Paddling into the Holidays!

As we approach Thanksgiving weekend, it’s time to come to terms with the fact that the Holidays are officially upon us. We have been in denial far too long, but the warm sunny days outweigh the chilly nights, right?!

So let’s get back to those Holidays and that nice long weekend we have right in front of us – Thanksgiving! A lovely long-weekend that starts with large amounts of gratitude and calories that turns into a mad-dash of shopping deals, designer coffees, unpacking boxes and bags of Holiday decorations to spew all over our houses and work space cubicles to show everyone that we are ready for the season. Gahhh!!! Just writing this, the stress level is rising. Big breath in! Big breath out! This year, we are going to do what we have done for the past two-years because it works! We are boycotting the crazed madness of shopping on Black Friday and “Opting-Outside” – thank you REI – with a nice paddle at one of our local lakes. Even the forest service is into it! They are offering a Tonto Fee Free Day on Friday, November 24th!

Let the shopping madness ensue on Saturday, November 25th and celebrate #shopsmall to support Small Business Saturday with us. We will be open all day Saturday with some awesome deals on new and used stand up paddleboards, kayaks, longboards and fun ideas for stocking-stuffers.

More deals you ask? How does zero-down with 0% financing sound? How about we pay your sales-tax? Well, we can’t actually pay your sales-tax, but we can add an 8.1% discount to qualified sales to make it feel like we are paying your sales-tax. We support Uncle Sam and you should too. And wait for it….we even have a deal so smoking hot that we aren’t allowed to announce it until Friday!

In the last month we…
Our annual “Paddle to the Dam” at Canyon Lake was a success! We started off a little rough. The winds were incredibly high that morning but we forged forward. The winds eventually died down and we completed a full 16-miles of paddling in challenging conditions. Lots of boats this year, which is unusual, but the scenery by paddleboard is beyond amazing. We made it all the way to the top even made time to explore Fish Creek and take a nice break for lunch.

Another Dam Race never disappoints. One of our favorite races of the entire year! If you have ever had any interest to paddle 11-miles down the Colorado River, this is a fun one. All paddle crafts – outriggers, kayaks, SUPs and more. The celebration at the finish and racers raffle is awesome, but the people that make up this event will change your life! Huge congrats to all the paddlers that made the pilgrimage to Parker and finished the race. Special shout out to SUP competitors Jason Kierein (SIC),Teri Carlin (SIC), TJ Munks (Infinity), Kristin Thomas (Infinity), Mel Wygal (Infinity), Jill “Racer” Roesner (Infinity), Margaret Neiman (Naish), Diane Bradley (Infinity), Bill McGrath (Starboard), Paul Pianowski (Infinity), Heidi Stone (Infinity), and anyone we may have missed for their podium finishes.

Lake Havasu Paddlefest was really fun! The high winds on Saturday diverted our demos to the channel, but we had a great time with Southwest Kayaks who hosted the event. It’s always great spending time with paddlers from all over the region and meeting new faces at every stop. Next year, we are planning a group paddle down the Topock Gorge. Can’t wait!

Store Hours
The shop will be closed on Sundays through the winter, but that doesn’t mean you can you can’t rent boards and kayaks. Please call the shop to schedule your pick-up on Saturday and drop-off on Monday.

Upcoming Shop Closures
Thanksgiving: The shop will be closed on Thursday, November 23th in observance of Thanksgiving.
Opt Outside/Black Friday: The shop will be closed on Black Friday to go paddle! Join us on our quest to #optoutside along with the campaign started by REI to get outside and enjoy an activity outdoors. Also known as the “Annual Turkey Burn”, we just like to paddle and we also like the idea of boycotting Black Friday. Check out this Paddle with a purpose and come join us on the lake. Turkey Burn Paddle Information

In-Store Specials!
On Small Business Saturday, we will have lots of specials on new and used paddleboards. Rentals and demos on sale now including inflatable paddleboards starting at $350, used epoxy paddleboards starting at $400 and inflatable kayaks starting at $350. Brand new performance race boards on clearance for as much as 30% off MSRP.

Heading into December
Living in Arizona has its advantages for allowing us to paddle year-round. That being said, we don’t have a whole bunch of stuff scheduled between now and 2018, but you can count on us to be at the shop to help answer all your paddling questions. Since we paddle all winter, feel free to join us for one of our weekly meet-up paddles at Tempe Town Lake on Tuesday nights. Be sure to check our events calendar or follow us on social media to see what fun stuff we have planned your next paddle! online schedule. Riverbound Sports Event Calendar

May your season be filled with time on the water, warmth and a good dose of tradition. And if the season begins to stress you out, our best advise is to – GET OUT AND PADDLE!