Years Paddling: 12
5'4" tall and 125 lbs
Chattanooga, TN

Currently Paddling: 09 Star and Punk Rocker - but can't wait for a 2010 Star!

Competition Results:
1st Place 2009 Ocoee Race; Women's Short Boat
3rd Place 2009 Fibark; Women's Pro Freestyle
8th Place 2009 US Team Trials (4th in prelims)
7th Place 2008 US Freestyle Nationals
1st Place 2001 Coosa and Fibark Rodeos; Women's Expert
2nd Place 2001 Ocoee and New River Rodeos; Women's Expert
3rd Place 2007 TVF Young Lions; also raised $3000 for Lance Armstrong Foundation

Favorite Rivers: Upper Gauley, Ottawa, Lochsa, Selway, Main Salmon

Most Challenging River: South Fork Salmon at high water

Favorite Creeks: Tellico, Cain/North Chickamauga, Overflow, Oh-Be-Joyful

Most Challenging Creek: The Bear

Favorite Surf Spot: Brave Wave at Rock Island

Favorite Trick: Super Clean Spin with a Smile!

Favorite drop I have flung myself off of: Little River Canyon Falls

Top Moments in a Kayak: Getting my first real blunt on the Salmon River last summer, after years and years of roundhouses...Also running Gorilla on Race Day 2007 after portaging it for a decade!

When I knew I would be a kayaker: As a small child, I was fascinated by rivers. Every time we crossed a bridge, I would ask my dad, "What River is that? ...How deep is it? ...Is it swift?" :)

What does kayaking do for me?
Before I learned to kayak, I was never much of an athlete. I didn't play sports. I'm an artist, so the only thing that prepared me for my kayaking endeavors were several years of ballet, and a bit of gymnastics. I also played the violin in a symphony. I love performing, so that is probably why I enjoy freestyle competitions. But putting that aside, I find that running rivers and surfing my kayak is a creative outlet that nothing compares to! It incorporates my love for the outdoors, challenges my balance and coordination, and strengthens my body and mind.

What I have to say about 'never giving up' and 'mental toughness':
At first, paddling a kayak was very natural to me, but I soon hit the first of many plateaus and became discouraged. To really advance in sports requires hard work. Lately, I'm realizing just how hard athletes (like the Jacksons & Team) work to achieve their goals. I'm very grateful that I married my husband (a highly motivated paddler and wrestler) in 2003. He helped convince me that, if I wanted to, I could still compete...and I could even run creeks again after a traumatic event like being knocked out.

My goals for next year:
A friend and I are planning a ladies trip to the Virgin River Narrows in Zion in the spring. I definitely plan to work on the mcnasty and donkey flip, compete and train harder than ever, and help some of the kids I've been teaching get to the next level.