While I have enjoyed almost every discipline within SUP , if you know who I am , it is most likely as regular on the SUP racing circuit . Because I started in 2010 , live in the year-round SUP location of southern California , and am at a season in life where I can travel , I ’ ve been able to race all over the USA and in numerous countries . I need to work on my count , but I have participated in well over 200 races in about 14 states and five countries . I am lucky to be an ambassador and work with the great teams from Infinity SUP and Werner Paddles .
I am in love with everything about being ON the water and fascinated with the versatility of our craft , the industry ’ s growth , the number of women who participate , how we connect as a community , and other topics . I ’ d love to hear what interests you ! Still working on how to keep the dialogue going about all things SUP .
Besides racing , I also served for most of the last decade as the Executive Director of the SUP Industry Association ( SUPIA ). While the trade organization was not my idea , at the request of industry leaders around 2011 , I stepped up to found the business group and create a job for myself . The connections made and business learning were all so valuable .
When I ’ m not playing on the water or working on SUP related programs , I am lucky to have a pretty darn entire life with some amazing friends and a great family . My husband of 35 years , Scott , and our three now-grown children raised in Laguna Beach keep life interesting and meaningful . For the first time in over a decade , Lauren , 31 , Shannon , 29 and Nathan , 26 and their partners will all live in southern California . Happy Mom !
As a teacher by trade , I have loved learning all I can about SUP , even though I don ’ t actively have a SUP business . My certifications include WSUPA , WPA , and PaddleFit , as instructor / coach and ICF as a race official ( ITO or International Technical Officer / Official ).
The pandemic indeed required a pivot for me as I wrapped up my years as the Executive Director of the SUPIA on April 1 , 2020 . That same month I jumped into an exciting and unexpected role hosting a weekly interview on Instagram . Setting up and conducting interviews LIVE for Supconnect on their Instagram channel . What a joy it ’ s been to get to connect with great people in the paddling world even when we weren ’ t able to see each other face to face . Another ‘ shift ’ has been working towards guiding trips ; I ’ ve enjoyed working with my friend Erin of Sunset Stand Up to co-guide a couple of Colorado River and Catalina Island trips , with two sold-out Mexico trips ( Sayulita and Baja adventures ) coming up in autumn .
But keeping me busiest of all has been taking on the role of Race Facilitator for the ICF World SUP Championships in Lake Balaton Hungary September 9-12 . What a unique experience to bring 12 accomplished and amazing humans from Canoe / Kayak and SUP in eight different countries together working as a team to build a fantastic event !
This will be my first foray into the written side of the SUP media world . I hope my wide-ranging experience with SUP will help me share a range of content that will prove interesting and connect with you , the readers .
E : Kristin @ SUPmamaKT . com Insta : @ kt _ outside @ SUPmamaKT2 ’ FB : @ KTOutside
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