. The Catalina Classic is a grueling, 32-mile paddleboard race from Catalina to the Manhattan Beach Pier. Jay continues to run a paddling workout that also includes the next generation of elite paddlers. “Jay was the person who got me into paddling,” shares Robert Parucha, one of the sport’s current elite paddlers. “A few friends and I were his escort boat team back in 2007; it was inspiring watching him. As soon as I had the opportunity and time to train, I called Jay to ask for advice. He hooked me up with someone to buy my first prone board and really took me under his wing that first year. He’s been such a huge advocate for the sport of paddling and continues to be.” Overall Jay is a natural at everything that has to do with being active and frequently comes up with new and exciting ways to
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work out and keep moving. For example, he wraps a simple rope around a lifeguard tower for a battle rope workout, or he takes a 35-pound weight tied to a rope and pulls it through the sand while standing in place— working the back muscles, biceps, hamstrings, obliques and trapezius muscles. Kim Castner, a friend and client of Jay’s, says, “His ever-changing exercise routines have kept me faithful to his early-morning class for over 15 years. Jay’s ability to create routines that I would never have the commitment to do on my own (sit-ups, bands, rope workouts) is the main attraction to his class for me.” Jay is currently transitioning out of training and focusing more on athletic body recovery. “It is something that is dear to my heart because I was basically ignorant and stubborn and never thought I needed to take rests and recover,” he shares. Over the years it has become apparent to him that recovering from a workout is just as important as the workout itself. Due partially to that stubbornness, Jay is about to have another knee replacement … but don’t count
him out for long. In light of his experiences, Jay has recently started a company called Activ Recovery Zone. Activ functions as a mobile unit with professional trainers who aid both individuals and teams in their athletic recovery. The trainers visit events, practices and games, taking recovery services to the fitness and health community. The company is also putting together programs to educate kids and their parents. “Activ Recovery Zone is all Jay and his ambitious drive,” shares Activ’s head trainer Myles Hirayama. “This concept wasn’t just an overnight dream; it has been several years in the making and is now coming to fruition.” Elite athletes typically get treatment from state-of-the-art equipment to help them recover from their workouts, events or practices, and Jay is bringing the same type of equipment to everyone in our community. In addition to staying fit himself, Jay has chosen to help others pursue their physical fitness dreams and is contributing by teaching our community all about the importance of athletic recovery. ■