What does it take to stay calm above a big rapid when you're also wondering whether the people in the eddy have your back?
In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna Levesque, former professional whitewater kayaker and founder of Mind Body Paddle, talks with two instructors who are breaking barriers in whitewater kayaking. Rolando Arrieta is an ACA-certified whitewater kayak instructor and storyteller based in Washington, D.C. He launched Breaking Barriers, a two-day whitewater progression program on the Potomac for people of color. Courtney Smith is an ACA Level 4 whitewater kayak instructor and Class V boater who teamed up with Rolando on the project.
Every paddler knows the work of settling nerves above a rapid, but what does whitewater confidence take when the discomfort starts long before you even reach the river?
If you believe that whitewater paddling should be accessible to everyone, and want to learn what you can do to make it more accessible, this episode is for you.
In this episode:
How a spot on speed skating's "falling stars" list got Rolando into kayaking
What a seventh-grade Girl Scout told Courtney she was afraid of before a paddling trip
The comment under a photo of new paddlers that sent people rushing into Courtney's DMs
Why Rolando started Breaking Barriers, and the day on the Gauley he hopes to experience
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and get inspired to bring someone new into your crew.
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