SUP Clinics

Build skills for race day – or your next lake day.

Wednesday at 5:00 pm | June – July

Whether you’re racing in the SUP division of a triathlon or simply love being on the water, these weekly SUP Clinics are designed to improve your confidence, efficiency, and overall paddle skills in a fun and supportive environment at Horsetooth Reservoir.

SUP is rapidly growing both as a triathlon swim alternative and as a sport of its own. These sessions combine coaching, open water skill development, and fun challenge-style workouts to help you become a stronger, smarter, and more confident paddler.

From triathlon starts to sunset paddles, you’ll build skills for real-world open water conditions while also putting those skills into action through race simulations, obstacle courses, and friendly challenges.

From triathlon starts to sunset paddles, this clinic will improve your skills, speed, confidence, and safety on the water.

*Clinic is limited to a max group size of 8 participants, please register in advance to reserve your spot.

SUP CLINIC

This clinic is strongly recommended for anyone participating in the SUP division of a triathlon or looking to improve their SUP performance and confidence on open water. Designed to build tactical skills and race-day readiness, the session focuses on paddle technique & efficiency, navigation, buoy turns, managing wind and chop, and transitions—all in real open water conditions.

This is not a learn-to-SUP or learn-to-swim session. Participants must be able to swim and have basic SUP experience. You should feel comfortable standing on your board and be able to paddle at least 500–1000 meters.

Learn SUP and triathlon race skills:

Equipment setup & basics
Paddle technique & efficiency
Balance & board control
Paddle strokes & cadence
Water starts
Drafting
Buoy turns
Reading water conditions
Managing wind, waves, and chop
Falling off & safely getting back on the board
Open water confidence & safety
Race strategies & pacing

Clinic is single session only and can be done separately or prior to the open water swim event at 6:00 pm (Swim event not included in Clinic fee).

All participants must be a member of USA Triathlon or purchase the Bronze/1-day membership.

Important Information

Clinics are approximately 50 minutes (5:00–5:50 PM) to allow time for athletes participating in the 6:00 PM Open Water Swim event.
Clinic registration is separate from the Open Water Swim event.
Group size is limited to 8 participants. Advance registration is strongly recommended.
Participants must have basic SUP experience and be comfortable standing on their board and paddling at least 500–1000 meters.
This is not a beginner learn-to-SUP clinic.

Location:

All clinics take place at the South Beach of Horsetooth Reservoir.

Water Temperature:

June: Typically 60°–70°F
July: Around 70°F

What to Bring

USA Triathlon membership card or purchase Bronze/1-day membership in advance or onsite.
Picture ID
PFD/life jacket
Appropriate paddling clothes – swimsuit/board shorts (avoid cotton)
SUP & Paddle (rentals/demos available with advance reservation)
Towel
Warm clothes for after

Weekly Challenges

Each clinic includes coaching and skills practice followed by a fun challenge session on a marked course.

June 3 – SUP 500m Challenge
June 10 – SUP 1000m Challenge
June 17 – SUP Obstacle & Adventure Course
June 24 – Skills & Buoy Turn Challenge

July 8 – SUP 500m Challenge
July 15 – SUP 1000m Challenge
July 22 – SUP Obstacle & Adventure Course

July 29 – SUP Championship

Board Demo/Rental

Demo Boards:

Interested in trying a performance, fitness, or race-style paddle board? Demo boards are available for participants who would like to experience different SUP setups on the water.

Please reserve demo boards at least 2 business days in advance.

Performance SUP Demo Boards (demo fee applies):

To choose & reserve demo board, contact:

On The Edge Tuning

970-689-5760

Recreational & Touring Inflatable SUPs:

The event also has a limited number of all-around and touring inflatable SUP boards available at no charge.

To reserve event provided board, contact:
Russ Gotzmer
rgotzmer@bluemindsportsint.com
(970) 390-9596