UNSTOPPABLE
“EJ” Johnson Defies Odds After Knee Surgery
E
rnest “EJ” Johnson started stand up paddleboard (SUP) racing
in 2006, and racked up a lot of mileage traveling from his
home base in San Diego to the Florida Keys. An accomplished
woodworker, paddle maker and carpenter,
he likes things built to last and proudly says
his 2003 Dodge Sprinter van has logged
210,000 miles and still “runs like a champ.”
Unfortunately, the same could not be said
of his knees, which took a beating after five
decades of skate boarding, weight lifting
and paddle boarding, and gave out on him
a little more than a year ago.
With nagging arthritis and bone spurs,
EJ knew there was no choice but to opt
for a double knee replacement and months
of rehab. While many athletes may have
considered retirement after such a setback,
the 52-year-old Johnson entered his first
ocean race just eight weeks after surgery and is currently ranked
one of the top 100 SUP racers by the World Paddle Association.
“Messed up knees run in my family,” EJ said dismissively when
we marveled at his determination to continue racing. “My knees
used to be my handicap for years, so now I don’t have anything
holding me back.”
When he’s not racing, Johnson and his wife, Andie, own Paddle
Republic of California, a rental business in Point Loma. He also
by Rhonda Price
designs paddles for YOLO® Board and stays busy with custom
woodworking projects ranging from skateboards and land paddle
sticks to stereo cabinets and beds. He stays in racing shape by
doing what he describes as his own version
of CrossFit, rowing and riding his mountain
bike, saying that his active lifestyle and
healthy diet are what keep him going.
“I’m into clean eating with everything organic
and no sugar or bread,” he said. “I put
organic lemon concentrate in my water
to stay alkaline because that’s important.
And I take Garden of Life® supplements twice
a day because they’re fantastic!”
Among EJ’s supplement favorites are RAW
Protein, RAW Meal, Organic Plant Protein,
Perfect Food® Wheatgrass and Perfect Food
Alkalizer and Detoxifier.
“I just mix the plant protein
and super greens with water,
and it’s all I need,” he said.
For more information about
EJ and his upcoming
races, check out
www.paddlerepubliccalifornia.com