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Guide Devon Barker and her "Dare to Kayak" ProgramDear Friends,
Six years ago I decided to take a leave from my wonderful teaching job in Nezperce, Idaho, to try and earn a spot on the USA Freestyle and Surf Kayak teams. The previous six years I had enjoyed working in the elementary classroom. I graduated with a BA in Education from Albertson College, and earned my MA in Education from the University of Idaho. During the summers, I would work as a rafting guide with Hughes River Expeditions, Inc. I would teach during the day and then drive to the Salmon River to kayak. There was little whisper in my ear that I had something I had to do with kayaking beyond paddling after school and in the summer. In the fall of 2002, one year after leaving the teaching profession, I made the USA Kayak Team. The past five years have taken me from making the team, to becoming a two-time national champion, and to being the current World Surf Kayak Champion.
I compete in three disciplines of kayaking:
Freestyle Kayaking will be a demonstration sport in the 2012 Summer Olympics. All three events have a World Championship and a World Cup series.
I wanted to give back to the community since I was not in the classroom each day. I produced and designed "Dare to Kayak," a program for students in 5th through 12th grades. This program encourages students to say yes to an active life, filled with excitement instead of drug use and alcohol abuse. Each year I present my program to about twenty different schools, community and youth groups. Through the use of this program, I can send a positive message to our youth while supporting the community. I also offer a supplemental program where I take students to the pool or lake for their first experience in a kayak. The hardest part about competing is the lack of resources. It is so hard to ask for assistance, but it is really needed. If you might be able to help sponsor me it would be so appreciated. I cannot thank you enough for your personal support, as it allows me to live my dream, represent the United States of America, and reach out to our youth.
Please email me at devobarker@yahoo.com if you would like to be on my update list. I send out emails from around the world on my kayaking competitions. You can also find more information, photographs, and video footage at: Jackson Kayak Team Website and NRS Team Website. Click here to view sponsorship opportunities. Come see me soon. I look forward to seeing you all on the river this season and wish you health and happiness. Sincerely,
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This past year has been the best one yet! I am so happy to be competing in kayaking, sharing my Dare to Kayak message with children, and river guiding in the summer. I have traveled around the world this year, and have met and seen so many wonderful people and places. In addition to the wonderful things, I have also seen people struggling to meet basic needs. My heart has been touched, and I feel lucky to realize how much we have and how we really can make a difference in the world by helping others.
Accomplishments:
Giving Back to the Community
The mountain snow is piling up to ensure our rivers will be rising in the spring when I begin my training here in Idaho. It is here that I learned to roll and participated in my first kayaking competition, and where my heart will always long to be. I will guide and compete this summer.© 2009 Hughes River Expeditions |