What Sup? Virtual Stand Up Paddleboard Training
Two women leaders in whitewater from bordering countries in the U.S.A and Canada collaborate to deliver world-class virtual Stand Up Paddling (SUP) instruction—one of North America’s fastest growing sports anywhere using the power of the Internet and the XOTV platform. And just in time to meet new year fitness goals.
Antoinette Lee Toscano Credit Matthew James Berrafato MBerrafato Images
Meet the whitewater women changing the SUP instruction industry
Meet Reta Boychuk—founder of CANRVR SUP Instructor Collective based in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. Boychuk, a Paddle Canada Certified Instructor Trainer, started the collective to bring together like-minded instructors who supported her passion for growing a community of safe river stand up paddlers.
Boychuk is a Kokatat and Badfish SUP paddling team member and a brand ambassador for Werner Paddles and Predator Helmets. She is also an all-around whitewater paddling enthusiast specializing in whitewater stand up paddling. And she has paddled a SUP, OC1, and kayak on rivers in Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, U.S.A, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.
“Reta gives 200% in everything she does. She is passionate about safety, increasing skill levels, and maintaining our beautiful natural spaces while having fun.” — Trish Rasmussen
But not everyone in the market to buy a stand up paddleboard or who is already paddling lakes and rivers has access to quality instruction, WhitewaterTV Executive Producer—Antoinette Lee Toscano noticed.
Toscano is the host and executive producer of the Colorado, U.S.A-based WhitewaterTV on the XOTV.me platform and on some Smart TVs. She identifies as an “all-around outdoorswoman,” but on the water, Antoinette is an angler, kayaker, and a newbie stand up paddler on flatwater and rivers. In addition, Toscano is the architect of the free National’ American Adventure Sports Clubs,’ and a Kokatat, Badfish SUP, Watershed Drybags, and Team River Runner paddling team member. Recently, Toscano was appointed a City of Loveland, Colorado, U.S.A Parks and Recreation Commissioner.
Toscano’s passion is ensuring that everyone has equitable, sustainable, and safe access to paddlesports and other adventure sports.
The confluence of technology and paddlesports
Thirty-one years ago, when the Internet became popular, no one could imagine it was possible to access certified instructors from anywhere in the world. But today, the ubiquitous mobile device and the XOTV.me platform allow viewers worldwide to access CANRVR SUP instruction from anywhere—online and on some smart TVs.
“As a former Information Technology Chief Executive Officer and software designer, I understood the power of digitizing repeatable tasks like customer service or onboarding and packaging them for delivery online through computers and mobile devices. I thought, why not use existing technology to deliver exceptional adventure sports training?” — Antoinette Lee Toscano
The ‘What SUP?’ paddleboard series on WhitewaterTV
First, Reta Boychuk and the CANRVRSUP instructors have created the ‘What SUP?’ stand up paddleboard series for WhitewaterTV. What SUP is an ongoing series of thirty to sixty-minute instructional videos. And in response to viewer questions posted on Instagram, industry changes, and other factors, the team will develop additional videos. A new video is published monthly. And there is high audience engagement on social media where viewers can ask questions and show their progress.
Next, a viewer can watch the subscription-based series from any device with a web browser and an Internet connection. Or on some Smart TVs. Then take what they learned out to the water for practice. And they can sign-up for virtual coaching with Reta Boychuk.
The video series takes the new or experienced paddler through choosing a paddleboard and other gear and apparel options. It covers the various styles of stand up paddle and sit-down paddle options for people with differing abilities. The videos take viewers from thinking about SUP as a sport to excelling on flatwater and river running and river surfing. And for those really feeling the stoke for SUP, the series also prepares the viewer for competition. When the weather prevents viewers from training on the water, there are training techniques meant for at-home use.
Boychuk had this to say about the CANRVRSUP and WhitewaterTV collaboration.
“I wanted to create ‘What SUP?’ because I think it’s an amazing way to create more accessibility to stand up paddling instruction and safety knowledge.” — Reta Boychuk
Until February 2022, lucky viewers can enter to win a stand up paddle package, including a stand up paddleboard, safety gear, and apparel. Entry details are in each ‘What SUP?” show description.
All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Media ContactCompany Name: WhitewaterTV on XOTV.meContact Person: Antoinette Lee ToscanoEmail: Send EmailPhone: 9198099439Country: United StatesWebsite: https://xotv.me/channels/359-whitewatertv
