PADDLER 88
I just got back from the Skookumchuck Narrows . We were sitting on the side of the wave ( it was green ), and four Orca whales came up for air right at the wave . Shortly after this , I was coming into the eddy and had a closer-thancomfortable encounter with a seal ; it bit the side of my kayak , which was scary but cool once I got out of my kayak .
PADDLER 88
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Before we start , let our readers know a little about yourselves , your background , etc . I ’ m Adriene Levknecht , 13-time Green Race champion , three-time US freestyle kayaking team , and bronze medal winner in the 2013 Freestyle Worlds , all while being a paramedic and now a wildland fire paramedic in the summers .
When did you first start kayaking ? My parents took me paddling when I was five in a sea kayak ; I started whitewater at the Nantahala kids camp when I was 11 .
What and where was your first competition ? I think I did a competition when I was 16 on Garbourator on Ottawa . Competing 15 years after in the same spot during the 2015 Freestyle Worlds was super cool !
And your first expedition abroad ? 2010 I took an extended expedition in Western Australia on the Fitzroy River ; we spent 27 days on the water exploring and looking for aboriginal pictographs .
What type of training do you undertake for expeditions ? I try to make sure I am in the best shape I can be . Carrying boats is always the hardest part for me , so just trying to carry loaded boats makes it boring but worth it when the hike isn ’ t horrible .
You motivate so many paddlers , but who motivates you ? Pretty much all the guys I paddle with motivate me to paddle better and always be positive . I have always loved watching what Mariann Saether did and still does , especially after having kids !
If you could head anywhere in the world to paddle , where would it be , and what appeals about that location ? The world is so big ! I would love Indonesia or Taiwan , they are warm , and the water there looks epic . I love anywhere warm to paddle !
What ’ s the one piece of advice you would give to somebody thinking of packing it all in to become an adventurer ? Do it ; take less than you would think – only the essentials . No one cares that you ’ re wearing pants that haven ’ t been washed in two months as long as you don ’ t smell bad . Even then , most of the time , they don ’ t care if they are your real friends !
When preparing for a multi-day expedition in challenging conditions , what qualities do you look for in a fellow teammate kayaker ? Patience and someone willing to take the time to ensure the team is doing well mentally and physically .
Expeditions or competitions - which gives you the most buzz ? I used to love competing ; I then realized I don ’ t paddle my best in competition , and results don ’ t make me the person I am .
How do you personally prepare for expeditions - mentally and technically ? I ride bikes and try to paddle as much as possible going up to the expedition . There are loads of hike a bike trails in the SE , which makes the pain of carrying a loaded boat a little bit more bearable .
WHAT ’ S THE MOST ENJOYABLE ENCOUNTER WITH WILDLIFE THAT YOU ’ VE HAD WHILST PADDLING ?
I just got back from the Skookumchuck Narrows . We were sitting on the side of the wave ( it was green ), and four Orca whales came up for air right at the wave . Shortly after this , I was coming into the eddy and had a closer-thancomfortable encounter with a seal ; it bit the side of my kayak , which was scary but cool once I got out of my kayak .