by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (Foresters Falls) — Claudia Kerchkoff-Van Wijk said it was “heartwarming I was chosen by my peers worldwide to be recognized for the contributions I have made to the sport internationally” after she was recently presented with the Lifetime Paddlers Award.
A huge part of Kerchkoff-Van Wijk’s life has been spent on the water.
“It was right in my back yard,” she said during a recent phone interview.
“I am honoured for being recognized for my participation and contribution to the sport of whitewater paddling. I am still happiest when in my kayak, especially when running a challenging section of river, so it’s extremely fulfilling to introduce others to this amazing sport. This I have been able to do for thousands of people. A summer day doesn’t go by when I don’t hear: ‘thank you, this was the best day of my life!”
As a member of the Ontario Voyageur Kayak Club, Claudia grew up surrounded by passionate kayakers. Learning to run rapids by the age of three—with no helmet and no PFD—it was obvious she was destined for success. She helped build her first kayak in the family basement at the age of seven and at 13, she won her first Canadian championship in both Slalom and Whitewater—a title she held for 10 years…Richard van Bommel/World Paddle Awards
Kerchkoff-Van Wijk stressed this award is not just for kayak and canoe, but for all paddle sports, whether it be freestyle, slalom or river paddling, sprint, marathon canoeing and dragon boating.
She was chosen by the international community of those who enjoy paddle sports. She noted this award is voted by the academy participants only, not the public.
Kerchkoff-Van Wijk is the first woman to receive this award.
“I think it’s about time,” she said.
She noted that in river paddling, women and men are equal because it’s a gravity sport “and it’s the time you put in that brings you to an elite level. You need to learn to use the water to help you make your progress, you can’t fight the water. It’s technical, it’s courage.
“This community of paddling whitewater is my life and I’ve always felt equal, male and female, and I’ve been accepted by the males, that’s never been a hurdle.”
She said the only aspect of kayak and canoeing where a man is superior is in sprint racing, because it’s power and strength, and a female cannot keep up to a male’s strength.
Kerchkoff-Van Wijk grew up on the Ottawa River with her father and mother, Christa and Hermann Kerckhoff. the original owners of OWL Rafting, which she now owns with her husband Dirk.
Being the first woman to win the lifetime paddlers award showcases that whatever you put into what you are doing is what your rewards are.
“The achievement is not because I’m a woman, but because of what I’ve contributed,” she stressed.
As a business owner for 45 years, she said it hasn’t mattered that she’s female.
“I feel fortunate to have been able to transition my competitive career, into my business career. And giving back to the sport that gave so much to me, is a natural transition. I enjoy it immensely, yet, realize not enough athletes do this. Many finish the sport and never come back. Yet being on the water is the most valuable and wonderful experience – it’s magical. It is in my nature to be exited and enjoy making opportunities happen. Dedicating my life to paddling is an easy decision for me.”…Rob van Bommel/World Paddle Awards
The couple have gone out of their way to be gender neutral, hiring men and women at their work environments. There are men and women in the kitchen, on the river and in the office.
“It makes for a balanced work environment and I find it much more supportive,” Kerchkoff-Van Wijk said.
OWL Rafting and Madawaska Kanu Centre is a three-generation family business, Kerchkoff-Van Wijk noted. First her parents, Christa and Hermann Kerckhoff, then she and Dirk, and now their daughters, Stefi and Katrina, are becoming more involved.
Stefi is transitioning to take over MKC.
“This is phenomenally fun to be mentoring her and it’s so exciting to see enthusiasm, with a different/new generation and with different approaches than what I did transitioning with my parents 35 years ago,” Kerchkoff-Van Wijk said.
To help with the transitioning, a transitioning coach has been hired through the Bank of Canada.
“This coach helps us work through the mother/daughter approach, because that could be difficult,” she said. “Here’s my daughter, now taking over the business. We have to accept boundaries. We need to set goals. We need to make clear boundaries and clear responsibilities in this period. This has been such a fun project for both of us.”
As for OWL Rafting, while Dirk and Kerchkoff-Van Wijk love what they do, they have now begun to transfer work responsibilities to the management team.
“We are still there, but we would like in two years not to be on site as much as we are today,” she said. “I’m two years away from being 60 and I’m very healthy and so is Dirk and we just want to enjoy a little bit more than day-to-day work in the summer.”
Katrina does the web site designs, ads and brochures for both companies, Kerchkoff-Van Wijk.
She noted her daughters are very different. Stefi has a background in open canoeing, tripping in the north. She worked for Black Feather, Wilderness Adventures, leading two and three-day canoe trips in Canada’s north, for eight years. She’s also an outdoor educator by profession.
“She brings all that with her to MKC,” Kerchkoff-Van Wijk said.
Katrina went the whitewater kayaking route. She was the Canadian kayak champion on the national team in slalom and then transitioned into extreme kayaking when Canada did not get a spot in the 2012 Olympics.
Katrina is still living in the mountains of Canada and still running in wonderful exploratory kayak trips, Kerchkoff-Van Wijk said. Her next trip is sea kayaking and backcountry skiing on the Stikine River in northern British Columbia.
Kerchkoff-Van Wijk’s final words courtesy of Richard van Bommel/World Paddle Awards: “Firstly, being on the water, and running a river, is not something we can take for granted. It is our duty to respect, leave no trace and be environmental stewards. Lead by example, spread the word.
“Secondly, it is also important to understand limits. Moving water is a huge invisible force, not to be underestimated. Paddling whitewater has inherent risks and we need to know when it’s our day to step down, and not run this rapid. Know yourself, and support others to be able to make the right decision.”
