GROWING IN ROWING: A WOMAN'S RIVER JOURNEY

“If you can’t row, you can’t go.” This statement was burned into my brain during an overnight rafting trip, and I immediately thought to myself, “Okay, time to learn how to row a raft” I never doubted that I could do it, and I haven’t looked back since.

My name is Anna Stonehouse. I run social media for Badfish, but I’m also an avid river runner. Growing up in Minnesota, I always had a love for the river, a passion deeply rooted in my parents' shared appreciation for it. I was an incredibly fussy baby (or so I’m told), and the only thing that would calm me down was my parents taking me to the river, where the sound of moving water soothed me. To this day, the river still has that same effect on me.

My dad would take us out on the St. Croix River on our pontoon, "Lil' Mustard," and he taught me how to drive at a very young age—mainly so he could fish! He would point to features on the river and ask, “Is that a wave, a log, or a rock? Where’s the deep water?” I didn’t realize my pontooning days would translate so well to whitewater rafting until I tried it in Colorado. I’ll never forget turning around while whitewater kayaking and seeing my best friend from Oklahoma, who grew up on lakes, constantly swimming. That’s when I knew my river knowledge was invaluable.

When I discovered whitewater in Colorado, I knew this sport could fulfill my need for water in my life. I quickly became obsessed and purchased an R2 boat (a raft that's small enough to be piloted by two paddlers) which remains my favorite way to get down the river. (If you haven’t tried a Hammer Cat, you’re missing out on some FUN!) About ten years ago, my best friend Geneva and I would look around and rarely see two women commanding their own boats. When overnight rafting trips became a part of my world, I knew it was time to upgrade to a bigger boat. I didn’t want to miss out on any time on the river, and I was determined to figure it out and keep up with the boys!

The mental challenge of rowing threw me for a loop at first, but I knew that with time on the oars, I would get the hang of it. As a “newbie rower” but not a newbie to the river, I received an invite to a multi-day rafting trip on Desolation Gray Canyon on the Green River in Utah. I was certainly the "weakest link" on this trip. I had always been confident in picking lines and navigating the river, but before a big rapids day, some group members had me questioning my skills and with my confidence shaken, I gave up my raft to a male passenger and rode in a friend’s boat. After completing the rapids as a passenger, I was furious with myself for giving up my boat. I knew I could have handled it; I just needed support from the group. That experience taught me to believe in myself and always choose my own lines. I vowed that day to never give up my raft again. Since then, I have never felt safer trusting my own judgment and actually prefer to be the lead boat to avoid following the pack.

I’m far from a perfect rower. I had a horrendous line in Skull Rapid in Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River last year, but I had an excellent female passenger up front with a paddle and we made it through upright, crushing the rest of the rapids. I also went straight over a big pour over on Gates of Lodore on the Green on my second trip ever rowing. Mistakes happen, but as long as everyone is safe, you learn from them and grow in your own river journey.

Many women have told me they hand over the oars to their significant others when rapids arise. It’s hard for me to accept the idea of not believing you can do something. Since that first trip, I have rowed the Middle Fork of the Salmon, Brown’s Canyon, Gates of Lodore, Westwater, and other class IV river stretches. I have supported multiple female passengers to row class III rapids on my raft, even when they had never done it before. I would tell them, “You’ll never learn to row a class III or IV rapid if you don’t ever row one!” I love sitting in the front as the bow flower cheerleader, relishing their pride after successfully making it down the river. Watching confidence grow in other women is one of the best feelings for me. If I can encourage even one more woman to get on the oars and command her own boat, I feel like I’ve done my job. Get after it, whitewater women! You got this!

TIPS FOR FEMALE ROWERS

• Buy the boat. If you invest in the sport, you’ll invest in yourself and stay motivated to learn.

• Believe in yourself. You’re the one commanding the boat downriver. Trust your gut and decision-making.

• Practice on non-consequential sections. Start on a lake to learn basic rowing skills or research class I & II river stretches to understand how your raft moves.

• Take a rowing lesson. In the Arkansas Valley, Canyon River Instruction offers courses: www.canyonriverinstruction.com.

• Distribute weight properly. Avoid overloading your raft and balance the weight to minimize drag and improve control.

• Don’t give up the oars. Challenge yourself to row through a rapid—you’ll likely surprise yourself!

• Breathe. Relaxation leads to clearer decision-making.

• Put a strong paddler up front. A well-placed paddle assist can boost your confidence and help you hit your line.

• Master trailer backing. Use small wheel movements when reversing down a ramp to maintain control and don't let impatient people on the ramp get in your head!

• Be a cheerleader. Whether for yourself or others, a positive attitude goes a long way on the river.

• Use the river’s current. Set up your raft’s line in advance, its hard to correct a line to close to the obstacle. 

• Engage your legs. We don't have to muscle through a rapid. Use a footbar, deck, or cooler to maximize power when you need it.

• Don’t be too hard on yourself. Mistakes happen—learn from them and move on.

• Ask questions. The river community is supportive. Seek advice from professionals or experienced friends.

• Make decisions quickly. When you hesitate on the river you're still moving downstream. Pick your line, set up and go.

• Trust your gear. Like a mountain bike, sometimes you just have to let the raft do its thing. Set yourself up for success at the top, and small adjustments will carry you through.

The river is waiting for you. Get out there, take the oars, and own your journey!