ERA ladysdayout blog

Sweet Briar Kayakers Place Third!

2011-04-11T09:19:00.002-04:00

Hats off to the women of Sweet Briar College!

From Laura, director of the outdoor program (SWEBOP) at Sweet Briar:

Yes We did it!!!!! We have lots of good stories and tales to tell about the American Canoe Association Collegiate Canoe and Kayak championships for Virgina Schools! We are on to Nationals in October.

Lauren Morgan took 3rd place in open boat single paddler division
Keri Falk took 3rd in the exhibition race through the class 2 + rapids
Then the exciting race of today was the relay race and we took 2nd place beating the very impressive Hollins who took 3rd place...it was quite the upset..(but we still had dinner together and Krispy Cream hot donuts the night before for a little sister school camaraderie in our competition.)

SO drum roll please, out of 5 VA schools Sweet Briar won 3rd place overall and they have a trophy to prove it!

Prizes for 2011 Nan Open Already Coming In!!

2011-01-31T20:48:00.005-05:00

What makes the annual Nantahala Open such a success is a) it is a fun non-competitive event; b) great people come from all over to support the event; c) Team Wave Sport comes with all sorts of enthusiasm and.....

the manufacturers' support of the event is first class!!

The 2011 Nantahala Open will be no exception. Already lined up to give their support to the event is a cast of veteran Nantahala Open Supporters:

Shred Ready Helmets

Snap Dragon Skirts

TeamScum

Stohlquist

NRS

These friends not only support all of us with their great white water gear, but they support events such as the Nantahala Open--an event for the "normal" paddler out just having fun!

Stay tuned for more!

Women Traveling Abroad: Tips for things that get overlooked

2010-12-18T08:17:00.004-05:00

For women traveling abroad, there are a few cultural hitches that can make for awkward moments; nothing that should dissuade a female from embarking on an international trip, but if known ahead of time, can make traveling as a female a whole lot easier. Here are a few points that often are overlooked on the standard packing list:

Toilet Paper; something many of us take for granted. But once out of metropolitan areas, there are many countries that consider toilet paper a luxury. If you are not a big drip dryer, make sure you bring along a travel size roll of paper. And work on your squats before you go—many toilets are not really conducive to sitting down.

When it is “that time.” The last thing you were thinking about when packing for your trip was the ol’ monthly girl time. And even if you check the calendar to make sure you are not going to overlap, traveling often screws up the timetable just to be a nuisance. Pack for it even if it is not going to happen. Outside of large metropolitan areas, many cultures take a different view on how the monthly plaque is handled. Solution: pack enough of your favorite product for the time you are going to be gone. And think about disposal. If you are traveling in a country that has little access to public bathrooms, or has septic systems that do not accommodate paper products, you need a disposal solution. Bring a supply of snack-size zip lock bags. And have a bit of toilet paper folded in each one (for reasons already mentioned).

Prescriptions. Many countries bypass the doctor when handing out prescription drugs. You walk in to a pharmacy, describe your ailment, and as long as you are not asking for your favorite recreational drug, you will probably be taken care of. Exception to the rule: birth control pills. Don’t leave home without them. It is not only uncomfortable asking for them, but all but impossible to get a prescription filled in countries that do not exactly condone the use of modern medicine in birth control.

Changing. If you are visiting a country that has religious and/or cultural stigmas about public nudity for women, don’t embarrass your host country. You will not win any friends flaunting your inhibitions. Respect their culture—even if their culture is not shy about calendar photos of half-dressed women snuggling up to sweating beer bottles, they might not take you changing in front of them well; therefore, bring a changing towel, dress, skirt, long shirt.

Cat calls/wolf whistles/being ignored. Sure it might be sexist in your country. And it is in theirs. But that is beyond the point. In many countries (Latin American countries for example) if you are a good-looking lady, you are going to be appreciated. Don’t shoot them the finger and shout “pig” in every language you know. Just continue on your way and be flattered. On the other extreme, there are certain cultures where you will be overlooked if you are part of a group embarking on an adventure—particularly an athletic adventure. Don’t be offended when there is a show of surprise that you are going to do the same thing as the guys…kayaking a river, climbing a mountain, riding a mountain bike. There are cultures--even in this day and time, where women do not participate in such activities, much less alone with a group of guys. Don’t back off from what you are doing. But don’t take things personally if dubious eyes turn towards you when you start putting on your gear.

The Bar Scene. In many countries, it is against every cultural norm for a woman to hang out in a bar. Nightclub/dance club, yes. Bar, no. That doesn’t mean don’t go—but make sure you are with friends if you do so. Do not try being a bar fly on your own; it will be taken the wrong way—even if all you intended was to have a glass of wine before going to your room for the night.

And above all, remember that television supersedes you. Take care not to play into the preconceived notions that certain cultures have about women from your culture. Take the time to do your homework before traveling to learn the faux pas of your destination’s culture. And remember that you are an emissary for all the women that will travel after you.

Parallels Between a Good Hair Cut and Kayak Instruction

2010-11-05T18:17:00.012-04:00

I have come to appreciate that parallels can be drawn between an amazing hair cut and a great day of kayak instruction.
Follow me here in replacing “getting my haircut” with “taking a day of instruction” and see if it sounds familiar to you….

First there is just the idea of going to a professional stylist when you can do it yourself/have your friend help you out. Of course there is no telling what the outcome will be in either situation until it is over; and while both can be fixed afterwards—getting it done right produces much better results and avoids a huge deflated ego when the results are in.

Choosing the professional best suited for one’s style/needs-which are different than other people’s is also part of the process.
Take me:
For starters I stuff my head/hair into a helmet, sometimes seven days/week for my job;
I am typically in some stage of wet for most of the day (unless it is cold out);
I don’t have a lot of time for frills;
and while I have come around to the idea of spending the time and money to get my hair cut—I want to see results.

All of the above brought me to Rob. First he was really fun to hang with (met him kayaking) and has a great laugh. He has an amazing reputation and earns the respect of his clients, information I garnished through fellow hair-cut aficionados, as well as watching him work while I was waiting for my time in the chair.

I typically show up at the salon for a scheduled appointment not looking my best. But I aspire to try and leave looking better. Even in my bedraggled state, I begin to relax almost immediately because in a crowded salon, I sense that Rob’s focus is honed in on me and his priority while I am there is making me feel like the most important person in the room. I know he will do the same for everyone that came before me/comes after me, but it is the time I am there that matters.

I must confess that as Rob tries to sort through the mess of my sun baked, river soaked mop of hair I always feel a little self-conscious. When he asks me how using the blow drying method he showed me the previous visit is working—I must look as chagrined as the student who has just been asked if they are using the stern draw in all the ways we practiced the previous time.

Having made my choice of who is cutting my hair, I relax and trust that he is steering me in the right direction. And trust that the strands of hair soon falling to the floor will achieve the same great results as would practicing the individual steps of the roll over and over again for someone learning to roll.

Along the way Rob takes the time to suggest tools that will help improve my hair/haircut—a different conditioner, hair brush or approach to drying; just as I do in giving someone “homework” to take back from their instruction to continue to improve. Rob makes it look/sound so easy to do and makes me feel so committed. But then I wonder if I will ever have the skill--or the time, to use this new tool/take his advice. Even so, at the end of the appointment I am amazed at the transition I see in the mirror. I walk out the door holding my head a little higher and cannot resist giving my new mane a little swoosh as I walk down the street. It is like finally learning how to successfully peel out of an eddy and then doing so with great success.

And I confess that as a result of Rob’s nudging (pure salesmanship I know), I leave with bag in hand that holds that little styling tip/tool that was suggested to me—knowing that the first couple of times trying to do it on my own might be a little scary. The execution may be awkward and chances are good I won’t immediately achieve the results of today. But with some practice I will feel better about doing it on my own. Who knows—there may come a day when I feel so confident I trying using something like the hair straightener tool that looks as complicated as some ancient torture device.

And to think I would have once have said “never” to such a thought ☺

Great Advice from a "River Maiden"

2010-09-20T10:54:00.003-04:00

I always struggle with the generalization that women struggle with fear/men don't when it comes to whitewater kayaking. I know some guys who have to deal with some pretty heady head games when it comes to kayaking. I am not so sure that there is a way to categorize fear into one gender or another

But on the other hand....do I frequently say that women "think too much" about just about anything--including kayaking. Oh yes! We have a great imagination whether it comes to what our boy friend is doing when he does not call like he said he would/what happens if we screw up in a rapid. So I do sometimes encourage women I am paddling with to "think like a guy" when it comes to paddling. But maybe that is a little vague. So when I read a quote from Adriene Levknecht--whom many will say "thinks like a guy" when she paddles for sure, I could totally agree with the way Adriene put it:

"Women have a harder time letting their past go and visualizing the future. We wrap our heads around things that have already happened that we can’t change."

Example: you mess up a rapid and end up swimming. And so you avoid running that rapid again because the same thing might happen. Might happen. Might not. But avoiding running the rapid means you never give yourself a chance. SO next time you are struggling with a rapid that gave you a hard time, maybe give it another chance. You might ace it this time!

Read more about Adriene and the rest of the "river maidens" of western North Carolina.

Little Girls in Big Boats

2010-08-26T10:33:00.002-04:00

It is always difficult to decide whether to go with a boat that fits just right spec-wise, or add some volume. Here is a perspective about a little extra volume.

2010 Boater Chick Festival a Success!

2010-05-26T12:36:00.002-04:00

Anna Levesque did a great job summing up the spirit behind the 2010 Boater Chick Festival. What a weekend with so many enthusiastic women--and guys, in the Nantahala Gorge!

Women of Wildwater

2010-03-24T18:48:00.010-04:00

One of the aspects of kayak competition that is fascinating is that age is not specifically a handicap (the Hearn/Lugbill line up of winners in the ’96 Olympics were just about the magic age of 40, while this year Hailey Thompson, the women’s C1 slalom racer that everyone is watching, is only 16). We have young boaters being inspired by “experienced” boaters, and vice-versa.

The women’s wildwater event is a great example. This weekend 17-year old Haley Popp will be competing for a berth on the women’s US wildwater team, competing against the likes of Jennie Goldberg (who has been paddling whitewater for 30+ years). Both trained together this past weekend. And now will compete in wildwater at this weekend’s Nantahala Double Header/US Open.

A sincere thanks to both Jennie and Haley for taking time out to answer a few questions before the big event this weekend!

Jennie- What brings you from Washington State to WNC this week?

I came to Western NC this week to compete in the USA Wildwater Team Trials which are being held on the Nantahala. I arrived last Saturday so I'd have plenty of time to practice on the course!

Haley – being from Chattanooga you have not had to travel quite as far. So what have you been doing to prepare for this year?
I have been training since last fall, getting out on flatwater daily, doing gym work five or six times a week, and training on the Nanty many weekends. I started with a base fitness and have worked on technique, strategy, and mental toughness, all in prep for this year's racing season.

Jennie - How long have you been wildwater racing?
I have been racing Wildwater for 10 years. (Slalom for about 20). I've
been paddling whitewater, though, for 30 years. I just can't stop!

And over the years, what changes have you seen?
Once I added slalom and wildwater racing to my paddling activities I noticed that my confidence and my river running skills vastly improved. I definitely became stronger but I was also able to make very technical maneuvers,learn to use the water features to my advantage and nail all my moves! I also learned how to quickly scout a rapid and then actually remember it once I got back on the water! And it seems that improvement keeps coming. Just this year I have learned to apply even more power to every stroke. It's very empowering to feel the kayak surge forward under your command when you want it to! And, of course, along with all that training comes big pecs and biceps and rippling abs.... :-)

Pec, Biceps and rippling abs…is that what keeps you motivated?
That and the fact that I find it easy to keep motivated because I just love being on white water and paddling a kayak. I also enjoy a good work-work and I certainly get that every time I get in a wildwater boat; those boats are so much fun to paddle when you're going fast! Whitewater racing also keeps me in shape for being able to enjoy my most favorite paddling activity which is being on a multi-day wilderness whitewater run.

So Haley, how is the competition looking for this weekend?
I don't know all my competitors, but I know some great racers out there. Tierney O'Sullivan has only been a senior for a couple years now, but she's probably the toughest woman out there. Close by are Lane Errickson, Jeannie Goldberg, and a few others. I'd say I'm well matched as anyone, on a given day we all might do quite better than the others.

And what is it that is really impresses you in the field of women?
I love meeting new paddling women! Right now, I really look up to Tierney, but I love to watch all my amazing friends! I enjoy watching the progress of Hailey Thompson, a 16 year old c1 slalomist, because she is pioneering women’s canoe and dominating while she's at it! I'm big about promoting progress in women's paddling, for all types of women and all types of paddling, and my inspiration is all those women I see out on the river!

Jennie – any words of wisdom for up-and-coming women?
I encourage more women to try this sport. Now is a perfect time to try racing because the field is small....need I say that this ups your opportunities to win?!! But, of course, I'm only giving away my secret because racing is more fun with more competition. So hop in a boat and try it! I've found that women naturally have better balance and finesse and that counts a lot in whitewater racing.

Ladies, what are your goals for 2010?
Jennie? I really want to race at the World Championships in Spain this summer, but that means that I have be one of the top 4 women finishers at the race. My next goal is to not come in last in the Senior World Championships, then to medal in the Masters Championships and before the end of the year to get more women to paddle wild water with me!

Haley? This year, my main goal is to make progress. I have a lot of little goals, like certain races, but I really want to just move forward, always be getting faster, stronger, and more confident on the water. I would love to compete in Spain, at the Senior Wildwater Worlds. It's a bit of a challenge, as I'm only 17, but if I can make the team, it'll be a great opportunity for me to race with the best.

Well you both are inspiring to all of us. Good luck, good lines, and good fun!!

Kayaking is not always love at first wet exit!

2010-01-23T19:07:00.003-05:00

Initiating our newest team member, Courtney into kayaking this summer was not just for orientation, but also the challenge of getting a Minnesota girl fired up about our great sport!! Here is Courtney's take on that first wet exit experience....

How to become a whitewater kayaker…

“How can you work at Endless and not be a kayaker?” People often ask me. I normally laugh a little and tell whomever is asking “I am working on that one”.

Having grown up on an island in northern Minnesota, I am not a stranger to water and most things water related. From taking a boat across the lake to catch the bus when I was in school to canoe trips in the B.W.C.A., I was pretty confident that I could knock this kayaking business out no problem. Ha!

One day in early June last summer, Juliet asked me if I would be up for a day of instruction with her and Joe Ravenna, I was excited at the prospect of finally trying it out and happily agreed.

The day of my instruction came, after a quick check of the office email, Joe, Juliet and I headed out to turn me into a paddler. As we drove up to Queen’s lake, Joe and Juliet gave me a run down of how they day would go. First we would get me comfortable being in the boat-in the water-upside down, then teach me how to wet exit, work on some paddle strokes and rescue techniques. Depending on how the morning went after lunch we’d head to the Little T and get me out on the river.

By the time we got to the lake, my confidence was slowly diminishing but, I was gonna do this one way or another. I got in the boat and Juliet stood next to me in waist deep water, next thing I know, I am being water-boarded, WNC style…

Juliet was great about talking me through what was happening and kept reassuring me that she was right there and I would be ok. No matter how hard I tried to keep it shut, every time my head went under, my mouth opened and in went the lake water. By this point in my morning, I am wishing that I was back in the confines of the shop listening to Ken keep things running and fighting off O-dog’s relentless requests for a snack. Back to paddling, I am fighting off tears and trying to stay calm, I’m not going to let Joe Ravenna see me cry. We spent some time working on my ‘wet exit’, and not to toot my own horn but, I’m pretty darn good at that now. A lesson in paddle strokes and boat maneuvering and we were heading to the opposite shore of the lake.

As we paddled across the lake, Joe and Juliet praised me at how well I was doing and talked me through the steps of a bow rescue, the next skill I was going to learn. At this point in the day, I am feeling ok about this paddling nonsense and have convinced myself that by the end of the month I’ll be running the Nantahala. Three bow rescues, one successful and two failed, later and it’s time for lunch.

As we headed back down the mountain, I sat in the back of the mini-van and brainstormed ways to get out of the whole fiasco. It was oh so obvious to me that I am way too big of a pansy for this and I should just quit while I ahead. No such luck. We grabbed lunch from the Burger Basket (check it out if you have not been, it’s just down the road from the shop) and headed to the Little T. A pep talk from Juliet and a lesson in how to ‘ferry an eddy’ and we are off. Again Juliet had assured me that she would be only seconds away from me as we went down the river and Joe gave me a ‘your doing really well pep talk’. I think by this point, they were fully aware of how much I was not into this nonsense. I had been given the option to call it a day but there was no way I was backing out now.

I have no idea how far I actually paddled down the river, but I know that I did it shrieking like a toddler, I was terrified but I toughed it out and made it to the take out. I was pretty quiet on the ride back to shop and did not have much to say about my experience when asked by co-workers, I had done my best to convince myself that I was never going to get in a boat again.

A few weeks later, I was hanging out with Danny, a fellow co-worker after work and out of nowhere I say “If Ken will let me borrow a boat, will you go take me to the lake?” What the heck is wrong with me? Both Ken and Juliet looked a little surprised when I popped my head into the office and asked if I could borrow a boat. “Of course you can” was their response, later Danny told me that he was told,”He better hurry before I change my mind about going paddling”.

So there we are at the lake, I’m in a boat, Danny is standing in the water next to me and our dogs swimming circles around us. We spent the evening working on my paddle strokes, hip snap and my least favorite, the wet exit. I went home that night, with my hopes of being a white water kayaker renewed and was pretty darn proud of myself. Danny and I had made plans to go out again soon and I was looking forward to it.

Soon, came a little longer than expected and it was almost a month before I was in a boat again. We decided to paddle the Tuck through town and then have dinner at the Mexican restaurant. I think the offer of food was merely a bribe on Danny’s part. We put in at Island park and everything was going well, we were playing around and having a great time, until I decided that I should work on my hip snap with Danny a little way down river from me. What happened after this is all really a blur still. But I can tell you that not only were my nose and mouth full of water so was my boat, by the time Danny made it over to right me and there was no way to hold those tears in. One look at me and Danny announced we were done and I agreed without hesitation.

I have not been back in a boat since. But I am not giving up. Once it’s warm again, I’ll spend my evenings at the lake with friends, co-workers or any one who wants to help me with this. I’m lucky to know people like Juliet, Joe and Danny, who have been so patient with me and who after all of this are still encouraging.

I am not a whitewater kayaker, yet, but I am going to be one.

The Ability to Let Go

2009-10-19T11:00:00.005-04:00

Mariann Saether is a kick ass paddler. And when we ran into an article she wrote about being able to be the boater you want to be, we just had to share it with everyone.

The Ability to Let Go - Mariann Saether

When you take away the obvious differences in strength between men and women, I have found that the biggest difference between us as paddlers is the ability to let go. For many women, it seems very hard to come to terms with this simple fact: Sometimes you have to let go and push yourself out of that eddy to allow yourself to grow as a kayaker. It is ok to have somebody (like the boyfriend :-)) to hold your hand for a while, helping you to reach decisions on the river as to which rapids to run and which to walk. But I guarantee, there will be a moment where you need to let go of irrational fear and push yourself to paddle towards a horizon line, without anybody telling you to do it but yourself. I am not saying that you should go and huck a class five when you are only a class three kayaker, but if it is a safe class four rapid, that you can actually set up good safety for, why not go for it? We all swim, we all get trashed from time to time, and it is OK! It doesn't mean you are a bad kayaker, it means you are trying to get better.

To me, the biggest challenge when it comes to Class V, is to realize when to push through that mental barrier and let go. I have gotten to know myself quite well over the years of sitting on top of horizon lines. If I am scared, doubting my line on a class five, I will not paddle it. I will not allow myself to let go, and paddle out of that eddy. But if I know my line, I know I can do it, but am still feeling really nervous, that is when this ability comes into play. To force your mind to stop playing tricks on you and get out of that eddy.

There is a certain time in kayaking where you need to stop holding your boyfriend's hand and make your own decisions. If those decisions are walking 80 percent of the time, well that is your choice. If you have portaged the boat and you are still happy with your decision as you get back in the water, well then everything is good. But for the rest of you out there that hate it when you cave in for your fear and feel really down after having portaged a rapid you could have run, then it is time to start letting go. Because the reward you get at the bottom of the rapid is extremely addicting. To be able to push yourself, whether it was a class three, four or five is an amazing feeling of accomplishment that you can take with you outside of the world of kayaking.

I am never more in the moment than when I let go and paddle a hard rapid. My focus is 110 percent on my line and moving with the water. Sometimes I think back after a big one, realizing that it is probably as close to deep meditation as I will ever get. A full focus, and an entirely blank mind, emptied of the normal small thoughts about laundry, dinner tonight, plane ticket to Chile, kayak, the clean blunt, lunch etc etc....

It is about enjoying the ride, and if you don’t enjoy Class IV at all, then don't do it. If you don’t enjoy Class III, don't do it. If you don't enjoy Class II.. well... Maybe you were born a base jumper, not a kayaker... Be honest to yourself.

Mariann

Going for the Gold in C-1

2009-09-13T19:48:00.008-04:00

I sat one afternoon at the takeout on the Nantahala watching a C-1 boater attain upstream. It broke two of my rules: #1 Going Upstream and #2 Paddling on your knees with just half a paddle! But hey-women are smarter and don't paddle C-1s. But as the C-1 boater headed downstream I realized it was in fact a girl! And not just any girl, but once I chatted with her I realized that this was a very determined one. Jennifer Singletary is a female C-1 boater with aspirations to win gold in the newly-formed Women's Canoe Event. The Women's Canoe Event is a big deal because there has never ever been a Women's C-1 event. But this year it was added to the International Canoe Slalom program and just this past week was a demonstration event at the World Championships.

I again ran into Jennifer at the Gates on the river and asked her to take time out of her training routine to share her ambitions in this new event that is gaining attention in the international field of canoe & kayak competition.

A C-1 boater and with big ambitions. Where did this come from Jennifer?

J- I'm originally from South Carolina, but I've lived in a bunch of different places on the East coast. Right now, I am working on my PhD in Ancient Mediterranean Religion from Brown University in Rhode Island-- there's not a lot of whitewater here, but I have plenty of flatwater and I'm pretty close to some rivers with slalom courses in other states.

What inspired you to get into a C-1?

J- I first hopped into a C-1 (or awkwardly climbed into one!) last summer, in 2008. I've kayaked occasionally for many years, but I didn't get serious about paddling until I came down to spend the summer with my brother in North Carolina. My first few times paddling with a single blade on the Nantahala River were in a C-2 race boat-- I got hooked on the gates but my C-2 partner kept bailing on me, so I borrowed his old C-1 instead! His name is Philip Young-- he works with the Nantahala Racing Club. I ended up actually buying that boat from him (he gave me a good deal!) and having it cut down to the new specs, at 3.5 meters. Wayne Dickert was also a big inspiration for me when I started paddling C-1-- he still is a major motivating force for my training. He taught me how to roll, and he pushes me to get on bigger water, like the Ocoee. He was really great when I competed at the US Open last spring, encouraging me and helping me learn how to compete.

What is the most challenging part of paddling C-1 and training for competition?

J - Paddling flatwater. It can get really boring, but you need to train on it to race well. I was never really into lifting weights before I started training to race C-1, but now I usually try to lift three times a week. For me, it is challenging to eat well enough to stay strong-- I'm a terrible cook!

How supportive has the USCKT been towards Wmns C-1 as a new class?

J - A lot of people are very supportive of C-1W-- Joe Jacobi was just in Seu at the Worlds, and he posted Facebook updates about the C-1W's. I personally have received a ton of support from the Nantahala Racing Club and their coach Rafal Smolen, who has been helping me out with training. It's tough to get a new class started, especially working out what the standards are going to be. You want the class to be competitive, but you want to encourage participation too.

How supportive have the other women been that you have encountered in the races?

J - The other C-1W's are amazing! Hailey Thompson and Colleen Hickey both raced in the Glacier Breaker and US Open in 2009, and they were awesome to hang out with and train for the race with. It is all supportive in the eddies above and below the course!

There is a 15 year old that appears to be major competition. Is she inspiring you?

J - You must mean Hailey Thompson. She is definitely tough competition-- she has been racing C-1 for a while, and she is a fantastic paddler. There are several other C-1W's in the US right now who are racing really well too. Three women from the US went to World's this month, and they all placed in the top 15! I admire Hailey for her dedication to the sport and for encouraging other girls to get into canoes. She is also just a really fun girl. I don't think I would have had the discipline at her age to compete in slalom. I don't see my age as a bad thing though, especially in a new class like this. I think that being older helps my ability to focus.

What is your favorite way to wind down after a hard day of training?

J - More training! Actually, I fall asleep pretty early after a long session or two. I like to eat a good meal, and watch a movie. Frequently I have to work on school stuff after I train.

Wow-thanks so much for taking time out of a very busy schedule Jennifer. The best of luck to you! We will be following your progress :-) Joe gave us a good link to check out.

J - For a new class like C-1W slalom to succeed, we need all the support we can get! Thanks helping to get the word out about the sport!

Chick Boat for Creek'n-Testing out the Fluid Solo for Size

2009-09-03T13:42:00.006-04:00

Testing out the small FLUID Solo for size

-brought to us by Maria Noakes

So there I was with no boat and its raining, what to do? Indebted to Juliet forever she loans me the Fluid Solo. It happens to be orange, my favorite color.

It looks great but how will it perform? My initial impression is it’s a roundy creeker. But then to your surprise you lift the boat up and find those cute little chines running under there and what do you know, a semi displacement hull awaits you.

For those if you who know me, I am a true medium chick in the sense of medium. 5ft 5 inches, Medium build, medium centre of gravity etc…

I leap into the Solo in haste, (after all, it is still raining!) Its easily adjustable, but being used to my Hefe couch, the seat feels rather hard and unforgiving under my bottom.

Phaffing around in the eddy, it immediately feels like it is the perfect size for me. It spins on a dime. I know it is a boat I can control with ease.

And that’s not all. I discover what a wicked little boofer the Solo is, it lands perfectly, whether I am landing flat or need to carve through a boil. It tracks into eddies through waves with ease and is remarkably light and maneuverable. I really like a boat that I can rely on to hold its track and the solo does.

I felt stable and safe in this boat, a great boat for women in world where you often feel when you get in a creek boat, it’s likely to swallow you up whole.

Happy paddling in the Solo
Maria Noakes
A Happy Paddler

PS Translating the Kiwi word "phaffing" to American English: "Phaffing" is like cruising around, as Shaner says screwing around, so lets see....call it “paddling around in the eddy," would be a fine translation that all can cope with.

Another PS! Maria also wrote an awesome article about paddling through pregnancy.....

Managing the spring head case

2009-03-18T11:10:00.003-04:00

With spring in the air and the rivers flowing…it is definitely time to brush all the cobwebs and leaves out of your boat and get on the river! Don’t be surprised if your first trip to the river you have some hibbie jibbies rattling around in your head—even if you are heading to your back yard run. You have been out of your boat for a while!

Here are a couple of suggestions for helping work through the head games:

• Remember is it a head game. You are a good boater and you are heading to a river that you know well.

• If you are not feeling 100%, think about backing off a bit and paddling a run that you are really comfortable on to build back up your confidence and remind yourself you are good! Even putting in a bit lower/taking out a bit higher than you normally do just to make it a good positive day.

• Make sure you are paddling with people you enjoy being with. Kayaking is a social sport and having good supportive friends along will keep you smiling/laughing, reminding you how much fun it is to be on the river!

• Focus on the positive. You know the run. You know you are a good paddler. Relax. Do not spend the entire drive to the put-in thinking about how nervous you are and/or how you might crash & burn. You might—but chances are good you are going to have a great day. Don’t ruin it by focusing on negative stuff.

• Sing a song! Sure it is a distraction. But sometimes the way to get negative thoughts out of your head is to crown them out with something positive. So find a song that will get you fired up/relaxed/feeling good about yourself and everytime the negative creeps in shut it out with your song.

• Have a smile on your face. This is fun!! And have a super good day.

Big Thumbs up for the Diesel 60!

2009-03-15T13:56:00.004-04:00

Having spent very little time in the Diesel in the past few years, and never in the new Diesel 60, the Cheoah was definitely going to test whether I liked the redesign or not--and I loved it!

I have always enjoyed the Diesel, but not spent a lot of time in it because I always felt the D65 was just a bit too big for me. All this winter paddling the Mutant down the rivers of Costa Rica and Ecuador, I kept thinking that it would be great to return home and check out the new 60 as it sure seemed it would be the right size.

The Cheoah was cold and rainy yesterday--not the kind of day you want to spend any upside down time (not that Cheoah is ever particularly the upside down kind of river!). So I was hoping that all the chatter about stability was true. And true it was and more.

I remember the day I paddled the original prototype of the Diesel and came away thinking it paddled "sexy." I still think that. It moved so nicely down the Cheoah; super responsive to correction strokes, and steered well from either the bow or the stern.

I saw my friend Taylor Cote in her D60. Taylor is a tiny person that paddles big (I missed seeing her run Bear Creek). So going from Taylor's diminuitive size, to my fairly normal size, up to maybe ball park 150 pounds, this is the 2009 boat of choice for you--especially if you want more of a river runner than a play boat,but not a river runner so creeky that it feels corky and slow--you need to check out the D60.

Great day out with the boys, in a super fun boat. Nice work TeamWave Sport!

Primping for Costa Rica

2008-11-01T12:07:00.003-04:00

I don't think I would ever call being a kayak guide a "glamorous" job. You wear funky sometimes smelly gear; you are wet a whole bunch; sometimes you have to roll up and quickly wipe your nose; and you find yourself walking through ankle-deep in-you-know-what cow pastures. So what was the last thing I did before heading out for another four month tour of Costa Rica and Ecuador? Went to my friend Rob at Van Michael's salon and got my hair cut on the way out of town! Might not look glamorous once that helmet goes back on, but thanks to Rob, I left town feeling good :-)

Hope to see some great ladies down on our trips this winter!

Barbara Brown: Namesake on the Gauley

2008-09-03T17:36:00.003-04:00

The ladies of TeamERA are always looking for new heroes. And we were recently reminded that we had one within the ranks of our International Trip Guests: Barbara Brown.

While in Ecuador with us in January of 2005, talk of the Gauley River came up among the group. Before it was all said and done, we learned that Barbara was not only part of the first two trips down the Gauley, but was the namesake for the infamous rapid Lost Paddle (not much explanation needed there!). Still an active part of the WDC paddling community, many have fond memories of Barbara.

"Barbara was certainly part of the revolution back then, pushing limits, exploring new runs. What a river to be associated with a first descent on, very cool indeed. I have known Barb for some time, and have had the honor to meet her daughters Becky and Amy, both of whom are very acomplished paddlers themselves. One particularly cold spring day we were all up in the Cheat watershed, opted to stay @ the Helldeath motel [ Heldreth] in Kingwood, rather than brave freezing camping conditions. I can recall Becky and Amy speaking with their Mom on the phone that evening, telling her of our plans to run the Big Sandy the following day. I was handed the phone and was made to promise that I would not allow Amy, who was probably 13 @ the time, to run Big Splat.

That was a long time ago, as Amy went on to win 3 or 4 Upper Gauley slalom race titles, 02, 03, 04, maybe 05 as well. Did I mention that Barb may be a grandma, as Becky was to have her baby soon, she was in attendance @ the Tim Gavin Downriver Race and let me know the good news.
You wont meet a nicer bunch of ladies out there!"
Mike Moore

Making the Transition by TeamERA Jess

2008-09-02T19:53:00.004-04:00

Everyone is searching for something in life. For me, faith has been my holy grail. I have been trying to find faith in something my whole life. My destination was reached when I stumbled my way into Endless River Adventures and began my journey into the wild world of whitewater. I finally made the transition from someone who whitewater kayaks to being a real boater. You may ask what the difference is, well in my opinion, it is the state of mind one is in when they are in their boat. Here is how the story goes....

Kayaking Giving the Advantage in a Job Interview

2008-07-30T09:10:00.005-04:00

Just something that popped back into my head about how kayaking helped me in my job interview - Sarah Machinist

When I interviewed for the position that I just got they (my interview was 3 people interviewing me at once) were taking turns asking me about facing challenges, difficult work situations, etc. The paddling thing had come up at the beginning of my interview, because my only South Carolina related experience was the time I paddled the Chatooga. So when they asked me if I had ever been faced with something that was beyond my experience or comfort level and how I dealt with the situation, I said that I hadn't had that experience professionally, but proceeded to explain sitting at the top of a new rapid where walking around it was not an option. (I had a time we were on the Ocoee and I looked at one of the rapids forever in my head.) My solution was to make a plan - because you know you have the skills to run the rapid, take a big breath, smile - because it will make the experience much better, run the rapid perfectly, and make sure there is someone to high five at the bottom. They seemed to like my answer pretty well and the smile part is definitely something that I can still hear and see you telling me to do.

Have a great day,
Sarah

Pregnant and Paddling

2008-07-03T22:40:00.004-04:00

Our Brandy just wrote a great post about dealing with being pregnant and paddling. What we like so much about Brandy is that she is a)spunky; b)totally committed to being a good boater and c)human and having to deal with issues like having kids, being nervous on the river, trying to balance family, work and goal of being a good kayaker..

finding a balance is such a challenge. Especially when you want to be a mother and a kayaker and have to struggle with preconceived notions about what a mother should/should not do (let alone what you should/should not do when pregnant). Brandy reminded me of a great article that our friend Maria wrote. Maria is a working mom, an incredible kayaker, and an enthusiastic breaker of stereotypes of what a mom/woman should or should not be doing! Maria's Cartwheeling Through Pregnancy is a great inspiration for all of us!

How Long Will My Spray Skirt Fit?

2008-07-01T16:11:00.001-04:00

Whoever came up with the term “morning sickness” has obviously never been pregnant. I imagine it was some doctor (male, I’d bet) who was trying to come up with a neat, dainty little name for the full blown puke fest that is early pregnancy. I think a more appropriate name would be “All Day, Feel Like I’m Going to Die Sickness” or “Kill Me Now Sickness”. Those sound more appropriate to me.

And don’t get me started on the exhaustion that is almost debilitating. It’s been hard to stay up later than about 8 at night, and in my free time I can usually be found lying in the grass with a book or curled up on the couch watching bad reality TV. Not too much physical activity going on in my life besides chasing my two year old, Jonah.

This isn’t an attempt at pregnancy prevention, though you might want to show it to your daughter just to reinforce what you’ve already told her. I’m actually really excited that Ryan and I are expecting bambino number 2, and I know that pregnancy only gets easier from here on (seriously, the huge belly and inability to see your feet is nothing in comparison). Having two kiddies will be a challenge, but I’m ready for it.

The exhaustion and sickness has certainly affected my kayaking. I’ve been a few times since I found out the big news, but I’m usually too tired after work to do much. I’m also a lot more hesitant about going out by myself, so that means I always need a buddy to go with. That makes things a bit more challenging. The times I have been out were still as much fun, although I can tell that my balance is way off. That’s another symptom commonly experienced in early pregnancy.

So, for those of you who have been anxiously waiting to hear how the ladies’ kayaking skills are improving this summer (are there any of you?), just know that I am not going to reach my goal of being a solid class III-IV boater this season. The Nantahala River will be my home for the summer. I will have a brand new, beautiful little person in my life come February however, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. Besides, there’s always next summer.

Turning Tragedy into Triumph

2008-06-17T17:08:00.003-04:00

Sometimes it takes someone else's situation to realize yours is not so bad. There is nothing worse for a kayaker than to find out that shoulder surgery is needed. So I was not feeling my best the past week or so. But then I ran into an amazing group--war vets participating in a program called Team River Runners. And this amazing group totally inspired me.

I recently had to go home for the unpleasant task of getting a potential shoulder injury checked out. Having received discouraging news you could say I was a little bummed out. However, that same evening I was invited to our local Veterans Affairs (VA) to help with a roll school. This was no ordinary roll school; this was a pool session for wounded vets recovering from injuries from the war. There were “students” that were recovering from TBI (traumatic brain injury), amputations, paralysis, and many other life altering injuries. There was even someone learning who had lost his eyesight due to a pointblank gunshot wound. Talk about putting things into perspective! I quickly changed and joined the multitude of volunteers that turned out to help.

Teaching someone something that was thought unachievable is one of the biggest rewards for most kayak instructors. I have been fortunate enough to have gained some experience in teaching people the joy of kayaking as an instructor here at ERA, but that pool session really opened my eyes to whole new possibilities. After watching someone in a wheelchair get in a specially outfitted boat and become just like any other kayak enthusiast I was moved and inspired. These men and women are given a chance to forget about their daily hurdles and experience a whole new form of an adrenaline rush.

The roll session was followed by a trip down the Augusta Canal the next day and talk about entertaining. There were 50 plus boats out on the water that day, and the amount of support was staggering. It was a truly amazing experience. Joe Mornini is the man to be given credit for coming up with this idea. Mornini started a program called Team River Runner and is helping wounded vets all over the country. After experiencing such a rewarding day, with such inspiring new kayakers, teaching kayaking has taken on a whole new meaning for me!

Rekindling The Flame, New Mexico Style!

2008-06-03T19:05:00.011-04:00

by our own Trish
The sabbatical is over! Being out of a kayak for over a year really does leave the soul and spirit parched and longing for the sound and feel of whitewater. After relocating to New Mexico, I didn’t realize how much I would miss kayaking until I recently rekindled the flame.It is so good to be back in a kayak!

I had the opportunity to paddle the Race Course Section of the Rio Grande just outside of Taos, NM. This section is 5 miles long and chocked full of class II and III rapids. It was the perfect section for me to get acquainted with my new EZG and see if I still possessed any shred of paddling skills that I used to have.

As my friend Rachel and I pulled up to the put-in, I had that familiar twinge of nervousness that I hadn’t felt in quite a while. We changed, met the rest of our party and headed for the water. As I slid into my EZG for the first time, I realized I made rookie mistake #1. I forgot to put in my foam bulk head. I had nothing for my feet! As I sat there, I smiled to myself, shook my head and had the realization that if I ever had the bad habit of pushing with my feet while rolling, that wouldn’t be happening today! And as if that wasn’t bad enough, I then made rookie mistake #2. I forgot to get my spray skirt wet before putting it on so I couldn’t get it over the cockpit of my EZG by myself. Fantastic. After asking for help, we were finally off. We all ferried back and forth a few times and that was an interesting gauge of skill.

When you are accustomed to paddling with the best instructors at ERA, you expect everyone to be that good. Welcome to the world of kayaking reality. If you don’t know what a stern draw is, please sign up for PI right now. Alas, we headed off downstream and I had a smile on my face as soon as we hit the first ripple. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I felt right at home in my boat and I felt as though I hadn’t missed a beat. I tried a couple of wave wheels miserably and was happy to find that I hadn’t “lost” my roll during my sabbatical. Whew……that was a relief! The run ended up being super fun and there was even a really good play spot called Sleeping Beauty. I can’t wait to get back to Sleeping Beauty and start tearing it up this summer! By tearing it up, I mean of course that I will be front surfing and spinning. Who knows, maybe I’ll finally learn to throw a blunt or two!

Should you find yourself inadvertently in a kayaking sabbatical, try and find whitewater as soon as possible. John Muir put it best by saying, “The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing.” Rekindle the flame as soon as possible, your soul and spirit will thank you.

Bunny Johns: 2008 Boater Chick

2008-05-22T22:30:00.002-04:00

During the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Boater Chick Festival, I had the honor of presenting Bunny Johns with the 2008 Boater Chick Award. It could not have gone to a better person!I always tip my helmet to fellow-boaters that recognize the achievements of those paddlers that came before us. There were so many valient paddlers who trundled down rivers in the likes of 13 foot+ boats, at a time when words such as "boof" did not even exist. So when Anne--organizer of the 2008 Boater Chick Festival, asked me to help her present Bunny Johns with the 1st Boater Chick Award, in my tongue-tied way I was honored--and fired up to do so. I am happy to share the full presentation (minus a few hmms and umms) for everyone to enjoy.

Women and Kayaking and College and Boys and Thoughts for Other Women

2008-05-12T20:23:00.002-04:00

So you want to talk about women and kayaking? How about hearing it from a group of women who are in the midst of their college education at an all-womens college (hence the school colors pink & green); all whom have found their way into the college’s outdoor program…. kayaking specifically!...and all of whom stand to take away some pretty amazing life skills when they graduate from college.
Enjoy sharing time with a cool group of kayakers at the latest of our roundtables.

Bridging the Generations: A Roundtable Discussion

2008-05-09T11:42:00.004-04:00

There is nothing like getting together after a good day of paddling and telling stories!
While the group consisting of Maria Noakes, Whitney Lonsdale, Beth Rypins and Juliet Jacobsen Kastorff could not work it out to actually spend a day on the river together, we were able to take time out of busy schedules to enjoy some reminiscing, stories and laughs.

Enjoy this roundtable discussion about Bridging the Generations!

No Girls' Category Needed for this Lady!

2008-05-02T14:06:00.013-04:00

Ask Maria Noakes which "hat" she has on today and it can be one of many: Mom, wife, company co-founder, respected whitewater paddler, international traveler.... oh, and a girl not scared to compete against the big boys-as she so proved placing 18th overall in the Greenman Category of the 2008 Jerry's Baddle event on the Green Narrows just recently.

Maria Noakes has been a familiar face on the whitewater circuit for a good long while now. It is never a surprise to run into her on any of the toughest runs in the southeast, or popping up in Nepal, Canada, Bhutan or her hometown rivers of New Zealand. She stands out in the paddling crowd not just because she is blond, athletic, and has a full-of-life personality, but because often she is not just toting her kayak on her shoulder, but one--or two of her tow-headed boys ages two and four. Try beating that!

After placing 18th at the 2008 Jerry’s Baddle, we managed to pin Maria down for a few minutes(which is not always easy to do considering that her daily to-do list includes keeping up with two little ones, as well as keeping up with her part of running Smoky Mountain Jet Boats—the company she and her husband, Nick, co-founded).

Wow Maria, you don’t have much in the way of down time these days. So let’s get right to it: Thinking back, when was your first run down the Green Narrows and who was with you?
My first ever Green run…. I was gripped with the tales of the Narrows of the Green, but I was with the stout crew of Tommie Decuir, Doug Geiger, Scotty Lovell and Whitney Lonsdale. Year? That was the summer of creation of Johnny Utah, so that's a teller. I remember pretty vividly the drive to the take out, thinking if the river drops at the gradient of these bends, it's going to a wild in there!

Okay, we won’t calculate how many years ago that was...if you will share your thoughts on running the Green after all this time being a mom/girl/stud...
Not sure about the stud part but I am a girl and a Mum (of two rambunctious riots) and it's all good to go.

What was the inspiration to participate in Jerry's Baddle this year?
Because it's a great event for a great cause, supporting people who have ALS and the group of girls who compete in it are super fun and pretty competitive!

What would you attribute to placing so well this year? Training? Experience?
I would have to say that paddling a Remix helped me in the scheme of things, along with Andrew Holcombe and Shane Benedicts favorite tips of the Green, this combination appeared to keep me in good stead.

So placing 18th overall, how does it feel to have been hot on the stern of the likes of Pat Keller?!?!?
Maybe he got a flat tire.

Thanks Maria! Hope we see you on Cheoah this weekend!

Whitney Lonsdale Back to support the ERA Ladies!

2008-04-24T18:49:00.004-04:00

News Update! super-kayaker Whitney Lonsdale is taking a breather from running in a million different directions this summer, calling the Nantahala Gorge home for a few months. And sharing time on the river as ERA friend, instructor and guide again this summer.

The venue with which you have spent time with Whitney influences how you “categorize” her: been a student at World Class with Whitney as your teacher and guide--then she is your hero; and who you want to be (or marry in the case of some of the boys at World Class!) when you graduate from High School. Been on the river with her, whether Nepal, Ecuador, Idaho, China, Chile, the Green Narrows.... okay, okay enough with the list—it could go on for a long time. Anyways, in that capacity you think of her as a world class boater while coming across as kind of a little gal with a great smile when she steps out of her boat. And then of course there are her movie credits. Last year when Whitney joined the ERA Team, we figured out that the best way to make her blush was to suggest to a paddler that they take their newly purchased copy of Johnny Utah and ask her to autograph it. Okay, she is an awesome teacher, editor, river guide,instructor…but a bit modest.

So we were psyched to hear Whitney would be able to park herself back in the Nantahala Gorge this summer for a time and spend some time with the ERA Staff, guests and friends. Catching up with Whitney on her trip back to Asheville this past week, she had time for a couple of questions.

Hey Whitney—good to hear your voice! What have you been up to since departing ERA last fall?
This past year I have been working part time with World Class Kayak Academy and The Traveling School. Last fall I spent time with The Traveling School in South Africa and led a Women's Trip in South Africa as well. I also spent two weeks with World Class on the Zambezi and Nile Rivers. I also took on the editor position for Kayak Session magazine last November.

I also worked on diversifying my outdoor pursuits this winter spending 6 weeks in Montana skiing in February and March.

Favorite new river you saw in your travels this winter?
Even with all the traveling I did, I did not add any new rivers to my list this winter. It might be the first year in a long time that I did not get to explore new river territory.

What is it about being on the river that has you fired up to be back?
After a year of not being on the water nearly as much as I am used to I can't wait to get back to teaching kayaking this summer. I look forward to everything about it. Being outside in beautiful western NC, the daily sharing of excitement about kayaking, helping people improve their skills and get where they want to be with their paddling. Not balancing the cash register every day :) [Explanation: Whitney “volunteered” to run the ERA front line for most of last summer—gaining life experiences in all sorts of areas, including learning to balance a business out at the end of the day!!]

Last thoughts before we let you go?
I have a renewed appreciation for the time I get to be paddling and I look forward to sharing that enthusiasm with folks.

Here at ERA we are obviously psyched Whitney will be here.
And the ladies of ERA can’t wait to spend time on the river with her!

For the Ladies: FLIRT!

2008-04-16T09:37:00.002-04:00

What are the ERA Ladies wearing on their days out? Well the FLIRT of course.

The FLIRT is SnapDragon’s women’s specific sprayskirt. It has a conically shaped tube with a lower cut tube top. What that means is that it is easier to pull up over our svelte hips and more comfortable because the tube is not around our necks. And it comes in either black (which goes with everything) or a pretty blue color neoprene.

And hats off to SnapDragon-- they designed a womens-specific piece of gear without referring to/insinuating a body part (like we don’t want to be reminded that sprayskirts are hard to put on because we might have big butts!).

Only downfall of the FLIRT is that the boys like it too!

2008 ERA Girl's Paddling Goals

2008-04-03T13:07:00.006-04:00

The ladies here at ERA are preparing to embark on yet another wonderful season of whitewater; Life is tough! Deciding to list our goals for 2008 is a bit intimidating, but it also provides that extra motivational kick that we (mostly I) sometimes need! Looking at my goals for the season, written down on paper, makes me really look forward to this year.

We'll be posting updates as we progress throughout the season, so keep checking back!

Bran : )

Sara:
-Get out on the water as much as possible. The best way to get better is to practice and get out there,so that is what I want to do.
-I want to work on my water reading and skills by running new and more challenging rivers
-To get Brandy and Kelly to Costa Rica with me!
-To spend more time on the water with my girls, but to also improve to the point that I can go with the big boys
-To continue to earn respect and accountability as a kayak instructor
-I want to run the Green Narrows (and by run I mean style ☺ )

Kelly:
- Paddle more class III-IV rivers and creeks other than the Nantahala and Ocoee. Thanks to the drought and school, it’s been about 4 years since I’ve paddled natural flow, other than the Cascades.
- Get on the Ocoee with Brandy!
- Five eddies at Broken Nose (without breaking my nose this time).

Brandy:
-Nail my combat roll. Practice makes perfect (hopefully)!
-Surf, surf, surf. Become a good playboater. Play EVERYWHERE!
-Ocoee and Costa Rica with the girls!!
-Comfortable in class III-IV water.
-Get over silly fears, and recognize legitimate ones. Build confidence in my abilities.
-Get on the water as much as possible!
-I HATE to admit this one: Listen to my husband (and ERA instructor!), Ryan. Do what he tells me to do. He's been at this for years, and knows what's best for me.

What Makes for a Good Paddling Day?

2008-04-03T06:31:00.005-04:00

A few years ago my friend Trish found herself burned out on the Ocoee by early May. And then one day she paddled with a whole different group of people and came back with an enlightenment: she had a great day on the river, helping her realize that paddling is as much about who you are with as it is the river you are on...

Last weekend Steve and I paddled together, sharing teaching tips and different routes. We had a great day on the river; reminding me of the same thing: the best part of kayaking is paddling with people you enjoy.

To top off an already great day, we ran into our friends from the Baylor School who were spending the day together on the river.
And on this particular day on the river, the male/female ratio was seven girls, four guys.... unusual--especially at the high school level!! So not only was it great to see a group of ladies out paddling (outnumbering the guys!) but with this group in particular, I got to say hello to several veterans of our Baylor/ERA Costa Rica trip: girls/ guys/instructors-once-Baylor-Students...all whom I consider good paddling friends now.

Call it great day on the river made so much better being surrounded by a great group of people. It makes me look forward to my next river trip!

Come Play With Us!

2008-03-28T13:47:00.006-04:00

Whitewater has always been perceived as a male-dominated sport. But Endless River Adventures breaks that stereotype all over the place!

ERA is a team as equally full of women as men; women who are guides, kayakers, fun and full of energy. And as the female contingent of the team, we look forward to sharing time with you on the river and here on our new blog!