Now I personally don’t boil all that much bad blood over SUPs and their paddling enthusiasts. But we all know the general consensus — at least the expressed general consensus — is that SUPs are dangerous, kooky, and just don’t belong in the lineup. Even though many “respected” surfers are taking to the pastime, it gets little to no respect from a vast majority of the industry’s most avid followers and fans.
So this mentioned anti-SUP crowd is probably absolutely delighted, rejoicing even, that so called “wild man” Ken Hoeve is furthering the waters on which the small boats might make their tracks. And we must give respect where respect is due — Hobie (as Ken Hoeve is affectionately known in the whitewater kayaking community) is big deal when it comes to paddling. In fact, his love for all things paddling speaks volumes to his passion and commitment for the included sports, particularly in the way of kayaking and SUP.
“It does not matter what you are on or in, as long as you are having fun and on the water” are the words he lives by.
There he is talking the talk, and now this video is solid evidence that he also walks the walks. As the Vimeo description reads: “This January, we join him as he takes his stand up paddle board to the Colorado River, navigating his way through ice capped river rocks and freezing cold water. An avid adventurer, we follow him as he works his way through the rapids, then go for a dive in a bone-chilling dam teeming with trout.”
This is one bad, bad man.
