Jennifer Kellerman
Age: 32
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 130 lbs
Years Paddling: 2 years
Location: Beachburg, Ontario "Local 582"
Website: jennyrightside.blogspot.com
Jenny’s Paddling Resume:
I injured my knee on a cross-country cycling trip in 2003, and was introduced to kayaking by Steve and Ian who run the pool sessions at the Nepean Sportsplex in Ottawa. Ian explained how to roll, showed me once, and I got it the first time! I was so excited that this might be something that could replace cycling that I went out and bought a boat right away. I took a 2 day course at Paddler Co-op at Palmer’s Rapids, and then another 2-day course through Wilderness Tours. Since then I have spent any spare time traveling, paddling and meeting new people!
Rivers
Paddled:
| Big Sandy Creek, WV | Gull River, ON | Potomac River, MD |
| Big South Fork of the Cumberland, TN | Lower Gauley River, WV | Spring Creek, TN |
| Black River, NY | Lower Madawaska River, ON | St Lawrence River, PQ |
| Caney Fork River (Rock Island), TN | Middle Madawaska River, ON | Susquehanna River, ON |
| Cheat River Canyon, WV | Mississippi River, ON | Tellico River, TN |
| Clear Creek/Obed/Emory, TN | Ocoee River, TN | Upper Gauley River, WV |
| Gatineau River, PQ | Ottawa River, ON | Yampa River, CO |
| Gore Creek, CO | Petawawa River, ON | Rouge River, PQ |
| Oxtongue River, ON | Upper Yough, MD | ASCI Course, MD |
| Rio Balsa, CR | Rio Reventazon, CR | Rio Pacuare, CR |
| Rio Division, CR | Rio Savegre, CR |
Favourite Gear:
My favourite piece of gear is my FNA SX helmet. It is stylish, solid and safe. I have hit my head a few times on rivers and my noggin is still intact. For warmth, I wear poly-pro and fleece, and I love my NRS Toaster Mitts.
I am sponsored by Jackson Kayak and Peak UK. My opinions on either company's gear may sound like hype, but I wrote the stuff on Jackson before I was sponsored by them :-) The full range of Peak Gear is newly available in North America, and some of my favourite pieces are by far the creek-top with removable armour, and the combi-short drytop. Super dry, solid and comfortable.
I traded my first boat in for a Jackson 2 Fun last summer, and have since alternated between that and a Jackson Star. The difference I found between the Jackson boats and my old boat is that I no longer feel as if I’m sitting in a kayak, rather that the kayak acts as an extension of my body. I am in more control and willing to try more things on the river. I feel as though the boats are solid, comfortable and super light. The boat weight comes in handy when hiking steep take-out paths!
Favourite Spot to Paddle:
The Ottawa River is my favourite place to be, the landscape is beautiful, the features change daily keeping me on my toes, and you meet people from all over the world on one 5-mile stretch. Outside of my home river, though, my favourite river for play is the Black River in Watertown, NY, and my favourite river run is the Upper Gauley River in West Virginia. It’s big fast and challenging; a lot like a rollercoaster!
Dream
Paddling Location:
I have been aching to get to
Chile and paddle the Futaleufu River
before it is destroyed forever by dams.
I would also like to paddle Skook and the Ashlu River in B.C., and get on a paddling trip to New Zealand!
Why Jenny is a river junkie:
Whitewater kayaking continually pushes and challenges the body and mind. I have always been the type of person who works well under pressure and enjoys a challenge. Whitewater kayaking keeps me on my toes as I can never stop learning on the river. I am mostly addicted to whitewater because of the connections and friendships that are made on the river. I have met wonderful people from all walks of life, and all corners of the earth. It’s a community that shares a similar goal and has a similar passion, which makes it unique and wonderful.
