I’m starting a new series of posts here on Wanderlust and Lipstick called Fearless Female of the Month. Each month I will interview a woman who is paving the way for others in her outdoor recreational and adventurous lifestyle, and inspiring us to do the same in our own lives. My first fearless female of the month is Natali Zollinger, who is a game-changer in all things Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP board). Natali is a competitor in whitewater SUP racing, a trained SUP instructor, and avid SUP yoga proponent. I spoke with her recently to find out more about her passion for SUP boarding.
How did you get into water sports?
I grew up on a farm in Northern Utah with three ponds surrounding our home. From swimming to ice skating, that was my life. I’ve always loved water. In high school, I competed on in swimming, diving and water polo. After high school I got a little sick of chlorine, so I moved on to running and joined the rugby team at Utah State University, as I’ve always been a competitor and athlete.
Why Stand Up Paddleboarding?
After college I went on a rafting trip with some friends near Moab, Utah. It was the tipping point in my life, I quickly became hooked. Rivers were that thing that was missing in my mermaid, athletic lifestyle.
I kept seeing SUPs out on the river, and so I asked my friend Shaine from Shabomee SUP to teach me. One trip down the river and I knew that I had found my sport. It’s been the best of both worlds, river guiding and SUP boarding. I get to be on the water everyday, but don’t have to push my body through such a physical stressful state that I was beginning to feel from river guiding.
You’ve got a cool mix of yoga and SUP boarding experience. How do you think these two activities work well together?
Yoga has always been an interest of mine, and one that I’ve pursued by getting my 200 hour yoga teaching certification. I think these activities pair nicely due to the fact that you can do both at the same time. You can paddle out for an evening training sesh, then place your paddle down on the board and move right into your yoga routine. I like to think of my SUP board as my floating yoga mat. 🙂
Tell me about whitewater SUP racing.
Whitewater (River) SUP racing is a relatively new sport. It’s similar to whitewater rafting, but on a SUP board. We compete for time down a river, and whomever is fastest, wins. You can imagine how challenging and adventurous it is, as you need to ferry across the river, catch eddies, and well, stay on your board. It’s been amazing because I love the sport, and have found an incredible family of paddlers (especially ladies) that will be lifelong friends. I’m definitely in this sport for the long haul. I hope to help it grow and develop so it can be accessible to anyone and everyone in the world.
What’s your advice for newbie female SUP boarders?
Don’t be intimidated! SUP boarding is the fastest growing sport in the world for a reason…anyone can get on it and go! Choose the right board for the right interest. For example, narrower boards are better for training and sprint workouts, while wide boards are super stable and good for SUPyoga and general fitness. I like Hala Gear, they have inflatable boards so you don’t have to worry about storage and they’re softer for the body to kneel or lay on. Whatever your SUP flavor, there’s plenty of options that’ll fit your needs.
If you had a crystal ball, what would you predict you’d see in the future of SUP boarding?
Thats a good one. Probably a break-down paddleboard to see if they can replicate the same activity on a SUP. I’m thinking a ski SUP, a mountain bike SUP, who knows what they’ll come up with. 🙂
You can read more about Natali and her upcoming events on her website, Nautilus SUP.
Photos courtesy of Natali Zollinger.
Feel free to leave a comment if you have a suggestion for our next Fearless Female of the Month!
Adventure On,
Joslin