Rubicon Adventures Paddle Spotlight

In Spotlight by Perfect Paddles

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Meet Bill Mashek of Rubicon Adventures in Forestville, California

Hi Bill, tell us a little bit about Rubicon Adventures.
Rubicon Adventures started in 1972 as a whitewater rafting company. We have been through many phases but now we offer SUP clinics, tours, yoga and rentals, whitewater rafting for youth groups, team building, or just fun. We work with outfitters world wide and can set up river trips, diving, surfing, SUP most anywhere

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience with paddleboarding
Bill Mashek, Started whitewater paddling at the age of 17, got my first employment as a commercial guide on the Grand Canyon, from there, I ran rivers all over the globe. We started Rubicon in 1972 as a small group of whitewater folks, running river whenever and wherever we could. Over time, higher education, day jobs and family did slow us down but Rubicon as a commercial operation has downsized quite a bit AND currently concentrates on california rivers.

In 2007, I had a knee replacement surgery, there was some nerve damage. as an old time surfer, I thought that was the end of my surfing fun. My friends bought me a SUP I thought I had been lowered to "geezer" surfing. To my surprise, SUP surfing was a whole other sport I had to learn. I trained vigorously as a method of rehab and enjoyment. Folks would always ask--"how can I learn how to SUP". I already had a rafting company, insurance, a crew of competent athletes. We became certified instructors, racers, sup surfers and passed that knowledge on to others through clinics.
John Hadley, Our SUP master. Started as an elite "world class" surfer, and (though not totally) switched to SUP and became one of the top SUP surfers and racers in the country. He teaches all the advanced SUP clinics and SUP surf clinics

Bill Mashek

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Services Offered at Rubicon Adventures

Since we come from a strong racing background and well as all of us are open water lifeguards, all our SUP clinics Stress the Power (racing) stroke. we want folks to be safe and efficient paddlers, know how to spot hazards and hazardous conditions. How to get yourself out of a bad situation.

We have access to several put-ins on the Russian river. In spring we offer a down river (moving water) clinic which is an intro to SUP whitewater. Being in the whitewater business, we know rivers, currents and hazards more than most SUP instructors. We do a comprehensive SUP 101 down river clinic on class 1-2 sections of the Russian River, where folks can learn in a very forgiving way about eddies, currents, "reading" water, riparian and water hazards, self rescue as well as paddling skills
Our flatwater clinics begin July 1. We concentrate an effective strokes, turns, situational scenarios and touring one of the most scenic sections of the Russian River
Our advanced clinics, include, race coaching, SUP surf clinics, open ocean SUP skills, Rescue
We offer SUP yoga on a quiet and serene section of the Russian river.

Can you tell us some interesting notes about the area?
Our SUP operation is in Sonoma County Wine Country, food and drink in this area second to none. Sonoma county also is blessed with 3 major rivers, Lakes, an incredible coastline with great surfing and some of the best abalone diving anywhere. Bodega bay offers excellent wildlife watching, migratory birding and whalewatching as well as SUPing. We have Tomales bay to the south which is part of Point Reyes National Park, white cliffs, and incredible downwinding, sailing and fishing.

Is Rubicon Adventure Seasonal or does it operate year round?
Late spring to early fall, we will do some high water whitewater in winter for the crazy folks

Tell us about your favorite local food and why you love it
On the Russian River we like the Russian River Pub, their world class chicken wings were featured on "Dinners, Dives and Drive-Ins" as the best wings in the country. I think they are right! Of course, in wine country you can spend all the money you want on food.

Where would you recommend travelers stay nearby?
There are some nice AirBnBs in the area, that's your best bet.

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