“Together, we’d seek out breaking waves in inclement weather, change in parking lots and dive into the icy waters, covered head to toe in thick neoprene. Other female surfers would see us and say hello. We’d call out waves as sets rolled in, encouraging one another to paddle hard, and cheer when our sister stood up, victorious. Afterwards, shivering with the heater on full blast, we’d rehash sweet rides and laugh at our wipeouts.”

“For those unfamiliar with Brown Girl Outdoor World (BGOW), let me introduce you. Headed by founder and director Demiesha Dennis, BGOW is, in their own words, “committed to changing the narratives assigned to the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPoC) community and our place in outdoor adventure and recreation.” Dennis’ tenacity and dedication has led BGOW to grow and prosper since its inception in 2019. She has been hosting nature-based recreational events that appeal to the community, posting footage of their numerous outings, inviting and inspiring more folks to join in at each turn. She looks for the best opportunities, seeking ones that are safe, inclusive, and that stem from genuine partnerships.”

“Ella Oesterholt and Janneke Smits, water women from the Netherlands, like to take on challenges to push their limits. At 1,000 miles long, the Yukon 1000 is the world’s longest paddling race and is open to canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.

It was the perfect match.

Smits and Oesterholt, former competitive whitewater rafters, opted to paddleboard and became the first female paddleboarding team to complete the route. The Dutch pair averaged about 18 hours a day on their 17-foot, three-inch inflatable SUPs from Swedish brand Yster, following the historic route of the Klondike Gold Rush from Whitehorse, Yukon, all the way past Dawson City to the Dalton Highway bridge in Alaska.”