"I called the crew, Aleasha, Andre, and their rad boys, Ashley, and Amanda. We loaded up our rigs, our convoy crew, and started the smooth drive to Elkwater, Alberta with curiosity, paddle gear, fishing gear, and some bikes,” says Reta. “We had no expectations, except to take in adventure and drink some quality coffee and beer.”

A beautiful drive through the rolling prairie hills, farm lands, and windmills, they dropped into Elkwater in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, with beautiful lakes, massive trees, and comfortable camping. With the peace and quiet they’ve been dreaming of, as Reta described, they unhooked and moved in to relax for the evening.

Having large trees between sites made it feel they were alone with nature. The adults unpacked and relaxed, while the two high-energy, teenage brothers biked laps on the jump trail just behind their campsite. A peaceful state as they settled in and planned for their adventure for the morning.
Day one started with loading up the stand up paddle boards (SUP’s), rafts, and tubes, with a breakfast stop at 12-34 Cafe & Pub. “Their selection was amazing. I ordered my go to cafe mocha with a brownie. Amanda loved the breakfast pizza, describing the crust as a garlicky bite of fluffy heaven and even took a second slice for the road. With caffeine and food, the crew was ready to roll.”  READ THE FULL STORY 

Fun fact: Our heart and brain are 73% water; our lungs are 83%.

We are literally vessels of water paddling a vessel on the water. Perhaps that's why so many of us are drawn to this element. It is literally life-giving.
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It is also life-taking. The largest risks come from complacency in the competent, lack of risk awareness in the beginner and insufficient rescue training/practice skills for both. ​

Kootenay Quest​

To those who seek solitude in nature there is no greater stage than the mountains, allowing us to feel minute and as we feel small physically our problems shrink exponentially with it.

As we made our way to the put-in at McLeod Meadows in Kootenay National Park. Anticipation was at a pinnacle, the warm sunny days ahead we’re setting us up for a perfect trip. As we approached the river and began getting our gear out it almost seemed surreal what we were about to embark on.

Our first day we had a deadline to meet, make our way out of the National Park to make camp for the night. It is unlawful to randomly camp in a pristine wilderness park such as the Canadian Rockies unless it is in a life threatening survival situation. In order to maintain its beauty the park designates campsites to use. 

As the valley began to close in around us making our way towards Cross River. Our group settled in on the current. Rosie The Raft and her companion unicorn Estevan were a sight to behold on the water.

Nothing in life should ever be taken too seriously, except river safety but Rosie and Estevan were safe at all times on the water with their trusty guide Reta from CANRVRSUP and unicorn wrangler/photographer Ashley Voikin.

​Silent Night

Although this is a well-travelled river people are respectful of each other’s space and finding a peaceful spot for the night was not difficult. 

We made our way to the river right for the night to set up camp, being on this side allows us to wake with the sun and have the warmth of its rays soak into our skin as we began the next day.​

Settling into camp eating supper with the sound of water running over rocks and the promise of three more great days ahead of us.

"So glad that I found the CANRVRSUP team to get me into SUP this summer! Their lessons combined fun, skill building, and safety awareness that had me wanting to get out for more. Joining the Intro to River SUP Touring trip was the highlight of my summer. Being outdoors on a beautiful river, learning, improving, achieving, and sharing good food and company while receiving guiding and coaching that was supportive of all abilities in the group was a great experience. Looking forward to more paddling!" -Lise V

"An experience of a lifetime! The lessons and techniques I learned on this Intro to River SUP tour will help me on other adventures and will stick with me for life. Money well spent, a great story to tell and lots of knowledge gained. Not to mention, a whole lot of fun! I can’t wait for the next opportunity to do something like this. Shout out to Reta, the best paddle instructor ever!" - Wyatt​

If you’ve always wanted to get a Kula Cloth use the code riverofhope when purchasing a Mystic, Magical or Wondering Kula cloth in our CANRVRSUP store: 10% will go to Project All In and you will save shipping costs!
We encourage you to get out and paddle everyday she is on the water to help raise awareness for mental health and help cheer her on! We will keep you posted on her status and be paddling everyday too!

1. Starting July 10th try and get on the water every day for at least 30 minutes.
2. Enjoy your paddle time, breathe, relax and explore!
3. If it fits with your journey share your paddle #riverofhope22 @love_nsup @project_allin

When Lisa is done this section she will have completed 1217 km of The Athabasca River system and all that remains is the 134 km section from The Grand Rapids to Fort McMurray with many rapids between. The CANRVRSUP team will be there next year in full force on a raft supported SUP descent of this section!

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While many find the rush of whitewater exhilarating, I was convinced after hearing about all the hazards in the river I was supposed to identify and avoid; I was going to die in it. 

There is no rational explanation to the visceral reaction I had standing near the water's edge. My whole being shook: legs, trunk, arms, brain. It was the first time I felt such an adrenaline dump that crippled my ability to learn, react or progress.

Every time I tried to apply what was being explained my body would do the opposite out of reaction. Which caused me to literally do the wrong move each time. It becomes really hard to practice when you’re so tired from self rescuing yourself onto your board. Fear itself is tiring, causing you to become rigid and in turn creating a harder learning environment.

Let’s just say nothing was setting me up for success except Reta Boychuk. She was very patient and evolved herself as an instructor to find ways for me to be successful. If you ever require an exit buddy into the current, that’s a direct reflection of the time she had to ferry me across the river because I froze. Nemo depending on Crush The Turtle….


​THE REPETITION:
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Other than being determined and understanding that if you keep showing up it eventually happens. 

The Trail Wave I believe was the biggest turning point for me in paddling whitewater. As big as it seems and with a fairly big swim after I was hooked. I was magic. The safest, most perfect place to build my confidence. 
Tears of joy and disbelief were coming down after this photo. It seemed so surreal that I just surfed there, without the coaching and mentorship from Reta it would never have happened.
It was a great start to the 2021 paddle season, a year that pushed me further than I ever thought possible. Paddling The Red Deer River at high water, taking my Swift Water Rescue Level 1 Technician, paddling from Jasper to Athabasca 663 km and going down The Slocan River were just a few highlights.

THE RIVER INSTRUCTOR:
Outside of paddling flatwater on Slocan Lake on a winter SUP expedition in February 2022, I hadn’t touched water for over seven months. As past progression showed though, I usually relaxed more over that time and was able to process what needed to happen. It did cross my mind briefly to not even try to attend the course as I wasn’t sure I would be ready.
Winter passed by quickly and I hadn’t even put any thought into the technicalities I should be practicing to prepare for my instructor course until a week out. By studying and getting back into the groove for the week I had this odd unattachment to passing. If I did great, if not I had more work to do; I was prepared for both outcomes.

Magic happened: 
I had put in the time.
I had connected the dots.
I had the skills.
I trusted myself.
I never shook once beside the river.
I even liked it.
There I said it, I like whitewater.
Having three amazing days of paddling where I felt confident, competent and had fun on the water was such an accomplishment. The deep sense of pride I feel in consistently showing up when I didn’t want to, being supported to keep trying and finishing what I started won’t fade quickly.
It will be shared and passed down to other new paddlers who may struggle with the same things I did. I have deep empathy for those nervous paddlers. 

And if nothing else just remember:
Don’t Stop Believing…


Sending You Love N SUP,
Lisa Stocking
The Reluctant Whitewater Paddler
CANRVRSUP River 1 Instructor www.paddleathabasca.com/
Find the Badfish SUP River Shred and Badfish SUP IRS online or locally at AQ Outdoors. 

Brave Viking 
At Brave Viking we believe that change starts with you! As a supporter of the Brave Viking brand you will represent the hope, kindness and empathy the world needs to start on the path to healing.
Join us in our mission to build community around mental health by wearing the Brave Viking brand and signalling to others that you are ready, willing and committed to start on the path to mental health and be of service to others in need.
-Lisa Stocking

Proceeds from the purchase of a "mystic" Kula cloth will be donated to project all in on behalf of Lisa's river of hope journey.  

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EVENT RULES

SUP Slalom  Time trial style 
Gates and course will be set before the start of the race to allow for viewing and practicing. 
Races will be various distances that will be determined before the start of each race.
Rules:

• 2 laps will be taken with the best of your 2 times counting
• Time will be added for gate misses, and forward progression from paddling on anything BUT your feet.   
• 11-foot board length is the maximum, and there is the potential for board measurements to be made before the start of the race.
• If you are choosing to wear a leash, it must be a quick release from your PFD. Ankle and calf leashes are not permitted.
• PFDs, helmets, and bootees must be worn at all times by racers during the race.
• Safety is number one. If a fellow racer needs help, that takes priority over the race, and they are to be helped as needed by fellow racers and supported by safety Kayakers.
• Racers must wait at the finish line to help upcoming racers safely get out of the river.
• You must  finish on your feet, on your board, and with your paddle, or you will be disqualified.
• Forward progression is not allowed from any position other than standing. If a racer falls or chooses to drop to one knee or both knees or their belly, they must return to their feet before paddling forward. If you are not standing, you are only allowed to use brace strokes. 

SUP Cross
This race is run in heats of 3 to 5 racers and uses an elimination-style until there are only four racers left.
Rules:

• No leashes will be worn by racers.
• Helmets, PFDS, and bootees are mandatory for racers. Knee pads are recommended for the racer’s protection.
• No intentional body or paddle to body contact is allowed.
• Head and shoulders must pass through the gate or go clearly around the buoy. 
• No intentional swing of the gate is allowed. If the gate is swinging, you must pass through where the gate would hang true.
• Safety is number one. If a fellow racer needs help that takes priority over the race and they are to be helped as needed by fellow racers and supported by safety Kayakers.
• Racers must wait at the finish line to help upcoming racers safely get out of the river.
• You must finish on your feet, on your board, and with your paddle, or you will be disqualified.
• Forward progression is not allowed from any position other than standing. If a racer falls or chooses to drop to one knee or both knees or to their belly, they must return to their feet before paddling forward. If you are not standing, you are only allowed to use brace strokes.  You will drop 2 places for every kneeling paddle.

Downriver SUP Race
Races will be various distances that will be determined before each race.
There is typically only one race, and it will either be a mass start or a staggered timed start.
Rules:

• 11-foot board length is the maximum and there is the potential for board measurements to be made before the start of the race.
• If you are choosing to wear a leash, it must be a quick release from your lifejacket (PFD). Ankle and calf leashes are not permitted.
• PFDs, helmets, and bootees must be worn at all times by racers during the race.
• Safety is number one. If a fellow racer needs help, that takes priority over the race, and they are to be helped as needed by fellow racers and supported by safety Kayakers.
• Racers must wait at the finish line to help upcoming racers safely get out of the river.
• You must finish on your feet, on your board, and with your paddle, or you will be disqualified.
• Forward progression is not allowed from any position other than standing. If a racer falls or chooses to drop to one knee or both knees or their belly, they must return to their feet before paddling forward. If you are not standing, you are only allowed to use brace strokes. You will drop 2 places for every kneeling paddle.

SUP SURF COMP 
1-10 scoring system.
Max 2 min rides 10 Minute HEATS - of 4-5 surfers in each Heat. 
Best 2 from each heat move forward to finals.

Paddlers may surf any size or style of board, and you may change boards during the comp. Our goal it is to showcase surfing and control before slippery tricks. The surfers goal is to work their way up the points.

Scoring system!
.5 starting bonus for surfing top wave.
1 point bonus for a clean exit and return to eddy at the end of your full time ride.

1 establishing a surf (standing up essentially)
2-3 carving but not super aggressive
3-5 aggressive carving connecting turns (this can be a broader scale if you want it to be. If they're connecting turns and have great style with it and look super in control you can give them a higher score in that)
5-6 Side grinds, ollies (fins out) 6-8 this could be 180s, grabs, shuv its, and airs (how they score within this range could be based on style and control.
8-10 spins, pop shuv its, and whatever other big technical trips are being thrown down there.


Don't forget to SIGN UP for a Kan Fest Clinic to get ready for your event! 
  
Lets have fun!
The CANRVRSUP TEAM! ​