IN HER OWN WORDS

Poster Child

It is an amazing honor to be voted as the sport’s Poster Child. It’s really cool to be recognized for something that I work hard at and love so much. Riverboarding is an incredible sport. I love the feeling of being one with the water; the intensity of the waves and rocks is an adrenaline rush which is hard to find anywhere else. Looking downstream and moving with various currents traveling in different directions is a humbling experience of the awe and power of the river. I am the face of the sport because I’m out there doing what I love everyday. I’m glad that I can represent the ladies properly in a testosterone dominant sport. Girls rock, and I’m glad to declare a place in the riverboarding awards for women.

My passion for riverboarding will remain the same, regardless of the title I have. I hope that people will see me out there on my board and want to join me. I expect that through these awards, our sport can gain more recognition inside and outside of the riverboarding world.

Best Guide

My favorite thing about guiding people down the river is the look on their faces when they experience riverboarding for the first time. For some, it is a look of sheer terror, but for most it is the smiling look of achievement.

With my 9 years of rafting experience, and my 5 years on a riverboard, I feel that my river knowledge, people skills, and enthusiasm make me a great riverboard guide. I continue to be inspired by the sport and love using my knowledge and experience to spread this to others.

My advice to people who have never riverboarded before ……. find a guide who knows what they’re doing, find a board, and especially, get out there and try it.

Quotes from some of Liz's guided trips:

"She was friendly...easygoing...it was my first time, she put it simply, "hit that line and hit that line and you're fine"." - Kevin Ryan, visiting Hood River

"I went on the Lower Gauley with Liz, Grace Lewis, and crazy Aaron...she gave good advice...told me where to look, where the water is going, how to hold on to the board; I had a scare early on when I got trapped between two rocks but I washed out, she helped by being positive and happy; her strong point is her attitude, she has fun and is positive, always smiling...we got 4 people on a wave and all surfed together." - Ky Burke, West Virginia

"I was part of the Lower Gauley group, I have a Carlson that I play with on the Ocoee a lot, but I liked the Ripboard better than the Carlson because it was easier to control...the Carlson is not as good in big water, I likes it for surfing but I kept getting stuck in whirlpools on the Carlson...Liz showed us the lines, set safety for us because one guy had zero whitewater experience...she made everyone comfortable...strong point is her confidence, she knows what she's talking about and explains everything straightforward...would recommend her, heck yeah! I was worried about doing it but Liz told me "if I can do it you can totally do it" and made me feel better." - Grace Lewis, West Virginia

 

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