Meet Elizabeth Stover | Paddleboard Company Owner & Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Stover and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started paddleboarding a few years ago and realized how much this activity had to offer for families in the Grand Valley. Over the years I have participated in standup paddle (SUP) clinics, trainings, workshops and instructor certifications. The SUP community (Stand Up Paddle Colorado, American Canoe Association, World Paddle Association, RVR2RVR, Hala Gear, Bic Sports, Academy of Yoga, Half Moon Yoga and Paddle Into Fitness has been amazing by providing the insight and knowledge that has led to starting up Grand Junction Stand Up Paddle! In the Grand Valley, there were not a lot of these types of outdoor rental and education businesses when I started the GJ SUP. I wanted to bring education and availability to the river and water in general with the standup paddleboards.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are most proud of our education programs we offer to the public and to our employees. GJ SUP has grown over the last four years through trainings in SUP, Yoga, Rescue, Hiking and more. It was not easy, but every year our business expands and our services grow. We work together to make it a better place, business and world around us. We have learned that dreams can come true with a lot of hard work. GJ SUP wants the world to know, we are here to stay! Come play with us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For a week long trip, there would be hiking, biking, paddling and lots of yoga. Yoga in the mornings at Half Moon Yoga (Heated studio)
Hikes or bicycling scheduled for mornings, through the Colorado National Monument, the Bookcliffs, and the Grand Mesa.
Paddling in the afternoons would consist of getting your paddling legs at Highline State Park. That evening, sunset yoga on the water.
the next afternoon, a paddle trip from Palisade through the wine country, along the red cliffs on the Colorado River, ending at the 24 Road Pullout.
Another afternoon, a nice casual float and paddle on Connected Lakes, ending also in some sunset yoga.
Each hike in the Monument will have glorious views of red rocks, canyons, Big Horn Sheep and much more.
The Grand Mesa has lakes, trails for hiking and biking. You could choose your activity up there. It is the highest flat top mountain in the world.
The Bookcliffs have biking trails and end in the desert.
Places to eat would be Camilla’s Kaffe in Fruita,
Suds Bros Brewing
sack lunch from Cafe Sol
Dinner at the Winery for finery
Or Agaveros for great Mexican food

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people that deserve recognition, but one right now stands out in my mind. My step-dad Hal, he believed in me, love me and protected me as much as possible, but he also brought and old fashioned, strong way with him, that loved the wild side of me too. My husband has been there to support me financially, emotionally and mentally. We now work fulltime together.
The friends I have made along the way through SUP and yoga trainings and the community I live and serve in. Without their continual support GJ SUP wouldn’t be where it’s at today.💖

Website: http://gjsup.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandjunctionstanduppaddle/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gj_sup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandjunctionstanduppaddle

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudzERnOSjaLhsX4RiDDOAQ