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Ruth Gordon

Age: 26
Birthday: March 23, 1977
Where did you grow up: Burnstown, ON
Where do you live now: Beachburg, ON
Favorite River: Ottawa River, Futaleufu River
Favorite Play Spot: The Garberator
Boats You Paddle: Wavesport T1, EZ
Other Sponsors: Aquabound Paddles

Worst beating (in a kayak) ever had: Ah, so many to choose from: Pillow Rapid on the Gauley – you know that hole on the right you aren’t suppose to go near, enough said.

If you could paddle any where in the world, where would it be next: Anywhere in Africa

Other hobbies & interests, other than paddling: Snowboarding, Down-hill and cross-country skiing, yoga, swimming, hiking

A day in the life: What’s a day of paddling look like? Winter or Summer?

Summer mornings start hazy as they are early and the mist is still lingering. It doesn’t take much to physically get to the river, as it’s only a seal launch away. The hardest part is assessing the gear, what is the least wet and which should I wear now, or save for later. There are no lines at this time in the morning so the surfs are long and very rewarding. Still early and it’s off to work. Luckily, I am a kayak instructor so work is fun and again the hardest decision I have to make in the morning is what gear to wear (usually a shorty drydeck). My muscles have had time to rest and its back on the water. Teaching upper level kayakers gives me a great opportunity to perfect my technique as well as enjoy the river all day long. When the day on the water with clients ends, its back to the river for some more park’n play (sometimes before dinner and sometimes after).In the winter things get a little crazy. At this time of year, paddling is always an adventure: whether you leave the country in search of warm weather or battle the cold at home. To paddle in the winter in Canada requires complete dedication (or insanity). There are very few locations across the country that you can actually find water in the dead of winter. Nowadays I have it almost down to a science. I warm up the truck and put on all my gear before leaving the house. My mitts and skullcap soak up the warmth of the heater enroute. Arriving at the river, there is only time for a few alterations and away I go. Passing ski-hill goers always honk and shake their heads in disbelief. The trail to the river can be deep with snow and treacherous; sometimes trail breaking is the hardest part. Once on the river the goal is usually not to flip, but sometimes you just can’t resist taking it to the next level. Can you say ‘ice cream headache’? A close friend of mine describes the intensity as ‘ so cold you want to pee your pants’. The most important thing to remember about paddling in the winter is to undo your life jacket while you are taking out; if you wait till you get to the car, it’ll be frozen shut and you may have to wear your gear home! If you have to bare your essentials, make sure if happens quickly ……. or deal with frostbite.

Plans for 2004
Trailhead Canoe and Kayak Show, Ottawa, March 6th, 7th
Labelle Rodeo, Quebec TBA
Chambly Rodeo, Quebec TBA
Level Six Cup, Ottawa April 24th, 15th
Travel to Bangs Falls Rodeo, Nova Scotia to teach as well to assist in local
event, April 16-18
Travel to St. John's, Newfoundland to teach as well to assist in local
event, May 20-25
Kipawa River Festival, June 26th, 27th
Travel to Vancouver Island to Film for Ken Whiting's newest video 'Sea
Kayaking', July 5th -26th
Teach Kayaking with Liquid Skills Kayak School on the Ottawa River, May
15-Sept 15
Train and compete for spot on Canadian National Freestyle Kayak Team, TBA
Outdoor Retailer Show appearance, Aug 11-15
Upper Gatineau River Festival, Aug 28, 29
Ottawa River Festival, Sept 3-5
Canada Cup, Sept 11-12
Gauley River Festival, Sept 17-19?
Moose River Festival, Oct 15-17
Media Spring 2004
Kayaker in Liquidlifestyles newest video 'Burning Time' Release May 2004
Kayaker in Ken Whiting's newest book ' The Ultimate Guide to Whitewater
Kayaking' Release June 1, 2004
2003 Accomplishments
Canadian National Freestyle Team Member
33rd at World Freestyle Championship
1st Ottawa River Festival
6th Canadian Pre-World Team Trials
Leading female in Ken Whiting's new video 'Playboating with Ken Whiting'
Featured Paddler in Anna Levesques new video! 'Girls at Play'
Featured Paddler in Kananaskis Whitewater Article, Rapid Magazine Summer
Issue
Featured Paddler in Ken Whiting's book 'The Playboater's Handbook 2'
Featured Paddler in Liquid Skills Kayak School ad campagin (released in 4
magazines)
Featured Paddler in Aquabound Kayak Paddles ad campagain (released in 4
magazines)
International Instuctor, Chile
Travel to Taiwan - instruction and integration with Taiwan Paddling club