Tahoe Quarterly

Kayaking in Reno

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Athlete: Ruth Gordon
Spot: Reno

I want to spend as much time in my kayak as possible, and living in Reno allows me to do just that. Although I like to paddle in the spring when the days are getting warmer and the water is flowing high, the Truckee River Whitewater Park provides me with a year-round training ground under ample sunny skies. You've got a taste of the outdoors right in the middle of the city. The park is so convenient you can stop by before or after work, or maybe even on your lunch break. And even at low flows, the park has something to keep me and the streams of spectators entertained.

If I've got a little more time, I head 15 minutes west and hike into the Floriston section of the Truckee. Moving Photo by Keith Sheffield further west and over the hill a world of kayaking awaits: For freestyle, I like the South Fork of the American—plus it has releases every weekend! For creeking, I like to check out the Summit just off Interstate 80, Pauley Creek in Downieville or some of the sections of the Yuba nearby. For a flatwater paddle, I head (by car) 45 minutes upstream to Lake Tahoe or 45 minutes downstream to Pyramid Lake.

Stats: Reno resident Ruth Gordon didn't begin kayaking until age 18. She is currently sponsored by Jackson Kayak, is the 2007 world freestyle champion and was also the 2008 pro trainer for the Reno River Festival.

Originally published in TQ Best of Tahoe 2008