From The Telluride Daily Planet (Heather Sackett):
While whitewater kayaking can be limiting because of its difficulty, stand up paddling is accessible to anyone. If you can stand up, you can SUP.
“It’s so appealing to so many demographics,” head buyer for Paragon/Bootdoctors and water sports enthusiast Galena Gleason said. “It’s for everyone really.”
Paddlers stand up on a large, hard foam surfboard and use a long-handled paddle (usually about 6-10 inches taller than the paddler for the best leverage) to propel themselves through the water. Between one and three removable fins jut out from the underside of the board, depending on whether paddlers want better tracking or better maneuvering. The body position is similar to skiing with eyes, knees and toes aligned forward…
Andy Bagnall, manager of Telluride’s Four Corners Whitewater, said SUP’s popularity has spiked, particularly over the last two years. Four Corners bought just one board for the guides to use four years ago, and is now up to a fleet of 14. In addition to tours of local waterways, the company also offers multi-day trips on the Gunnison River and the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River.
One of the most appealing parts of SUP is the sense of freedom that comes from paddling. Unlike rafting or kayaking, there are relatively few rules and little equipment. You can kneel, sit down, lay down, practice yoga poses or take your dog along on a SUP adventure. And it offers a new perspective. The scenery looks different from a standing vantage point than it does from water level in a boat.
“The one rule about paddle boarding is there are no rules,” Bagnall said. “You can’t just hop out of a kayak but you can with a paddle board. It’s a great way to go swimming.”
More whitewater coverage here.