Holiday River Expeditions Adds Stand-up Paddle Boarding to Roster of Adventures

March 1, 2016 - PRLog -- SALT LAKE CITY, UT, – Born in 1966 out of a love for wilderness, adventure and the rush that comes from running whitewater, Holiday River Expeditions (http://www.bikeraft.com/) was one of the early pioneers that helped forge today’s rafting industry.  A half century of fun later, they keep coming up with new twists on how to enjoy the solitude of nature and camaraderie of friends while vacationing on a wild river.

This season the company has focused on the young but rapidly growing sport of stand-up paddle boarding, otherwise known as SUP. This is the art of staying upright while balanced on a buoyant but narrow long board and paddling it over the water. Toss in Class II-III rapids and the challenge is obvious.  Experienced guides help speed the learning curve but rest assured, there will be giggles and spills aplenty, especially when it’s women-only on one of Holiday River’s three planned SUP departures.

These are scheduled for late summer on the Colorado River through Ruby and Westwater canyons along the Colorado-Utah border. Departure dates for the four-day trips are Aug. 29, Sept. 15 (women’s SUP retreat (http://www.bikeraft.com/womens-river-rafting-trips/womens...)) and Sept. 29. The per person rate is $795. The rate for the women’s retreat is $1010, with Melanie Webb of Sol Fitness Adventures instructing. Trips are suitable for age eight and up (age 13 on the women’s retreat). Some equipment is provided; camping necessities can be rented. Guides prepare hearty and nutritious riverside meals along the way.

Days 1 and 2 are in Ruby Canyon where guests learn the art of how to SUP. And they can also have fun with inflatable kayaks.  Day 3 brings Westwater Canyon with some easy rapids; Day 4 sees boards and kayaks packed away as guests pile into in rafts to conquer Class IV whitewater. Other activities include swimming, fishing, hiking and horseshoes. See: http://www.bikeraft.com/specialty-trips/stand-paddle-board-trip-colorado-river/

Other women-only river adventures offered by Holiday River Expeditions include a July 18-22 Mother & Daughter rafting trip on the Green River where splashing guarantees bonding, and a July 8-11 Women’s Fitness & Yoga trip on Utah’s Green River with Kathleen Leopardi from Personal Zone Fitness who guides light core work, yoga and side canyon hiking in Lodore Canyon. For details please see http://www.bikeraft.com/womens-river-rafting-trips/

To help celebrate a special anniversary of the National Parks System, professional river runners from Holiday River Expeditions get into action early in the season with a National Parks Traveler Lodore Rafting Trip June 18-21. This is the second year of a partnership trip with National Parks Traveler that floats guests through Dinosaur National Monument over four days on the Green River through the Gates of Lodore and across the wilds of northwestern Colorado and northeastern Utah. Once ashore, noted national park historian Dr. Alfred Runte, will lead campfire discussions about the National Park System celebrating its centennial this year. Award-winning photographer Patrick Cone will offer instruction and tips for capturing striking scenery. Also joining this trip is National Parks Traveler Editor-in-Chief Kurt Repanshek. The per person rate of $950 includes all park fees. See: http://www.bikeraft.com/specialty-trips/national-parks-traveler-lodore-canyon-trip/

For anyone wanting to learn the art of whitewater kayaking, Andy Thunell from Rapid Progression Kayak School will provide the instruction and all the required kayaking equipment for an Aug. 1-6 Whitewater Kayaking Workshop in Desolation Canyon in the Green River Wilderness. The rate is $1,370 per person and minimum age is 16.  See: http://www.bikeraft.com/specialty-trips/kayak-workshop/

Unique to this company is its Dark Sky Stargazing Trip Series that this summer offers four adventures focused on the stars. One is by mountain bike on the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park. Three are by raft: in Lodore Canyon (Green River) and in Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River near Moab, UT. Trips are run in partnership with Salt Lake City’s Clark Planetarium. See: http://www.bikeraft.com/dark-sky-stargazing-trip-series/

The season wraps with a Fall Extended Rafting & Hiking Trip combining the fun of rafting the Green River and Cataract Canyon with fascinating side canyon hikes to ancient Pueblo ruins and petroglyphs in the heart of Canyonlands National Park. The eight day trips runs $1,535 per person.  See: http://www.bikeraft.com/specialty-trips/fall-extended-hiking-trip/

About Holiday River Expeditions

Holiday River Expeditions began in 1966, when Dee Holladay and his wife Sue took the plunge to become river outfitters. Due to its respect for the lands, rivers, guests and employees, the family-owned-and-operated company has grown steadily. Each of its guides is professionally trained in first aid and river safety, and with over 50 years of experience, the company provides guests the opportunity to explore the nation’s wild lands safely and securely. Holiday River Expeditions has a philosophy to protect the environment through education and conservation, and as such, uses oar-powered and paddle rafts exclusively.

For more information, availability, reservations or a copy of the 2016 catalog please call 800-624-6323, Email: Holiday@BikeRaft.com or log onto: http://www.bikeraft.com/.

Media Contact:

Dave Wiggins, Widness & Wiggins PR

dave@travelnewssource.com

303.554.8821