How To Stand Up on a Paddle Board

Stand-up paddle boarding (SUPing) is a widely recognized water sport that involves standing on a board, similar to a surfboard and using a paddle to move around the water. It’s been a method people have used to move in the water since around 3000 B.C. but has only become popular since the early 2000s. You’ve likely seen spectacular photos on social media or other advertisements of people posing on their stand-up paddleboard (SUP) while on a beach vacation – but what you don’t see is the clumsiness that often preludes their picture-perfect pose. 

Stand-up paddle boarding may look like a piece of cake, but it isn’t entirely intuitive. Balancing on a floating board while steering with a paddle takes a lot of coordination and core strength. But don’t let the challenge stop you! After all, paddle boarding is so popular partly due to how beginner-friendly and inclusive it is. All you need is a good attitude and this guide we’ve created for you to learn how to stand up on a paddle board. 

Photo by Peter Csipkay on Unsplash

How to Get On The Board

If you’re a beginner, mounting the SUP in calm, shallow waters (about knee deep) will be the easiest. Trying to get on the board while in deep waters or strong currents as a beginner could leave you up a creek without a paddle. To get on the board from the water, stand beside the board and lay your paddle across the nose of the board (horizontally) with the handle on your side. Hold the board on both sides, with the hand closest to you holding both the paddle handle and the board. Lift your alternate knee out of the water and onto the board, then pull the rest of your body onto the board, ensuring the nose stays in the water. Different SUPs have different balancing points, but you should be near the middle of the SUP. Continue kneeling and get your balance before attempting to stand up. 

Go From Kneeling to Standing

Once you’ve paddled around on your knees and gotten your balance for several strokes (or however many it takes!), you may feel comfortable transitioning into the standing position. This will be easier for some than others. For those with stiff knees, choosing a wider board might make standing up on your board easier. Staff at Broadmoor will definitely help you choose the perfect board for our Stand Up Paddle Board Tours. Now, here are a couple of methods to stand up on your board.

If you’re a reasonably agile person, you can lay your paddle down across the nose of the board, then lean down to place your hands on the board in front of your knees to balance. At this point, you should be able to bring your knees up and get your feet under your torso, then lift your body up into the standing position.

For those who aren’t exactly spring chickens or who aren’t as limber, follow the steps above, except instead of laying your paddle down, use it as a prop to help you bring your body to standing upright.

Once you’re standing, you will want to make sure your feet are in the same position on your SUP as your knees were. That way, you already know where the sweet spot of balance is on your SUP.

Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash

How to Balance

The number one tip for how to stand up on a paddle board is: Don’t look down. SUPing is one of those sports that requires you to get out of your head and into your body, so really try to feel it in your feet, hips, back, shoulders, and core while learning. Place your feet around the middle of the board, about hip-width apart, and point your toes forward. Keep your posture solid but not too rigid. Also, move from your hips and core rather than trying to walk around on the board. And last but not least- prepare to fall. It happens!

How to Paddle

Now that you know how to stand up and balance on a paddle board, you need to learn how to use your paddle. Believe it or not, there is a wrong way to paddle a SUP, and most beginners do it incorrectly when left to their own devices.

First, you want to ensure that the paddle’s T-grip handle feels comfortable in your hand. You’ll be paddling on both sides, but start with the handle in your dominant hand, so you can get the hang of the paddling technique. Hold around the middle of the paddle with your other hand.

To paddle, put your blade in the water, ensuring that the angled part of the paddle blade is pointed toward the nose of your SUP and that the entire blade is submerged in the water. Now, make a big sweeping motion, pushing down with your top hand, as opposed to pulling the paddle through the water toward you. Paddle from about two feet in front of you, back to your ankles, and lift the paddle out of the water. Keep your arms straight during the paddle motion, and only move with your torso and upper body. Keep in mind that you should be paddling with your core strength, not with your arms. 

Prepare Your Body

If you’re planning on spending a big chunk of time SUPing or want to SUP several days in a row, you’ll be wise to exercise first. Building your core muscles as well as increasing stamina will pay off on the water! And, you might not be as sore after paddle boarding as you might be if you don’t work those muscles in the days and weeks before your SUP adventure. Plank (traditional and side plank) exercises, mountain climbers, and squats are a good starting point if you want to stand up on a paddle board. 

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the basic steps for how to stand up on a paddle board, you’re ready to get on the water and rock it. Remember, to be good at something, you’ve got to be bad at it first. So don’t be afraid to practice and perhaps take a couple of falls. But this beginner’s guide to stand up paddle boarding will send you on your way! 

Is It Safe to Hike Alone?

We’ve all been there – maybe you’re new in town or have found yourself with an empty weekend and have no one to explore with, or perhaps your schedule just can’t line up with your friends’. But regardless of the reason, this may beg the question, is it safe to hike alone? The answer is yes! Being solo certainly does not need to end your adventure before it begins.

If you are someone with an unusual work schedule, who travels often, or are looking to get outside on your own schedule, hiking alone can be a freeing experience if you do it safely.

Like most new endeavors, hiking alone can seem intimidating; however, with the proper preparation and knowledge, hiking solo is safe and empowering. To help you mitigate and control the potential safety risks, see the below tips to keep you safe while getting started on your solo journey!

Photo by Julien Flutto on Unsplash

1: Start Small

While hiking alone is often depicted through the stories of lengthy endeavors or epic circumstances, hiking alone can be what you make it! Your first hike (and any hikes after that) does not have to be far, extreme, or to unknown places. 

To get used to hiking alone, picking a trail close to home, one you’ve been on before, or one you have walked with a friend first can be helpful. You may also want to consider going on a guided hike in a new area to get a feel for the terrain and to learn a few things from your experienced guide.

Once you’re comfortable, consider hiking on a new to you, well-established,  and populated trail. Some popular trails have maps at intersections (but always bring your own!), and there is often comfort in seeing others around. From here, the possibilities to increase your adventure and push your comfort zone are endless.

2: Know Your Trail

One of the most important aspects of hiking alone is researching your route. The depth of this research may vary depending on the types and lengths of trails you choose. No matter the trail, be sure to note the general direction you will be traveling, the length of the route, possible exits, turnaround options, the type of terrain you’ll encounter, and important features or landmarks such as rivers, intersecting trails, and more. 

Part of knowing your trail is also knowing what you may encounter. This may include wildlife, flora and fauna, exposure, closures, and more. When it comes to wildlife, be sure to inform yourself about the various animals and how to respond if you encounter them. For example, hiking in areas with Grizzy Bears usually means you will need to carry bear spray and know how to use it. Some areas may also have seasonal closures due to conditions, wildlife breeding/nesting patterns, or areas to avoid to due to damage or erosion. No matter the reason, check online, at state park offices, or wherever is needed to get the information you need to prepare for what’s ahead.

3: Carry a Navigation Tool

Some trails have maps for users at the trailhead entrance; some have occasional maps throughout the trail system. However, many trails have no markers or directions for where you are or where the trail goes. Consider using a paper map with a compass, a GPS device, or other technology to navigate as needed. 


There are many tools available online and via phone applications to help with navigation. Some common resources include Gaia GPS, All Trails, or Hiking Project. If you like gadgets, many smartwatches now offer GPS maps and safety features that allow you to retrace your steps to your starting location. Other options (especially for hikers who venture into more remote territory) worth exploring are handheld GPS devices, satellite phones, and other safety gadgets such as the ones offered by Garmin.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

4: Tell Someone Where You’re Going

Sometimes in life, things don’t go as planned, no matter how much you prepare. Therefore, it is imperative that you tell a close, trusted, and available friend or family member about your plan. Be sure to tell them which trail you will be on, the intended direction and length of travel, as well as the approximate time you should return home and contact them. 

The goal, of course, is that this is a backup and never needed. It may seem simple; however, this easy step in planning may just be the one thing that saves your life or gets you the help you need if the unexpected happens.

5: Carry The 10 Essentials

The 10 essentials are made up of various emergency and first aid items. They include navigation items (discussed above), sun protection, insulation and clothing layers, illumination, first aid supplies, fire-starting equipment, repair kit and tools, food/nutrition, hydration, and emergency shelter. 

These are items that, if you need them, you do not want to be caught without them! These items make all the difference when it comes to the safety of hiking alone. Hiking has potential risks, but many of these risks can be mitigated and prepared for with the above items. The degree to which you carry some of these items may vary based on a number of factors specific to your hike, so again, do your research.

6: Know The Weather 

When you are outside, mother nature is in control. Be sure to look up the weather patterns for the area you are hiking. Of course, be sure to look at the weather forecast for the day you plan to hike, but also consider the weather patterns of the previous days to get a better picture of the trail conditions. For example, a week’s worth of rain before your trip may mean muddy conditions and partially flooded trails.

Additionally, mountains can have unique weather patterns such as afternoon storms in the summer, snow, changes in cloud cover, or wind. Therefore, the weather can vary dramatically at different elevations, and it may be challenging to get an accurate forecast. For example, if you are going up to hike at elevation, the forecast and weather patterns may be different up high than from a town or city below. If you plan to hike in the winter or at elevation where there can be winter conditions, be sure to check out Broadmoor’s tips for safely hiking in the winter

Photo by Davide Sacchet on Unsplash

7: Know Your Limits 

 Everyone has different abilities. This spectrum of capabilities can vary from outdoor knowledge, fitness, weather, or time limits. You may want to ask yourself: what am I hoping to get out of this hike? Have I done a comparable hike before? Is this within my knowledge or fitness abilities? Is this within my risk tolerance (distance, technical difficulty, conditions, exposure/ hights)?

A fun aspect of hiking for many people is pushing your own limits. But remember, doing this a little bit at a time is okay. Don’t overwhelm yourself or put yourself at risk by getting too far out of your limits. Trust what feels right to you both before and during your hike, and make sure to listen to your body. Make hiking alone an activity you can return to, love, and enjoy. 

So, is it safe to hike alone? Yes. And by keeping the tips above in mind, hiking alone can be a safe activity and may just open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Tips for Planning a Corporate Event

Tips for Planning a Corporate Event with Broadmoor Outfitters

Corporate events are great opportunities for staff to bond and get to know one another better. If your team is struggling with poor communication or lackluster morale, planning a corporate event where colleagues can spend quality time together outside the office is a great solution to help your team feel more connected.

The Benefits of Outdoor Adventure Events

Outdoor adventures are among the best corporate events. They give employees time in nature and the fresh air to recover from the stress of work. It has been proven that spending time outdoors relaxes us and promotes positive mental health. If you know your team has been struggling with working overtime, a project gone wrong, or office conflict, an afternoon outside could be just the ticket to getting a fresh start. The benefits of holding a corporate event for your team are near endless; Let’s get started on your Broadmoor event by reviewing some corporate event ideas.

The Best Times for a Corporate Event

It is not always easy to know the best time for planning a corporate event. For some outdoor events, you might want to schedule an early spring activity, so your team can enjoy and celebrate the coming of warmer weather. If you have a big project going on, planning a corporate event or happy hour to celebrate its conclusion is a great way to show your staff you appreciate their hard work. If your team is undergoing stressful changes like a merger or new office procedures, a half-day guided event can make a huge difference in morale.

Photo by Alex Guillaume on Unsplash

Top Corporate Event Ideas

If you are planning a corporate event and need a novel alternative to boring trust falls, outdoor adventures in beautiful Colorado Springs provide infinitely more excitement and engagement. There are so many options to choose from, like zip lining, falconry, firewalks, and scavenger hunts. These activities challenge colleagues to work in new ways and create fun memories that your staff will remember for years. Let’s go through the different corporate event ideas and explain the benefits you can expect for your team.

Happy Hour Events

To start with some more relaxed corporate event ideas, these cocktail hours are perfect options for staff to hang out and chat. It’s just like inviting your team to grab drinks at a bar, but with a thrilling twist. These happy hours will surely give your employees something to talk about for weeks and build your company’s reputation for having fun social events for staff.

– Falconry

Ready to meet the stunning birds of prey cared for by The Falconry and Raptor Education Foundation? This is a cocktail hour your staff will never forget. A professional falconer introduces you to hawks, falcons, and owls at the Broadmoor’s flying field. You’ll learn about these amazing creatures and maybe even have one perch on your arm!

– Tomahawk Toss

Challenge your colleague to see who has the best aim! This fun happy hour event lets staff throw a traditional tomahawk and practice hitting the target. Your team will enjoy seeing each other in this new light and finding out who has a hidden talent!

– Archery

This archery cocktail event is a great way to get staff out of the office and trying a new skill. Instructors teach archery basics, and the portable equipment can be brought to almost any location. If you are planning a corporate event in a specific venue, this is one of the most convenient ways to spice up a happy hour.

– Outdoor Movie

With this inflatable 26-foot outdoor movie screen, you can throw a corporate event like no other. This can serve as a unique way to give a presentation or a larger-than-life alternative to a standard staff movie night.

Photo by Andre Klimke on Unsplash

Guided Adventures

Adventure-based corporate events are an amazing way to expand your team’s understanding of one another, not just as colleagues but as people and friends. Joining together on a challenging and sometimes scary (but always safe) guided adventure will build trust, cooperation, and mutual respect among team members. Sharing these unique experiences translates to better camaraderie and communication in the office. In turn, these skills can then boost productivity and get those difficult projects finished.

– Zip Lines

Zip lining is a thrilling activity in stark opposition to the confines of a desk. Between the Woods and Fins Courses, your staff can experience eight zip lines up to 1,800 feet long and heights up to 500 feet. These awesome courses, which are among the best Colorado Springs attractions, include rope bridges, hikes, and rappels. This is a unique corporate event idea with tons of adrenaline and laughs to bring your team closer together.

– Team Firewalk

The difficulties of office life will pale in comparison to the test of the firewalk! If your team needs a morale boost, overcoming a firewalk will certainly do the trick. If you are planning a corporate event and looking for something edgy and memorable, a guided firewalk with an expert trainer will leave your staff feeling empowered and connected like never before.

– Hiking

This may be one of the more standard corporate event ideas on this list. However, a guided hiking tour is still an awesome experience in Colorado Springs. Choose between a relaxed nature walk or a challenging hike to the top of Seven Falls. Either way, your team will enjoy fresh air, beautiful scenery, and stunning local flora and fauna.

– Mountain Biking

This half-day corporate event is perfect for teams with a need for speed. There’s no better way to shake off work stress than to hit the trail, dodging obstacles and pushing yourself to the limit. The Gold Camp and Garden of the Gods trails are some of the most picturesque rides in Colorado Springs. Your team will surely finish the day feeling mentally refreshed.

– Caving

If you are looking to unite and empower your team by overcoming struggle, a four-hour trip down into the caverns under Pikes Peak is a stellar way to do it. This guided tour abandons the beaten path in lieu of private, undeveloped sections of the cave. Your team will surely bond over this unforgettable foray into the dark and spooky depths.

– Rock Climbing

One of our favorite corporate event ideas, rock climbing, is a great way to bring people together. In this half-day adventure at one of Colorado Springs’ best climbing spots, colleagues watch each other learn new skills and overcome obstacles. The sense of camaraderie builds as teammates support one another with advice and encouragement. 

Team-Building Competitions 

Nothing brings people together like a little friendly competition. If your team needs some cohesion and communication, these activities will encourage coworkers to face and overcome these problem areas as a group.

Building challenges invite staff to work together to design and build. The first event features building bridges to withstand the Atomic Pulverizer (Battle of the Bridges). The second allows teams to build small houses that other teams later try to destroy (Domestic Demolition). Out of the Park requires team problem solving, as groups must decipher clues and collect the materials needed to build a water-powered rocket that can reach up to 200 feet in the air! Similarly, Firequest stresses the importance of collaboration, as teams must find all the materials necessary to build a small fire. These challenges force teams to work on communication skills, negotiation, compromise, and trust in one another.

Your staff could also compete against each other in a two-hour paintball challenge or a scavenger hunt. These events span the Broadmoor property and promote healthy competition via a live leaderboard. A more in-depth competition called The Amazing Race combines brain teasers, physical games, and problem-solving. Here, teams work together to acquire clues and race to find checkpoints around the city. A woodsier version, the Cheyenne Canyon Quest, requires teams to navigate a woods course that traverses the gorgeous Cheyenne Canyon using orienteering, communication, and leadership skills. 

These unique challenges create friends and enemies of coworkers, all in the name of good fun. While staff may think it’s just a random competition, your team will actually be learning important skills, taking turns leading and listening, compromising and collaborating. If they don’t, they’ll fail the challenge and face defeat by another team. 

Why Outdoors?

Similar activities could easily be set up indoors, so why work on getting your team outdoors? Well, in short, practicing team-building skills in beautiful Colorado Springs is a much more rejuvenating and memorable activity! Why put your team in a plain hotel conference room when you could utilize the beautiful backdrop of nature that’s all around us? At the end of the day, your staff will go back to work with new skills and fun memories to recall over the water cooler.

Planning a Corporate Event Activity for Your Staff

The key to choosing the best corporate event is to understand your team’s passions and abilities. You can do a poll to gauge staff interest in building challenges, athletic adventures, or happy hour entertainment. Then, consider the team’s areas for improvement to ensure the corporate event activity is also a fun way to develop and cultivate important team-building skills. For example, if your staff tends to work individually, a building challenge will force all hands on deck. Or, if you have new members on board, an engaging cocktail hour can help them make new office friends.

These corporate event ideas are all unique opportunities to help teams cooperate and bond through shared experiences. Each one is designed to be a rewarding experience in itself and also to facilitate team building, communication, and mutual respect. Whether you choose a relaxing, guided nature hike or a full-blown battle, your staff will surely benefit from the time outdoors and come away feeling refreshed and closer together.

Zip Lining Colorado Springs – How to Do It

How to Get Started Zip Lining Colorado Springs

Beginning as a way to transport goods and materials across rough terrain and rivers, ziplines quickly became a safer alternative for the workers, too. Nowadays, the sport has become more and more popular, with zip lines popping up in tourist areas all over the world. Zip lining is a great summer activity, a way to see awesome views of the surrounding area, and a thrilling ride for those looking for a rush of adrenaline.

What Is Zip Lining?

In zip lining, riders sit in a harness and hang under a long cable that starts higher on a slope and ends somewhere in the distance. You are connected to the cable via a pulley, whose wheels coast seamlessly along the cable, allowing you to fly through the air at awesome speeds, upwards of 40 miles per hour. 

Ziplines are often set up in forests or jungles, high in the trees. You may also find a zipline across a river or canyon or going down a mountain. In addition to a harness, zipliners must wear helmets. It is also suggested to wear pants and gloves to protect yourself from scratches by rogue branches. 

Image by AaronHM from Pixabay 

Why You Should Try Zip Lining

If you’re not already thrilled at the opportunity to fly through the air, there are plenty of other reasons to try ziplining. First, it’s a great way to experience nature. Ziplines often start at great heights – Broadmoor’s highest point is more than 500 feet in the air. You’ll get amazing views of the Front Range as you soar over the trees on this upside-down roller coaster. 


Next, zip lines immerse you in nature. These courses, which are among the best Colorado Springs attractions, include rope bridges, hikes, and rappels. While you’re on the zip line, you’ll get views of the forest canopy like you’ve never seen before. Colorado Springs has some amazing wildlife and scenery, and these zipline courses are unique and thrilling ways to experience that nature.

Is Zip Lining Safe?

All outdoor and adventure activities come with some risks, but zip lines in the United States are certified by an agency that notes a one-in-a-billion chance of one breaking. When properly constructed and run by trained professionals, ziplines are one of the safest ways for adrenaline seekers to get that rush.


The Broadmoor’s ziplines also have a minimum weight requirement of ninety pounds to make sure that riders can properly wear their safety equipment. All this is to say that a zipline course is an awesome family-friendly activity, and you can rest assured that ziplines are safe for kids.

Image by sebastian del val from Pixabay 

Zipline Courses in Colorado Springs

Now that you’re convinced to try it, let’s discuss the best zip line courses Colorado Springs has to offer. Between the Woods and Fins Courses, the Broadmoor property has eight zip lines of up to 1,800 feet in length and heights up to 500 feet.

The Woods Course

The first and more beginner-friendly course offered at Broadmoor for zip lining Colorado Springs, the Woods Course, travels over Midnight Falls and includes 5 zip lines ranging from 250 to 1500 feet long. The tallest starts 150 ft high in the air, and you’ll reach speeds upwards of 45 miles per hour. 

This thrilling course starts with two shorter zip lines to allow riders to get used to the experience. After a short walk, the third zip line takes you over a beautiful granite canyon and creek 150 feet down below. The fourth zip line leads riders to the top of Seven Falls, and the final 1,500-foot ride brings you back to the hiking trail. 

The Fins Course

If you want something a little more blood-pumping, the Fins Course is the way to go. This extreme ziplining adventure takes you to high altitudes, steep drops, and an experience in the Front Range like you’ve never had before. 

This half-day adventure has 5 zip lines of 250 to 1800 feet long and heights up to 500 feet. The course also involves two rope bridges, and a 180-foot assisted rappel. This awesome journey is definitely not for those who fear heights!

The course has two introductory zip lines, just like the Woods Course, before the third zipline takes you to Seven Falls Canyon and its rock fins. You’ll walk across two rope bridges and enjoy views of Colorado Springs before the fourth zipline takes you over the canyon to the south side of Mt. Cutler. Being 500 feet above the canyon road provides stunning view and an experience you’ll never forget. Finally, the last zip line leads back to the canyon, where you will rappel 180 feet down to the canyon floor.

The Combo Course

If you can’t choose between these awesome options, you’ll be relieved to know that you don’t have to! The Broadmoor’s combo course allows you to experience both the best zip lines in Colorado Springs. 

This four-hour day starts with the Woods Course, including the introductory zip lines and the awesome Midnight and Seven Falls rides, then all of the Fins Course, from the rope bridges to the thrilling ziplines to the assisted rappel. All in all, this exciting course has 8 zip lines and a 25-minute hike between the two courses. This great half-day adventure introduces you to the world of ziplining and provides other unique experiences in nature.

Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash

When Is the Best Time to Go Ziplining In Colorado Springs?

If you are wondering when you can go zip lining here in Colorado Springs, Broadmoor’s courses are open year-round. While it is fun to go zip lining anytime, there are definitely better months and some weather tips to keep in mind. Summer is the best time for zip lining Colorado Springs. With the sunny, hot weather, the relief of wind and fast speeds will feel great. Spring and fall are also beautiful times to enjoy the weather from a zip line, and don’t forget about the gorgeous foliage you’ll see.

If you choose to go zip lining in the winter or colder weather, be aware of the temperature drops. On top of the mountains, it will be colder and windier. And with the ziplines propelling you to speeds greater than 40 miles per hour, you will want warm clothes and wind protection. Gloves and face protection are necessary for certain conditions to prevent frostbite. The only other risk is storms or lightning, which might result in closed courses until the bad weather passes.

Final Thoughts

Zip lining is an invigorating way to experience nature and see the stunning vistas of Colorado’s Front Range. This family-friendly activity is accessible from downtown, where you’ll have access to some of the best ziplines in Colorado. Simply make a reservation, dress well, and you’ll be all set. At Broadmoor, we include all the gear and instruction from trained guides. So all you need to do is show up and you’re sure to have a memorable time zip lining Colorado Springs – Enjoy!