Surf'SUP Colorado

Fishing Now Available at Rueter-Hess!!

FISHING NOW AVAILABLE AT RUETER-HESS!

Reserve your spot for fishing at Rueter-Hess Reservoir! Reel ‘em in! Catch and release fishing at Rueter-Hess Reservoir will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, starting Friday, Aug. 4, and running through October.

To maintain the vitality of the fish, a limited number of fishing opportunities will be available each day the reservoir is open.

Reservations are required ---> Reserve your spot here

The fish: The reservoir has been stocked with Walleye, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Wiper (Striped Hybrid Bass), Channel Catfish, Black Crappie and Blue Gill. We have also seen Grass Carp very frequently that will give you a run for your money! Only artificial lures and flies are allowed. No bait. Barbless, single hooks only. (Tackle boxes and licenses will be checked.)

Planning on fishing from your favorite vessel?
Please note that the normal rules of the lake apply as well:
No wading, no belly boats, no motorized vessels (even trolling motors), hand powered CLEAN AND DRY vessels only. Be ready for inspection at the gate when you arrive. If you need to rent some equipment, you MUST get a fishing reservation through Douglas County first and then reserve your board or kayak through us.

HAPPY FISHING!

Why do you paddle?

We paddle because It’s relaxing

It’s a way to find stillness in our busy world

We paddle to challenge ourselves - there’s always something to learn

We paddle because It’s fun!

We paddle to take a breath, just for a moment.

We paddle to find peace - the kind of peace that’s bigger than anything we can understand.

We paddle because it’s life giving not taking.

We paddle to face our fears and come out stronger on the other side

We paddle because it’s a way to reconnect with creation and the creator.

To get to know ourselves better.

We paddle to build strength - physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually.

We paddle to answer the call to be on the water - on a lake, river, or ocean.

We paddle to live each day with a sense of adventure - to finally find that stoked feeling of being ALIVE

We paddle because we belong.

And it’s a place where you belong, too

What are you waiting for?

It’s time to live A Stoked Life.

Top 5 Family Friendly Places to Paddle

Stand Up Paddleboarding is a relatively new sport to our outdoorsy culture here in Colorado, but it is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing activities that people are trying on a daily basis. It’s fun, it’s accessible to all ability levels, and it reconnects you with nature. As a mom of two boys, I’m always on the hunt for activities that will keep my kids busy but teach them new skills at the same time. When we started paddleboarding in 2013, we knew it was love-at-first-paddle for all four of us! It was a fun physical activity, we were outside, and it didn’t require technology (haha). Over the next few years we spent a lot of time finding fun places to paddle that were easy to get to and fun for the whole family. Here’s our (humble) list of the Top 5 Family Friendly Places to Paddle in the Denver Metro Area:

Rueter-Hess Reservoir - Parker

Nestled right between Castle Rock and Parker, Rueter-Hess is a newer, more secluded reservoir with 30 feet of visibility in the water and views of the front range for days! Nothing better than clear water and not a lot of people. We think this is a great lake for families to paddle at because of the smaller crowds compared to other lakes in the area. Your parking permit gets you into the park for the entire day, so plan to stay and enjoy the area for a while! Not feeling like you want to be on the water the whole day? That’s ok! There’s a wonderful multi-use path that goes around the entire lake. Great for walking, running, or biking to explore a new area of the Denver Metro area!

Best age ranges: All! This is a great spot if you have little littles in your home

Best time of day: Sunrise-sunset. Bring bug repellent if you’re staying closer to sundown.

Big Soda Lake & Bear Creek Reservoir - Lakewood

If you’ve ever been driving on C-470 next to the foothills and have seen the lakes near Red Rocks, then you know right where Bear Creek Lake Park is! BCLP is a Lakewood City Park that is open year-round. It has trails for biking and hiking alongside Bear Creek, a paved bike path that moves through the park and takes you out to the C-470 Bike Trail, and two different bodies of water to paddle on. Paddleboarding is allowed on the main reservoir and is quite the treat! While the reservoir has plenty of fisher men and women lining the shores, you are free to launch from anywhere on the shoreline, just be sure to give them space. There are coves to explore and the fun challenge of paddling to the dam and back. Paddling on Big Soda Lake (the one you see from the highway) is also great! There’s plenty of space on the shoreline for setting up chairs for day-long adventures that you can paddle in and out as much as you’d like. Just a heads up - if you’re planning to go on the weekend, plan to get there as early as possible! Most of the weekend days at BCLP reach capacity before noon, so be ready to be near and around a lot of people.

Best age ranges: All! This is a great spot if you have little littles in your home

Best time of day: Later in the day. People are out before the sunrise to claim their spot and then they end up leaving by lunch time. Bring bug repellent if you’re staying closer to sundown.

Gravel Pond and Chatfield Reservoir at Chatfield State Park - Littleton

The birthplace of paddleboarding in the Front Range! There’s a TON to explore at Chatfield State Park. You can paddleboard on both the main reservoir and on this great little pond called Gravel Pond which is a non-motorized lake (meaning boats with motors aren’t allowed). Gravel Pond is a spring fed pond which helps to keep the pond clean and pristine all summer long. Because of their restriction to non-motorized vessels, this is a great pond to paddleboard at, especially with little ones.

The main reservoir at Chatfield also has the state’s largest no-wake zone which is a great 3 mile loop for those set out on an adventure. Be sure to have everyone wearing their PFD because motorized boats are allowed in the no wake zone and some of them forget it’s a no wake zone. So some extra swimming might happen. We recommend launching from Fox Run if you’re planning on staying on the water or setting up camp at Swim Beach. PLEASE NOTE: You can only paddleboard outside of the swim zone at Swim Beach. Regardless of whatever lake you’re on, please wear your PFD (Personal Flotation Device)!

Best age ranges: All! This is a great spot if you have little littles in your home

Best time of day: Sunrise-sunset. Bring bug repellent if you’re staying closer to sundown.

Gross Reservoir - Boulder/Nederland

Gross Reservoir is far from gross!! With 11 miles of shoreline, this reservoir is bound to offer you and your family one of the best days of the summer! You get a mountain lake experience without driving too far from the city. Gross Reservoir is nestled in the mountains between Boulder and Nederland that is easy to get to. It’s only a 45 minute drive to put-in from Surf’SUP! We highly recommend heading to Gross for an entire day. If you’re really up for an adventure, you could reserve a campsite along the shore and paddle in and out of your campsite all weekend long! Please check in on the status of the construction in the area before you load up to head over there. You also get out of cell phone range for most carriers, so keep that in mind as well.

Best age range: Kids who are able to paddle by themselves and/or understand the importance of staying close to adults. Weather can change fast up there!

Best time of day: Morning/afternoon

Sloan’s Lake - Denver

Your first thought might be that I’m crazy for even recommending Sloan’s - It definitely has a reputation if you’re a longtime Denver Metro Resident. But Denver Parks and Rec have been working hard to bring new life to Sloan’s Lake and we’re here for it! What other spot can you paddle where you get a beautiful view of both the Denver skyline AND Mt. Evans?? Not only are they building a new playground and play area on the south side of the lake, you now don’t need a permit for your paddleboard! Sloan’s is the perfect place to paddle when you’re short on time and don’t want to pay to get into a park for a quick jaunt. There’s never an entry fee at Sloan’s! This lake is the place to go for an evening paddle or an afternoon under the sun. There’s plenty of restaurants nearby or bring a picnic and hang out on the shore. Please note: swimming is not allowed or recommended at Sloan’s Lake, so be sure everyone is going to stay on their board.

Best age range: This lake is great for older kids and adults

Best time of day: Sunset!! They’re spectacular on the water

Way to go, you, for teaching your littles about ADVENTURE! It's my hope to keep you stoked so your kids know how to do that too.

Stay stoked,
Mindy

For the love of YOU - wear your PFD

For the love of you, wear your PFD.

The summer of 2022 set a record. And it’s not one we want to top. There were 40 drownings on lakes and rivers in 2022. That topped the recent record set of 34 drownings on Colorado waters set only two years earlier in 2020. The majority of those could have been prevented simply by wearing their personal flotation device - or PFD. The paddleboard season is right around the corner, and all of us paddlers get to decide whether or not we set a new record or not.

I am so glad that people love to paddleboard. It’s a sport that I fell in love with and then decided to make my career. There’s no better feeling than being on, in, or around water - it’s cleansing to the soul and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way. Water is a powerful force of nature that can’t be controlled, teaching us to literally go with the flow. I’ll never forget falling in love with water at a young age with the dream of either being a mermaid or a raft guide spending every waking moment in the water, doing everything I can to protect the bodies of water I love - and myself.

I have a lot of conversations with my boys about safety and how as their mother, it’s my responsibility to keep them alive and safe. They don't go out on bikes or skis without a helmet. They don't ride in a car without a seatbelt. So why would I allow them to go out on the water without a PFD? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a helicopter mom. I allow them the space they need to try new things, potentially dangerous things, fueling the stoke while teaching them about safety and showing it in action by living out my own requirements.

When did wearing a life saving device become a nuisance? When did it become “not cool” to be safe? The people I looked up to growing up were the river rats dressed head to toe in safety gear. They had a deep respect for water and knew that it could take their life at any moment. They loved the sport enough to want to stay alive to continue participating in it. It’s my goal each time I go to the lake or river to set an example as a paddler by wearing the proper safety gear each time. It doesn’t matter if it’s 101 degrees or what tan lines I’ll get - my PFD is on my body.

I want you to understand something - I care very deeply about you. We may have never met, but I care about you. You were born with a purpose and on purpose and we need you here because you’re the only you there is. It’s my deep care for you, for people, that get me so wound up about water safety. When you walk into my shop, we will do our best to teach you about water safety while offering the right equipment to keep you alive and having fun because we want you here. You can tell me all day long that you’re a strong swimmer, but if Michael Phelps walked into my store, I’d tell him to wear a PFD, because I care about him too.

Paddle companies - we need to do better. I want to challenge all of you to only use marketing that has people wearing the proper safety equipment for the type of water they’re on. And please, for the love of your customers, show people wearing PFDs. They’re watching you because you set the example. We need to do better.

Gear can be replaced. You can’t. I’m not going to dance around this subject anymore. If you’re on the water or if your kids are playing near it, WEAR YOUR PFD. If you’re floating in the middle of the lake on a hot summer day, WEAR YOUR PFD. If you’re playing in a river or paddling down a river, WEAR YOUR PFD. Don’t keep it on your board, keep it on your body. Do you drive around without a seatbelt on and think that you’ll put it on right before you get in a crash? Probably not. I’m wearing my vest because I want to stay alive and have a blast doing it. So please, for the love of YOU, wear your PFD.

Stay Stoked,
Mindy (Co-owner)

Surf'SUP Report, October 11, 2017

Wednesday, 10/11, update: Thursday looks to be the best week day to go for a SUP session this week. That is, if you like sunny and 70. We do so we have adjusted our schedule and we will be at the Gravel Pond at Chatfield S.P. on Thursday from 10:00-4:00 with SUP rentals. It's your opportunity to get out and paddle after the first snow. Colorado, what a wonderful place to be.

Surf'SUP Report, October 10, 2017

Sunday, 10/8, update: Join us this afternoon from 1:00-5:00 for our last Sunday on the water. While yesterday's near perfect weather will be hard to beat, today's forecast is looking fine as well. Sunny and 70, glassy conditions. Near certainty of success. With a high measure of fun. What are you waiting for? The Broncos have a bye. The water is still nice and the trees are turning. Get out and paddle now before it starts to snow.

Surf'SUP Report, September 5, 2017

Post race paddle at Grand Lake Colorado

If you have not taken the opportunity to Stand Up Paddleboard one of Colorado's many mountain lakes you are missing an experience that you will not soon forget. The above picture was taken at the east end of Grand Lake looking up into Rocky Mountain National Park. It's not too late to get in on the fun. Fall is our favorite time of year to paddle here in Colorado.

Surf'SUP Report, August 15, 2017

Oh my gosh! She did it again. Four races, four first place finishes. Congratulations to Brittany Poppleton on winning the Grand Lake Spirit of the Lake Regatta SUP Race on Saturday, August 12. Brittany, BIC SUP ambassador and full-time Surf'SUP employee, won the women's title. She came in fourth overall right behind three men on 14' race boards. Brittany's board for the race was the 12'6" BIC SUP Tracer World Series. She has now won the last four women's flatwater races in Colorado. Amazing job, Brittany.

Congratulations also to BIC SUP paddlers Mia Stockdale and Shane Sluder. Mia took second place in the women's division also paddling a 12'6" BIC SUP Tracer World Series. Shane took third place in the men's division paddling a 14' BIC SUP Tracer World Series. Three out of the top 5 racers were paddling a BIC SUP Tracer World Series board. Do you think there is a pattern there? Come to the SUP Shop to check out our complete selection of displacement hull SUPs so you too can go fast.

Surf'SUP Report, August 7, 2017

Congratulations again to Brittany Poppleton (far right) on her recent race results. Brittany, BIC ambassador and full-time Surf'SUP employee, won the women's 12'6" title at the Dillon Challenge SUP race on August 6. Her time was only beaten by two men on 14' boards. Brittany's board for the race was the 12'6" BIC SUP Tracer World Series. She has now won the last three flatwater races in Colorado. Way to go Brittany. Come to the SUP Shop to see the recreational version of the BIC SUP Tracer. It can make you go fast too!

Congratulations are also due to Surf'SUP customers Norman and Susan Bardeen. Norman took first place in the under 12'6" men's division paddling an Imagine Crossover. Susan took third place in the under 12'6" women's division paddling a BIC 11' Wing. Both of these SUP boards are available at the SUP Shop.

Surf'SUP Report, July 10, 2017

Congratulations to Alex Mauer and Brittany Poppleton on their recent race results. Alex, BIC ambassador and occasional Surf'SUP employee, won the South Platte River Fest downriver race on June 24. His SUP board for the race was the 12'6" BIC AIR iSUP. On July 9 Alex won the men's Altitude Paddleboards SUP Classic Race at Grant Ranch. His board for the race was the 14' BIC SUP Tracer World Series. Brittany Poppleton, BIC ambassador and full-time Surf'SUP employee, won the women's title. Her board for the race was the 12'6" BIC SUP Tracer World Series. Way to go Alex and Brittany. Come to the SUP Shop to see the recreational version of the BIC SUP Tracer. It can make you go fast too!

Surf'SUP Report, July 1, 2017

John and Angela made a quick run to the GLIDE factory in Salt Lake City to pick up a few SUP boards, including the new 2017 Prowler, which Tyler is unpacking. The 2017 Prowler's deck pad has been redesigned to evoke a stream running through the desert. Some say it reminds them of the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Either way this may be the best looking GLIDE SUP yet. The new Prowler is in the SUP Shop and in our rental fleet now.

Surf'SUP Report, June 20, 2017

For more info and registration: Altitude Beer Ventures

SUP & SIP!
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2017
10:00AM to 1:00PM
LIVING THE DREAM BREWING
12305 NORTH DUMONT WAY
LITTLETON, CO, 80125

From the website:
We've partnered with Surf'SUP Colorado, Living the Dream Brewing and City Surf Fitness to bring you the perfect Colorado Sunday! Start your day off with yoga and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) at Chatfield State Park in Littleton, followed by delicious local craft beer and a brewery tour at nearby Living the Dream Brewing.

What's included:
• All SUP rentals, equipment and instruction from Surf'SUP CO
• Group yoga warm up led by City Surf Fitness
• Private Beer Tour and Pint of Beer at Living the Dream Brewing
• Good times, exercise and meeting new people!

Cost is $45 per person, $20 per person if you have your own SUP board. Surf'SUP Colorado friends: Use the code "SUPSIP5" at check out for $5 discount! Does not include entry to park which is $8 per car (not person), or free with State Parks pass.

Surf'SUP Report, June 12, 2017

Summer-time, paddle-time! See you at the Swim Beach at Chatfield State Park from 9-5 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Or join us at Aurora Reservoir 9-5 on Thursday and Saturday!

Looking for a great gift for dad? Check out the Imagine 11' Crossover. Dave Kalama designed for speed and responsiveness all in one smooth paddling SUP. Find it at a great price at the Surf'SUP Colorado SUP Shop. Of course a Gift Card for a SUP Lesson can be emailed if you're full of love, but short on time to shop!

Surf'SUP Report, May 15, 2017

Grab the last available BIC ACE-TEC 10'6" Wahine SUP for an extra special, if very late, Mother's Day surprise.

Mom was underwhelmed with her Mother's Day gift? You can make things right by checking out our very popular Nuu-Muu selection or other fashionable, water friendly women's athletic wear, our full line of SUP accessories, or go heroically big with a shiny new SUP board. A Gift Certificate might be the perfect choice, if you really can't decide. We offer custom gift certificates that can be used for lessons, rentals, and everything in the Surf'SUP Colorado SUP Shop.

Surf'SUP Report, May 8, 2017

Looking for a new ride? The Imagine Crossover is one of the smoothest boards you'll ever paddle.

Surf'SUP Report, May 1, 2017

John paddles out for a SUP surf session at Uvita, Costa Rica, on April 26, 2017 on the new GLIDE Retro 10'6".

John was in Costa Rica for 8 days in April to set up some sweet SUP surf retreats for next Fall. Stop in at the SUP Shop to talk story about your past adventures and your future plans. Now is the time to get ready for your next trip or the 2017 SUP season. Don't just dream about a SUP trip, plan it and make it happen. We went to Australia for two weeks in February. And we have booked two weeks in Kauai for the end of the year for more of Hanalei Bay's sweet waves. Would you like to join us in Costa Rica this Fall for a week of SUP surfing and adventure? Let us know if you are interested as we are making plans now. And we are only a 16 hour non-stop drive to San Onofre if the urge for some wave time simply becomes unbearable. We might even hang a "gone surfing" sign in the SUP Shop window and join you.

Surf'SUP Report, May 20, 2017

Congratulations to Brittany Poppleton, BIC SUP ambassador and Surf'SUP instructor, for her 1st place finish at the Golden Games flatwater race, women's division.

Surf'SUP Report, June 10, 2016

Our Surf'SUP Colorado remodel project is complete and we now have space to display 70+ SUPs. To celebrate, and to make room for all our 2016 SUPs, all our remaining 2015 SUPs were on sale through Father's Day. We have just a few of last year's SUPs still available. Come in to the SUP Shop and make a deal for the last of the 2015 SUPs.
Don't settle for looking at a handful of boards at a big box store talking to a salesperson who has never even paddled a SUP. Stand Up Paddleboard is all we do and we love to share our passion with our customers.

Surf'SUP Report, May 31, 2016

Memorial Weekend's weather was the classic definition of scattered showers. Mahalo to all of you who persisted and got out to paddle. Late afternoon SUPers were especially rewarded with glassy conditions at the Gravel Pond. Remember to bring a wide range of clothing options with you when you go out to the lake. You may need to slip an outer layer over your usual clothing if the wind kicks up and the sun decides to hide behind a dark looking cloud. If you have any questions about suitable clothing to wear in variable weather conditions come check out the great gear options at the SUP Shop.

Surf'SUP Report, May 19, 2016

FREE DEMO DAYS!!!

To kick off the new season we are holding free DEMO DAYS this weekend. We know lots of you have been wanting to demo the latest SUP boards, so we are going to the lake this weekend with lots of different SUPs for you to paddle.

We will be out at Aurora Reservoir at 9:00 on Saturday, May 21. And we'll be out at the Gravel Pond at Chatfield S.P. on Sunday, May 22. Please call us to make sure we have the board you want to paddle on our trailer.

Surf'SUP Report, May 17, 2016

Surf'SUP Colorado has a new ACA Certified SUP Instructor on our staff, Brittany Poppleton. Last week Brittany took the three day ACA Level 1 & 2 SUP Instructor course in Salida, CO. She aced both the skills demonstration and the written exam and was even selected as the best paddler of the class. Way to go Brittany!

Surf'SUP Report, May 13, 2016

This weekend's weather is looking great for a Stand Up Paddleboard Session. We will be out at Aurora Reservoir on Saturday, May 14 and at Chatfield S.P. on Sunday, May 15.

Surf'SUP Report, April 29, 2016

We are almost done with the construction of our new "board room." Soon we'll have room to display even more SUP boards and have more pick-up rental boards available at the SUP Shop. And Lori will have lots more space in the "soft goods room" for more SUP clothes and accessories. We hope to have our "CO" by the end of next week.

Sorry about the cold and wet weather. On the other hand the skiing and riding is still going strong. And we are getting tons of water in the mountains that will soon be splashing and running down Clear Creek, the South Platte, and other local white water venues. The "Miracle Wave" was even up this week, although it was a bit thin. We'll see you on the water soon.

Our new Surf'SUP Colorado Board Room nears completion.