It belonged to my friend Jeff. I first paddled it about 6 years ago, and I fell in love. It fit me perfectly. Sitting in a hole and surfing, it felt right. "It likes hips," said Jeff, alluding to the fact that the boat fit me better than it did him. But at the time, …
Paddleboard lessons.
This summer, I taught paddleboard lessons at Seven Points Marina as part of my gig with Rothrock Outfitters, and it's been a wonderful learning experience---both in how to effectively teach a particular skill and in how to quell my anxiety about the situation. I've never thought I was a great teacher, but I love getting people …
Cleanin’ up.
Canoes full of old tires, rusty metal, and garbage bags full of bottles and cans were not an uncommon sight on the Juniata River last Sunday, as 55 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds floated down 6 miles of river as part of the 2nd Annual Juniata River Cleanup, hosted by Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful and Rothrock …
Earning breakfast.
This morning, I gave up my day to sleep in to meet my friend Marci for an early bike ride. Coffee mugs in hand, music in the background, we drove the quick commute to her parents house, where we would begin our ride. The plan was to ride from their place in Williamsburg to a …
The moment when the sun shines through.
It began in frustration, perhaps even a tiny bit of anger. Mostly at myself, for things undone, feelings unjustified. I pedaled out of town, determined not to come back until I felt better, until the burning of my thighs and the pounding of my lungs and the wind upon my face had fixed whatever it …
Denali High.
In the summer of 2012, I took a trip that changed my life. The year leading up to it had been rough to say the least, riddled with sorrow and depression and the grief of losing someone I thought I'd get to spend a whole lot more time with. I was lost, feeling purposeless and …
Jackson Kayak stand-up paddleboards.
Last week, the shop got in some new paddleboards from Jackson Kayak, and a few days ago after work one evening, a small group of us took the opportunity to try them out on the Juniata River. A relatively short stretch of river from the Warrior Ridge Dam to Huntingdon is a favorite for evening …
An evening on the river.
Often times, those of us who are active, healthy, and fit tend to take our bodies for granted. We assume that we will wake up every day and we'll be able to do what we want to do (within reason). It's only when illness or injury sets in that we realize just how lucky we …
Broken.
About an hour after this photo was taken, I found myself lying in the middle of an alley, curled up in pain, hyperventilating, my elbow screaming, Evan standing over me, telling me to get out of the street. It had been a simple curb ride---nothing out of the ordinary or spectacular that had caused some …
Sojourn.
It had been dark a while by the time I joined the others at camp, pulling the borrowed Jetta in beside the iconic yellow van and trailer full of boats of every shape and size and color. I was greeted by familiar faces and warm hugs of people I hadn't seen in a year, since …
helena kotala 