Standup Paddle Goes to Vail, Colorado

VAIL, Colorado — More than 30,000 mountain, whitewater and outdoor enthusiasts will experience Hawaii's sport of stand-up paddle surfing and aloha spirit as the decorated team of C4 Waterman arrive in Vail, Colorado, for the annual Teva Mountain Games: June 3-6. The event is widely regarded as the "summer mountain Olympics".

Hawaii's Brian Keaulana, Todd Bradley, Kalani Vierra, Archie Kalepa, Jen Koki, Noa Ginella and Liam Wilmott, of C4 Waterman, have taken their ocean skills mauka and will be treating the mountain community of Vail to a series of SUP introductory events during the Teva Mountain Games.  

River flow is currently at the highest levels seen since the 1970s. Snow fell in the Colorado high country as recently as May 24, closing Interstate 70 - the state's major east-west corridor, at Vail Pass for a short time. The world's highest surf competition will take place on the bone-chillingly cold, snow-fed whitewater of Gore Creek, at the base of this world-renowned ski resort. Competition will consist of a down-river whitewater race, surf-cross, and series of exhibitions and free clinics.

The leadership team at C4 Waterman chose Teva Mountain Games as the platform from which to propel the visibility and appeal of stand up paddling inland. C4 Waterman will be introducing SUP to some of the top national talent of more traditional mountain sports such as climbing, mountain biking, trail running and kayaking.  

C4 Waterman will also be sharing the aloha spirit during a free public SUP demo on a small mountain lake, at the event's gear village, and at their rented mountain chalet headquarters in Vail Village. They will host a world premier of the Prickett Films production "Waterman is More than a Word," at Vail Lodge.

"Obviously this is a strategic business decision," said C4 co-founder Todd Bradley, "But we're going to have a lot of fun with it too. Who knows, with the crazy spring Colorado's been having, we may just see if we can stand up paddle on snow too."

The one member of the C4 team adept at both snow, river and ocean sports is Aspen-based snowsports, kayak and SUP instructor/competitor Charlie MacArthur. MacArthur is C4's whitewater ambassador and the hands-on favorite to win the sprint and surfcross events.

C4's ambassadors will also present the inaugural C4 Waterman of the Event award to the mountain athlete who best exemplifies the waterman ethos. The prize is a hand-painted paddle by acclaimed Hawaiian artist/waterman Hilton Alves. Alves' art depicts the father of surfing, Duke Kahanamoku. An Olympic gold medalist in swimming and ambassador for Hawaii and surfing, Duke was a pure-blooded Hawaiian with little time for anything that detracted from a positive experience in the water. He is still revered as a model of the aloha spirit and a reminder to all that it isn't about what you do, or how you finish, but the spirit with which you go forward. This is the ethos that C4 stands by.

ABOUT C4 WATERMAN: C4 Waterman, out of Hawaii, is a pioneer and leader in the evolution of the waterman lifestyle. With more than 100 years of research and development, C4 delivers unmatched design and technology in stand-up paddling. From their Hawaiian homeland, to the ultimate waves of Tahiti; from the whitewater of the Colorado River, to calm freshwater lakes and streams. C4 Waterman's values are based on the four core principles of the waterman lifestyle: balance, endurance, strength and tradition. To see the complete line of C4 products including epoxy and inflatable boards, paddles, rash guards and accessories, visit www.c4waterman.com.