Hometown

Northfield, Massachusetts

Favorite Hala board

Radito

How many years have you been SUPing?

6 months!!

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Long time whitewater paddler here!! Thirty-five years to be exact and I have paddled them all - K1, C1, OC1, K2, C2, OC2. In recent seasons, I came to the realization that I needed a new challenge, but what else would I do in the warmer months here in western Massachusetts?! Stand-up paddling caught my attention, so I thought I’d give it a go on flatwater and MAYBE try it on whitewater. For that reason, I purchased a Radito in Spring 2022. I did this sight unseen, no demo (no dealers here), never been on a SUP.

My plan was to use it on the lake with an occasional day on whitewater. After paddling on my local lake a few times to start to figure the Radito out, I took it to my local whitewater run. The fun meter jumped into the red zone!! I was hooked!! I did spend a lot of time kneeling, initially. In the kneeling position, I was able to paddle the Radito like my C1, catching eddies, ferrying, and a little surfing. Gradually, as I got stronger, I spent more time standing. With no other SUPs on my local run, I am figuring this out as I go, using all my other whitewater skills for reference. So, admittedly, it is still a work in progress and so much fun for this 70 year old!