Fall SUP Festival Races at Jordanelle Reservoir, UT
This weekend I participated in the last local SUP race near Salt Lake City. The series, organized by Utah Paddle Surfing, has really brought together the local SUP community from first timers to seasoned racers.
For those of you unfamiliar to stand up paddling, (or SUPing), check out this mini-documentary I did last summer:
I love SUPing because it is a new, fun workout that allows me to get out on the water. I grew up in Minnesota so I always associate summertime with being on the lakes. Now, I can do that in land-locked, arid Utah-and it’s great cross-training for skiing.
At the fall SUP Festival, I competed in the 1.25 mile race, the SUP/land paddle relay race, and the SUP/Land paddle biathlon (the last two events involve paddling in the water and then running onto the land, grabbing a longboard with a stick with a rubber end and paddling on land).
I got first in my 1.25 mile race, our team placed 2nd in the relay and I got first in the biathlon! After that, I presented a short clinic on whitewater SUPing since I have been doing some river SUPing as well this summer.
Here are some shots from the day:
I raced on my new Surftech Lahui Kai 12’6” Mitcho board and took her out on her maiden voyage. The board is light, fast and perfect for paddling the lakes of Utah.
Please let me know if you have any questions about SUPing by posting a comment. I’m happy to help answer questions about equipment, destinations and whitewater.
