Family Photo Gallery

All the trips I have done this year

West Coast Tour

Emily teaching

Build a school

Run down the Great Falls

Kids Kayaking

The Fun1

Emily in Australia

Pre-Worlds Australia

Kayaking by Dane

Emily Writes in from Chile

Kids Gear Guide

Q & A with Dane

New York City Boys and Girls Harbor Kayak Camp

West Coast Tour- by Emily Jackson

The past couple months on the west coast have been great! I got to improve my kayaking meet cool be people and have an awesome time. Kayaking wise, I learned a lot. I did my first creeking and some of my first rodeos as a pro women (I am junior but the lack of appearances forced me into pro)

My first creek was Brush Creek in Southern California. It was known as the Disney Land Water Park for kayakers. I love Disney land and kayaking so overall I loved the creek. It was scary the first time being unsure of myself and how to maneuver my boat around on the rocks. But as the day went on I realized that creeking is fun and not hard once you get comfortable. It is an amazing feeling when you slide down the rock fast, hit a fish tail and fly into the pool below. The scariest rapid was the 15 footer but once you do it, you can't help but smile at your accomplishment.

Brush Creek has to be one of my most memorable experiences this past trip.

Play boating wise I don't know where to begin. One of my more fun experiences was Bob's Hole in Oregon. It is a large wave with a big bouncy foam pile. It took me a couple days to get comfortable with the feature but by the time I left, I was doing an occasional air blunt. Vail Colorado was another great play spot, not because it was the most awesome hole ever but because it has a lot of publicity and a good cheering section. No matter how you placed there you always got a good pat on the back. My favorite competition this year has to have been Fibark in Salida, Colorado. It is an awesome spot to learn and try new things. I remember last year when I learned how to spin and side surf there. This year I learned how to air loop, cartwheel, split and back loop. I can't do all of them every time but now and then I can get them. In the competition I competed with the Pro Women on my own will. I decided I wanted to get a bigger thrill of having to throw huge. And throw huge I did, I ended up 3rd in Prelims out of a full 20 women. It was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I don't remember what I got in final but I know it was one up from last! I got to go and join the cheering squad which was HUGE. They're must have been a hundred people sitting on the banks cheering! Another cool part about Fibark is the Carnival. Every Year a huge carnival comes in along with many bands. So after a long day of kayaking, you could get out and go ride rides with your friends then go and cheer for the bands. It was an awesome event and I can't wait to go there next year. Overall the West Coast tour was fun everywhere I went. All the rodeos were super fun. I had a blast this year and cant wait till the next year! Oh and all you girls out there need to start kayaking and come to compete with me because it is super fun and we need more Junior women so we can actually have a class. Well seeya on the river

Emily Jackson