has lived a hell of a life. The 46-year-old spends泭most of his time paddling whitewater all over the world, but hes also been a professional sea-kayak guide in Alaska and Baja, Mexico, an泭Outward Bound instructor, a泭ski patroller, and an泭avalanche-rescue dog handler. Hes thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, lived in a snow cave for 83 days, and paddled the 1,000-mile Sea of Cortez solo (twice).
Now, as Clark pushes into his late forties, hes into泭stand-up paddleboarding,泭which he discovered six years ago. He focuses on whitewater SUP and self-supported multi-day expeditions, paddling泭stout rivers like the Kaituna泭in New Zealand泭and the Petrohu矇 in Patagonia. Solo pedestrian sports have always been my chosen aesthetic, Clark says. Whether Im using a pair of skis, or a kayak, or a paddleboard, the idea of dictating my own pace and moving at my own power has always been my thing.
Clark, who has made a living from泭outdoor pursuits for two decades, lives out of his van and spends much of his time on the road, creating content for泭brands and teaching SUP clinics. This year hes already paddled 40 rivers on his SUP in Oregon alone. With a knack for knocking out Class泭III and low Class IV rapids with grace, Clark says that SUP seems to have broad appeal for older, experienced athletes like himself. I was never comfortable confined in a kayak when running rapids, he says. But a paddleboard is different. As soon as I figured out you could load a drybag on the front of the board and actually do a multi-day trip on the thing, I was hooked. Most of his students are advanced whitewater kayakers looking to avoid the risk that comes with Class III kayaking泭but still stay entertained as they reach their forties. Its not about getting radical. Its about exploring the landscape, Clark says. Paddleboarding gives you a whole new way to learn the river.
While he泭and other whitewater SUP paddlers arent running tall waterfalls or Class V wave trains, that doesnt mean the sport isnt physically demanding. Clark says that whitewater SUP requires a specific style of physicality and mental aptitude that泭isnt泭present in泭other adventure sports. When his life was dominated by skiing, sea kayaking,泭and hiking, Clark managed to avoid any sort of regimented泭fitness routine, relying instead on the adventures themselves to provide the workouts he needed. But泭as his focus has shifted to paddleboarding in the past couple of years,泭his attitude has changed. I see now that if a person my age isnt constantly active, the body and brain starts to break down. Inertia is a terrible thing, he says.
Instead of functional, all-around泭fitness, Clark is more concerned with focused fitness,泭which zeros in on movements he needs while on the river and泭emphasizes泭muscle memory泭and the connection between the brain and body. Clark always carries a 15-pound kettlebell and a custom-designed 15-pound kettle bat in his vanwhenever he stops, of weighted squats and lunges, holding a stance at泭the bottom of the movement and rotating. These exercises are particularly important before he gets on the river, so his body is used to being low and centered. Whitewater is a slow sport. Its not like skiing or mountain biking, where youre approaching a feature at 20 miles per hour. You have to brace and hold a position for a long time. There are elements of balance, agility,泭and core strength, but really you have to have some specific movements down so you dont have to think about them, Clark says. You want muscle memory to kick in.
Besides exercises that help lower his center of gravity, Clark insists that developing mental fortitude is a huge key to successful whitewater paddling. The less youre in your mind, and the more you let your body just move, the more success youll have, Clark says. When I teach clinics, I can see in peoples eyes if theyre gonna fall. If theres fear, if theyre in their head, theyre toast.泭
Board Training with Paul Clark泭
Clark has his students run through these exercises as soon as they get on the board. The idea is to get your body used to staying centered and low, he says.
In a calm section of river, start paddling on your knees. Peel into an eddy, then peel out. The action of paddling in and out of this placid stretch of water will force your body to work through a range of motions and positions.
Next, move to one knee, with the other foot in front of you. Peel into the eddy泭and peel out. Switch knees and repeat the process.
Stand in a squatting position泭on both feet. Try to keep your torso erect泭but your butt low toward泭your heels. Your head should be about the same height as when you were kneeling.