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Black Diamond chiropractor making a splash

“It isn’t that hard to stand and move on the board. Most people are pleasantly surprised by that, but when I watch most beginners do it their technique is not correct. A session is what will get you from moving on your board to moving efficiently...” ~ Greg Morris, owner of SUP to the CORE

A Black Diamond chiropractor is dipping his paddle into unchartered waters to bring a growing sport to the region through his latest business.

Greg Morris, along with son Jonah, founded SUP to the Core last spring, offering standup paddleboarding lessons on Chain Lakes Provincial Park, a half-hour drive south of Black Diamond, up to three times a week.

Morris, owner of Diamond Valley Chiropractic Clinic, is a standup paddleboard racer with a paddling resumé that spans almost five decades.

Father and son are Paddle Canada certified and offer beginner and advanced lessons for groups and individuals.

“I had quite a few patients ask me to do lessons because they know I do standup paddleboard racing,” he said. “I’d actually thought about doing it for a while.”

It was when Rollick Co. co-owner and operator Colin Fleming told Morris he was considering carrying a line of paddleboards and suggested they work together that Morris decided to go for it.

“I needed that push to get me going,” he said. “I thought, this is the time. Let’s give it a shot.”

The busy chiropractor admits he’s done little to promote SUP to the Core and that most of his clientele are Black Diamond residents.

“I’ve been meaning to reach out to Okotoks, but it was enough to just get the ball rolling,” he said. “I haven’t really gone crazy with promoting. I feel like once I get a critical mass of people the word will spread because I’m getting great feedback.”

Lessons begin with a 30-minute dryland session where Morris informs his students what they’ll be doing on the water and familiarizes them with the equipment.

Once on the water, his pupils learn how to paddle on their knees, stand on the board and paddle using different stroke techniques over the course of 90 minutes.

“It isn’t that hard to stand and move on the board,” he said. “Most people are pleasantly surprised by that, but when I watch most beginners do it their technique is not correct. A session is what will get you from moving on your board to moving efficiently and getting a full body workout if you want.”

Throughout Morris’ lesson, he focuses on safety.

“I want to make sure that when people go out on their own they are going to know their limitations and what to do if things go a little sideways,” he said. “I’m a huge fan of people learning how to do stuff safely so they build their confidence in a logical progression. There’s so many elements to reading water and understanding how to do that.”

Morris delved into the world of standup paddling seven years ago and competed in his first race two years later.

“I’m definitely one of the older guys, but I’m pretty competitive with the younger guys in Alberta,” he said. “I usually end up in the top three. In B.C. it’s a much bigger community. In my age group I’m up there, but not with the younger guys."

Morris pursued the sport with decades of paddling experience, having participated in his first canoe race at age five.

“I have a lot of river and lake and various watercraft experience,” he said. “My intent is to gradually get more certifications so this goes to river paddling and tours on different bodies of water in the years to come. That’s when standup paddling becomes the most amazing and fun.”

One of Morris’ favourite elements of standup paddling is the health benefits.

“From the soles of my feet to the tips of my fingers I’m using every muscle,” he said. “That’s what drew me to the sport.”

As a chiropractor, Morris understands the importance of such benefits.

“I’m a fan of what standup paddling does for the back,” he said. “It’s really amazing for core strengthening. It’s an awesome way to get a workout and do your back some good.”

Morris said standup paddleboarding is one of the fastest growing sports.

“A lot of people aren’t familiar with standing on top of water and gliding,” he said. “It’s unique and a really nice experience for people, whether they just want to tour around and not get exercise or use it as a way of getting exercise.”

Morris sees his business as a way to bring the sport into the region.

“It has the potential to be a really amazing opportunity for the community,” he said. “The whole reason I did this was I wanted to introduce the sport to my community. I love the sport and believe in the mechanics of what it does for a person.”

Jonah occasionally joins Morris in his lessons. The 21-year-old lead singer for Bragg Creek pop band Taken by Sanity will sometimes break out his guitar for a lakeside performance afterwards.

And with both father and son having cross-country ski instructor status, SUP to the Core has the potential to operate year-round.

“I might convert the business into cross-country ski lessons in the winter,” Morris said. “I need to get a few more certifications under my belt first.”

To learn more or to book a lesson, visit https://www.suptothecore.com/

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