Whitewater kayaking might not be for the faint of heart, but rapids are my sanctuary
It's a thrill to go from my Washington, D.C., office to an outdoor adventure. I can run the rapids or just paddle the Potomac River, while leaving the city behind.
Head northwest along the Potomac River about 15 miles from Washington, D.C., and you'll find a world-class whitewater playground. The Great Falls area of this mighty river — steeped in history — has been my urban sanctuary for more than two decades.
I got hooked on whitewater kayaking after a rafting trip down the Gauley River in West Virginia. I had just retired from being a competitive in-line speed skater and was looking for a sport that required a similar blend of skill, discipline, rhythmic motion and technique.
We were a team of eight on the raft, muscling through the
