I started a program this year called Paddle Pink, a way for me to raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness. During the next few weeks I’ll meet with paddling communities across North America; we’ll have some fun on the water, I’ll impart some of my kayaking knowledge and in turn participants will be asked to make donations to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. You’ll now see me on the river paddling a pink boat and wearing a very bright pink helmet.

First stop, Moab.

I landed in Moab in time to get in a bike ride. Opting for something comfortable (I left my full suspension at home) I set out on Klondike Bluffs. It was rainy and windy when I left but soon I was sweating in the sun and happy to have donned sun block. At the top I got in a few photos and back down I raced.

I met up with Don and Denise from Canyon Voyages (www.canyonvoyages.com). They are an adventure hot spot; hiking, kayaking, rafting etc. At five local paddlers descended on the front step and we arranged a shuttle to run a short section of the Colorado River.

As I slid into the eddy at the put-in I had no idea what I was in for. Five women and a lone man joined me to talk about playboating basics. But these paddlers already knew how to playboat. They were bow stalling and cartwheeling the whole way down the river. It was awesome to see such strong female paddlers in such a small whitewater community. Basically these ladies ripped! (That’s right Sheri, I said you RIPPED!).

It was my pleasure to spend the afternoon on the water with this group. If you’re ever driving through Colorado don’t miss the playing opportunities that await you in Moab.

Join me this weekend at CKS Paddlefest in Buena Vista (http://ckspaddlefest.com/?page_id=441), and May 26^th at Backdoor Sports in Steamboat. 

On the Sunday of the Reno River Festival, while everyone else was gearing up for the boatercross, I packed up for my first round of road trips. I headed north and deep into the woods of Northern California to a kayakers paradise: Otter Bar Lodge Kayak School. Located at the Forks of the Salmon Otter Bar is a resort every kayaker should make time for; excellent location, top-notch food and world-class instruction (and I’m not just saying that because I was there). I learned a lot of all of the instructors (including the great Mick Hopkins and talented Andy Round) and many of the students too.

If you do make the trip to Otter Bar be ready to eat, sleep, paddle. Nothing else matters when you’re there and it’s WONDERFUL!

After a week in the heavenly oasis of Otter Bar Lodge Kayak School (www.otterbar.com) I repacked and hit the road towards Colorado.