Sitting on the banks of the Colorado River, I rested after a long and fulfilling day. It was my first season guiding stand up paddle trips on whitewater, and my paddling lifestyle was really starting to take root. A real passion, a real love for the sport was taking hold. I had developed strength like never before, and along with it came a mental clarity and confidence that had me contemplating all previous notions of health and well-being.
On this particular evening, not unlike others that summer, I sat with my evening meal of soup and bread. In front of me lay a magazine about stand up paddling, filled with stories and photos from around the world, depicting others lifestyles and adventures through the lens of SUP. I was in awe of both my adventures playing out on the river, and of the possibilities presented to me in the photographs. From behind me came the voice of my friend and mentor, Javier Placer. "Just wait, pretty soon you will see our photos in those magazines.", he said with unwavering certainty. Javier is a man with large dreams, and an even larger heart. I believed what he said to me. I was not sure exactly how we would grow our little SUP scene into something that is recognized on a world platform, but I knew we had something special. Now, a short 3 years later, (a long time in the world of SUP), I present to you an image that graces a full spread in the current winter edition of Standup Journal. A group of first-time paddlers, led by SUP Colorado guides, drifting down the very same stretch of river that inspired my passion. Aloha, Bradley Hilton For more info on paddling in the Colorado Rockies, visit standuppaddlecolorado.com
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