Dan Gavere SUP White-water Master

HOOD RIVER, Oregon - Oregon based paddler Dan Gavere, a world-class kayaker, made the transition into a pioneer river and whitewater SUP master. Here, he sits down with team Starboard for the latest installation of Tiki Team Talk. See below:

Dan, as a world-class kayaker, you made the transition to pioneer river and white water SUP. Can you tell us about this transition and how river SUP is different compared to kayaking?

The transition has been the most fun activity I have ever participated in. I love the feeling I get from a nice eddy turn or successfully navigating a tricky rapid. I love the challenge but I love the success of it too.

Where do you see the potential of river SUP?

Paddlers will be successfully running class 5 and surfing waves as hard as any kayaker or prone surfer. I think it could become bigger than whitewater kayaking actually.

We have seen pictures of you riding down huge waterfalls, which is crazy for most of us to even comprehend. Does fear ever hold you back?

There is fear but I am also driven by this feeling and it makes me feel alive. I have now developed a need to feed this and want to see what can be done while standing. I don't want to just survive the rapid standing, I want to see myself and others “owning it” with confidence, showing stable paddling with precision and style.

Where do you find the confidence to go down rivers that nobody else has?

I am not doing anything no one else has ever done in a kayak so I get a lot of my confidence from other paddlers or my own past kayaking experiences. The exploratory part of running rivers is quite amusing and fun too though.

Dan Gavere, right at home in his element. | Photos: (left) Greg Vondoersten (right) Jennifer Gulizia / Gorge US Photography

How does River-racing compare to traditional SUP racing?

River Sup Racing is my very favorite because it’s as much about being fit and having the right equipment, as it is to picking the correct line through the rapids. There’s a million more variables racing down the river or creek than there is racing around a lake.

What gear do you take with you when river paddling? What are the essentials?

Essentials are a helmet (Sweet Wanderer), PFD/Lifejacket for whitewater (Astral Designs Green or Seawolf), Shoes (Astral Designs HIYak), knee pads, wet suit or preferably a Supskin Drysuit. GoPro of Course!

When looking for a board to use on the river, what do you need?

You need something stable to be successful, you want something with removable fins so you can fine-tune the turning or straight-line paddling performance. The river is often very low like 500cfs or below and in that case paddling with no fins at all is a great option. Of course I suggest the Stream for all paddlers of any ability from 100-290 lbs.

See more in River SUP here. 

You have been heavily involved in developing the Starboard Astro Stream Range for focused river paddling. What features does the Stream have that make it suited to river paddling? 

• Removable fins
• Fins that are set forward on the board for better river running and river surfing performance and forgiveness
• Durability with extra material in high wear areas
• Handles tip to tail and rail to rail

Do you feel inflatables are the way forwards for river paddling?

Yes I do, but not the only way. Right now for me Inflatable technology is the best option because of their durability, lightweight, and cost. Admittedly they do have a few drawbacks though (flex and “stick” factor where they get hung up on rocks) and there is a possibility composite or lightweight molded plastics might have a future.

Dan Gavere. | Photo: Jennifer Gulizia / Gorge US Photography

What advantage do you have using an inflatable over a composite board?

Inflatables absorb river hits and make it like having suspension on a mountain bike for sup. Durability is the obviously one and no one likes dealing with composite repairs. The Astro inflatable technology also allows me to do a bunch of different and really fun board to earth transfers, rock spins, and jump books, which are all new moves for whitewater sup I am developing with some bumps and bruises along the way.

How would you suggest someone who is new to river paddling to get involved?

Take a lesson, support local paddle shop.

Payette River Games

You have helped set up the Payette River Games, a dedicated River SUP Race event with an impressive $50,000 prize. Can you tell us about this event and what is involved?

This is a whitewater SUP race with 2 separate disciplines (Sup Cross and SUP-er G that awards the top Overall athletes with the best-combined results for the 50K in prize money. The top male and female paddler will take home 10,000 dollar checks!

What type of board can people use to enter?

Any type of board and you must pick ONE board for the entire comp and it must be 11’ or shorter in length

What equipment do people need to enter?

Pfd/Lifejacket, Helmet, shoes (optional but strongly encouraged)

To see more from Team Starboard, click here.