American Whitewater: Stewards of America’s waterways and outdoor recreation

by teamjk | May 30, 2019 | Whitewater

The roar of Steelhead Falls on Washington’s White Salmon River reverberates off the basalt walls of the beautiful river canyon, this is what the impact of American Whitewater feels like. It is hard for anyone to look at a free-flowing wilderness river and not...

The Importance of Mentorship in Whitewater Kayaking and Rafting

by teamjk | May 26, 2019 | Whitewater

My first experience kayaking in a river, I flipped over, hit my head, and received seven stitches above my right eye. That was when I decided I would learn from someone who knew what they were doing. Whitewater mentors are able to teach us to be safe, have fun, know...

Glissade Chute and the White Salmon

by teamjk | Sep 17, 2018 | Creeking, Whitewater, WW Disciplines

Looking over at the glissade chute next to me with sweaty sunscreen dripping in my eyes made me want to take a step off the struggle bus and jump on the joy train, but I kept on trucking.  Two of my friends, Max Posner and Nick Gilbert, and I went on an epic...

First Descents

by teamjk | Aug 12, 2018 | Whitewater

At the beginning of the week we are each given a new name that only the people who were involved with that First Descents camp will remember us by.  I said my First Descents name, Malbec, with a half-smile as I tried to cover up the missing dental crown I had...

The JK Rockstar in the Grand Canyon

by teamjk | Jun 20, 2018 | rivers, Trip Reports, Trips, Whitewater

I was awake one of the last nights of my trip in the Grand Canyon watching the milky way stretch across the sky as I remembered the incredible place I was fortunate enough to explore. We went down into the river with a group of 16 people with 5 rafts, 7 kayaks,...

Southern California Kayak Surfing

by teamjk | Feb 12, 2018 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Playboating, Whitewater, WW Disciplines

There aren’t many rivers in Southern California, but there is the Pacific Ocean. I recently moved here to teach outdoor education in the San Bernadino National Forest. During the weekends I make trips to the Kern and farther to the rivers near Sacramento. This...