Rocky Mountain Surf Festival Recap

The Polynesian-themed extravaganza held at the Glenwood Springs Whitewater Activity Area featured expert stand up paddlers Dan Gavere, Charlie MacArthur, Whitney Guild, Jenny MacArthur, Nikki Gregg and many others.

Whitney Guild paddles into a perfect whitewater wave, showcasing his smooth style and lightning-fast cross stepping to take first place in the Long Board event. Photo Credit: Carolyn Guild

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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado -- The Stand Up Paddlers started out the action in the 2011 Whitewater Stand Up Paddling Championship with a downriver race on the morning of June 11th.

This 3 mile sprint saw 2 time whitewater SUP champ Dan Gavere once again out paddle the competition with local river SUP pioneer Charlie MacArthur hot on his tail the entire race in 2nd and Timberline Tours’ Matt Paula in 3rd. In the hotly contested woman’s division Jenny MacArthur blitzed her way into first with Nikki Gregg in second and newcomer Brittany Parker taking third.

In the day’s second event – the action packed SUPcross – heats of 4 paddlers had to maneuver around gates and sprint downriver in this fast-paced, crash and burn filled event. After a number of closely contested heats, the field was whittled down to the final eight. Dan Gavere used his precision eddy turns and blazing speed to charge into first with Hawaii’s Noa Ginella taking second followed by Ryan Guay in third.

The women’s final heat was equally thrilling with Jenny MacArthur losing her board but somehow managing to remount just prior to the finish line for her second straight victory. Nikki Gregg, who also secured first place in the women's SUP Surf Competition, once again took second with Lorin Paley coming in third.

Day two of the festival was epic. Another blue bird day, the river was near a record flow (22,000 cfs) and the wave was going off. The action started out with the hotly contested short board comp.

The pack of surfers carved up the wave with the best 2 combined scores out of 3 surfs counting towards the final placings. Stand up paddling star Noa Ginella ripped on his short board and slashed his way into the top spot. Zach Hughes’ agro arcing landed him in second and always smooth and styley Whitney Guild took third.

Next up was the long board division. River surfing guru Whitney Guild’s lightning fast cross stepping impressed the judges and he nudged out Noa Ginella for the top spot. Christian Bradley, put on an impressive display of moves and took third.

After the regular surfing competitions, it was time for the festival’s grand finale – the stand up paddling surf event. The action was amazing and the crowd was stoked. MC Mike Harvey’s color commentary entertained the throngs who crowded along the river bank to watch the Whitewater Stand Up Paddling Championship’s last event.

The competitors took river stand up paddling to another level with a diverse array of tricks. 360 spins, shove its, hang fives and a head stand were just some of the many moves that wowed the crowd.

Once again Noa Ginella put on a remarkable display of balance, technique and just pure agro ripping and captured first place. Two time whitewater SUP champ Dan Gavere dug deep in his bulging bag of tricks and displayed masterful surfing as usual blasting his way into second with Whitney Guild once again landing on the podium in third. Charlie MacArthur took 4th pulling off his first 360 ever and local favorite Mark Gammill was 5th.

In fitting fashion for this tight knit posse of river surfers, the event’s MC Mike was even a competitor. For the last ride of the festival he pulled a cold beer out of his life jacket. The crowd went wild as he skulled it while surfing the world’s best river wave – in Glenwood Springs – the river surfing capitol of the world.

 Check out the complete list of results from the Rocky Mountain Surf Festival.

Which do you prefer; whitewater SUP, surf SUP or flatwater SUP?

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