Growing up in Nebraska water sports were my first, and only at the time, exposure to the outdoors. Fishing, water skiing and wakeboarding with friends, being pulled on a tube by my dad’s boat and swimming in lakes when we camped around the state.

I tried boogie boarding for the first time in Mexico, also my first beach experience and first time out of the States. While visiting a friend in Florida I stand up paddled (SUP) for the first time and loved the concept!

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In Colorado we have plenty of lakes, reservoirs and other places to SUP (even if you have to hike a ways for some) — so I bought a board! I found a rad company in Colorado I could buy a board from and have a one-time lesson included, awesome!

I was dead set on a YOLO board and Wes from Colorado SUP was fantastic in taking care of me from sales to teaching me a bit of technique before sending me on my way! He even hand delivered the board to our house and showed me a few tricks and tips. 

We met up for a chill complimentary paddle lesson at the gravel pond at Chatfield. He showed me a few techniques and how to navigate turns on the board as we practiced paddling across the gravel pond at Chatfield.

Colorado SUP is a great local SUP community as they often host events, meetups and even lessons and other fun gatherings during the summer months. A good reminder I need to get back on my board!

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https://www.coloradosupsports.com/‍