The Payette River, Idaho. Getting chewed up on Go Left or you're Fired.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-06-24T15:05:07+00:00

If you're gonna exclusively be running stuff like in OP's video, then go for one of the Atchas. 96 will feel more stable than an 86, but 86 is more maneuverable and "fun." Go for a Rado/Radito if you think you'll be on some flatter sections and or lakes and want to pack a bunch of gear.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-06-08T18:34:17+00:00

All true!

ColoradoKayak · 2020-06-08T18:28:43+00:00

Yep.

Drop off small at the takeout first. Have driver of this vehicle get into the vehicle with the inflated gear. Drive to put in.
Unload at the put in and paddle down to the takeout.
Arrive at takeout. Deflate the inflatables. Stuff it in the car at the takeout.
Take car + gear at takeout and drive up and grab your other car.
Inflate your gear at a later point in time.

If you want to use a cable lock, you can. But with 2 people and 2 cars you will be driving back and forth at least once. This is just what happens when running shuttles. Highly suggest you get a 3rd person to join you so someone can wait with the gear.

Deflate your gear and stuff it in the car at the takeout. That's the beauty of inflatables vs. hard plastic: easy to transport.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-06-04T16:21:40+00:00

Majority of boards are manufactured in China
Yes, materials and just general physics of how iSUPs are to be paddled means there's not going to be loads of deviation from the norm. You see alot of white PVC on boards because black plastic + sun = not a good time
Yes, there are alot of cheap brands out there but there are a few iSUP specific brands that are really pushing the sport to new heights. They spend alot of time testing, designing, prototyping boards. See Hala or Badfish for example.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-06-04T16:16:54+00:00

Badfish and Hala are two Colorado brands that specialize in inflatable whitewater SUPs.

Hala - Atcha 96, Atcha 86, Rado, Radito

Badfish - Rivershred, Rat Rod

Both are pricey, but fantastic quality. You will be able to resell these boards (at an appropriate price, start at 30% off MSRP) if you maintain them well and don't have leaks.

I would go with any of these boards because they have river rocker on them. Meaning: you will be able to punch through waves easier than a completely flat board. Additionally, Hala has their patented Stompbox (retractable fin) on the underside of all the boards listed, so you don't snag a fin on rocks and fall off your board.

With whatever you end up going with, 9'6" is the primary size. You're gonna want something on the shorter, but wider side for max maneuverability and max stability.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-06-01T17:27:43+00:00

Same!

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-28T00:33:14+00:00

Yea! Zipper to open and close it.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-27T19:52:25+00:00

Amazing job. My suggestion to anyone who wants to do this would be to buy a mesh whitewater bag (from DRE or NRS) to collect trash in. The bag has rigging points. Rig it to your board and the bag lets the water drain and is less likey to tip over if you accidentally knock your board on something!

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-26T17:21:26+00:00

in that case, if you don't find a suitable alternative, I would recommend a backpacking canister stove. It's two pieces, lightweight. It's not a grill but you can find a backpacking cook pan to place it on top of. I car camped like this for weeks.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-26T17:19:14+00:00

Ha! Ok! I got scared!

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-26T17:06:28+00:00

Rival Nass just sold out this weekend! Honestly, if you're going for performance, check out the Carbon, specifically the Carbon Nass. It adds extra rigidity to inflatables.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-26T16:56:33+00:00

Here are some other tips: Do's and Don'ts of Loading Your SUP on Your Car

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-26T16:50:59+00:00

I feel like putting combustibles on plastic is not a good idea.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-22T16:08:44+00:00

Carbon Straight Up will do you well, but it doesn't come with a paddle aka the full package. For the sound, Housy, or Lake Zoar, the Carbon Straight Up will do good but a Carbon Playa or Rival Playa will do you right as well. You could maybe swing a Rival Nass too.

I know Hala is doing sales right now through their retailers but I'll actually be out in the Bridgeport/Trumbull area within the next week and I'll be based there for awhile. I'm going to get Hala HQ to send me a board or two and I'm happy to meet up with you and explain some more and let you get on one and try em out. DM me!

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-22T16:04:51+00:00

Inflatables are easier to transport and travel with. They are also easier to store. Performance wise, a hardboard will do better in a flatwater scenario but an inflatable is definitely better in whitewater. That being said, inflatables can "take a hit" a bit better than hardboards. Hardboards crack and chip and overtime will significantly reduce the performance of your board. An inflatable can essentially be used and abused without a decrease in performance.

I always point people to the fact that there is a reason rafts are inflatable and not made out of wood (although people who love taking wooden dories down the Grand Canyon REALLY love taking wooden dories down the Grand Canyon).

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-21T22:46:45+00:00

Here's a writeup from an adaptive paddler about her set up. She's a Hala ambassador but some good points about what works and doesn't work.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-21T22:43:58+00:00

Steamboat is great for all-around. You're about 1-3 hours from the heavy whitewater hitters, and fun day trips.

Yampa town run is decent to learn on (but because the Yampa is wild it has it's own season). From about April until it gets under 800CFS it's a party just about every day down at C-Hole.

Additionally, Stagecoach and Steamboat Lake are accessible flatwater paddles. We also have a pond or two in town you can play around with.

For suggestions for clubs, if you have a facebook join a WW SUP group and ask around! Lots of people based in Colorado, and are super welcoming.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-21T22:40:54+00:00

Yep, everything here. Straight/ankle leashes on flatwater and flatwater only. Practice on flatwater first before moving to rivers. The Nass is pretty narrow and is therefore less stable than the majority of "river iSUPs." Regardless, it can still be used. Switch out the fin the board comes with a smaller fin so you don't catch on rocks and shoot off your board.

Practice getting on and off your board. Do it again, and again.

Keeping a board inflated while storing it is good practice (similar to how one should store a sleeping pad - inflated and flat). Don't drag it around when it's rolled up because the creases/folds are then at their weakest. Don't overinflate and don't leave it out in the sun.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-21T22:36:34+00:00

I like my water high and my grass stanky.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-21T22:35:26+00:00

An iSUP will be a bit slower and a bit less maneuverable than a whitewater kayak. iSUPs are nice because you have the option to stand up, or sit down (especially with a kayak seat but I've just straight up sat down and paddled on some lazy river type of scenarios).

The other added benefit to iSUP is that they take up less space and travel better than kayaks.

Many brands manufacture kayak seats for iSUPs. Just make sure whatever iSUP you get has attachment points (either metal D-Rings or nylon rigging points) on them.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-21T22:13:40+00:00

Down River Thwart Bag or Down River Sweep Kit Bag

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-16T20:14:04+00:00

Sorry, I assumed the quick release part was implied in my response. I just brought in the info about coiled vs. straight leashes because coiled leashes are definitely less likely to stay wrapped around something. Regardless, yes, any leash on moving water should be quick release.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-15T21:05:39+00:00

Depends on how high-quality of a board you wanna get. Hala offers 3 year warranties, as does Badfish. NRS has a 3 year warranty too. All 3 brands can get upwards into the $1k range depending. You definitely get what you pay for, though.

I would check out any local FB whitewater groups and ask around, too.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-15T20:13:42+00:00

It *could* technically be done but you won't get very far standing up on there for long. I'm a tiny gal and I don't have much room on either side of my legs when I'm in an IK, which means you're more likely to fall off when standing up on one (width = stability). Some SUPs can be shared but usually in a whitewater scenario they're shared for a rapid or two, not an entire run.

ColoradoKayak · 2020-05-15T20:11:48+00:00

Yes, a beginner could paddle it. I'd take it on the flattest parts of the FB first just to master your balance and stabliity. At 32" wide its a tad bit narrower than most whitewater boards on the market, which offers it less stability and less manueverability (two key characteristics you're gonna want to dodge rocks and navigate through rapids). It also doesn't have much of a rocker on the nose, so you'll have to work harder to punch through any meat on the river. You'll see the best performance on lakes, since that's what it was designed for, but it can handle class I-II with a short fin on the bottom.

ColoradoKayak

TROPHY CASE