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Addler
Viener Schnitzel
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  Quote Addler Replybullet Topic: Experience with river or whitewater SUP?
    Posted: 04 Jul 2020 at 8:34am
Does anyone here have experience with river or whitewater stand up paddleboarding?

I know SUP is often not popular with kayaks and rafts, but I like kayaks, rafts, and last summer I played around on a SUP on a small set of rapids, and it was a lot of fun.

But, I was using an inflatable paddle board that was not mine, and I realized that the dang center fin was a real liability. That thing could easily break on a small rock.

So I stopped the river/small whitewater SUPing because I didn't want to damage someone else equipment.

I've been thinking about it ever since and I can't figure out how to solve the problem of the fin.

SUPing without a fin sucks because you can't steer. But if you have a fin and run a river, it's dang near guaranteed to break.

Does anyone know anyone that SUPs on rivers that has a solution to this? Thanks.
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megspk
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  Quote megspk Replybullet Posted: 06 Jul 2020 at 8:27pm
I'd check out:

https://halagear.com/

https://www.nrs.com/category/2811/inflatable-sups/inflatable-sup-boards

If you're on Facebook maybe ask on Wenatchee Valley Kayak Chat, there's alot more whitewater sup-ers on the Wenatchee River. Folks are full of info!
“A strong person and a waterfall always channel their own path.” -Unknown

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Slackkinhard
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  Quote Slackkinhard Replybullet Posted: 06 Jul 2020 at 11:11pm
I've run all the class II III rivers around here on my earth river board. It's a tri-fin, 3'wide 11' long inflatable. I'm no hero, but I got better after a few mishaps. Kneepads are your friend
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Addler
Viener Schnitzel
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  Quote Addler Replybullet Posted: 07 Jul 2020 at 8:22am
Originally posted by megspk

I'd check out:

https://halagear.com/

https://paddleboardsurf.com/whitewater-and-river-sups/

If you're on Facebook maybe ask on Wenatchee Valley Kayak Chat, there's alot more whitewater sup-ers on the Wenatchee River. Folks are full of info!


Cool thanks, I'll check that out. I didn't even know that there were SUPs designed specificall to run whitewater. That's awesome!

I wonder what they do with the fins?

I was thinking maybe they make a rubber bendable fin that can handle rocks. Maybe make it out of the same material as a floppy putter for disc golf?

Edited by Addler - 16 Jul 2020 at 10:41am
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Addler
Viener Schnitzel
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  Quote Addler Replybullet Posted: 07 Jul 2020 at 8:24am
Originally posted by Slackkinhard

I've run all the class II III rivers around here on my earth river board. It's a tri-fin, 3'wide 11' long inflatable. I'm no hero, but I got better after a few mishaps. Kneepads are your friend


Kneepads are a great idea! Do you wear a helmet? I was thinking when I was doing it that it wouldn't be a bad idea if I had a helmet on.

Have you ever had a problem with your fins breaking? That seems to me to be a problem, but maybe it's not as bad as I'm guessing.
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megspk
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  Quote megspk Replybullet Posted: 07 Jul 2020 at 8:27am
The WW sups are sweet! I think some have fins that are removable and on the ww sups the fins are much smaller. But I'm no expert!
“A strong person and a waterfall always channel their own path.” -Unknown

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megspk
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  Quote megspk Replybullet Posted: 07 Jul 2020 at 8:31am
Always wear a helmet and pfd for sure. Knee and elbow pads can be used depending on how low the water is. I would not recommend using a leash on whitewater until you learn more about that. There's a special attachment you can use to use a leash safely on the river, but NEVER attach it to your ankle and body on a river, there have been recent fatal accidents related to this, especially on rivers.
“A strong person and a waterfall always channel their own path.” -Unknown

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Addler
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  Quote Addler Replybullet Posted: 07 Jul 2020 at 8:35am
Holy smokes, I never even thought about how dangerous it can be to have a leash on, while on a river. Great point, thanks!
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Slackkinhard
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  Quote Slackkinhard Replybullet Posted: 08 Jul 2020 at 1:04pm
I generally wear a helmet on all rivers. The leash I attach to my rescue vest. Any type of rope in the water has some danger to it. Make sure you can release yourself from it. My board has 3 short hard plastic fins. I need to avoid things that come within about 4" of the surface, but I've failed at this a few times and the knee/shin guards showed their merit. First time on Wenatchee I didn't have them, smashed knee into a rock and walked funny for a while. I've since learned to fall 'better' but ya don't always have control of it.
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