Colorado SUP Championships 2018

Colorado SUP Championships 2018

Photo: Jordan Curet

Salida is our hometown, it’s where Badfish was born and it’s also home to the premier whitewater SUP event of the season Fibark’s ‘Colorado SUP Championships’. The crown of the championships and the largest cash purse in whitewater SUP goes to those that score highest in three events. In years past the these events were surfing, SUP Cross, and a 10 mile downriver race. But due to lower than usual flows our surf wave was not going to cut it so we had to improvise and replace it with another event. Introducing Skills for Bills.

With SUP Cross being 60% skill and 40% luck we wanted to add an event that required the same skill but eliminated the luck factor. Skills for Bills is based on a slalom kayaking format; each paddler is timed as they run the course individually. Paddlers were required to make all the gates and buoy turns to advance to the next round which would also be based on the fastest times…falling off your board was instant disqualification.

Spencer Lacy rounding the bull. The crowd turn out was unprecedented. People cheered as paddlers raced to reach their final gate. There wasn't a single paddler that didn't get a reaction from the crowd. After the qualifying round each paddler that advanced to the third, fourth, and fifth would be handed cash. Paddlers were stuffing twenties into their lifejackets right there in the eddy as they prepared for the next round. For an event that was completely improvised it ended up being a huge success and one that will now become part of the Colorado SUP Championships triple crown.

Skills for Bills Podium
Womens
1st Rebecca Giddens
2nd Brittany Parker
3rd Camille Swan

Mens

1st Spencer Lacy
2nd Mike Tavares
3rd Miles Harvey

The entire weekend was a blast and their was a true display of athleticism and skill out there on the Arkansas river. We are so proud of our team riders for giving it all they have and having a blast while doing it. Congratulations to this years SUP Champions! If this event isn't on your calendar for next year it should be! Downriver and SUP Cross results posted below.

Colorado SUP Champions
Women’s
1st Rebecca Giddens
2nd Brittany Parker
3rd Camille Swan

Men’s
1st Spencer Lacy
2nd Mike Tavares
3rd Miles Harvey

Downriver Results
Women’s
1st Rebecca Giddens
2nd Brittany Parker
3rd Mallane Dressel

Men’s
1st Spencer Lacy
2nd Mike Tavares
3rd Mallane Dressel

SUP Cross
Women’s
1st Rebecca Giddens
2nd Brittany Parker
3rd Camille Swan

Men’s

1st Mike Tavares
2nd Spencer Lacy
3rd Miles Harvey **All photos by Anna Wong of Anna Sees Photography

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