Hometown

Silverthorne, Colorado

Favorite Hala board

Atcha 96

How many years have you been SUPing?

7 years

Which SUP discipline(s) can we find you competing in this year?

Whitewater Racing

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I was introduced to SUP in 2012 when I visited my brother in SoCal. We paddled in the marina and out into the bay a bit. It was fun being on the water because you get a different perspective. I had the marathon bug at the time, so it took a few years before I bought a board. My brother had met Hala at the Outdoor Retailer and recommended them because they were a Colorado company (where I live), and would be good for paddling rivers. I had never thought to paddle rivers, but it sounded right up my alley!

My first river SUP trip was on the Arkansas Milk Run in 2016. I swam a lot that day, but was hooked on the sport! Since then I’ve been looking to meet like-minded people who want to SUP. My goals for this year are to shave off an average of 5 seconds from my Vail White Water Series race times, and to paddle the Crystal River. I’m looking forward to making Yampa Riverfest, and GoPro Games.

Being a Team Rider for Hala means representing the sport well, and encouraging people to try it. I think people can get intimidated when they see people on the river crushing class II/III rapids. Paddling on a lake can be just as rewarding for people.