I didn’t start paddling because I thought I’d race, travel long distances, or undertake remote expeditions—I got into it because it felt good to move across water under my own power and go where not everyone else was going. What I’ve found has been so much more than I expected.

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Kayaking and canoeing have a way of meeting you exactly where you are. Some days it’s quiet and meditative, other days it’s challenging and energizing. Over time, what’s kept me coming back isn’t just the miles or the goals—it’s the sense of connection. To the water, to the landscape, and especially to the people.

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The paddling community is one of the most welcoming, generous groups I’ve ever experienced. There’s a shared understanding that we all started somewhere, and that growth—whether it’s your first stroke or your ten-thousandth mile—is worth celebrating. It is a group of people who know getting to the finish line likely involves tripping over a few roots, whether those stumbles are broken rudders, trick knees acting up, worries about kids, losing stability in the wind and ‘swimming’. This community is available to everyone – students, men, women, kids. You’ll see toddlers through octogenarians at races. No special strength is required and techniques can be learned by all. I’ve been encouraged, supported, and inspired by other paddlers at every stage, and that’s something I try to pass on whenever I can.