I woke up last Wednesday morning with a strange feeling in my gut. We had gotten lots of rain here in the Southeast, and almost every river imaginable was filled with a healthy flow. I got a phone call from a friend going to one of my favorite rivers, an opportunity I would normally drop everything for. As I thought about getting on the river, I wasn’t filled with the same motivation I usually am. My body didn’t rush with adrenaline at the thought of paddling a beautiful class IV/V river. It took me awhile to pinpoint what was going on, and when I finally admitted it to myself, the answer was that I just didn’t want to go kayaking.

Since I started paddling just over four years ago, I had never experienced this emotion. Not wanting to go kayaking…what was wrong with me? Who was I? Did I make the wrong choice setting up my life to paddle everyday, and now I didn’t want to go? I quickly spiraled into an existential identity crisis, but luckily had Anna and Mary Frances to help pull me out.

When I started thinking rationally again, I realized and accepted that it was OK that I didn’t want to get on the river that day. It doesn’t mean I’m not a kayaker, and it certainly doesn’t mean I’m a different person. I just needed a break. I’ve been paddling constantly since last May, and my body and mind were getting tired.

I’ve accepted this break, and come to embrace it as a time for rejuvination. It’s a time to gain perspective on the bigger pictures in my life, and put some much needed time into other personal endeavors I’d been neglecting. I’ve always heard people talking about this, but I’m now a believe that breaks are a crucial part of anyone’s life who is committed to any time consuming activity. Breaks not only let our bodies rest and rebuild, but they re-inspire our minds and remind us why we love what we do.

Everyday of my break so far, I’ve thought about paddling, checked river levels, and watched my usual daily dose of paddling movies online. I’ve resisted indulging in actual boat time however, because I know that everyday I don’t go, my internal motivation jar refills a little more. I know my skills won’t leave my body, and when I get back in my boat, I’ll start up just where I left off.

The time I’ve spent recently nourishing other pieces of myself has also been invaluable. I’ve journaled and meditated more this past week than I have in months. I remind myself daily to explore other activities, other areas, other passions in my life. Soon I will be yearning to get back on the water with more inspiration than ever. Don’t be afraid, especially in the winter months, to take a break!

Do you want to improve your teaching and paddling skills while traveling with some of the country’s best instructors?  Or learn more about the inner workings of a small paddlesport company and help it grow while learning new skills?  Or all of it?!  Check out our 2012 internship opportunities!

Girls at Play Summer Internship Asheville, NC

The Girls at Play Summer Internship based in Asheville, NC is designed to give the intern experience in the following areas:

• Small business marketing and social media marketing,
• Short video clip filming and editing
• Outdoor industry business and marketing
•  Whitewater kayak instruction
• Stand up paddleboard instruction

Benefits: 

• Receive hands-on marketing and social media marketing experience with a local, growing outdoor industry company.
• Learn how to teach kayaking from some of the best instructors in the world
• Receive kayak coaching from some of the best female paddlers in the world.
• Receive discounts on ACA certification and continuing paddling education/experience
• Have fun working outside and in a small, friendly office environment!
• Make connections in the paddlesports industry

Internship Duties

Marketing Duties:

• Social media marketing – using our existing networks and internet marketing to promote the Girls at Play brand and grow our community
• Videography and editing – produce short video clips to post on website and social networking sites
• Write blog posts for website and social media
• Be a friendly, approachable, supportive and compassionate ambassador for the company.

On-water Duties:

• Assist lead Girls at Play instructor in beginner whitewater kayaking clinics.
• Set safety in beginner whitewater clinics
• Assist with the loading and unloading of gear and pre-clinic prep
• Assist lead Girls at Play instructor with SUP workshops and Yoga on SUP workshops
• Be a friendly, approachable, supportive, compassionate and safe instructor/ambassador on the water.

Requirements:   Class II – III whitewater kayak experience.  Own personal whitewater kayaking gear.  Some experience in social media marketing, video and editing.  Strong writing skills.  Approachable, friendly personality.  Be willing to take initiative and work energetically.

This is an unpaid internship.

Hours per week:  10 –20 hours per week May – August

For more information please send your resume and  cover letter to Anna at info@watergirlsatplay.com

Application Deadline:  February 29, 2012

GAP Summer Tour Internship

The GAP Summer Tour Internship sends a female ACA certified instructor on a two and a half -month whitewater kayak and SUP clinic tour across the US.

Benefits:

• Get an expenses paid summer paddling trip across the US
• Improve your kayak instructing skills with some of the most highly trained and skilled instructors in the world.
• Improve your whitewater kayaking skills by traveling to different rivers around the country and paddling in between clinics.
• Positively affect women’s lives through kayaking and SUP
• Learn how to SUP and how to teach SUPing
• Receive free outdoor gear from GAP sponsors

Off-water duties:

• Load and unload gear
• Take care of gear
• Write 2 blog posts per month on the GAP website
• Post to GAP facebook and Twitter accounts once per week
• Socialize at off-water events and be a professional, approachable, friendly ambassador for Girls at Play

On-water duties:

• Assist the Girls at Play lead instructor with on-water kayak instruction up to class III
• Set safety in rapids up to class III
• Be a friendly, supportive, approachable, compassionate instructor

Qualifications:

• Level 4 ACA Certified Instructor (preferably through the Girls at Play/ACA Instructor Course)
• Feel comfortable paddling in class III – IV whitewater
• Be a professional, approachable, friendly, compassionate and fun person/intructor
• Be willing to learn and grow
• Be a team player willing to take initiative and work energetically for the benefit of the whole group

Compensation:  This is an unpaid internship, but your travel expenses are paid.

Time Commitment:  End of May through middle of August

For more information please send your resume and  cover letter to Anna at info@watergirlsatplay.com

Application Deadline:  February 29, 2012

Like most physical endeavors out there, kayaking is extremely mental.  The success of a run can be determined by your attitude, confidence, and nervousness to excitement ratio.

Every kayaker has figured out her own personal tricks to get in the right headspace for a river, especially a challenging or new run.  Coping with fear and nerves is universal, no matter what level of  kayaker you are.  While many of us try and share our strategies with fellow boaters to help a sister out, I’ve found that one’s mental game is so personal, it’s difficult to take someone else’s trick and use it effectively as your own.

The best way to train mentally and practice getting your mind and nerves ready for a big run, is to create your own routines and practice them often. Here are two tricks I’ve recently added to my mental game repertoire.  While I know they may not work for you, hopefully they’ll spur something inside of you that helps grow your mental game and tackle whatever river or rapid you face next.

Lots of mental preparation went into this moment

1) My Headband.

The headband came on in a round-about fashion.  I’m also an avid soccer player, and adopted the straight across headband look when I cut my hair and could no longer put it up.  The look was sported by many pro soccer players I watch and admire, so I gave it a shot.

But the importance  of the headband is much deeper than this.  I put on my headband at the put in, just before my helmet.  As I carefully place the thin piece of athletic wrap around my forehead, I say to myself “It’s go time”.  The headband signifies a mental switch.  It gets me out of my previous mode of hiking in, driving, or hanging with friends at the put in, to a game-face, ready-for-action, time-to-focus mentality.  Once the headband is on, so is my attitude.  I take a deep breath as I mindfully put my helmet over my headband, ensuring a solid placement.  From here, there is no turning back, and I know that I’m ready.

The removal of the headband at the end of a run also provides a significant mental switch.  When the headband comes off, I can relax.  I take a sigh of relief, or let out a shout of excitment as I literally let my hair down.  Taking off my headband is the symbolic representation of the phrase, “Heck Yeah! That was badass!”

When I wear it, Mary Frances thinks I look like a fairy, and Anna thinks I look like some medieval character….I don’t really care how I look, because it helps my mental game.  And that’s all that matters.

2) Noseplugs.

Non-boaters laugh at them.  New boaters are addicted to them.  Many boaters rely on them to allow for longer down-time when they find themselves upside down.  All types of paddlers wear them, playboaters to creekboaters, novices to pros.  Some love ‘em, some hate ‘em.

I’ve personally gone back and forth on the matter.  There is no doubt they let me hold my breath longer and more easily in a beat-down situation.  I also agree that rolling is more comfortable with them, since you don’t get water up your nose.  There are many benefits…so what’s the dilemma?

I’m not the kind of boater who wears them all the time.  I used to put them on selectively above big rapids, or places I knew flipping was very likely.  But this created a glitch in my mental game.  When I put on my noseplugs, I was inadvertently telling myself “There’s a good chance you might flip here, or get beat down and need to hold your breath for awhile”.  Then I realized…why would I want to send myself that kind of message, even if it’s subliminal!?!  On one hand I’m saying “It’s go time, you got this, paddle hard, you’re gonna style this shit!” and on the other hand I’m saying “you might mess up or get in a bad situation and need some extra help”…such mixed messages!

Part of my mental training is to eliminate all negative or self-destructive thoughts…including premonitions of beat downs.  So in order to stop sending my brain the subtle message of potential wreckage, I decided to stop wearing my noseplugs all in all (with the exception of playboating, because then it’s just inevitable).

I now go into every rapid with the thought of “You’re gonna kill it!  You’re not gonna flip!  And if you do, you’ll roll up so quickly it won’t even matter that you’re not wearing your plugs”.  Now THAT is a powerful  and positive message.

For more tips on improving your mental game, check out a weekend clinic or a day of private instruction!

First order of business…CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 6 NEW FEMALE KAYAK INSTRUCTORS WHO GRADUATED FROM THE FIRST EVER ACA / GAP INSTRUCTOR COURSE!!!

The American Canoe Association (ACA) and Girls as Play have started to team up for women’s specific kayak instructor courses.  This past weekend concluded the first ever course under this partnership, and it was a huge success!  We battled the cold Fall weather and were able to learn and practice hundreds of teaching skills on the water…drysuits, pogies and all!

As I’m sure you know from reading the update on the first weekend (here it is) we spent lots of time on flatwater practicing stroke and teaching techniques.  This past weekend, we progressed onto moving water, and spent the 3 day weekend on the French Broad, Upper Green, and Ledges.

The camaraderie we had created after the first weekend carried through as if we had never left one another.  We eagerly greeted each other as if we were paddling buddies from long ago, and jumped right into life updates and laughing together.

On the river, we refreshed a fair amount of the previous material covered, and made sure our stroke refinements we’d been practicing were in place.  Quickly, we jumped into teaching a new set of skills related to current.  We practiced teaching eddy turns, peel outs, and ferries, and I was BLOWN AWAY at the huge variety of teaching techniques and language used to explain these maneuvers.

That example alone has stood out in my mind as the biggest thing I will take away from the course.  It’s so easy as an instructor to get stuck in explaining topics in one specific way, or using your favorite go-to acronym or metaphor…but there are TONS of methods and ways to explain even the simplest of maneuvers.  Robin Pope of the ACA changed my world with his variety of creative and inventive teaching styles.  That man is a genius and guru.  I felt so fortunate to spend so much time observing and learning from him!

This past Tuesday kicked off the Ladies on the Ledges series, which happens EVERY TUESDAY IN OCTOBER AT 5:30!

Ladies on the Ledges is a free event we created to get women on the water together!  We spend from 5:30-7:30 (or shorter if you’d like) paddling on the Ledges rapid on the French Broad in Woodfin.  The 200 yard stretch of water is a long class I/II rapid which any level paddler can attain (paddle upstream) or walk up the shore, then paddle downstream and run the rapid!

This process provides tons of opportunities to work on your paddling skills, especially stroke technique, edging, boat control, and maneuvers such as ferries and peel outs!  If you’re interested in surfing and honing in on your playboating skills, there are several waves and an awesome hole to practice in as well!  Or maybe you’re most interested in doing faster attainments and getting an awesome cardio and core workout!  No matter what skill level or interests you have, ledges truly does offer something for everybody!

Ladies on the Ledges is also a great opportunity to paddle with some of the best female instructors around!  The Girls at Play expert team of kayakers and instructors will be there to help you get the most out of you time on the water.

Finally, Ladies on the Ledges is simply TONS OF FUN!  We laugh, cheer each other on, support each other through tough moves, and always come away with new friends.  If you’re from the Asheville area and are looking to find more women to kayak with, this is a great way to connect with other locals!

AND IT’S FREE!

The Ledges park is located about 10 minutes from downtown Asheville in Woodfin.  Here are directions from 240 in Asheville

Hope to see you there!

For more women’s kayak instruction and kayaking tips, check out our weekend clinics in North Carolina!  We have a novice clinic happening October 15-16 and another one October 22-23!

“Thanks goes out to Anna, Mary Frances, and Emily! what a great time playing at the ledges tonight. amanda and i definitely got a work-out…..not to mention that i learned some great paddling tips. can’t wait until next tuesday!”     -Rosie Eisenberg

Lifting the head is the most common inhibitor to a good roll.  The head lifts because the paddler is punching out with the left hand, pulling down with the right blade or maintaining a tightness in the left hip (not allowing the left hip to relax so that the right hip can perform a good hip snap).  In addition to these physical causes that lead to the head lifting there is also the underlying emotion of fear that essentially manifests all of these physical reactions.

Considering the fact that humans can’t breathe under water it’s understandable that we feel fearful when we flip over.  However, if we want to learn the roll and develop a bombproof whitewater roll we need to change our reaction to being upside down from one of fear to one of acceptance and maybe even of fun (at least when practicing).  Here’s why:  When we resist flipping over we are sending the message to our bodies that we don’t want to be in this position and that makes our bodies tense which in turn leads to all of the physical reactions previously mentioned that in turn make us miss our roll.  Shedding the resistance and fear will physically manifest as loose hips, light paddle, strong hip snap and head down.

At first glance it may appear that acceptance implies apathy; however, there is a big distinction between the two.  By acceptance I mean accepting that the situation is what it is in this moment without judgement of good or bad.  The judgement is what creates a story in our heads which can, in turn, lead us to believe things that just aren’t true.  For example, when we flip upside down and panic because we don’t want to be there it can seem like we’re under for 30 seconds when really we were only under for 5.  Because it seems like we’re under for 30 seconds we get scared and rush our roll which leads to tight hips, head coming up and missing our roll.

In the same situation if we just accept that we’re upside down without the story of how scary that is we could say to ourselves: “OK, I’m upside down and now I’m going to try my roll.”  The situation is much more relaxed and you are able to set an intention to roll.  In this scenario you’re mental state is relaxed and so is your body.  Feeling relaxed is the first step in accomplishing a roll.  When we accept what is and act from that place of acceptance our actions are more intentional and powerful.  Acceptance actually empowers your actions.  So the next time you flip upside down accept that you’re upside down and then do something productive about it — roll!

This same concept applies to situations off the water as well.  For example:  A few weeks ago the city of Veracruz in Mexico experienced an upsurge in drug-related violence that prompted us to move our winter paddling trips to Costa Rica.  In the beginning I resisted the whole situation because I didn’t want it to be happening.  I love paddling in Mexico and I didn’t want to have to change my plan.  My resistance to the situation caused me suffering and stress.  Once I accepted that the situation is what it is and that I had to take action to ensure safe and fun trips the prospect of new opportunities in Costa Rica became exciting!  I took action and changed our plans and allowed for new experiences to flow in.  Now we have amazing trips planned in Costa Rica!

The next time you feel that life throws you a curve ball by flipping you over in a rapid or introducing change accept what is happening and then take action that will bring you in the direction you want to go — usually up!

If you’re interested in more kayak instruction and helpful kayaking tips check out our instruction programs!  And if you’re interested in an awesome paddling vacation in Costa Rica CLICK HERE!

This clinic is designed for women who have minimal to zero whitewater experience.  We start from ground zero, talking about gear, the wet exit, basic strokes and river maneuvers.  We’ll even cover topics commonly overlooked, such as how to carry your kayak, how to get into your boat and outfit it properly, and how to safely secure it to your vehicle when driving.  There’s also a huge emphasis on building confidence, and challenging yourself in a supportive and nurturing environment.

You’ll leave the weekend with new friends, and a love for the river which will leave you wanting more!  For those of you who would like to focus in on technique, you’ll have plenty to work on as you progress towards becoming an intermediate kayaker as well.

To sign up, email us at anna@watergirlsatplay.com or call us at (828) 333-4482!!!

Hope to see you out on the river!

Friday September 16th, 12 women ranging from age 15 to 55, from CO to PA, to West VA, descended the Lower Gauley together to raise money for American Whitewater. The morning was chilly and wet, the perfect setting for a day on the river. We were greeted at Swiss, the take-out for the lower, by Lila Menzies and Shannon Christy, the paddling representatives from AT Paddles and Confluence. Lila brought demo paddles for the women to try out. The rest of the crew trickled in and we were all present by 9:30 and ready to suit up and load up for the river.  Lots of women took advantage of Lila’s offer, checking out the cool bent shaft AT Paddles.

Once we made it the put-in with the help of Lee, Angie and Stewart (huge thanks!!) we played a fun “get to know you” game, learning a little more about each of the women and their experience with the Gauley. Anna then led us in some great “Yoga for Kayaking” stretches which warmed our bodies and boosted our confidence for a great ride down the river.

We put in at Wood’s Ferry, so we were able to punch through Back Ender and some other fun warm up rapids. We then reached Kuntz’s Flume where we all rocked our lines and cheered for one another at the bottom. Anna informed us all that when you see the river curve around a corner, that implies that there is a big rapid ahead. So, we would paddle a rapid and then coast through the mellower sections, chatting and laughing and then gather together before each rapid to discuss the lines. Our group was small, fierce and fun! The river seemed quiet and uncrowded so we were able to relax and stay together easily.

We stopped to eat lunch just up from the ledges. During our lunch we were visited by a beautiful water snake and a teeny bright orange lizard, who looked like he belonged in a tropical place like Costa Rica.

We nailed all of the rapids and enjoyed every minute of it, making great friends and future paddling partners. At the take out we raffled off the awesome AT Eddy Paddle that Adventure Technology Paddles donated to the event. Angie Purcell was the lucky winner of this awesome prize! We also raffled off a Girls at Play tee-shirt and Girls at Play DVD of choice. What a wonderful start to a weekend full of water, friends, laughter and adventure at the Gauley.

We raised $400 for American Whitewater! Thanks to Kelsey, Lee, Brynn, Joanne, Julia, Angie, Heather, Lila and Shannon for coming out and contributing your dollars and time!

We were fortunate to be accompanied by Scott Martin, a professional photographer, shooting for AW for the weekend. He has shared with us many of his beautiful shots to solidify the memories. Thanks to Scott for donating his time and talents!! scottmartinimages.com

Tip #1:  Remember that you have a lot of room to maneuver in big water.  One of the reasons why I feel so comfortable in big water is because to me it’s like paddling a big highway.  Most of the time the ‘V’s at the entrance of rapids are bigger so  you have more room to set up for your moves. This is especially true in class III and IV big water.  There is less margin for error in Class V big water as with all class V.  Having said that…

Tip #2:  The water may be more powerful than it looks so you need to commit to your moves and paddle aggressively.  This is especially true if you have to make a lateral move from left to right or right to left to punch through a reactionary wave or avoid a hole.  Since you do have a highway to start you can give yourself even more room to get that lateral momentum going.  Paddle harder than you think you need to when first starting to paddle big water and make your moves earlier.

Tip #3:  When you paddle big water you’re going to have to punch through big waves and wave holes so be aggressive about it.  Make sure that you’re paddling strong and not freezing up in the middle of wave trains.  Waves are less likely to flip you over if you’re padding and maintaining a speed that is as fast or faster than the current.  Stay focused on your paddling not on your nerves.

Tips #4:  Paddle through boils with speed.  Boils can be the most disconcerting part of paddling big water because they even bubble up in flatwater!  The best way to deal with boils is to get speed and paddle through them.  As you get more comfortable with boils you’ll be able to use your edges to stabilize better as you paddle through and you’ll be able to slow down and even use the boils to play!

Tip #5:  Take paddle strokes as you’re moving up a wave.  This will give you momentum up and over the peak.  Then be ready to do it again in the next wave.  Not only is this good technique, it’s also a lot of fun!  As you get more comfortable in wave trains you’ll be able to relax more, keep your hips looser and take fewer strokes when needed.  The tops of waves are also great places to take a look downstream to see what’s coming.  It’s your highest point so practice looking around from the top.

Tiip #6:  If you swim in big water be as self sufficient and aggressive as you can.  If you paddle whitewater you know about the ‘feet up/safe swimmer position.’  The safe swimmer position on your back with your feet pointed downstream in front of you is important for shallow, rocky rivers.  In big water you want to be more pro-active, especially if you know where to swim.  Keep a hold of your boat and paddle if possible because they can get swept away quickly in the powerful water — especially the paddle.  When you have the opportunity to swim into an eddy or toward a friend who can help swim aggressively.  The eddy lines are bigger and swirlier so they are going to take more energy to get across.

Tip #7:  The water is deep so take your time setting up for your roll and try as many combat rolls as you can before bailing.  One of the big advantages of learning to paddle in big water is that you can hang out upside down much longer without running into rocks.  And if you do swim you’re not bouncing off of rocks which makes it easier to swim aggressively.  On our Main Salmon trip I witnessed some big shifts in paddlers from not wanting to hang upside at all to getting impressive combat rolls.  Everyone likes that!!

I hope these tips are helpful on your journey to paddling bigger water.  Enjoy and see you on the river!

These are my tips for learning to kayak in big water.

If you enjoyed this article you might also be interested in our Idaho Main Salmon trip, September 5-10 2012. Or if you are in the mood for a tropical escape, check out our Mexico adventures!

By Em Shanblatt

Every woman who paddled with the Girls at Play summer tour, whether the adventure took place out east with Anna or out west with Mary Frances and I, had her name entered into a raffle to win some sweet gear!  REMEMBER?!

Now that the Girls at Play team is finally reunited after a long summer of adventure and travel, we’ve drawn the winners!  Here they are!

[DRUMROLL]

 Kimberly Riggle!!!