My wife and I have both have enjoyed paddle sports in the past, but our first love is climbing. Recently we moved to Las Vegas which has endless rock climbing opportunities, but in the summer it's HOT. With Lake Mead and the Colorado River in our backyard we took the plunge and purchased two Monarchs. As first time paddleboarders we could be happier with our decision. As an all rounder, the Monarch has been a great board for learning the subtleties of balance and correct paddling form. We have ventured out in choppy conditions, "surfed" some passing power boat wakes and even loaded up the boards with overnight gear and camped out along Lake Mead. We both can't wait for more adventures with these awesome paddle boards! Here is a link to our overnight camping trip