Gossip
Featured paddler of the month (November): Taylor Cote
By Heather HerbeckNovember 08, 2010
RA: When did you
start to paddle? What age?
TC:
I started paddling when I was about 10-11 years old. It
began on my aunt and uncle’s lake with the big, long, recreational boats. Later
that summer, I signed my dad and myslef up for an easy river trip and that’s when
I decided I wanted to take roll classes and really learn how to do this.
RA: What inspired
you to paddle? Who inspired you to paddle?
TC: I was inspired to paddle because
it was something new and different to try.
My dad had already introduced me to so many different out of the ordinary
sports. So I didn’t think twice about diving into something new. The only
difference was that I was introducing him to this sport instead of the other
way around. I can’t think of anyone who really inspired me to paddle; it was
more of a new challenge for myself, to try something new.
RA: What are your goals for kayaking?
RA: What are your goals for kayaking?
TC:
My goals right now are to keep
improving all my playboating skills and eventually make the US Freestyle Team. Some
other goals of mine are to keep stepping up my creek boating, to paddle new
rivers, and to continue to grow as a boater in general.
RA: You attend NRA, correct? Are there other girls in the program besides you?
RA: You attend NRA, correct? Are there other girls in the program besides you?
TC: Yes,
I am attending New River Academy again this year. There are 4 other girls in
the program at the moment, a new school record! It’s awesome that we are able
to have other girls to talk to and have support from on the river. Our coach,
Tino Specht, also really understands and supports all the girls the best he
can. He definitely knows when to push us and what we need to do to get better.
All the girls need to make sure we represent on the river to show the boys
they’re not the only ones who can throw down and run the “gnar”.
RA: What's it like learning how to paddle with majority of boys? Is it intimidating at all?
RA: What's it like learning how to paddle with majority of boys? Is it intimidating at all?
TC: Ever since I started paddling
it’s always been a majority of guys. Guys were the ones who taught me how to
roll, gave me some of the best advice, and pushed me to be a stronger boater.
They definitely give me the support I need and help me keep excelling as a
boater. Its like a healthy competition, everyone is here to help you and watch
you grow, whether you’re a guy or a girl, it doesn’t matter. At school, we have
a really good environment with this and it helps you try new things. The guys
don’t intimidate me; I can take them any day. They should be the ones
intimidated to get shown up by a girl. J
RA: What advice can you give other young girls about the sport of kayaking/how to get into it/how to get over fear(s)/any other advice . . .
RA: What advice can you give other young girls about the sport of kayaking/how to get into it/how to get over fear(s)/any other advice . . .
TC: Well, when you’re getting into
the sport, you just need to jump in full force and give it all you got because
kayaking requires all your mind and body. When getting over your fears it is
nice to have those around you to give you support and aid you. Every boater has
fears including me, I’m such a baby about swirlies in the river; everyone at
school can vouch for that. Getting over your fears can be hard and there will
always be people there to support you but ultimately it’s going to be you doing
it, you’re the one who has to make that decision. You’ll definitely feel great
when you conquer them. It’s that whole cliché leap of faith thing. Its okay to
have fears and be afraid but you can’t let it consume you, either. Kayaking is
all about the flow and letting things come and go. You also need to remember to
not be ashamed when you’re beginning and you’re swimming or struggling with
certain things because we were all there at one point. We remember how it was
and you just have to ask for help because any kayaker is always willing to help
someone who needs it.
RA: What is your most favorite type of kayaking and why?
RA: What is your most favorite type of kayaking and why?
My favorite type of kayaking is
creeking. That’s what I did for most of my years of kayaking; playboating only
came along in about the last year and a half. When you’re creeking you get the
best feeling when you hit that sick boof or nail that tricky line you’ve been
working on. It definitely gives you a great sense of accomplishment.
RA: Anything else you'd like to share that is inspiring/empowering/motivational to girls and women . . .
TC: Don’t be afraid to try something new. And, just because those guys are out there trying to look all buff, a lot of them are just trying to impress you-that kickass girl boater who can throw down just as good.
RA: Anything else you'd like to share that is inspiring/empowering/motivational to girls and women . . .
TC: Don’t be afraid to try something new. And, just because those guys are out there trying to look all buff, a lot of them are just trying to impress you-that kickass girl boater who can throw down just as good.
I have to admit . . . reading through Taylor's interview impressed and inspired me. A 16-year old's attitude, action and passion can be just as powerful & influential to men and women decade's older, than to just her peers. Thank you, Taylor, for doing what you do . . . we hope to see you continue your adventures and be a footprint for others to follow.
Heather Herbeck