Fall colors invited plenty of Elder SUP paddlers out on the water to collect those rare sunshine days of brilliance

After five days of unbelievable Indian summer sunshine and 60-78 degree ranges in temperature, the gray (bring some snow to Mt Bachelor) days of November have returned. We had some serious frost for a few weeks in October which turned our leaves a brilliant array of color. A number of you shared pictures and e-mails describing how cool it was. We featured some photos by Dennis Oliphant of Sun Country Tours in Bend, Oregon.

With the forecast predicting highs in the mid-40’s, rain and possibly snow flurries at high elevation, the long darkness of winter seems daunting. Yes, we love to ski and play in the fluffy white stuff – but when standup paddling and water fun is #1, we start to think warm!

I spotted  this picture on a Facebook page today (sorry, I cannot locate the source). This amazing warm, tropical spot is incredibly compelling – yes, I wish I knew where it was so I could add it to my bucket list! How about you? 

Soon after I spotted that image, I followed a few Facebook posts from Sean Sweet of Sweet Waterwear and that lead to a few posts by the gracious and incredible Candice Appleby. Candice recently won the Hennessy’s SUP and Paddleboard Racing series for 2012. After getting 1st in the Elite Course Race and 2nd in Distance, she was crowned the Hennessey’s World SUP Champion for the 3rd time.

When the string of amazing performances Candice has accomplished in the most competitive events in standup paddling racing and surfing it’s likely that she spends enormous  amounts of time in diverse training and water practice. Many of us relegated to the colder climes for the next 5-6 months might breathe a heavy sigh and wish for those tropical waters.

Candice Appleby and some of the kids in the kids clinic – Los Cabos Classic Hennessey’s SUP and Paddleboard Race Series

There is an alternative, a way of creating a diverse experience around our SUP.  Off water training and other outdoor sport time is one way. Another: Take a look at the ways Candice has chosen to participate in the sport she loves. A great deal is genuine enthusiasm for sharing our sport with youth and supporting causes dear to her heart, like Anti-Bullying campaign called “Stand Up for the Children.” Sharing expertise with kids, well that’s something we can all do. Why not take some time this off-season and get to know what events your local SUP club or shop are planning for spring and summer? Get inspired, and have some fun with like-minded friends.

Please share your stories – the more the merrier.

Candice is nominated for SUP Woman of the Year again. And why are we not surprised!