“Back home in New Zealand after a whirlwind ten days competing at the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, Colorado.  TMG just gets better and better every year, and in short, 2010 was a brilliant game. The week of sunshine was a bonus, the satisfaction of paddling well and getting results, the great company, lots of good energy and laughter. A big shout out to my sponsors, for without them I would be barefoot and chained to the kitchen sink.

Over the last few years I have noticed a pattern occurring with me at the Mountain Games. Pre-competition, my life goes on hold while my energy is directed to training (the combo of child birth and world class competition turns on the heat to bounce back fast). Post-competition, as I arrive home I collapse and do nothing but hang with the kids. I am the sort of person who thrives on motivation and exercise; my motivation seems to evaporate for a period of time each year. I try to embrace the ‘sitting on the couch’ period, because I know soon enough I am going to be re-born and back out training. Last year I grew a baby, sold our house and bought a new one. The year before I dove into slalom kayaking pretending I wasn’t really a mother. This year I have bounced back even faster, and found the new sport of stand up paddling. Loving it, loving it, and so does any of our friends that give it a go. I liken it to walking on water. Of course I had to own a board, and in a dilemma about spending money on another toy I turned to Stevie, my partner for the green light by means of getting him hooked. Voila, we are now proud owners of a stand up board! More on my SUP adventures later.” – Nikki Kelly

Taylor Robertson SUP from Ben Stookesberry on Vimeo.

Hey guy’s,

Just wanted to pass on this video clip of me paddling my board down the N. Feather that Ben Stookesberry put together.  There is also some great headcam footage of me following Ben down the S. Feather at the end of the SUP stuff.   

Taylor Robertson 

Story and images provided by Taylor Robertson

The first known Stand Up Paddle descent of 35.5 miles of the lower Rogue River was completed by kayaking veteran Taylor Robertson on August 6, 2009. After 18 years in a kayak, 12 of them as a sponsored paddler, the former US Kayak Team member found his newest challenge on the river via “Stand Up.”

For three days, Taylor paddled the Rogue’s Wild and Scenic section below Grants Pass, Oregon on a Surftech 9’ board with a single-bladed paddle. Although he chose to portage the Class V Rainie Falls, Taylor was able to stay up on his board through Class III and IV rapids, including Blossom Bar and Mule Creek Canyon. He was surprised that the 4 times he came off his board were in some of the minor Class II/III rapids. According to Taylor, the eddy lines in Mule Creek Canyon were some of the most difficult to maneuver, with every current and whirlpool working to throw him from his board. Happily, he was able to share this adventure with his dad, who accompanied him in a raft to photograph the three-day adventure and provide rescue if needed.

Feeding off  the popularity and style from ocean surfing,  Stand Up paddling is one of the fastest growing sports in the outdoor industry.  Taylor is taking the sport one step further by pushing the limits of his board on river hydraulics and rocks.  Taylor says, “It’s a combination of surfing, kayaking, and skateboarding.  It makes Class III rapids quickly become class V.” Since “falling off your board from a standing position is a lot harder hit than simply rolling in your kayak,” Taylor arms himself with shin pads, elbow pads, a Sweet Helmet, and top of the line life vest and insulation from Kokatat, as well as a Werner Paddle when making river descents.