Wildside Relay: Columbia River Gorge

Imagine linking a half dozen perfectly formed 4-foot waves, 30 knot winds at your back, warm, fresh water spraying off your bow…. For 21-miles! THIS is Wildside Relay on the Columbia River Gorge.

This past weekend, 39 teams of outrigger canoes, surfskis and Stand-Up paddle boards gathered for the annual surf fest. And let me tell you, the Gorge did not let us down!!! Winds started early, allowing beautifully formed, frothy waves to build along the entire race course.

It was awesome to see a sea of Kialoa paddles and shirts and a treat to run into Meg Chun, smiling as always and stoked for the epic race-day conditions!

My husband and I teamed up in the surfski division and whooped and hooted down wave face after wave face to a 6th overall finish, and the first (and only) mixed surfski team.

Although for the race I was in a ski, I couldn’t resist bringing my SUP down to the Gorge for a few downwind runs in paradise!!! I’ve been home for three days now, and still can’t wipe the silly grin off my face!

If you haven’t checked out the Columbia River Gorge yet, my advice is “Go!” You’re in for a huge treat!!!!

Happy Paddling!!!

Heather Nelson

Tuesday Night SUP Races in Bellingham

We just had our first weekly Tuesday Night SUP Race and Demo yesterday here in Bellingham, WA. We had a demo fleet of SUP’s from BellinghamSUP, a quiver of paddles from Kialoa – (thank you Kialoa!), and about 20 folks there to either race or demo boards and paddles. I can’t wait to see our little Bellingham SUP community grow!!!

SUP Racing Comes to Bellingham

Hey! I wanted to share that Brandon Nelson, Beau Whitehead and myself are organizing a SUP race and demo day in Bellingham on September 5th. The race is going to be a spectator-friendly, 6-mile, multi-lap SUP and traditonal paddle board race directly in front of Boulevard Park on Bellingham Bay.

You can check it out at http://www.paddlegrandprix.com/

Happy Paddling!

Heather

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day! The sun is shining here in Bellingham and I got to celebrate the day paddling with my 2-year old! There is nothing better!

I am stoked and honored to be a part of this amazing group of women! If any of you ever find yourself in Bellingham, look me up! There is always a board and paddle

to share!

Hope to see you on the water!

Heather (and Hayden Storm) Nelson