Monday, July 09, 2012

Low water blues? Go Stand Up Paddling

It has been a bleak year for h2o in Colorado and New Mexico. A lot of the classic runs never really had any run off to speak of. Never fear, SUP is here. Even with the low water, Stand Up Paddle Boarding is a total blast. If your running a class 2-3 drop, you will get a class 5 feeling in your gut without the consequences. Surfing waves on the river or in the playparks is a total blast. Go to your favorite lake and enjoy the quite and the scenery while getting a great work out.
Just down the road from CKS is the Buena Vista playpark in South Main. Staircase wave is a total blast once you have your surfing feet under you. For beginners, the wave just below it will give you hours of surfing bliss. All this is a blast at these lower flows. The low water class 2-3 Fraction section of the Ark just upstream of BV is a great training ground for SUP river running. A weekend spent doing these SUP activitys in BV will have you grinning ear to ear.
Top off your surf sesh with a cold pint at Eddyline Brewery and the trip will be complete.
Colorado kayak Supply has SUP rentals and all your SUP needs dialed in. Call 719 395 8653 x 2 for rental packages.
I'm loving the new wetsuit from NRS. It is priced right and keeps me warm and protected when I hit the water. Astral makes a PFD called the Sea Wolf that is perfect for SUPing. The NRS leash system works great for SUP and ocean Surfing. I'm also digging this pricepoint adjustable SUP paddle from Accent.
South Main also just finished a new Beer garden area called the Beach. Music will be had every Saturday through out the Summer. Pretty cool.
If your in New Mexico, hit up the local class 3 Racecourse run on the Rio Grande or head over to the Chama for some of the best SUPing around.
Get out and try Stand Up paddling. It is a blast. See you out there......

Aaron Koch on Staircase

Aaron doing his best John Wayne

Mariela tearing it up on Satircase


Rach and Aaron tandem surfing

Atom chillin

Atom throwing away the paddle

Praying for rain

Atom and Aaron doubling up for a surf sesh

Atom on the Racecourse, NM

Atom trying stuff

I might need to buy property in BV

Nate enjoying the Chama, NM

Nate and the Chama's beauty

Not only can Rach SUP, but she owned the Pimp and Ho party in BV

Proof that there is more than just kayaking. Josh Bechtel SUPing

Mariela showing how its done

Nate on the Racecourse, NM

SUP legend patty B!

Rach and the Sesh

Rach enjoying a longboard



Rach on Staircase


My morning view on the Rio Grande