Recap - Slocan and Columbia River SUP Race (aka West Kootenay River SUP Race)

Another FANTASTIC weekend of river SUP racing in the West Kootenays presented by Endless Adventure in Crescent Valley, BC. 

The 2nd Annual West Kootenay River SUP Race drew stand up paddlers from as far away as Prince Albert, SK and Edmonton, AB and from around British Columbia.

Temperatures were HOT throughout the weekend so being on the water was fun and refreshing. Friday afternoon/evening Andrea Ryman (owner of Endless Adventure) provided a River SUP clinic to introduce folks to the beautiful Slocan River that would be home of the SUP Cross on Sunday. The clinics are a must-do for folks who want to have an edge on their competitors!

Saturday was the distance race on the Columbia River 16+ kms, putting in at the boat launch in Robson (across from the Lions Head Pub) and navigating some high water conditions to the town of Genelle. Due to the hot temperatures so early in the season this years paddlers experienced whirl-pools and boils along the entire route - everyone did a stellar job and top finishers - Ken Larsen and Genna Flinkman posted times under 1 hr!!!!

Headed to the river Photo: Mark Klein

Lions Head Pub - Post Distance Race Photo: Nikki Rekman

The race was followed up by a friendly gathering at the Lions Head Pub before heading back to the Slocan River for some practice runs.

Lower Slocan River Photo: Mark Klein

We enjoyed a delicious pig roast (thank you, Chris and Andrea) and some cool beverages courtesy of Sleeman Brewery on the Saturday night before we all retired dreaming of eddylines and buoy turns in the SUP Cross on Sunday.

Saturday Night Pig Roast at Endless Adventure Photo: Nikki Rekman

SUP Cross participants were up early Sunday morning to get a view of the course and get geared up with all the appropriate river gear. Rescue PFDs, paddles, helmets and SUP leashes help make your river SUP experience safe and FUN!!! Thank you to: Kokatat PFD's, Werner Paddles, Predator Helmets and North Water for loaning all the gear!!

This event is for SUP paddlers of all levels and the more experienced river SUP paddlers who attend, continue to be gracious and kind in sharing their knowledge and experience with new participants.

Congratulations to Ken Larsen and Genna Flinkman for capturing the Men's and Women's SUP Cross titles for 2015!!

The 2015 event was sponsored by: Werner Paddles, Sleeman Brewery, Kialoa, Zelstoff-Celgard 

Looks like the dates for 2016 will be July 1 - 3

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

More photos can be viewed on Mark's Flickr account.

West Kootenay River SUP Race Re-Cap

What an amazing weekend in the beautiful West Kootenays with the BC SUP community last weekend at the BC SUP Cup River SUP Race hosted by the folks at Endless Adventure.

The weather was spectacular and HOT and the rivers kept us cool and on our toes!!!

Mark and I had the pleasure of taking Mike Darbyshire's River SUP Clinic on the Upper Slocan on the Friday and it was a great learning experience and a lot of fun.  If you have a chance to get in on one of Mike's clinics do it.  He's knowledgeable, fun and safety is a top priority.

Thanks to Mark Klein aka my husband and the other half of Nikki Rekman Sales for the photos!

I look nervous...I was a bit.  Thanks to Kokatat, Werner, Jackson Kayak and Predator for my awesome gear!!

Mike D getting me on the Slocan River in the River SUP clinic - so much fun!

Saturday was the long course race down the mighty Columbia River from just outside Castlegar to Genelle, BC - 16.8 km.  Nikki Rekman Sales team members came out on top with Mike Darbyshire taking the top Men's spot, Lina Augaitis top Women's and our Alberta-boy, Eli Fischbuch taking top Junior!  We are proud to have all three athletes paddling with Werner Paddles!

Start on the Columbia River

 

First guy across the finish - Mike Darbyshire

First woman across the finish - Lina Augaitis

First Junior to cross the finish - Eli Fischbuch

We wrapped up the Saturday festivities at the Lion's Head Pub (THANKS Troy and Carly for hosting!!!) with entertainment by musician, Shane Phillip. FYI - the food at the Lion's Head is FANTASTIC.

Sunday was the most fun for participants on and off the river for the first ever BOARDER CROSS back on the Slocan River.  Very entertaining to watch!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these Nikki Rekman Sales team members - Lina, Mike and Eli!!

THANKS to Kokatat Watersports Wear and Werner Paddles for outfitting folks in the river SUP clinics and in the Boarder Cross with rescue PFD's and paddles.

We participate in a lot of paddling communities in and around Western Canada and the BC SUP community never fails to impress me.  This is a group of welcoming, fun and gracious individuals and I am so thankful you have embraced us into the fold.

Nikki, Chris from Endless Adventure (our event host along with wife Andrea) and Mark photo: Andrea Ryman

Special shout-outs to Chris & Andrea from Endless Adventure and Mike Grant for hosting all of us.  Mike Darbyshire for inspiring people on and off the river.  To our team members, Mike, Lina and Eli - your support of us and our brands is so very much appreciated and we love connecting with you!!


Vanessa Fischbuch thanks for getting Eli to all the races and for being an amazing example of how to parent awesome kids.

Super-Mom - Vanessa enjoying some time on the Columbia River waiting for Eli to finish his race.

For more photos go to Mark's Flickr account HERE.  Please give him a photo credit if you use the photos - Mark Klein :)

See you on the water!