What we’re about
Work's over - let's play! We love to paddle, be it kayak, SUP (stand up paddleboards), canoe, outrigger canoe (OC1, OC2, etc.), even sculling, rowing, or land paddling. Forget the daily grind and get on the water with us in Southern Utah. See you at the lakes!
Organizers Bill and Michelle Ennis own/operate rental fleets at Gunlock State Park and Quail Creek State Park. They have been paddling these waters for over a decade and have thousands of hours logged and have paddled at all times of the year.
Please be considerate and take care of yourself by having and actively using appropriate, USCG-approved safety equipment. Remember, you are paddling at your own risk.
REGARDING RISK:
By participating in any event, outing or pickup game, organized or communicated through this site or not, you and your heirs agree to indemnify and hold harmless any and all participants, organizers, co-organizers, hosts any any other person or persons affiliated with or attending any such group or event, including any party at cause or at fault or not, against any and all claims of damages or injury to property, body or health, including death, of any person, from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, or proceedings of any kind or nature. By participation you and your heirs assume all risk of injury to your person and property that may be sustained in connection with any activity in and about any location or by any party affiliated with this meetup group, event sponsor, organizer, co-organizer, host or attendee. By your participation, you agree fully to these terms, fully understand its terms, conditions, and meaning. You further agree to practice and display good sportsmanship at all times.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Kayak/SUP: Ironman 70.3 North American Championship: May 10, 2025Sand Hollow State Park, Hurricane, UT
02/04/2025 - Volunteer Sign-Up is Live. Here's the link:
https://ironman.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=87108This is the final Ironman, for the foreseeable future, in St. George. Let's make it phenomenal! Click that link above to plug in your personal information. When you get to a password form field, enter: Kayaks
UPDATE APRIL 30, 2025, FROM DELL PULSIPHER OF SEARCH AND RESCUE: "Hi Bill, Just a reminder that the IRONMAN 2025 is coming up in a couple of weeks, There is camping available and we will be serving dinner and breakfast for the event. I would invite you to encourage those you know to sign up for the event or if you haven't signed up yet please join us. The password is: kayaks . We will be sending out a parking/access pass before the event to you. We plan on doing a debrief Friday evening around 6:30 PM on the 9th and an update in the morning as well."
I'm planning to camp. Otherwise, it's an early morning to beat the bus traffic (which I've done many times, living 15 minutes from the lake).
Paddlers, this is great opportunity to serve the triathlete community and help our county Search And Rescue volunteer group raise operational funds. We help maintain "swim lane discipline", or course management on the water, and we are there for swimmers to take a breather, orient themselves, fix their goggles, stretch a cramp, and give them encouragement. If someone is presenting medical distress symptoms (you'll get the full rundown on Friday night), we signal to a nearby boat to make an assessment.
Let us know you'll be coming out here on Meetup, BUT you MUST sign up via the Ironman link above and sign their waiver.
Let Dig Paddlesports (that's me, Bill) know if you need a kayak or SUP to help out. I'll deliver and pick up at no cost. A donation would be appreciated; it's time, effort, and equipment depreciation on my end. You can have it at Sand Hollow on Friday afternoon and use it all night, if you like. Bring a headlamp or ask me for one you can borrow. You'll want light in the wee morning hours on Saturday. I need to know by noon on Thursday, May 8.
Orientation meeting is Friday night, May 9, 6:30pm at the maintenance building just northeast of the main park entrance. Dinner is usually served, I believe at 5:30-6:00pm. Breakfast is served in the morning. Anticipate a meal full of gluten, meat, peanuts, and other allergens. :D If you have a special diet, plan ahead and bring your own nutrition.
If you are coming in the morning, be there EARLY. Get ahead of the athlete buses. It makes for a long day, but it's epic and a great story to be able to tell your friends and family all about as you will be participating in supporting one of the largest athletic competitions the state sees. You might even be on the live stream! Movie star, you.... :D
We should be done around 9am, per SAR. There are approximately 2500 athletes registered.
Thank you for making this community AMAZING. I don't get paid for this; it's just fun and a bit soul-filling to help out. We aren't done with paddling for triathlons, as there are 3-4 other open water triathlons in the area each year, but it has been an extraordinary 15 years of paddling with you in the service of our fellow man for this event. CHEERS!
- Bill Ennis
Bill@digpaddlesports.com
435.680.5818 c - Kayak or SUP for Sand Hollow TriathlonSand Hollow State Park, Hurricane, UT
Another fine triathlon by BBSC Tri. This and other triathlons are listed here: https://bbscendurance.com/tri/
We show up to paddle the swim course and be a floating aid station of sorts for the swimmers. Once the last athlete is out, we wait for an all-clear before exiting. There will be an orientation meeting on the ramp before we take assignments and get in the water.
Plan to be on-site at 6:30am. Let the gate staff at Sand Hollow State Park know you are arriving to help lifeguard the triathlon. You should be allowed to enter at no charge.
As we approach the date, I'll update this listing with more information.
If you'd like to lifeguard and need a kayak or board, let me know.
- Kayak or SUP for Kokopelli TriathlonSand Hollow State Park, Hurricane, UT
Another fine triathlon by BBSC Tri. This and other triathlons are listed here: https://bbscendurance.com/tri/
We show up to paddle the swim course and be a floating aid station of sorts for the swimmers. Once the last athlete is out, we wait for an all-clear before exiting. There will be an orientation meeting on the ramp before we take assignments and get in the water.
Plan to be on-site at 6:30am. Let the gate staff at Sand Hollow State Park know you are arriving to help lifeguard the triathlon. You should be allowed to enter at no charge.
As we approach the date, I'll update this listing with more information.
A light brunch and hydration are provided.
If you'd like to lifeguard and need a kayak or board, let me know.
