Always Learning

With the upcoming section ahead we had a few rapids to navigate. This was a great time to practice our skills of eddy turns and ferrying the river.
Even on a trip such as this developing and practicing skill is imperative to having an enjoyable time. The more confident a person feels on the water, the less fear, the less worry = way more fun!​

As we paddled through the day we planned to stay upriver from the Palliser Rapid so we could start the day fresh and ready for a big run. Setting up camp for the night we began to notice that the water levels were rising. I marked the water level with a stick and we carried all of our gear up to the high water mark to ensure we would still have everything come morning.

Party Wave

As we departed from our cheering squad, we approached the Palliser River and in stark contrast glacial blue water was flowing into the muddy Kootenay. At its confluence was a perfect surf wave creating photo opportunities like no other.

We surfed, we laughed, we swam and when you thought it couldn’t be any more epic than the scenery the adventures kept adding to the awesomeness.

Making our way to the White River Valley where the two rivers meet, we had prime camping with sunrise and sunsets in both directions from this open area. Although this place is accessible by vehicle we had the whole place to ourselves.​

With endless stargazing overhead, a touch of sadness was in the air as you know there’s only one night left to drink it all in.

There were nerves and excitement but immediately the teamwork began. Learning along the way the group started to identify hazards to avoid as we progressed with the flow. The women who just a day ago were mostly strangers to each other, bonded and flourished while supporting each other through every challenge presented to them.

​Oftentimes the most memorable trips are ones where everything doesn’t go right. This river tour was the perfect example of this. We had rain, heavy loaded boards, gear struggles, flips, fails and the ever changing wind either being our friend or foe. We laughed, we cried and we howled in unison as we conquered all 101 Km of paddling. 

The impossible became possible. Suffering is a vehicle to help us grow as individuals; I can safely say we all grew through the obstacles we faced together. It becomes a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously, we chose to be out on the river, we sought out this experience and all that was attached to it. 
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The goal was to raise awareness for mental health through numerous organizations and Lisa achieved that by raising over $10, 000 for The Center For Suicide Prevention based out of Calgary.

Read all about the journey on her website: Paddle Athabasca 

You will find a ten day journal series of short 2-3 minute reads about her time on the water. 
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If you’re more interested in watching than reading about the trip watch this video instead!

There are opportunities this year to support Project All In, a campaign that provides tools to first responders to be able to ask for help when they feel helpless. Donate and write River Of Hope in the notes at the checkout!

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This photo clearly sums up my first year of SUP on whitewater: Stand, paddle, touch the current, fall, swim, remount, repeat.
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It was exhausting!


←Note: 
Always keep your paddle, I did not!
​Photo: @ashvoykin

​A paddle girls' journey from flat to flow! 

“Hear me out” … a newbie’s blog.

That is how most of my conversations with anything to do with SUP start out…

I wanted to learn a watersport. Stand Up Paddleboarding seemed very intriguing back in 2015. There was something serene about paddling while standing on a board, gently gliding over a beautiful blue crystal-like lake, in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, which captured my attention and my interest.

I had to add SUP to my outdoor pursuits as it looked so cool (I was learning to hike at the time). I took a couple of minor intro lessons (trials if you will) in the city to see if I actually liked SUP and I did. But then one day, I saw someone on a SUP, in a river! The Bow River in fact. Immediately, my blood began to race, and I thought, I have to do that! 
Fast forward to 2021. I now have my own board and a bit of SUP gear (I was going to “teach” myself on flatwater before going into a river). I realized I didn’t know how to use half my gear properly, how to get back on the board swiftly if I happen to fall in the middle of a deep, cold lake! Also, I was unsure if the board or my gear could be used on a river, was it safe enough? What were the things I needed to look out for and pay attention to? Clearly, I had no idea what to do. I needed to speak to someone who knew this sport intimately, who could provide me lessons, and not just a salesperson in the sporting store selling me the equipment. 

So, like any modern person, I googled “stand up paddleboarding on river, lessons, Calgary” and the Universe provided! I was led to Reta Boychuk, the highly trained, passionate instructor and owner of CANRVRSUP with the best instructors and SUP company close to home, offering lessons.  

Reta took my call and took the time to walk me through River SUP, the steps and the things that would be taught in her courses with an emphasis on safety. While she mentioned words like “rad” and “stoked”, she had me at “safety first” and the fact that she had all the classes in a progression format: from flatwater to Class One and Class Two River. If all I wanted was flatwater learning, then great, but if I wanted to go all the way, and I did, then she had that all lined up for summer lessons. 

Enter Reta for the River skills. Badass instructor is an understatement! She brought us onto a class one River. The lessons learned in River Skills on Flatwater were incredibly helpful for this lesson. If you are not familiar with SUP and want to progress to a Class One River, I highly recommend you take the preceding lessons…

Reta put our newly learned skills to the test and we did well, thanks to Amanda and Rebecca! However, in this lesson, we also learned water movement, the look of the water and what to watch for, entering and exiting “eddies”, how best to board in different weather conditions with high winds for example, she encouraged us to master our various strokes through repetitiveness. 

Yes, she made us fall into the water so we could learn how to get back on and how to assist someone who has fallen in by learning to throw rescue bags. Again, this is running water, you need to know how to be safe and get back on your board in swiftly moving currents! We were made to get to know the water like you get to know your True Love – all this to maneuver the river with more ease and control and have a wicked time doing it with your buddies!
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This experience was such a blast! And I would be remiss if I did not mention that Reta had our safety in mind the whole time. There is no one more concerned about our safety on the waters than Reta, who is also a Swift Water Instructor for Raven Rescue! You will not be in better hands when learning to SUP River and you will not be encouraged more by anyone to go and crush that wave. Extreme stokes to you my paddleboard friends!

Aspiring River Dirtbag / Newbie Blog Writter
-Marie DeLauretis

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The CANRVRSUP team has been working hard with Alberta Slalom and the Kan Fest Committee to organize some amazing events for you at KANFEST 2021. Badfish SUP is sponsoring Cash Prizes for 3 of our events* and Swag for all SUP events. 

SUP Slalom : Middle section of Race course Time trial style. Friday 6:30pm
SUP CROSS*: Middle section of Race course Friday 7:30Pm
SUP SURF*: Thunder Bunny Saturday 3:30pm
DOWNRIVER SUP*: Race Below Widow Maker to Canoe Meadows Sunday 1pm
 *cash prizes for 1-3place Men's and and Women's.