Emilee Ray
Staff Writer
Toyota recently created a commercial for the Rav4 car featuring junior Ryland Hart stand-up paddling.
The commercial shows Hart packing up the car with paddle boards, paddling and having a good time with his coach, Danny Ching. The video is approximately 22 seconds long and can currently be found online. Ching was a huge inspiration for him to start paddling, Hart said. Hart is currently sponsored by Toyota, so they decided to make a candid commercial of them using the Rav4 car to take a paddling trip, Hart said.
“Toyota is one of my sponsors and they admire my relationship with me and Danny and our daily lives, so they just wanted to try and capture that and relate it to Toyota as a brand,” Hart said.
Creating this commercial with Toyota was one of Hart’s of most memorable experiences of his life, he said. There was no script or instruction for the commercial. This really showed Hart how special his relationship is with Ching, he said.
“We got to go surf and drive a super nice car around for the day,” Hart said. “I was able to do what I love with someone very close to me while also helping my sponsors out.”
The commercial consists of a variety of shots of the two driving to different surf spots in Los Angeles. The commercial only took one day to shoot, Hart said.
“I love paddling outrigger the most,” Hart said. “It is where I started, so there is a bit of sentimental value each time I get in a canoe. Also, I love the glide you get in an outrigger canoe, I still enjoy SUP, but outrigger is my home.”
Hart’s passion for paddling also comes from his parents, he said. His parents used to take him down to the marina when he was younger, where he would paddle, and eventually develop his strong passion for the sport. Ching was also a huge inspiration for him.
“I have been training with Danny since I was nine years old and we did the state championships together,” Hart said. “He has mentored me, been like a second dad to me and has shaped me into who I am today.”
Hart posts on social media as an influencer for Toyota. He also works events with Toyota including Fiesta Hermosa, which will take place this Memorial Day. Hart currently works at a paddling store in Redondo Beach called Tarzan, so he is surrounding himself with the beach environment.
“Ryland’s lively personality and strong work ethic bring a vibrant atmosphere to the store,” sophomore Brooke Smith, daughter of the owners of Tarzan, said. “Whenever I am at the store, it is very easy for me to see his passion for paddling.”
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