Grab your surfboard and your paddle and prepare for an epic Colorado surf trip! This week-long SUP’ing Adventure (Stand Up Paddle Boarding) is a perfect program for beginners and shredders alike. We will spend our first day together with the Academy’s boating director on the shores of a local lake for some basic instruction and terminology before spending a quality paddle session getting familiar with strokes and techniques for both flat and moving water. The next day we’ll put in for the Gunnison River where we’ll pack our dry bags and our support boat before we paddle into the rugged beauty of the Dominguez-Escalante Wilderness Area. Our surf crew will spend three days navigating the slow twists and turns of the canyon as we perfect our techniques, work on our core strength and play “board games” down the canyon. Afternoons and evenings will be spent hiking side canyons in search of petroglyphs and secret swimming holes. We’ll have a Rocky Mountain Luau during our final overnight on one of the remote beaches of this magical high desert wilderness and wake in the morning for a sunshine-filled paddle to the take-out. Surfs Up, Colorado!
Important Notes: Students will be on the river for most of this program. Though PFDs will be worn on the water, students should be confident swimmers and feel comfortable around moving water.
Schedule:
Monday: Meet and greet! Moving Water Workshop with boating directors. Pack up, grocery shop and camp near the put-in.
Tuesday: Big breakfast! Rig the boats and launch! Paddle to your base camp on the shores of the Gunnison River.
Wednesday: Layover day. Side canyon hikes, swimming holes, “board games” and river celebrations!
Thursday: Last morning on the river. Pack up camp and paddle to the take-out. Final celebration before heading back to Telluride for parent pick-up.
*A detailed itinerary will be available on the first day of the program. The schedule is subject to change.
*River trips are subject to change based on water levels, weather and ability.
