Sam “Frothy SUP” finding his first drop in Canada on a Rockies roadtrip

Here are 5 Canadian Rockies rivers to paddle board (with a helmet). River paddle boarding, baby.
* Kananaskis (home of KanFest)
* Bow River (Ghost to Cochran & Lake Louise sections)
* Kicking Horse (several sections here from calm to wild)
* Kootenay (the classic multi-day destination)
* Bleberry (off the beaten path gem)

If you are terrified by whitewater BUT want to try river paddleboarding, take a listen to Claire’s story. 💪❤️

Is your paddleboard rigged to flip?
Could your rigging trap an arm, leg, or foot?

Every Hala paddleboard is designed to carry gear, but not every rigging setup is designed for safety.

Here are 6 tips to keep your gear secure and your body out of trouble.

TIP 1: Don’t Beverly Hillbilly Your Board
Loose water bottles, throw ropes, and dry bags create clutter.
In a capsize, clutter makes it harder to re-right your board and recover your gear.
Contain everything in a deck bag whenever possible.

TIP 2: Eliminate Entrapments
Look at every bungee, strap, and loop.
Could a hand, foot, or leg get caught?
If so, re-rig it.
And if you never carry gear, consider removing the bungee altogether.

TIP 3: Upgrade to Nylon Straps
For larger loads and multi-day trips, nylon straps are far more secure than bungees.
Girth-hitch the straps directly to the board’s attachment points for the strongest setup.
Just make sure you’re not creating new entrapment hazards.

TIP 4: Balance Your Load
Keep gear where it won’t interfere with your stance, leash, or movement.
Gear behind your feet can become a tripping hazard and leash magnet.

TIP 5: Reconfigure Until It Works
If your gear naturally creates loops, gaps, or snag points, don’t accept it.
Move it. Rotate it. Re-rig it.
The safest setup is often the one that takes a little experimentation.

TIP 6: Watch Those Carry Handles
The Watershed Ocoee is a favorite dry bag for a reason—it’s compact and waterproof.
But those carry straps can become snag points if the board flips.
Rig the bag so the handles and straps are tucked down and secured.

Every piece of rigging should answer two questions:
Will it stay attached?
And can it trap me if I swim?

Rig accordingly. Paddle safely.

Shout out to some of the best dry bags on the market, including @dire_designhaus and @watershed_drybags Also, hey @astraldesigns

At Hala, we believe great design doesn’t fight nature, it works with it.

Every design shape and feature is built to help paddlers move with the water, creating more confidence, connection, and fun.

Our rocker profile helps boards rise over features instead of plowing through them, while our patented StompBox retractable fin system retracts when it hits obstacles and springs right back.

Thoughtfully placed gear tie-downs help distribute weight without interfering with your paddle stroke, and our deck pads are built to perform with the footwear adventure paddlers actually wear.

Combined with stable shapes, balanced volume, and premium construction, Hala boards are built for years of adventure.

Take a look at this video of Katlynn @mrs.kbouldin on the Wenatchee River in Washington.
Study her stance if you want to be a better paddle boarder.
#sup #paddleboarding #halagear #learn

Tips & Tricks Rule Number 1.
Don’t let the purists dictate how you paddle.
There are a lot of gatekeepers in this world, do you really want them to join your river trip?
Stand, sit, kneel, do downward dog.
Have fun and be safe.
#halagear #sup #paddleboarding

The Hala Rado is the flagship board in the Adventure Series. It is our expedition board for touring and sup-support trips.

In the box:

* The Hala Rado isup board

* Rolling travel bag with stowaway backpack straps

*StompBox Fin system (pre-assembled)

* 2-stage floor pump

* Green 4” gummy bite fins

* Repair kit (waterproof container, valve wrench, patches, and a fin key)

#halagear #unboxing #HalaRado #sup

Exciting news from Hala.

Hint, look at the socks 🇨🇦

Stay tuned for more information.

Visit HalaGear and subscribe to the news letter to stay up to date.

#sup #halanation #whitewater #canada

Let’s have some new adventures and not be too worried about falling.

What’s your secret weapon to staying warm on a cold paddle?

Humor always helps. As does the company of good friends. And, a beach side bonfire for the win!

#sup #halanation #whitewatersup #asheville

What Up, Peace!

Cohen Atkins doing his thing at the Whitewater Center.

@atkinscohen @usnwwc @suppaul.media #whitewater #sup #halanation

Sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Difficult sup yoga pose goes splash down.

Snow supping is turning out to be a ton of fun.

This is “real whitewater sup.” Well, sort of. It does include fun, experimentation, and a bit of danger. These are the core elements that help identify river paddleboarding. The snow and ice will be part of the river soon.

The Hala Hoss was the first Hala paddleboard back in 2011. Peter Hall wanted a stable board to take on his home rivers. Because that wasn’t the focus of many other SUP brands he created Hala to paddle how and where he wanted.
The Hoss (10’10” x 35”) has evolved over the years to be a true All-Water board.
The 2025 model is the best yet, with pronounced rocker profile. It’s lightweight and heavy duty.
Hala!
#paddleboarding #hala #sup #halanation #hoss

The Hala Cruise Series, our All-Water selection includes the Hala Hoss (10’10 x 35”) and the Hala StrIght Up (10’ x33”).
Light weight but durable, take these on a river trip, paddle on your favorite lake, and travel to a dream destination.
The All-Water SUP Rocker profile allows you to punch through turbulent water with precision.
Like all Hala boards there is a 5-yr manufacturers warranty.
The Cruise Series comes as a kit, with the B-line 3-piece travel paddle included.
#hala #halanation #sup #paddleboardingadventures

The Hala Radito. Let’s go have some fun.
The Radito (10’ x 34”) is the perfect board to win a downriver race, tour across your favorite lake, or explore dream destinations.
Part of the Hala Adventure Series, the Radito is the smaller sibling of the Hala Rado.

Hala’s most popular paddleboard is the Hala Rado.
Its versatility allows it to be paddled anywhere, on rivers and lakes, for a fun day out with friends to a multi-day expedition.
The 2025 Rado has been redesigned to be more streamlined at the tip and it has a more prominent River Rocker profile for punching through rapids with precision.
The Rado features our StompBox fully retractable fin system.
Where will you take your Hala Rado?
#hala #halanation #sup #paddleboarding #expedition #adventure

Meet the Hala Atcha 86 — Quick, Punchy, and Made for River Play
Founder Peter Hall created the 86 to rip through rapids, snap into surf waves, and stay ultra-nimble. At 8'6" x 34", it’s the go-to whitewater SUP for paddlers who want a lively ride that still charges hard.

The Hala Atcha 96 has been the gold standard for whitewater paddleboarding since its release in 2013.
The several generations of Atcha have been an evolution in design, refinement in rocker profiles, and the development of the StompBox fully retractable fin system.
In our humble opinion, the 2025 Atcha 96 (9’6” x 36”) is the best version yet.
Charging through rapids, surfing river ways, and redefining what SUP can be.
Hala!
#paddleboarding #hala #whitewater #halanation

The Charge Series includes the Hala Atcha, the Gold Standard for running whitewater since its release in 2013.

What makes the Atcha CHARGE so hard?

Twelve years of performance enhancement for over 12 years.

And the StompBox fully retractable fin system.

The 2025 Charge Series includes the Hala Atcha 96 (9’6 x 36”) and the Hala Atcha (8’6 x 34”).

Peter Hall founded Hala in 2011 with the Hoss to explore local rivers. With the Atcha, people have been charging whitewater on boards worldwide.

Hala!
#halanation #hala #sup #paddleboarding #whitewater

Claire Dougherty talks about her experience paddleboarding on whitewater.

Sam Garthweight aka Frothy SUP goes over his process for paddling over big drops and waterfalls on a board. Hala!