Lay down, breathe deep, gaze at the clouds, and channel your inner Jeff Spicolli. If I am to reveal the splendor of paddle boarding on the Boulder Reservoir it feels akin to Frodo mentioning to Gandalf that he found this interesting ring. It is bright, it is shiny and it is precious. When the tsunami of COVID-19 arrived in Boulder we all searched for paths to safety. As the father of two exuberant young daughters ( Georgia 12 & Lauren 7) our quest brought us to the 700 acre oasis of the Boulder Reservoir.
Located minutes from downtown, it often gets placed in the Hidden Gems category within
Boulders’ panoply of places to go. Once we met Shawn at Rocky Mountain Paddleboard though, we were hooked. We learned the lingo (FYI it’s referred to as SUP, Stand Up Paddleboarding), were given the insider spots (Dream Cove) and how best to soak a partner (wiggle board contests). It was all made easily accessible and accommodating by their gracious team.
The bliss accompanied with shoving off from shore into a seascape of sailboats, Great Blue Herons, water skiers, and Bald Eagles, is a tonic like no other. It was not long before we made it our daily siesta like many others. Perhaps it is the solace of open space or the majestic vista of the Front Range reflected on the mirror of water that makes you forget for a while what the trouble is all about. The Zen of paddle boarding is that it is so versatile. For some it is a yoga mat, others a bed (I can attest to this) and for my daughters a floating trampoline.
In these days which are fraught with nervousness and insecurity, health and safety are a priority yet we have found it just as important to cultivate play and reap joy. The shelter of the Reservoir, with its soundtrack of summer breeze and gentle waves, has produced this joy and it is our playlist of the summer. When you step onto the paddle board it Amplifies.
RMP
Operating at 4 reservoirs throughout the Front Range, RMP strives to unite our community by creating truly special and memorable experiences through paddlesports. In addition to paddleboard, kayak, canoe and pontoon rentals, Rocky Mountain Paddleboard offers Beginner, Intermediate and River instruction as well as SUP Yoga classes. https://rockymtnpaddleboard.com
“Lay down, breathe deep, gaze at the clouds, and channel your inner Jeff Spicolli” - Paul Cure
