“Do you come from a land down under….

BY LEANNE SALANDRO

…where women glow and men plunder?” I have those lyrics and Australia on the brain. The first reason is, I thoroughly enjoyed a live show recently with Girls4Sport team rider Erin Alexander and we heard those lyrics live from Mr. Colin Hay himself. (You might know him better as “that guy” from Men At Work. Go see him if you get the chance!)

The second reason is, as our summer winds down here in the USA, the Australian summer season is just gearing up. I think that’s rather magical. As we’re inspecting tan lines, stowing our swimwear and sundresses, thinking of fall, our Australian counterparts are getting ready for a bevy of summer sports, many of them in and on the water—swimming, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, rafting and kayaking.

An amazingly huge and diverse country, there are so many locales and destinations to choose from. Check out this list of Australian destinations for water activities: http://www.letsgo.com/2745-asia_and_pacific-travel-guides-australia-outdoor_recreation-water_activities-c.

If you do decide to visit Australia, be sure to take your rashguards, board shorts, and plenty of sunscreen. The intense Australian sun and amazing array of outdoor fun has made the country number one for skin cancer. Don’t add yourself to the statistics. Girls4Sport‘s tested fabrics are rated at the maximum of SPF 65 and block at least 98% of UVA/UVB rays.

Be safe, have fun, and glow or plunder, whichever suits you best!

(Showing) Less Is More

BY LEANNE SALANDRO

When people ask me what I do for a living, they are often surprised to hear that I design and market clothing, specifically active wear providing a wide range of coverage for women. For the most part, we are in the market to offer more coverage versus less. You could say we sort of specialize in modesty.

First of all, people are surprised that I’m an everyday kind of person who designs clothes. It’s more of a high-dollar, fashion runway, Paris, Milan, big label occupation in most imaginations. For me, it’s not quite that glamorous. Enjoyable, but not glamorous.

After that, the surprise lingers around the fact that I would work hard on something involving the word “modesty” especially where the word “fashion” is concerned. People are often operating under the usually false misconception that confident women who are proud of their bodies want to show it off and wear revealing “sexy” outfits.

That may be true for some but, when you are engaged in a truly active endeavor like triathlon, surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, etc. the last thing on your mind in the heat of the moment is, “do these shorts make my butt look too big”?

Sure, most of us like to look our best as much as possible but most female athletes are primarily concerned about actively enjoying or competing in their chosen sport comfortably. Performance is the priority, not the “hey, check me out” factor. Let’s face it, a little extra coverage actually keeps things nicely covered during rigorous activity and prevents impromptu peep shows of any, um, feminine assets. Furthermore, even the most gorgeously toned back and shoulders will suffer a scorching burn if unprotected all day in the sun kitesurfing. Not fun. Not pretty. Sun protection is serious stuff and even more so for female athletes who spend a lot of time outdoors. Extra coverage also gives the welcome bonus of skin protection.

The caveat here is we really do still want to look good and all this talk of modesty, serious sun protection and coverage engineered to fight physics starts conjuring up images of boring, utilitarian, “un-fun” fashion. Luckily, being too exposed was the “a-ha” moment for a fashion-loving person like myself.

After a particularly chilly surf session with my business partner Kim, we were changing out of our wetsuits and trying to preserve some modesty as we simultaneously wrangled neoprene and large towels with our stiff, cold fingers. We noticed some perv’ on a bicycle who kept riding back and forth past our vehicle… we’re talking five, maybe six, times obviously trying to catch a glimpse of something should a towel slip. I felt an emotional combo of anger and great amusement. How desperate do you have to be to catch a glimpse of the female form so that you’re compelled to ride your bike repeatedly past two, drenched, rumpled, middle-aged chicks struggling out of wetsuits? I can assure you that we were no visions of sexual loveliness as we were trying to get out of neoprene and into some warm, dry clothes. But I digress…

I decided that bottoms designed to coordinate with rashguards would be so great. That way, I could strip off my wetsuit and be covered. No need to fuss with towels! Just unzip and go about my business. Let’s go one step further and make such an ensemble fun and interesting.

In a nutshell, showing a little less really is more and it’s what we aim to deliver at Girls4Sport. Less revealing garments that provide more for the women wearing them. You get the benefits of sun protection and coverage, and (much to the chagrin of peep-tom cyclists everywhere) you also get the added allure of leaving a little something to the imagination.

Where to Learn to Kayak

BY HEATHER HERBECK

Step #1 Read: How to Become a Whitewater Kayaker

http://girls4sport.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/how-to-become-a-whitewater-kayaker/

Girls4Sport kayaker Heather Herbeck helps a kayaking student with learning to roll

Where do I learn?

So, the interest is there . . . you have heard about the sport of kayaking, seen images portraying the excitement, thrill and beauty of the sport and now want to try it for yourself . . . but, where do you begin?

Whether it’s whitewater, sit-on-top, inflatable or sea kayaking that peaks your interest, professional instruction is your first step.  Learning from a professional kayak school will speed up your learning curve and provide you with the safest environment possible, all while making your experience true ‘awesomeness’.

There are many quality kayak schools around the United States.  So, depending on where you live or where you vacation, you can find this professional service available.  I feel fortunate to have visited many kayak schools around the U.S. and want to share with you some of my top picks and my experiences with them:

Personal instruction
Being nationally certified through the American Canoe Association, I have been teaching kayaking for over 6 years in the Columbia River Gorge.  Throughout the years, my emphasis has developed into teaching women’s and kid’s programs in addition to beginner and intermediate instruction.  I do both private kayak instructional courses or work along with Wet Planet Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking.  The goal in my courses is to share my passion in a fun, comfortable environment for everyone participating. 

Wet Planet Whitewater 
I have been working with this company for over 5 years.  We are a rafting/kayaking outfitter on the White Salmon and Klickitat Rivers in the Columbia River Gorge.  We offer beginner through advanced kayak instruction along with specialty courses in both kayaking and rescue.  What sets us apart are the professionally trained instructors and the beautiful location in the Gorge.  Come see us and learn how to paddle. 

Zoar Outdoors
I have met the kayak school coordinator, Janet Cowie from the Zoar Kayak School.  If her instructors are anything like her, you won’t be disappointed.  I have learned some of the funniest, most creative ways to teach kayaking from Janet and feel that she is one of many instructors I’ve met who can teach anyone– from timid to aggressive–how to paddle and fall in love with the sport.

Sundance Kayak School
This kayak school specializes in multi-day kayak instruction on the Rogue, Main Salmon in Idaho and the Illinois Rivers.  These courses range from intermediate kayak instruction through advanced.  I had the pleasure of working with this school on the Rogue River for a six-day kayaking course and can honestly say they offer a high level of instruction in a very fun, relaxed manner.

No matter your age, ability, gender or goals . . . rest assured these schools can provide the instruction to get you paddling.  Contact these kayak schools, or myself, for any questions you may have regarding the sport or programs offered.

Get ready to fall in love with a new sport!

Heather Herbeck is a whitewater kayaker with Girls4Sport who lives in BZ Corner, Washington, in the Columbia River Gorge.  She teaches whitewater kayaking on the White Salmon River.  She’s also a personal trainer and aerobics instructor.

 

 

How to Become a Whitewater Kayaker

BY HEATHER HERBECK

Girls4Sport kayaker Heather Herbeck

When you think of whitewater kayaking, what pops into your head?  A lot of people jump to the conclusion that whitewater kayaking is a dangerous, adrenaline-filled sport, consisting of scary rapids, big waterfalls and intimidating rocks.  This is far from the case . . . whitewater kayaking is so much more!  When I think of this sport, I begin to daydream of all the beautiful, scenic places that I get to experience in my kayak (which otherwise wouldn’t be accessible); I think of each and every one of the amazing people I have met who share this same passion; and, I think of the positive and fun aspects that kayaking gives me to improve my health and fitness . . . these are some of the main reasons I paddle.

The next question is usually, “How do I start?”

There are many avenues that people will go to learn how to kayak:  they will teach themselves; they will have their friends teach them; or, they will get professional instruction.  There are good and ‘not so good’ reasons for each:

Self-taught:
Good – Low cost
‘Not so Good’ – Slow progression; potentially dangerous

Taught by friends:
Good – Low cost, fun

‘Not so Good’ – Slow progression, friends push too hard, potentially dangerous if friend isn’t safety conscious

Professional Instruction:
Good – Fast progression; work at your own pace by being pushed just enough, fun, safe, immediate feedback
‘Not so Good’ – Cost

Once you have ‘fallen in love’ with the sport of kayaking (which isn’t hard), the next step is finding the correct gear.  Here is a list of essential pieces of gear:

Boat: Look for a used boat for your first purchase either online or at your local paddle shop.  I suggest a kayak in the category of a ‘River Runner’, like the Jackson ‘Hero’.

Paddle: Look for a used paddle as well . . . most beginners lose their first paddle on a swim.  I recommend the AT4 paddle from Adventure Technology.  Make sure to get the appropriate length for your height and a 30 or 45 degree offset (blade angle).

PFD: Personal Flotation Device (life jacket).  I recommend buying your PFD brand new.  When buying a used PFD, you never know the history behind it or how ‘used’ it’s been.  Stohlquist has both men’s and women’s specific vests – ‘Drifter’ and the ‘Kitty’.

Helmet: Your head is one of the most important spots on your body to protect.  I recommend buying a brand new helmet like a Sweet Protection Strutter.  It’s a pretty expensive purchase, but they last a long time and are one of your most important pieces of gear.

Sprayskirt: Your sprayskirt keeps water out of your kayak, so you’ll want one that seals pretty well.  Again, a used sprayskirt can be purchased online or at your local paddle shop.  I recommend the Level Six ‘Juice Lite’ sprayskirt.  It’s simple, easy to put on and take off of your boat and inexpensive for its high quality.

Outerwear: Depending on where you live, you will want the gear to keep you warm, dry and protected.  One of my best purchases was a drysuit, which you can find used or at your local shop.  In all my outerwear for paddling, I turn to Level Six.  Level Six can hook you up with drytops, drypants, drysuits, neoprene, gloves, skull caps, etc.  Or, the wetsuit from Girls4Sport rocks for warmer climates and looks pretty, too.  Just remember that you want to stay comfortable on the river . . . always dress for a swim!!!!

Layering: Layering is just as important as your outerwear.  I enjoy fleece layering in the winter and lighter layering like rashguards during the summer.  I recommend the thermaguard long sleeve top for cooler temps and the short or long-sleeved top rashguard for the warmer temps . . . all from Girls4Sport.

Footwear: Last but not least . . . shoes!!!!  Footwear is so important when it comes to boating, for a few reasons -  You need to get the appropriate footwear to fit into your kayak; you need to get a pair of shoes that are comfortable to walk to the river in or portage around a rapid; you need footwear that will hold up to being wet all the time;  you need footwear that will stay on your feet when it comes your time for a swim.  The only footwear I find myself wearing are KEEN shoes, or if I need more of a bootie type sock I wear NRS booties.

So, here are the first steps in becoming a whitewater kayaker . . . first, you need to learn the basics (I recommend instruction) in a safe and comfortable setting; second, you need to get the gear that will allow you to paddle in the conditions around you; and third, you need to just go kayaking.  Time on the water is essential to improving your skill!  Most importantly, only paddle the level of whitewater that you have fun on . . . if kayaking gets scary for you, back off and step (or paddle) back to where you remember it being fun!

Heather Herbeck is a whitewater kayaker with Girls4Sport who lives in BZ Corner, Washington, in the Columbia River Gorge.  She teaches whitewater kayaking on the White Salmon River.  She’s also a personal trainer and aerobics instructor.