As we drove further East there was a point of no return: split off towards Kamloops or turn towards Osoyoos? One last check of the water levels; they’re not ideal, but we decide to go for it.
The proverbial “we” was Reta Boychuk and myself. We met up in Vancouver and were road tripping home after separate trips on the West Coast.
If you haven’t met Reta she’s like whiskey in a tea cup, not what you expect when you take that first sip and she can knock you off your feet. In a good way she is SUP’s biggest cheerleader when it comes to getting women stoked to get on the water. It’s hard to say no to her.
If you want to learn more about what Reta's about, check out her SUP Instructor Page and her Instagram, @reta.sends.
As we made our way through new terrain on the highway I was tired but excited, nervous but exhilarated to go to the famous Trail Wave. I’ve seen friends surf it and felt that I stood a chance to at least get up once. Check out where we went in this video.
Checking water levels
Let’s preface this with the fact that I am keeping count of how many times I have been on whitewater since inception in June 2020. Hitting the Trail Wave was lucky #13 playing in rapids…
If you’ve followed the journey I’ve been on with River SUP, it has been a tumultuous one with highs and lows. Fear and happiness all rolled into one. As we went to scout the wave for the first time, I wasn’t at all shaky being beside a river. No fear; doubts, but no fear. Wow, that was new!
Go Team!
I joined the AQ Ambassador Team a year ago and haven’t got to meet many people in person with COVID and logistics. Our team lead Lee Vincent was nearby the wave and up for a couple days on the water with us.
It is taken for granted that I paddle with mostly women on the water. I hear stories of how whitewater has, through the years, typically been a male dominated sport. This is nothing new as I generally participate in sports that aren’t full of women. Growing up a tomboy, it’s normal to be doing non-girly things.
As the vehicles started to roll in, I was truly enamoured with not paddling alone. Part of my desire to join the Ambassador Team was a sense of camaraderie as I often paddle solo in North Central Alberta.
I’m A Big Kid Now!!
We headed to the wave. My goal was to surf once. I watched Reta enter the wave and show me where to go.
Now my turn. In previous paddles I tend to panic and get too stiff which then causes me to fall. I channelled every Zen particle in my body to just relax, look up and feel the wave.
When I hooked onto the wave the feeling was magical -- it feels like floating. As fast as the water looks when you’re beside the river, when you’re on it there’s nothing fast about it…until you wipe out lol.
Lee spent the first day surfing with her kayak and I watched as more paddlers showed up after work, it made for such a fun atmosphere.
The warmth of the sun was a great reprieve from the cold water as I sat and watched people with much more skill than myself hit the wave. It’s always amazing to observe anyone who is a master of their craft hit the zone.
Luck Of The Irish
If you didn’t know it was Reta’s Birthday on St. Patrick’s Day, you do now. She told everyone in ear shot and so many people came out to celebrate on the water. It was one big social distanced birthday party.
Dogs, paddlers, fishermen off in the distance; the vibe was electric. Another sunny warm day and great surf. Even though the wave wasn’t at its perfect level, it still made for an enjoyable playground.
Lee was able to surf on her SUP and even tandem surf with Reta for a birthday party surf on one board!
Spending time with Lee and her husband, meeting new people and learning to swim in big water surrounded by big eddies has given me much more confidence for future paddles.
The smile on my face says it all, I was ecstatic about surfing the wave and surpassed my goal of one time. I think I stood three times. Mission accomplished.
As much as whitewater kayakers think SUP paddlers are nuts because we swim the rapids, there is always so much encouragement and support. Honestly, being a newbie, you always get lots of love.
The Trail wave will always have a special place in my heart and I’m so thankful to have met Lee in person and have encouragement from all the rad women on whitewater!
I’m so excited for the season ahead!!
For more information about the wave, check out the Paddling Maps post here.
Happy paddling.
I Live Life Now,
Lisa Stocking
AQ AMBASSADOR
CSEP-CPT/RYT 200 Yoga Instructor
Advanced Flatwater SUP Instructor Paddle Canada
@love_nsup
@paddleathabasca
AQ Outdoors Contact
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) info@aquabaticsedmonton.com
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
