These accomplished women paddlers are making a a positive impact on the region’s rivers and those who navigate them.
These accomplished women paddlers are making a a positive impact on the region’s rivers and those who navigate them.
Cynthia Grimes and her daughter Emily Grimes share a love of Kentucky rivers and teaching paddling to youngsters.
“We believe the outdoors is like a hack, or a shortcut, for developing competent and confident young women, and we’re seeing that firsthand with our students everyday,” says Emily Shanblatt, an avid paddler and instructor to middle school girls at the French Broad River Academy.
A formidable kayaker, Chrissy Zeltner serves as board chair for West Virginia Rivers Coalition, where she helps to protect drinking water and preserve the state’s stunning whitewater rivers.
Through Team River Runner, Laura Dillon shares the experience of kayaking with veterans. “When you’re paddling whitewater, it’s you and your boat, the water you’re on, and the people on the right and left of you,” she says. “The rest of the world ceases to exist.”
Kayaking provided Bethany Overfield with a new joy and passion during a time of transition. Now, she is helping to protect whitewater rivers and enhance the boating community through her involvement with American Whitewater and Kentucky River Watershed Watch.