As a relatively new paddler, Kim is taking on a race only experienced paddlers dare to tackle, the MR340
It all started when I saw a documentary about the MR340 created by our local news station, KMBC. I watched in awe as paddle boarders, kayakers, canoeists, tandem racers, and dragon boat racers paddled the Missouri River for four days with little sleep to beat "the reaper" to the finish line.
Calling All Friends
I saw the documentary in August of 2022, and I immediately sent it to several friends. "We NEED to do this!! I NEED to do this!" All but one thought I was crazy.
I thought about this race all fall, and when registration opened on January 1, 2023, I convinced my friend to sign up too.
Did I Mention We Didn't Own a Kayak Yet?
The MR340 is in August, and water is pretty chilly in the Kansas City area through April. I knew I needed to be ready to seriously hit the water by May 1st at the latest. The quest for kayaks, paddles, PFDs, hats, shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing was on.
Getting a Quick Start with the Paddle KC Paddling Club
We knew we had a lot to learn, so we joined a paddling club. We went to a social meet up in January and met some fantastic people. At that meeting, we learned the group would be going to Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin.
Canoecopia is the largest sports paddling event in the world, with 100,000 square feet of kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing, and over 100 presentations and clinics that teach skills and provide information on wildlife and tour destinations.
And it was amazing.
We learned a lot about paddling, figured out the gear we wanted to buy. And developed relationships with our new Paddle KC friends.
A Podcast is Born
We have so much to learn in a short amount of time (which is exactly the way I love to do things.) We've jumped into the deep end, and there's no turning back.
I decided it would be fun to chronicle my experiences as I prep for the MR340 as a way to encourage others to take on big challenges, and hopefully convince some of you to take up paddle sports.
In this first season of the podcast, you'll get the crash course on all things kayaking, as I learn and train for the MR340. I'm sharing how I found my kayak, the troubles I had learning how to transport the kayak as someone who is only five feet tall, allllll the gear I'm buying, training, safety, and more.
If you've ever wanted to take up kayaking, wondered what it's like to train for endurance kayaking, or simply want to follow my adventures, please listen!
Start Listening
You can listen in the player below, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! While you're there, please subscribe, rate and review. ☺️
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