Whatsup? No, not the head nod, how ya doin’ version of 'sup…but the stand-up on a paddle board version! “SUP” is a term that has recently become popular in the outdoor adventure sport world. According to SUP World Magazine, the activity has been around for thousands of years. In the 1940’s, surf instructors in Hawaii would use paddles and stand on their boards to get a better view of the surfers. It was mostly a Hawaiian sport and wasn’t until 2004 that the concept of Stand Up Paddle Boarding final made waves from Hawaii to California. By 2009, it was the single fastest growing part of paddlesports in North America!

Colorado, being quite the landlocked, water-lacking state that it is, has yet to see the sport really take off here. Slowly, outdoor gear rental shops started providing SUPs for rent and big box stores like Dick’s started carrying models that fit the budget. Great local places to rent or buy a board are Pikes Peak Outfitter and Underwater Connection!

Thanks to the Outdoor Retailer, UpaDowna has had the chance to experience the joys of SUPing since 2011 when we tried it at the Summer OR Demo Day. We knew right away that this was a program we needed to eventually offer to our participants.

Finally, 4 years later, that goal has become a reality. Working with a SUP company out of Carbondale CO, Shaboomee, and also our program sponsor, Heuberger Motors, our dream became a reality!

In the summer of 2015, we’ll be offering two types of SUP activities here in Colorado Springs, plus some SUP events! Our “Paddle Party” (like us on Facebook here) will consist of a once a month “social” or get together, focused on all non-motorized water sports including SUP, kayak and canoeing. The other will be a dedicated SUP class for up to 8 people at a time.

Here is our tentative schedule so far (keep in mind, weather may change dates):

EVENTS:
-July 26th- Rocky Mountain State Games Same SUP Challenge, Prospect Lake, 1-5pm

SUP SOCIALS:

A gathering to just have fun and SUP (or kayak, or canoe) together one Thursday a month! Folks are encouraged to bring their own equipment/permits or borrow ours (limited to 10 boards).

TIME: 4:30-7:30pm

PLACE: Prospect Lake and possibly various other locations around the Front Range!

DATES: April 30th, May 21st, June 18th, July 16th, August 13th, and Sept. 17th.

FREE CLASSES:

Much like our Climb Night Classes and only open to 8 people, it will take place one Saturday a month. RSVP here!

TIME: 5:30-7:30pm

PLACE: Prospect Lake, Memorial Park

DATES: May 16th, June 13th, July 11th, August 29th and Sept. 12th. Classes limited to 8 people each.

WIN A NEW STAND UP PADDLEBOARD!

Thanks to SUP Paddle Party sponsors Heuberger Motors and Shaboomee...we are giving away a co-branded Stand Up Paddleboard at the end of the SUP season!

How do you win it? Just come to at least three SUP Socials or classes total and you are in the drawing to WIN!