Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Paddlefest in BV

In high flow or low flow Buena Vistas water park is a good time. The waves are surf able and locals are friendly. Paddlefest bring out all the professionals from kayakers to SUPers. It is great to see everyone in one spot and able to enjoy and share the waves and water.

The Upriver/Downriver SUP race was unlike any river event I have been to or competed in. Very fun and took river skill to maneuver up the river current. I cannot wait to go back and surf at better flows!!!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

The Golden Games

This event had a really good vibe. As always all the competitors were really friendly. This event is held in Golden Colorado in Clear Creek. This Is one of the best play boating parks in the Denver area. The event was held as a time trial. All competitors had two runs and the best I the two counted! I held down first place and was stoked to be part of such a great event!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Clear Creek

A great place to train and learn to white water SUP it at the clear creek white water park. It stays pretty shallow in most sections. So run it in pads so you don't tear your shins up! This spot is one of my favorite places to teach new river SUPers as well as to practice eddy turns and other river maneuvers that are helpful during a river event.

What is river surfing?

River surfing is surfing on a river. There are two different kinds of river waves. A standing wave. Caused by a sudden increase in river depth. And a tidal bore. Caused by an ocean swell being forced into a river mouth.
Regardless of what kind of river surfing you are doing it is most important to make sure you have the right gear to keep you safe. Have fun and see you on the river!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Pacific garbage patch

Like my friends at Ocean Minded say, "Everything ends up in the ocean." I couldn't have said it better myself. Maybe because I am a stand up paddler and spend so much time on the water I have a better understanding about how true that statement is. Why should you care?!

About eighty percent of the plastic in the ocean comes from inland states that don't even touch the ocean. Wind, rain/snow runoff, rivers and creeks and just some of the ways your litter will find it's way into the oceans. Then what?!

Every chemical in plastic is toxic. Tiny fish and other wildlife eat small pieces of plastic and other litter thinking it is food. Then a bigger fish eats that fish and so on. While the chemicals are absorbed into every fish all the way onto your dinner plate. Then you eat it and the chemicals are absorbed by you!

We have all sorts of cancer awareness programs. Who would have thought it all starts with respect for our environments and oceans. No matter how far inland you live, you are still effected by he oceans. Do your part to fight cancer and keep our oceans blue!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

It's not the gear it's the paddler?

Believe it or not, this is a true statement. You couldn't hop on Danny Ching's race board and win the distance event of the Battle of the Paddle.
Studying stoke technique for a few years has taught me that there is no right way to paddle. So this statement is right to a degree.
After you hone in on your technique you need to ask yourself if Danny could win the race on your board...