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MOUNTAINLIFEBLUEMOUNTAINS
SUMMER2016
like in any sport it’s about the people you
choose to be around. Paddlers take care of
each other. Safety is embedded in the culture
of the sport. It’s seldom seen in photos or
videos but paddlers carry pin kits, ropes, and
rescue gear. Those paddling at the highest level
know how to run safety. Most have experienced
scary situations on the river. Many have lost
friends. “In kayaking, you do your very best
to surround yourself with a group of amazing
friends/paddlers that you can trust and depend
on in every situation,” says Grady. “This trust
runs deep and can’t be taught. It’s something
that grows as you develop with your team and
spend time on new rivers.”
The sport of whitewater kayaking is evolving.
But does the media draw a true picture? “I
believe the media accurately shows the top
end of the sport and the direction each genre
is progressing, whether freestyle, racing or
waterfalls,” says Grady. “On the flipside, there
is a tremendous amount that goes on behind
the scenes or while the camera isn’t rolling that
the majority of people never see.” Media is not
trying to cater to the masses. It’s highlighting
the top paddlers. Kayaking offers infinite
chances for learning, exploration, and self-
improvement. “It doesn’t have to do with the
difficulty of the water beneath you,” adds Marr.
“But that you are in a boat on the water.”
Staring at a waterfall photo in the grocery
store, you’re given only a small piece of the
whole picture. You can’t see all that happened
before the drop. Everyone sees something
different when they look at a kayaker sending
it over a waterfall. Grady andMarr have the full
picture—a view upstream and downstream; one
of community and support but also progression.
Waterfalls are part of whitewater kayaking, but
don’t define the sport.
“I take intoaccount
mysurroundings,my
environment,who I’mwith—
andhow I feel,more than
anything.”–BennyMarr
BenMarr performs anairscrewon theBus Eaterwave,OttawaRiver. PatrickCamblin films in the foreground. JOHNRATHWELL
BennyMarr. CHRISKORBULIC
