Hometown

Fort Collins, Colorado

Favorite Hala board

The Atcha 8'6"

How many years have you been SUPing?

12 years

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi, my name is Emily Barnes. I am an avid paddleboarder and life enjoyer. A motto I thought of a while back is "Life is happening!". My husband and I started a Tree Service in Fort Collins, Colorado in 2006 after meeting each other at a Drug Treatment Program in Estes Park, Colorado. An important part of my journey away from drug and alcohol addiction was finding activities that were thrilling and enjoyable. The first time I tried stand-up paddle boarding, I was hooked. I am not one to pick favorites, but paddle boarding is definitely one of my all-time favorite activities. 

In 2018, we sold our tree service business and shortly thereafter moved into a Class A Diesel Pusher RV with our two cats for full-time living. I am so grateful to be able to travel our beautiful country and explore all the lands & waterways. I have always been a fan of inflatable paddleboards due to the ease of travel, and that is especially applicable to RV living. I absolutely love running whitewater rivers and surfing waves in the ocean via SUP, and I also find SUP a great way to explore areas otherwise not easily accessible, such as for fishing or even checking out the bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico. I am very excited to spread the word about Hala Gear as I travel in 2024!