SUP Shenandoah

01/18/2025

Happy New Year to all our SUP friends out there!

I'm excited to announce our summer tours and offerings very soon. Should have far more consistent tours this year as well as testing out board rentals.

Can't want to see you on the water soon. SUPs Up!

~ David

09/16/2024

We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Erin Larson who died in a car accident late last month. She called Fayetteville, WV home and was a active member in the whitewater paddle board scene though had an even bigger relationship in the Yoga community.

Given it's an already small, niche part of the sport, everyone who paddles WW on a SUP in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast have likely met one another at least once and Erin's infectious smile and kindness was impossible to miss.

A personal note from our guide: "If you ever paddle with me and conversations drift into my bigger views of the outdoor sports industry, you'll know how vocal I am on how egos and machismo in these mostly male dominated scenes are big barriers and turn offs to newcomers. It can be incredibly intimidating to attend your first event or group gathering so I often say, seasoned practitioners most often only have one chance to make a good impression to newcomers, make them feel welcomed and at home, otherwise they'll likely get turned off and interest will dry up.

Even though I have a lifelong relationship with outdoor adventure sports, I do not fall into that overly competitive, chest puffing, macho, earn your place here mentality. Attending my very first white water SUP event in West Virginia 9-10 years ago, I bashfully found a spot to myself away from the crowd to wait for the race to start. It wasn't long before one person clearly went well out of their way to introduce themselves, spark light conversation, then offered to introduce me to some of her friends, many have since become lasting paddle friends. Erin was that person. She made a point to welcome me to a place I was clearly unfamiliar, intimidated, and uncomfortable with. At the least, she offered me a single kind face during our first visits into the community.

Erin and I were paddle friends and distance acquaintances at best - but my opinion of her among our peers was large and outspoken.

Simply put, Erin was rad as f***

I always tell people that single fleeting actions can leave a lasting impression for the person on the receiving end. Erin made a point to be kind for no other reason than to offer kindness. The outdoor community needs more people like her, which is why this was very sad news and a true lost for us in the Virginia's (WV/VA) and beyond.

I send my deepest condolences to her family, friends, and everyone else who has been impacted by this loss."

~ David

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Erin's husband, family, and friends have launched a GoFund me to raise money to build a Yoga Shala in Fayetteville in her honor. They said it in their post, it was a project she was aiming for that they hope they can still see it through. If you're incline, donate or share that link with any SUP or Yoga friends you may have.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/celebrate-erin-larsens-life-with-us?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet_ai&utm_content=amp9v2&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&fbclid=IwY2xjawFVHNdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXw4ocHJDNwLFZECCNy0NvU6EM75N-o-tLnLt85X8FcGRqT3rL6ctIiBEA_aem_mAlLMgeipnn5MH13QBI6Cg

07/27/2024

That’s it for July! It was a SUP’n good time.

I’m grounded due to a large day-job project through most of August. Email us if you’re interested in a private trip.

We’ll re reassess if we’ll be back in Sept or if we’ll wrap up the season early due to “real job” obligations given its looking to be a busy one making movies and commercials 🎥

Thanks for the continued support!

SUPs up,

David 🏄🏻‍♂️

07/20/2024

Fun time taking a couple board members from the South River Watershed Coalition who were willing to brave some light rain, on a mini-SUP lesson on the South River in the Town of Grottoes at Cave Park by Grand Caverns

We forgot to take photos today on the river so here is one of 4 paddle boards stacked on the adventure van.

07/14/2024

Our guide spent the late afternoon doing some tree trimming on the South River at Grand Caverns Park in the town of Grottoes ahead of some mini lessons for the South River Watershed Coalition summer board meeting next week.

Most rivers, except when it could cause serious risk to infrastructure, do not remove downed trees that block the river from safe passage (aka, strainers or sieve) for paddlers or anglers. Most don’t have the resources or manpower to tend to it as is. In most cases, it comes down communty organizations and river advocates to carefully clear it when water levels are safe enough to do so without causing a risk in the process.

Excited for the South River Coalition folks to have the option to float through this little ripple without worrying how to thread the needle.

SUP’s up everyone!

Grand Caverns .

07/08/2024

We're paddling this Sunday, July 12th on the South Fork Shenandoah!

We have a morning group eco-tour then a shortened, 1-hour session at 2pm that is also kid friendly! Kids 5 - 11 years old can ride along on boards with any adult paddler. Kids 12 and older must paddle on their own board.

This trip is located approx 30 mins from Harrisonburg, 45 minutes from Staunton/Waynesboro in Rockingham County. Booking info is on our website.

11:00am: Group Eco-Tour (12 and older only)
2:00pm: 1-hour SUP Session and is Kid Friendly!

Come get your paddle on

07/04/2024

Well that didn’t take long. All tours are booked this weekend.

Lets go paddling! 🏄🏻‍♂️🏄🏻‍♀️🏄

07/04/2024

Well. I was going to offer group trips Friday and Saturday but some folks scooped up those time with private tours!

I’m adding a late afternoon group tour slot on Saturday on the South Fork Shenandoah if anyone wants to get on the water. Check the website later this evening.

I should have a couple more weekend tour offerings this month before I have to hunker down until mid August due to a large day job project obligation though don’t be shy to send an email if you’re interested in private eco tours or lessons anytime this summer.

Thanks for your support and understanding that I can’t be on the water all the time (even though I 100% would rather be paddling). I’m so grateful of every single person who comes on our eco tours and gets excited about paddle boarding.

Happy 4th and SUPs up!

~ David

Visit Shenandoah Valley Rockingham County, Virginia Virginia is for Lovers

07/01/2024

We're paddling July 5th & 6th on the Shen River! Tour times/details post tomorrow.

06/12/2024

Our SUP workshops at Wintergreen Resort for this month are getting rescheduled for July.

Note from our guide: My day job is proving to be busier than expected this whole summer. Trying to avoid over committing and burnout so I'm super fun and enjoyable for you all when we can get on the water!

If you're interested in trips in the meantime, check back regularly or email us about private tours. I'm going to offer a small discount for private tours so the price is the same as group tours. 2 person minimum for all private bookings (based on availability) Things are going to be last minute. Probably running trips in Bridgewater later this month and a last minute SUP the South Sunday.

Follow and stay in the loop. SUPs up!

~ David

06/06/2024

We have a full day of paddling available this Sunday June 9th on the South Fork Shen! Up to 4 paddlers each time slot.

11:00 AM
2:30 PM
6:00PM (Sunset paddle!)

More info on our SUP Skills Workshops at Wintergreen Resort coming later this week.

Let's do this.

Visit Harrisonburg Virginia Visit Shenandoah Valley

06/03/2024

We're back!!!! Let's get this summer SUP'n started.

Check the website for dates for group tours, don't forget we're available for private bookings as well.

A Note From Our Guide: Hey everyone! I'm really excited to get back on the water with everyone. If I was lucky enough to take you on a trip last summer, you might recall learning that when I'm not on the water, my primary job is making super awesome films, TV shows, and commercial video projects for clients with my other company DV Entertainment. This year is proving to be much busier with that work than in years past so SUP trips will be intermittent. I'm also scheduling several much needed vacation so it's likely that trips won't become more regular until about mid/late July. I love taking folks on the water and introducing you to paddle boarding so hopefully we'll have enough summer to get out there regardless if its early or late. Thanks for paddling along with me on this journey, I can't wait to see you on the water and have some fun.

Your SUP friend, David

04/15/2024

Ooo wee! It’s river surf season in the mountains. Eco tours should be starting mid May pending our guides day-job schedule. Soon you on the water soon, SUPs up! 🏄🏻‍♂️

04/12/2024

Win this sweet Hala Gear paddle board at Waynesboro Riverfest later this month! Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20.

We use Hala boards in our tour fleet and know these are great all-around rides for adventurous SUP'ers living in the valley.

AND! We're giving away a eco-tour for 2!

More to come as we gear up for our 2024 guiding season but excited to get back on the water with you all.

SUPs up!

Enter to win a Stand Up Paddleboard and a SUP tour for two at the South River Watershed Coalition booth at Riverfest on April 27th. Raffle tickets will be $10 each or 3 for $20! Don't miss this exciting opportunity!!

10/25/2023

We're looking for new paddle partners for the 2024 season!

We're looking for:

- Part-Time SUP Guides (pick when you want to offer trips!)
- SUP Yoga instructor partners for sup yoga offerings

* All guides must have a reliable vehicle that can transport gear for up to 6 paddlers plus personal gear. All gear must be picked up and returned to our office in Staunton, VA. Tours are offered at selection locations within 1 hours drive of Staunton.

If you have no experience but are interested in training to become a SUP guide, reach out and learn how you can become a SUP Guide candidate.

visit, www.supshenandoah.com/supjobs for more information or email us with any questions.

Share with any paddle lovers who you think would love to get on the water more next year while making some side cash in the process.

10/06/2023

That's a wrap on our first season! Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make our inaugural year of tours a SUP'n blast!

Thanks so much to all our partners who helped make this year happen: Waynesboro Parks and Recreation , Visit Waynesboro , of Bridgewater, Virginia , Hala Gear NRS and thanks to Middle River Outfitters and Three Ridges Touring for all the helpful advice while we were getting setup.

Can't wait to get back on the water next year, we'll be adding new locations to offer some verity to where you can paddle, teaching skills-workshops, and adding a few more specialty tours to the calendar including the full-moon paddle, star gazing paddle, and testing some other ideas we have.

Stay warm this fall and winter, we'll see you again in the spring. SUPs up!

10/04/2023

Our first sunset paddle tour was a huge success! As always, the views on the South Fork Shen in Rockingham Co, VA deliver. Couldn’t have asked for better weather and talk about the views! Can’t wait to add this to our monthly slate of tours next season.

09/27/2023

Full Moon SUP Paddle Tour this Friday on the South Fork Shenandoah River! 3 spots left.

Enjoy a guided float on the South Fork lead by the light of the light of the Harvest Moon! This will likely be our only Full-Moon tour this season so don't miss your chance to see the water at night on a SUP.

We also have 1 spot left on our Sunset tour on Saturday.

Book Now! Link in Bio...

Visit Shenandoah Valley Visit Harrisonburg Virginia Virginia is for Lovers