My daughter, Lilly, and I find ourselves deep in the Colorado backcountry. The high summer sun illuminates the stunning alpine peaks, majestic grasses, and beautiful flowers of the valley outside Tincup, Colorado. It truly is the perfect summer day.

“Watch your back cast,” I softly suggest. “Okay.” Lilly replies. Both of us try to remain quiet and as still as possible. I make another calm but powerful stroke and scan the water’s surface for a ripple. Lilly casts her Caddis fly again. The fly sits still on the water. We wait patiently.

Summer is upon us, and I know no better way to enjoy the backcountry than paddleboarding the many lakes and rivers I discover while overlanding. Summer heat prompts the desire to play and then cool off in the many refreshing lakes and rivers in the backcountry. A few years ago, I spotted people paddleboarding on a local lake. It appeared fun, but I doubted I would enjoy it. A friend and avid paddleboarder encouraged me to try it. Glad he did.

According to the Outdoor Industry Association in 2017, Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is the fastest growing outdoor recreational activity. Rightly so. Most of us like water and enjoy recreating in/on/under it during the dog days of summer. SUP is an activity all of us can do. Yes, all of us. It’s quite simple. Many manufacturers offer inflatable and rigid paddleboard options. They engineer and produce paddleboards for the recreationist paddler and for the go-fast paddler. You guessed it: some are fast while others are slower. One more thing. The number of fins on the bottom helps with stabilizing the board and the paddler. The more fins, the more stable the paddleboard. There you go. You got it. Now, go try it.

Lilly and I stalk the fish in Mirror Lake outside Tincup. We focus on the trout that swim to the surface to strike the fly Lilly casts. I serve as the “motor.” Lilly, seated on the front of the paddleboard, casts while I stand to paddle from the rear. We keep our presentation quiet and stealthy. A couple of Rainbow Trout spot us and dive to the depths of the crystal clear mountain lake. But other times a trout engulfs the fly and Lilly sets the hook. The fight ensues. The fun quadruples.

SUP is an outstanding activity while overlanding. I didn’t even consider a rigid board. No way was I traveling off road with a 10 to 12-foot board on my roof. I only considered inflatables. I can easily store two inflatables on my roof rack, among other things. The paddleboards store in durable backpacks, so I can pull over, throw the packs on, and be at the water in minutes. Once at the water, I pump to inflate the boards and 10 to 15 minutes later, I’m paddling.

Lilly and I paddle around the lake and catch a few more fish. We spot my brother, Rob, on the other side of the lake confidently paddling under the towering Rockies. He has driven from his home on the Front Range to try paddleboarding in the high country. What better place? After a few hours, we meet on the shore, deflate our boards, pack, and drive to our next destination.

Typically, board fins range from one to three. I selected a board with three to allow both my daughter and me to board without the fear of tipping into the water.  The number of fins is an important consideration when purchasing a paddleboard. I have paddled on a board with only one fin. It was tippy and unstable. I purchased a three-fin board made for touring, not speed. The width of the paddleboard also makes a difference. Narrow paddleboards roll easily. Be mindful of the type of paddling you anticipate in order to purchase the appropriate board.

Colorado is a magical land to explore. Mountains, rivers, lakes, old mines, and ghost towns exist within an hour’s tour. The following day, we drive to the mountain town of Marble. The town is known for its namesake, marble. The marble from this mine was used to create iconic statues and memorials such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The town is relatively “sleepy.” However, the adventure crowd loves it for the road to Crystal Mill, supposedly one of the most photographed places in Colorado. Lilly and I ease through town and pull into the parking lot at the base of Sheep Mountain.

Lilly wants to paddle solo, so we inflate both of our SUPs and place them into the water. The inviting water is smooth as glass. With calm waters, Lilly and I paddle without resistance and move across the reservoir in an efficient manner. Our boards glide over the water at a pretty good clip. One large headache to SUP is wind. Wind causes waves on the water and resistance to the paddler. Therefore, wind is the biggest deterrent to paddling. There have been numerous times when the sky is blue and the temperature is perfect but the wind gusts. Generally speaking, the best times to avoid wind are early mornings and late evenings.

Lilly and I paddle Beaver Reservoir for a few hours. We admire the setting and the Colorado high country as a whole. Our stomachs ache as a signal that we need to stop for lunch. Only one place exists in Marble to eat: Slow Groovin’ BBQ, known as one of the best barbeque restaurants in Colorado. The line of people extends out the door. We patiently wait until a table opens. The brisket sandwich and coleslaw are outstanding; honestly, our best meal in quite a while. With our appetites satiated, we head toward Aspen.

Aspen is a stunning mountain town. Yes, the wealthy live there and Aspen incorporates some glitz and glamour. But Aspen started as a mining town and now serves as a gateway to some incredible national land, the White River National Forest. The Aspen area is a “gold mine” for adventure. We select a lovely campsite among the aspen trees at the Difficult Campground. Our site secured, we prepare to paddle.

SUP on rivers varies wildly from the experience on a calm lake. The Roaring Fork River flows through the majestic Aspen Valley. Its headwaters remain mellow and calm. That is our destination. To spice things up, we decide to paddle upstream. Yes, upstream, but we (well, I) want a little more of a workout. Paddleboards are efficient even against a current. Lilly and I paddle our way through the North Star Nature Preserve. The upstream paddle is not too difficult, and we enjoy weaving our way around the natural obstacles in the river. Worst case? We could fall into a cool mountain river. While I steer, Lilly dangles her feet in the water and tries to spot trout hiding in the cut banks of the river. I paddle quickly and decisively. Otherwise, the current causes us to spin. So fun!

Paddle choices vary in weight. It sounds unimportant; however, moving the paddle from side to side over the course of hours can be tiring. I recommend the lowest weight paddle. Purchase price increases as weight decreases. I use a carbon fiber paddle, and the weight savings compared to an aluminum paddle is noticeable. Upgrading my paddle proved worthwhile, albeit costly.

We reach a bend in the river and decide it is our turnaround point. The current “pushes” us back down river. We relish the relaxed, fun, summer afternoon. SUP allows a person to experience the outdoor scene versus just observing it. Overlanding through the backcountry of the U.S. enables travelers to explore numerous lakes and rivers. Don’t be a passive observer of the waters of the backcountry. Load your board(s), stop at any body of water, and paddle into the landscape.

Considerations When Selecting a Stand Up Paddleboard:
Rigid vs. Inflatable
Most boards will range from 10 to 12 feet in length, with one to three fins. The wider the board and the more fins it has, the more stable it will be. Narrower boards will be faster, but less stable. Think about how you would use a paddleboard. For overlanding, I view the inflatable as the only option.

Paddles
A lightweight paddle will minimize paddling fatigue. Carbon is more expensive but weighs less than aluminum. If your budget allows, consider going lightweight. Your arms and shoulders will appreciate reduced stressors.

Fall Factor and Getting Wet
Don’t worry, it takes some time to get comfortable with a board. If you feel unstable, kneel and paddle. Paddleboarding does not necessitate the paddler getting wet but should you fall, it’s wise to wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) designed to function efficiently while on a SUP. There are a number of high quality and inexpensive options available. Check with your local outdoors or kayak/paddleboard shop for a version best suited for you.

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