Grand Canyon SUP River Trip- August 2013

I recently returned from a River trip through the Grand Canyon.  It was truly a trip of a lifetime.  I put together two videos documenting the trip.  The first is video is the shorter one, showing just the most difficult rapid in the Grand Canyon, called Lava Falls.  I went through the rapid with my Stand Up Paddleboard (note: I said with the board, not on the board :).   My 14 year old niece, Emily Williams rowed through it on a big raft and may be the youngest girl to have rowed through Lava Falls rapid.




To see how not to go through Lava Falls, watch this video which shows what happens if you drift into the biggest hole sideways instead of punching through the wave nose or tail first.  You can watch it happen to two rafts in a row, major carnage.


Here is the longer (33 minute) video documenting the whole trip with many of the rapids with my commentary on the trip and some takeaways from whitewater SUP'ing.


I'm planning to add more information to this post, so if you are interested in a SUP trip through the Grand Canyon, please check back as I plan to post more information.  For now, here are some helpful links:

National Park Service information on permits and the River Trip orientation video:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/whitewater-rafting.htm

PRO river outfitters, this is the company that supplied our food, gear and logistics for our group of 16 for 16 days, which is not something you want to do on your own:
http://www.proriver.com

I purchased this River Guide which had good maps as well as lots of interesting historical and geological  information on the Grand Canyon:
http://www.nrs.com/product/3353/grand-canyon-river-guide-book

Aloha, Robert Stehlik

www.blueplanetsurf.com

The group celebrating on Tequila beach after making it through Lava Falls

Ferrying across the river

Sitting on a perch under Deer Creek Falls is amazing

My daughter, Jaime Stehlik at Havasu Creek

Shist Camp in the inner gorge

Panoramic Shot at Nankoweep Camp

Havasupai Creek

Going into Horn Creek Rapid on the Grand Canyon SUP river trip

The SUP's were great for crossing the river when we camped across Deer Creek Falls

Corran Addison showing his new Inflatable SUP at Surf Expo

This is another video from the Surf Expo in Orlando, Sept. 2012.

There were lot's of new inflatable models on display at the show.  In this video, Corran Addison shows his latest creation, probably the most elaborate and innovative inflatables on the market.  The "combat" model features an "exoskeleton" batten stiffening system and innovative two part deck with lowered standing area.  Corran talks about it while demonstrating it in the SUP demo pool.  I shot some more video of him talking about the rest of his line later but unfortunately the battery on the microphone was running low and the sound was terrible, so I could not use any of the footage I shot later that day, bummer.



Aloha,
Robert Stehlik
www.blueplanetsurf.com

SUP equipment instructional videos

We have been putting together a series of instructional videos on how to install, use and maintain your SUP equipment and I am posting them here for easy reference and will add more as we make them.



Instructions for sizing, cutting and gluing a Blue Planet Featherlight High performance carbon paddle with T-handle.
Filmed by Evan Leong of http://www.standuppaddlesurf.net

Instructional video for the Blue Planet High Performance Paddle Edge Tape, for more info or to order, visit:
http://blueplanetsurf.com/product.php?productid=16565

Instructional video for the Blue Planet Paddle Edge Guard Kit.

Microgrip paddle grip

Blue Planet rail tape application instructions. If you live on Oahu, bring your board to Blue Planet Surf Shop where we apply it free, or follow these instructions for a professional looking application. To order, please go to: http://www.blueplanetsurf.com/product.php?productid=16492

How to properly remove and install a two way gore vent plug. Brought to you by www.blueplanetsurf.com

How to strap a surfboard or SUP to your car fast, easy and safely using one strap in under 30 seconds

How to use the Blue Planet inflatable Stand Up Paddle boards.
Includes instructions on how to inflate and deflate the board and paddle, using the hand pump and electric pump, and some water shots.