Instructors

Dan Gavere has always followed the path of his paddle. He began paddling at seven years old, when his father nudged him out of the eddy and into the rapids and waves on the rivers near Salt Lake City. With little hesitation Dan took to the water like Penguin jacked up on Red Bull. 12 years later Dan would be competing against the best in the world in hundreds of whitewater kayaking events. Eventually the draw of kiteboarding would blow him to Hood River Oregon for winder pastures. Sales, photography and videography would guide his career until on day… After getting shut down (again) by the wind Dan decided to stow the kite and hop onto a Stand Up Paddleboard, figuring it would be the ticket to get him out on the water so he could still have fun and get some exercise and fitness. Little did he know it would become such an addiction. Living in the Columbia River Gorge gave him ample opportunities to hone his skills in windy and rough conditions. He started paddling in the currents of the local rivers, and small class I and II rapids on the Klickitat, Hood, and White Salmon Rivers then Dan hit the open ocean and surfing waves. On a trip to the Oregon Coast he had a revelation that he wanted to pursue stand up paddling like he had whitewater kayaking. Dan now paddles daily while making the rounds as an ASI Instructor Trainer, Whitewater SUP Guru, Multi talented Athlete, and filmmaker. Dan’s “Most Inspirational paddler of 2012″ Battle of the Paddle is a testament to his athleticism, determination, training, and drive to have the most fun possible. Dan is so excited about Stand Up Paddling that you can practically see the stoke dripping from the end of his Starboard paddle with every stroke. Check out Dan at a SUP spot near you and keep a look out for the guy in the Black Outside Vans Sprinter with a paddle in his hand and a smile on his face.