The Importance of Breaking Barriers
WOWW: The Sea to Sky Women of Whitewater Weekend 2024
The Importance of Breaking Barriers for Femmes and Thems in the Paddling Community
Written by Tara Stevens
Photo by Emma Wehner
I’m sitting here listening to a 10 minute voice message that I sent my best friend after last year’s Sea to Sky Women of Whitewater Weekend (WOWW). “I’m gonna try to be succinct…” but in true stoked-paddler fashion, I couldn’t hold back recounting every glorious detail. In May of 2024, a group of local ladies came together to organize an event that went beyond showcasing the incredible paddling in the Sea to Sky. We set out to create a space that celebrates and uplifts our community of female and non-binary paddlers – and we did just that. Sure, the epic whitewater and legendary party were unforgettable, but the real magic came from something deeper: the collective energy of nearly 100 women and non-binary folks claiming our space in a sport that historically has not made room for us. It wasn’t just any weekend event, it was a movement, a celebration, and a powerful reminder of the strength and joy in our community.
A Boy’s Club
Every whitewater paddler knows how hard it is to be a beginner in this sport. Getting powerflipped on eddy lines, carping rolls, and taking reluctant swims are rights of passage that all kayakers must endure. Add the stressor of being the only non-male paddler in the group? Your anxiety gets bumped up to the proverbial 111. Women and non-binary folks in extreme sports face barriers that often go unnoticed or unspoken, and whitewater kayaking is no different2,3. We are frequently underestimated, dismissed, and stereotyped as weak and fearful. Ultimately, kayaking can often feel like a boy’s club, and as a non-male it takes an incredible amount of effort to enter that space, let alone feel like you belong. It would be a lie to say that every male paddler excludes women from the sport – we are especially lucky in the Sea to Sky to have many supportive and inclusive men in our community – but there are also a staggering amount of men that are unaware of and/or add to the misogynistic tendencies of extreme sports. So when an opportunity to join an all woman/non-binary paddle festival arises, you jump at it! But what if that festival is a whole province away?
“We should just have one here!”
That’s what Sea to Sky WOWW founder Emma Wehner said, inspired by the Women’s Whitewater Weekend that usually takes place in Jasper (last year the festival was split between Canmore and Clearwater due to the devastating fires). Although Emma is going to be humbly grumpy at me for dubbing her our Founding Mother, there’s no denying that without her this festival wouldn’t have come to life. In January of last year, Emma floated the idea of a women’s weekend in the local ladies’ paddler chat. The response was immediate and enthusiastic, and a congregation of keeners quickly formed.
Our intention within the leadership team was to spread responsibilities out evenly so that no one became overwhelmed. Roles were doled out amongst 11 of us, each entrusted with their individual tasks – from coordinating clinics, safety, and sponsorship, to handling finances, camping logistics, and more. As you might expect, coordination of this event occurred with the symbiotic grace of any group chat full of enthusiasts – at times it certainly felt like there may be too many cooks in the kitchen, but we navigated any turbulence with determination and humour. In the end, our ‘divide-and-conquer’ approach proved effective and we managed to pull off a spectacular festival.
The Event
The best part of writing this is sinking back into the dreamy swirl of memories from that weekend… The hardest part? Synthesizing those moments into one coherent post. Here’s my heartfelt attempt at the breakdown of events, along with some musings.
Friday Evening. A girl gang descends upon the lake! Experienced boaters were on the prowl, eager to mentor beginners, while other paddlers buddied up to refine flatwater skills. Others kicked back, feet splayed out of their boats, basking in the warmth from both the sun and the general vibes. It was a laid-back, informal session where total newbies, seasoned instructors, and everyone in between mingled in a uniquely supportive and stoked environment. Perhaps the only memory from that day that comes close to outshining the image of countless glowing femme and them faces in our ‘opening ceremonies’ circle is the vibrant aurora borealis that danced above us later that evening as we eagerly prepped for the big day ahead of us.
Photos by Hannah Grant and Kate Traczyk
Saturday a.k.a. the Big Show! To fully toot our own horn, we pulled off an extraordinary feat of events on this day. Seven clinics, some with multiple sessions, ran simultaneously, each led by talented female instructors and supported by our volunteer “shuttle bunnies” (i.e., the guys rocking glittery bunny ears and great attitudes). The day was a whirlwind of learning, growth, and camaraderie, capped off by an exhilarating dance party that had everyone celebrating in style. It was nothing short of monumental and truly a testament to what our community can achieve.
The Clinics
Flatwater Basics: Covering basic paddle strokes, edging, bracing, t-rescues and intro to rolls, this clinic created a safe and fun space for beginners to learn, refresh skills, and gain confidence in their boat!
Intro to Moving Water (Class I/II): Taking skills previously learned on flatwater and applying them to moving water. Focuses included crossing eddy lines, ferrying and getting comfy with your edges.
Mental Game (Class II/III): Exploring how our mindset and nervous system impact our ability and performance while kayaking. Participants identified fears, shared past experiences, and moved through elements of those fears with river knowledge, safety, support and fun!
Micro Eddies (II+/III-): Working on line of sight and eddy hopping to grow your comfort with catching smaller and smaller eddies.
Making the River Work for You (Class III): Focusing on micro reading and utilizing river features to make hard moves easier. Skills included wave spins, jet ferries, etc.
Class III/III+: Progressing existing skills and learning techniques, such as boofing, to make harder moves on class III rivers
Intro to Class IV: Learning and working on class IV moves. Discussions on decision making, personal risk tolerance, group dynamics, safety, and scouting.
The overarching theme of all clinics was a distinct connection between all participants. All of our lady and they-dee paddlers were eager to support and be supported as they tackled new challenges. The nearly-tangible emotional safety net we built for one another allowed us to focus fully on our paddling, free from the usual anxieties and nuances often experienced as non-male paddlers.
The instructors marveled at the energy and determination of their groups. Organizer and instructor Erin Woodley shared, “They were the most committed, hard working crew ever. I thought I was boring them with drills but they refused to stop practicing!” Similarly, instructor Bridget Page reflected on her Intro to Moving Water session: “Everyone was hyping each other up and making sure they each felt comfortable learning at their own pace. It’s one thing to be supported by your instructor, but having that much support from your peers makes the learning environment a million times more effective and more enjoyable too.” Instructor Brooke Zelinski added that the joy of shared stoke as her participants got their first combat rolls was just as rewarding as styling a hard line herself.
Photos by Kate Traczyk and Tara Stevens
The Party.
The cherry on top of this wonderful day of paddling was a dancefloor charged with pure, unleashed divine feminine/theminine energy ✨ Kicked off by local paddler and DJ goddess Clare Robinson, who – at 8-months pregnant – had an alternating swarm of party-goers bowing down to her at all times. It was a uniquely beautiful experience to dance amongst such a connected crowd, and for many of us, it stirred some deep emotions.
One powerful moment came when I exited the dancefloor to check on a teary-eyed paddler who shared that she had been overcome with emotion4. Ten years earlier, she had been told she could never become a raft guide simply because she was a woman. She said it was a metamorphic experience for her to be amongst so many strong young women staking their claim in the world of whitewater, and it was a privilege to feel that moment with her.
As the night progressed, renewed confidence reverberated throughout us all, culminating in the euphoric moment when yours truly sang Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like a Woman with the help of a whole community of gals and non-binary pals singing in unison! It was a moment of absolute magic that I will personally never forget.
Photo by Ali Gregor
Sunday. Paddlers of all varieties dawned their sunnies for a friendly float down the Squamish River. Each boater was equipped not only with new skills, but more importantly, new friends! As we packed up and said our goodbyes, there was a palpable sense of connection and shared energy. We parted ways knowing that the pulse of this weekend would continue to echo through our community long after we left the river.
Photos by Kate Traczyk
Empowerment, Connection, Belonging
Looking back on this incredible weekend, it’s clear that what we gained went far beyond improved paddling skills and wonderful memories. The Sea to Sky Women of Whitewater Weekend was a movement of collective empowerment where we not only honed our craft, but also strengthened the bonds of our community. The energy we cultivated – a fusion of mutual support, determination, and celebration – was the true heart of this event. For many of us, it was a reminder that there is strength in connection, and that when we create spaces where everyone feels safe and valued, we can rise to new heights together. As part of this mission, we were honoured to donate the proceeds from WOWW to PearlSpace, a local organization dedicated to the prevention of gender-based violence and support for survivors impacted by violence or abuse in the Sea to Sky.
Events like WOWW serve as catalysts for change in extreme sports, where non-male athletes are often sidelined. They help to build a future where no paddler ever questions whether they belong in this sport based on their gender, and can show up as their full selves without fear of judgment or exclusion. Through continued events like WOWW, we strive to nurture a community where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and empowered. As our community continues to grow, we reshape the narrative of what it means to be a paddler.
Let’s go, girls
The Sea to Sky Women of Whitewater Weekend will return to a river near you on May 9-11th, 2025. Stay tuned for updates on our Facebook event page!
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
This event would not have been successful without our wonderful sponsors! These organizations lead by example in supporting female/nonbinary-led events, giving us a platform to stand on and build our community as a team. Big hugs to our sponsors: Level Six, Euphoria Natural Health, River Culture Kayaking, AQ Outdoors, YipYak PaddleSports, Pink Mountain Imports, Scandinave Spa, Treeline Collective, Create MakerSpace, Ground Up Climbing Centre, Raincity Distillery, Fox & Oak, Fluorescent Blooms, Stongs Market, Save-on-Foods, and Amanda Selsky. Cheers, friends!
WOWW 2024 Was Brought To You By
Brynna Clarke
Emma Wehner
The Erins (Erin Storosko and Erin Woodley)
Hannah Grant
Kate Traczyk
Meagan Leicht
Nicole Kilistoff
The Taras (Tara Stevens and Tara Virginillo)
Wendy Fleming
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Sexism in Rafting Isn’t Dead Yet by Maria Belvins (2022)
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Dress Like a Woman, Paddle Like a Man: Exploring Gendered Subjectivities in Whitewater Kayaking (Master’s Thesis) by Rowan Hawkins Stuart (2022)
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You know who you are 🫶
