Clearwater river,
you have yet again stolen my heart.
Cheers to Mat, for keeping the festival rolling. Your efforts don’t go in noticed.
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Much love to the white water community.
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#badfishsup #aqambassador #aqoutdoors #kokatat #thisiskokatat #wernerpaddles #northswellpaddleclub #livelifeonthewater 📸 @gordmccoll
#tbt
Life doesn’t have to be in the fast lane.
Sometimes it’s nice to sit down and slow down for awhile.
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Take time to watch the light change from night to day.
Take time to watch the clouds drift through the sky.
Listen for the birds in the morning to hear how many will sing.
Listen to the waters interactions with the shorelines.
Feel the wind on your face and through your hair.
Feel the warm of the sun and the chill of the evening air.
I know if I don’t find this space and time, my head doesn’t clear enough for me to think. My spirit comes up short of energy to shine, and my soul drowns in the endless running from one thing to another.
Our society today has many of us, programmed to believe if we aren’t doing something, it’s not worth our time. So I’ll take to wind in the trees and observe Mother Nature. I know she’ll take my hand, make me walk a little slower and smile.
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#aqambassador #wernerpaddles #aquabaticscalgary #aquabatics #bcathletes #paddle #standuppaddle #livelifeonthewater #northswellpaddleclub
📸 @ging3r_n1nja
Stout and stoked!
Blessed, lucky, honoured, and humbled.
When all things come together and your friends encourage you, push you, harass you and get you to say yes to a “possible good idea”
Thanks to you
@jd.erickson & beth
Danny Leavitt
@gordmccoll@brooke.shania
This weekend I paddled “mosh pit” “the wall” and “German basher” on the Clearwater River
Clearwater Kayak Festival 2022
Mosh pit was good, till suddenly it wasn’t. The usual “where the ….. did that come from?” Love this rapid can’t wait to play in the chaos again.
The wall was amazing, the hit was big and stout. It surged and shoved me up and to the right and into the edge of the eddy for a clean line.
German basher was a beauty wave at 440cms with some pushy waves to navigate behind it.
Cheers to the crew,
Trust in those that believe in you.
@clearwaterkayakfest
#kokatat #badfishsup #aqambassador #aquabaticscalgary #aquabatics #livelifeonthewater #clearwaterkayakfest #paddlingmagazine #paddlecanada #northswellpaddleclub
As the spring season begins…
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I know that summer paddling is right around the corner, it feels already like fall is within reach.
I look at my calendar and wonder where I’ll find the time to relax and recharge. I am reminded though of the spaces in-between…
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This season I am committed to stop saying “I am busy” and stop focusing on the stress of a packed schedule.
Yes we all have commitments, goals, and responsibilities, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take in the moments in-between.
Whether that be visits with friends, walking a little slower to the river’s edge, stopping during the long drives to take a picture, or just laying another moment in bed.
I will keeping searching for the spaces in-between, instead of stressing myself out in my head.
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What are you doing to find the spaces in-between, rather than getting lost in your own head?
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#kokatat #aqambassador #aqoutdoors #badfishsup
Freedom from the freeze, in ways I have never seen before.
Spring paddling has arrived.
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In 14 years of paddling the Willow River I have never seen it like this. The incredible ice hung up along the banks, placed from what must have been an immense ice jam. The magnitude of the frozen masses of water still lingering in reminder of the power water has. Frozen or flowing this place is ment to be respected and remembered.
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Cheers to river crew for the weekend of fun.
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@kokatatusa@badfishsup@aqoutdoors
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@ging3r_n1nja
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#aqambassador #aqoutdoors #livelifeonthewater #badfishsup #kokatat
Spring showers and stoked shenanigans…
Paddling season is here.
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#aqambassador #badfishsup #aqoutdoors #kokatat #livelifeonthewater
* Here’s to the crew for all the fun.
Respectfully, I don’t care who I lose as long as I don’t lose myself.
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In this world that seems to want to tear us apart further.
It feels like if it’s not individualism, it’s tribalism.
Call whatever division you might.
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Do these divisions make us stronger?
Do these divisions allow us grace to consider one another?
Do these divisions really create the space for the acceptance of each other?
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Don’t we all smile the same?
Don’t we all cry the same?
We all require oxygen to breathe.
We need clean water to drink.
I choose to focus on the things that make you like me.
I choose to relate to one another.
I choose to listen even if you are different from me.
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If we do not live life with the same values and beliefs, that doesn’t mean I have any right to mistreat you.
I will simply give you the space to be yourself.
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I will meet you where you are at.
I choose to not lose me,
I choose to not add to the negativity.
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#kokatat #livelifeonthewater #badfishsup #aqambassador #choice
Strength, may we never make ourselves small or shy away from the challenges life hands us.
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What comes to your mind when you hear the word strength?
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The capability to lift heavy things?
The capacity to critically think under pressure?
The stamina to keep your head up even when enduring pain?
The energy to keep going when you want to quit?
The calm in a breath before you begin?
The ability to keep an open heart even after being broken?
The spirit that never gives up on others?
The softness in taking the time to recover?
The resilience that keeps fighting even when one wants to give in?
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The quality that allows us to overcome adversity.
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Strength shows up in many forms.
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From me to you…
I want women to see strength as beautiful.
I won’t back down.
I won’t stop training.
I don’t care if I am perceived as too masculine.
I am shooting to be strong and capable.
I am aiming for endurance and longevity.
My habits and choices won’t create the excuses as to why I can’t get after every adventure.
I choose me.
I choose to take care of this one body I have been given.
I choose to give myself the best shot at success I can.
I choose strength and wellbeing.
#noflexingneeded
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Cheers to @maddi_leblanc for the inspiration to post this. Check out her recent post.
Moments in life can be filled with worry and indecision.
So I’ll reach deep down and reset my mind.
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Which are these are you practicing today?
Grabbing ahold of the things we can control.
Making a plan to change our trajectory.
Choosing to say yes to opportunities.
Standing up for our boundaries, saying no.
Stopping ourselves when we sit indecisive.
Setting a time line to create limits.
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The mind can be a dark place at times when we are alone. But we can choose an intentional action everyday. We can practice agency in our lives and redirect the journey we are on.
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#wernerpaddles #kokatat #thisiskokatat #badfishsup #aqoutdoors
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Paddler: Taylor
I need to be here for me before I can be there for you.
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Time and time again,
I put energy into the world around me.
Today as I sit with myself I reminded to recharge.
I can’t be there for you, if I first don’t take care of me.
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How are we supposed to stand strong beside those who are struggling if we find ourselves leaning on them?
How are we supposed to be present and in the moment if we haven’t stopped to take care of our own responsibilities?
How are we supposed to show up as best we can, if we didn’t stop for a moment to give a little energy inward?
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We don’t have to be self absorbed, swamped with self care. We just need enough of our own self worth established and values followed to hold onto our true north self.
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Just know, I am taking the time I need to show up the best I can as myself.
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Patience and Grace
May we bless each other with some today.
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@winechocofun 📸
Kim: You don’t backcountry ski eh?
Me: I’ve never done any backcountry skiing before (having lived in SK for 30+ years) but I’m a solid downhill and XC skier. I wonder what I would need to be able to have the skills and equipment to participate in this adventure?
I did take my AST1 a year and a half ago.
Kim: Fuck ya! Thats a plus. Some sort of backcountry ski set up and avalanche gear.
Next thing you know, I was on a helicopter flying into Campbell Icefield Chalet for the most incredible week of uncomfortable, exciting adventures!
Here’s my week long adventure December 27 - January 3, 2025 summed up in about three minutes. Turn on the sound for the colour commentary and the giggles - so many giggles!!
#gobecauseyoucan #hardisfun #badasswomen #backcountryskiing #’s
Merry Christmas
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Here’s to many more snowy adventures and memories made with friends and family.
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#aqambassador #thisiskokatat #kokatat #badfishsup #aqoutdoors
