Kerri Karcz has been blazing the river SUP scene for women of all ages and proving that all you have to do is try to become a master of any sport.

In 1993 Kerri Karcz had just graduated from college and like many of us, was drawn to the mountains. She wondered what she was going to do now that she had accomplished obtaining her degree. She allowed the pull to manifest and landed in Summit County Colorado where she found a job at Keystone Resort. 

What she didn’t realize was the job would introduce her to a lifelong passion. Growing up she had always water skied. She figured she would meet fellow water skiers but Lake Dillon did not host that type of community. 

Kerri’s first river experience was on a rafting trip. Keystone Resort at that time had its own White Water Rafting outfit. While her mom was visiting they took advantage of a trip down the Arkansas River. The hook was set. She discovered the local rafting community and would try to get out on the river as often as possible.
 
One day after enjoying a concert at Rancho del Rio, a quirky resort located on the shore of the Colorado River, she was floating the river and witnessed someone standing and paddling a craft along the current. She was mesmerized and could think of only one thing, I need to do that!

This was the early 2010’s and the sport was really beginning to take off. Peter Hall of Hala Gear had set up shop in Steamboat Springs, Mike Harvey and friends were crafting River Boards in Salida and Johnny Lambino was launching SOL Paddle Boards down in Telluride.

Paddle-specific events started popping up and Standup Paddle Board Colorado opened for teaching and tours on the Colorado River. Kerri wanted to learn more and took lessons with Javier Placer & Joey Suputo to learn some more of the technical aspects of the sport. 

She recalls,  “I did not know how to read the river. I didn’t know anything about it. How do I Eddy out, which side of the board to stand on so you don’t flip over? Which side of the river should I go down when it splits? How do I get back on the board if I fall off.” All of this was new and she was a literal river sponge soaking up the flow as she improved her skills.

CKS in Buena Vista had begun holding its annual PaddleFest back then and it was a mecca for those who discovered SUP Boarding. People were now racing their boards downriver. One of these events was in Vail, the Go Pro Games, and they were looking for participants for their paddle events. She signed up and then felt a bit jittery. Looking for more time on the river before the race she headed up to Steamboat to spend some time on the Yampa River and rolled into town not knowing about the Yampa River Festival. They too were having races, she entered the downriver race and came in 2nd. Her best finish in the GoPro games in Vail
was in 2021, when she came in 3rd .

It wasn’t just the sport itself that made it so enjoyable, it was the camaraderie. More and more women were embracing SUP. It wasn’t just young women, it was women of every age. The ages of all paddlers are so diverse. Age doesn’t seem to matter when it comes to the sport they all wanted to participate in and be a part of it. The energy is about the friendships and I have wanted to be there to encourage them.  

She received certification from Charlie McArthur’s Aspen Kayak & SUP Academy and began teaching camps & giving private lessons for Alpine Kayak. She did some all-girl classes but ultimately discovered her love of bringing enthusiasm for SUP to all kids and adults alike. She loves to give back to children of all ages and get them out on the water. She says, “ If I could be out on the river every day with teenagers I would. They love to play and bring that fun energy. Camping and getting together with these kids is a blast.”

Today Kerri is a competitive downriver and SUP cross paddler who enjoys how it challenges her mind and body! She truly feels there is no better way to be in the moment. In the winter Kerri can often be found on snow in the backcountry or skiing with her son.

She believes that life is a journey.

by HollyGoSpritely