welshkate

Name: Kate Howell
Stats: 6 ft, 155 pounds, size 7
Started paddling: 1990
Home town: Cardiff, Wales, UK
Current residence:  Southampton, England, UK
Favorite park’n’play: Pacific Ocean
Last swim: Agate Beach, Oregon; July 2008

Bio
I started kayaking in 1990 and my first boat was a Perception Dancer- a relatively advanced design for that era. From 1990 to 1995, decked out in my colour coordinated ‘nineties neon’ boating attire, I spent winters paddling classic Welsh (and Scottish) Class II, III and IV runs and summers practicing slalom. At age eighteen, I engaged in a nine year kayaking hiatus, completely missing the evolution of the playboat. In 2003 I landed a job as a Marine Chemist at the coast in Newport, Oregon, USA and in 2004 the hiatus was over. I bought a used playboat, shipped my now vintage neon paddling gear over to the US and started kayak surfing; as often as possible. When the winter surf got too big for me to ride, I transitioned to kayaking rivers and subsequently to creeks. After 5 years working and paddling in the US  moved back to the UK to continue with my alternate passion as a scientist working in the green/ alternative energy sector. Since returning I’ve adopted the lifestyle of a weekend warrior, rediscovering old rivers and notching up new ones.

I try to hit the water at least three times a week in whatever capacity I can, be it kayak surfing, playboating, creeking, flatwater attainment or pool sessions. I’ve paddled a number of rivers and creeks in the Pacific Northwest and the UK but kayak surfing remains my #1 passion, largely due to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of ocean waves. Each wave is unique because of the suite of variables that influence its form; hence every session is original. Big wave beat downs are particularly humbling.

Although I dont surf enormous swells, huck the highest falls or nail phonics monkeys, I love and respect the constant learning and challenge that kayaking has to offer. We are all on our own kayaking journey but it wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining without our mates to laugh (and occasionally cry) with along the way. I enjoy spending my free time helping out with my local kayak club and paddling community, whether that’s updating news on the club website or teaching kayak surf and playboatclinics. I find that participating in diverse kayak disciplines and boating with varied paddlers helps me considerably in becoming a better kayaker. Volunteering for the local kayak club andbeing part of an on-line paddling community is a great way to find that diversity.

Likes: Chocolate; six nations rugby; KLCC radio; winter storms; Bright Eyes

Dislikes: Polystyrene; woodlice; soap operas; airports; black olives  

 

COMPETITION
2009
2009 Canoe Wales, Surf Ranking, 3 rd Ladies HP
Black Rock Surf Fest: 5 th Ladies HP
Aberavon Handicap open: 2nd Ladies HP

2008
Hurley Classic, Thames, UK, 3 rd Womens Rodeo
Gorge Games, White Salmon, WA, USA, 1st Womens Boater-X
WCWWWFest, White Salmon, WA, USA 2 nd 8-Ball
Wentachee River Fest., WA, USA, 1 st Ladies >9′ Down River Race
Wentachee River Fest., WA, USA, 1 st Ladies Pro/Expert Rodeo
Prof. Paddle Ball, Wenatchee, WA, USA 2 nd Freestyle Rodeo

2007
Clean Water Classic, WA, USA, 3 rd Co-ed HP Kayak
Santa Cruz KSF, CA, USA, 1 st Intermed. Women’s Prod. Plastic
Santa Cruz KSF, CA, USA, 4 th Intermed. Co-ed Prod. Plastic

2006
Nugget Hole Rodeo, OR, USA, 1 st Ladies Freestyle

1993
BCU Slalom Ranking, UK, 2 nd Welsh (53 rd UK) Under 16 Female

PRESS:
2008
Fox Sports Network, Gorge Games, WA. Women’s Boater-X
Albany, Democrat Herald, Albany, OR “ Fun 101; Kayaking”
Gazette Times, Corvallis, OR, “Paddlers Paradise”

 

Photos: Friends @ Rogue, Perrywinkle Falls, Boarding Mount Bachelor Summit

 

Photo: Surfin Otter Rock.

 

Photos: Heather Herbeck (2), Me (1), Monica Gokey (3) winners; Gorge Games 

 

Thanks for the support (past and present) from the following companies:

   SWANSEA CANOES