Coming full circle

As time presses on and people change so do their priorities. Three years ago my priorities shifted from whitewater kayaking to school and the beginning of my career. Focused and driven, I pushed forward throwing myself into my new found life in Atlanta, all the while neglecting friendships and bonds made through kayaking. 

Three years passed in the blink of an eye an it wasn't until earlier this year, through the constant nagging of my friend Josh Shoda, that my whitewater love affair was rekindled. Visiting the local rivers through the summer was like a family reunion, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones along the way.

Fastforward to this past weekend, the final release of the Nantahala Cascades. While only being 0.7 miles long, the roadside run is chalked full of fun boofs, fast drops, sizable holes and an easy walkable shuttle make this run the perfect warm weather training ground for local paddlers to hone their skills before the rainy winter creeking season is underway. 

                Photo Credit: Annie Kitchin Bartl

The pairing of my level six ace sprayskirt and knight shorty proved to be the perfect combination for multiple runs (and self shuttles up the road) making for the perfect end to the summer season.  

-Casey Jones