The Paddler Everyone Likes

 

 

                                   The Paddler Everyone Likes

                                                                   Photo:  Alton Chewning

 

Everybody likes Amie Scott.  She apparently has no enemies, just fans.  She seems to get along with her family very well.  Her husband, Chuck, isn’t a paddler but he’s very supportive of Amie’s paddling, going so far as repeatedly spinning her back upright after failed practice rolls.

So, what conflict can there be in Amie’s life?  We all have some form of conflict, whether at home or work or with society.  If Amie has a demon she is wrestling, then it must be herself.

Getting Started          

Amie grew up near Fort Lauderdale, paddling a canoe with her dad through the canals in their neighborhood.  Her interest in kayaking came later and apparently out of the blue.  First, in 2013, she took an introductory course with Banks Dixon of Frog Hollow, learning the basics and trying rolls.

On a whim, she ordered a Lil’ Joe kayak on-line.  She chose Nantahala as her first trip and showed up at the put-in with a bike helmet, rec paddle, nylon spray skirt and a Lil’ Joe.  Amie thought, “How hard could it possibly be?”  She made it through Patton’s Run upright and a group of guys, noticing her outfitting, invited her to their group.  Amie, a little shaken after Patton’s, took them up on the company.  Despite boating lots of water, Amie never flipped and decided to call it a day at Chicken Beach, before the Nantahala Falls.  Buoyed by the supportive guys and her personal mantra, “Knees down, keep paddling,” Amie was on a new path.

Eager to Learn

Eager to advance her knowledge, Amie continued taking lessons and started running new rivers and watching fellow paddlers. Amie learned from a host of seasoned kayakers.  She noted, “Even when some don’t know who I am, I’m watching them paddle and learning from them.  I am a visual learner for sure.”

Larry Ausley, Triangle’s paddling guru, observed, “I instantly saw her love of the sport and her passion to learn and try new things. As an instructor at the time (I’ve since retired), I guess I gravitated toward her desire to learn and willingness to really listen and try out tips and drills I was suggesting for her on the river.”

Amie’s first attempts at rolling were with Banks Dixon.  She practiced a lot, all the while trying different boats: a Remix 59 followed the Lil Joe, then a Star.  Amie said, “I started having trouble rolling the Remix, but when I switched to the Star, the roll was super easy.”

Amie had an important ally in learning to roll-her husband, Chuck. Amie explained, “When I was learning to roll, my husband (who is not a paddler, but very supportive) would stand in the pool or lake and if my roll failed, he would flip me back over.  This kept me from getting worn out.”

Amie has a lot of support in her family life. Amie and Chuck have four daughters: Elizabeth, Claire, Grace and Lillian.   Amie joked, “We definitely have a female dominated home.  Even our dog is a female.”  Asked if any of the daughters were kayakers, Amie said, “So far, none of my girls have been interested in paddling.  Claire and Lillian both can roll in a pool and they’ve had fun doing that.  When Lillian was younger she was SO excited to show Rick Steeves her roll out at Farrington Point.  But they each have their own interests.  Lillian is a cross-country state champion.  The girl loves to run.  I don’t like to run.”

Rick Steeves recalled, “I think my most vivid memory of Amie was meeting her on the Ocoee for what I think was her Personal First Descent. Amie, and a vehicle that kept disgorging family members. No pressure!”

Balancing home life with paddling and “the water’s up, let’s go!” mentality is difficult.  Amie admitted, “Sometimes I refrain from paddling so I can just be with them.  It’s what you do with people you love.  I am very fortunate to get to go away for several paddling trips throughout the year.”

Sandwiched in between family and paddling, is, oh yeah, work. Amie is an adjunct biology professor at Durham Tech and Piedmont Community College, as well as working part time at Great Outdoor Provision.  Time management could be Amie’s greatest skill.

 

Paying Attention and Learning

Amie continued to watch and take lessons and practice and learn, “Once I finally got my roll and could do it multiple times (50) in the pool, I felt like I could do anything!  I wasn’t afraid to try new things because I could always roll back up.”

Amie continued to make the most of the CCC paddling scene.  She took lessons from many popular instructors:  Wayne Jones, Jen Stockwell, Doug Stager, Kirk Weir and others.  She was always looking for advice from more seasoned paddlers.

Ausley recalled, “For instructors, Amie is exactly the kind of student that makes our work so meaningful and rewarding. She listens, she tries, she compares and she has the skills to make conscious alterations to what she’s used to doing in order to experiment with those suggestions.”

Amie said, “Rick Steeves has a way of describing things on the river that really makes sense to me.”  When asked about the source of this skill, Rick, an Ocoee enthusiast, said, “I think in part it’s just brute force from the Ocoee. I’ve explained things on the Ocoee many times and failed many different ways. Hopefully I’ve started figuring out which explanations work for various rapids and people by empirically learning which do not! And I’m still learning there!”

Jen Stockwell and Amie met in a whimsical fashion. Jen said, “I saw Amie checking out my kayak on top of my car. We met in the parking lot! We chatted a bit and then she invited me to sit down with her husband and we all had a pretty deep conversation while they finished up. It was one of those in the moment things and an awesome first time meeting!”

Amie seems at ease in approaching anyone and learning from them.  If the Grim Reaper was giving lessons, Amie would be paying attention and taking notes. Paddling in a group with Amie, I noticed how she locked onto Lou “Cu” and drilled him with questions. Lou responded as most people do and eagerly shared information. Amie said she recently took a lesson from Jerry Yang, someone she knew before he could really paddle. Amie is judicious on one point; she allows herself to be encouraged by others but not pushed, holding back from a circumstance if it doesn’t feel right to her.

Amie has benefitted, rightfully so, by paddling in an accepting community.  She shared, “In our area, in particular, I feel like the women paddlers are treated just like the men.  Well respected, given the same opportunities, and I’ve never heard a negative word or felt “less than” when I’ve been around the paddling community in the Triangle.  I’ve heard stories of things elsewhere where that wasn’t the case.  My response has been, “I’m so sorry to hear that.  Come paddle in my paddling community.  They are awesome!”

 

Established Paddler

Amie was becoming a fixture of the Club scene.  Newer paddlers were starting to look to her as an influence and mentor.  Grant Warner recounted, “I heard many local paddlers say Amie was a great kayaker who had been in the sport for a good while. I was told if I get an opportunity to paddle with her I need to take it! So when the opportunity came, I remember being a little nervous to paddle with someone so established in the sport. Low and behold she was incredibly happy to help out new paddlers with skills, knowledge and motivation. She is still someone I look up to!”

Amie’s paddling was going well.  She tried more difficult rivers: the Ocoee, Wilson Creek and then the Upper Nantahala…

                                                          Standing tall in the Club

 

Feeling Low After the Upper

Amie told this story, “It was fall of 2021 and my first (and so far only) time on the Upper Nantahala.”  Grant Warner was with her and said “Amie and I both had our PFDs (Personal First Descents) on the Upper Nantahala that day and I remember we were both nervous but excited to see this section.”  Amie was focused on the big rapids, particularly Troll Hole.  When they put in the water seemed awfully fast.

During the first big rapid Grant remembered, “Amie was slightly pinned at the top of a side chute.  She cleared the pin but was spun around. She went down the rest of the rapid backwards and then flipped, something we’ve all done.”

Amie continued the story, “The capsize was a very slow- flipping upside down and if I wasn’t so nervous, I probably could have prevented it.  Never the less, I was upside down and since the water was shallow and fast, I couldn’t reach the tab on my skirt.  I did manage to pull the spray skirt from the sides.  As soon as I came out of my boat, the current swung me around and my foot was trapped under a rock.  This was a foot entrapment and I was underwater.  I managed to wriggle my foot out of my shoe and get free of the rocks.  Next up was a drop.  I balled up to go over it and hit my tailbone.  It hurt.  I found out later that I had broken my tailbone.  Jerry Yang was running safety that day and rescued many boaters.  I was in his group and he made looking after my safety a priority.  Jerry helped me to the bank and then gathered my boat.

As I recovered on the side of the river, I had to decide to continue or walk out.  I was pretty sure I had the skills for the river.  Grant, in particular, did a great job of talking through things with me.  Being encouraging, but not pushy.  I decided to finish the run.  I did swim another time.  But, again, that was on the manky, shallow portion.  Turns out…the bigger rapids I was so worried about were NOT the problem!  I made it through those just fine!  One lesson I learned is that the idea of leaning in towards the rock isn’t just for large boulders, it’s for small rocks just below the surface too.  And I hadn’t been doing that on the Haw when it’s shallow because the flow isn’t fast when it’s shallow so the river hadn’t demanded that I do the correct skill.  Now I over-exaggerate leaning in towards rocks so that maybe I’ll automatically do that when I tackle the Upper Nantahala again.”

Amie persevered on the river that day but afterwards doubt started to creep in.  Amie admitted,  “Until my swim on the Upper, I had nervousness, but not really fear.  But after that, I have fear.  So it’s fairly new for me and to be honest, I hate it!  I had to step down to easier rivers, not push so hard, and learn to just have fun again.  After my swim, anytime I approached a river it was about accomplishment… could I make the moves I wanted to, could I roll correctly?  It became a challenge…and not the enjoyable kind. I wanted perfection out of myself. And my pride took a hit when I got scared paddling Class 3 rivers.

I told my husband I didn’t want to “just be a Class 2 boater”.  He asked “Why? Do you think less of those who are?”  Amie:  “No.  I absolutely don’t.”  He was challenging me to see that any boating is good… it’s for fun…not just a goal to accomplish.” He asked, “At what level will you be satisfied?”  Amie listened to Chuck, “if I’m constantly trying to push myself, failing, and then beating myself up for failing, where is the fun in that?  For a non-paddler, he sure has some serious wisdom.”

Jen Stockwell observed, “In general, most of us will face something like this, which we may see at the time as a setback. Something happens that throws our progression off. Amie has done well to get back on the horse and possibly see the gift it gave in the process. From all our setbacks we learn something about ourselves if we choose to see it.”

 

More Swim Time

Amie’s setbacks weren’t over.  Next to go was her bombproof roll. The difficulty started when she switched to larger boats, particularly her new half slice boat, in the spring of 2022.  The roll that served her well in a play boat was not proving out in the half slice.  Amie observed, “I think maybe my core isn’t overly strong so the shorter, lighter boats are easier to roll, but they also allowed me to not have perfect technique. I developed some bad habits I’m still trying to correct.”

Asked why she switched to a half slice, Amie responded, “I wanted a boat that had a little more volume than my Fuse 48, but was lighter and easier to roll than my Remix.  The Antix 2 had more volume in the front.  I was thinking I’d like that for larger drops (I had just paddled Wilson Creek for the first time), but still light and playful.  I was thinking it was easier to roll… that has not quite been the case.  I’ll get it!”

 

Climbing Back On The Ladder

Progress came with further setbacks and more efforts.  As an example, she recalled using her half slice on a French Broad Section 9 trip with friend, Steve Johnson. “That was humbling.  It’s a river I’ve paddled many times.  And I swam 3 times!  My roll was not there.  If you know Steve, you know he is such a gentle, patient man.  He didn’t seem to be bothered by helping me each time.  I felt guilty for being a burden.  I walked away very disappointed after that run… again.  Trying to enjoy and not just beat myself up when things don’t go well.  I definitely have to learn this new boat.  One thing it taught me on that run, is that when I make a right turn, I tend to lean back when I edge.  You can’t do that in a slicy boat in bigger water without loading the stern and, in my case, getting flipped. Different boats tell you where your technique is weak.

Larry Ausley noted, “She’s faced some knock-backs like we all have but those were places where she had given herself appropriate challenges and “ladders” to climb.  I know she’s tried several different hull types to keep learning new aspects of paddling and paddler interaction with boat, blade and water. Those new experiences helped me move forward a great deal and she’ll learn that every new boat teaches unexpected knowledge about all the others.

Amie enlisted Stockwell for a remedial pool roll lesson.  Stockwell remembered, “We went back to the basics and she did not get a solid roll that night. She did gain a thorough understanding and mechanics of the c-to-c and sweep type rolls. She gained some tools to strengthen her hip snap, without forming bad habits. We also used video feedback as a tool, to slow things down. Video feedback is amazing when it’s done in a fun way. She sent me a video of her completing a roll the next week, which is a success in the process.”

Ausley gave another instance of how Amie continues to soak up information like a new sponge does water.  “She and I recently had a discussion about her roll in a parking lot as we passed each other leaving/arriving. She was able to describe her difficulties so well I was able to give her a quick tip that she said resulted in instant positive effect. That ability to understand oneself is a real breakthrough on the road to becoming a better paddler and (especially) instructor.”

 

                                       Boofing the Boiling Hole on a muddy Mayo

Photo: Alton Chewning

 

Why We Like Amie

Angela Wiseman: “What I like about Amie is that she analyzes her experiences, her growth, and thinks about how she could improve. She is reflective on her own practices and that’s what makes her a great paddler!”

Larry Ausley:  “I always look forward to Amie’s smile and the degree to which she’s so actively a “team” paddler; always being a contributing part of her paddling groups and helping and watching out for others. In the parlance of the Brabecs, two among my mentors, Amie perfectly fits the mold of the “No Load Boater”. She always adds to, and never subtracts from the group. She is welcome on any team I ever paddle with.”

Rick Steeves:  Amie is just fun to paddle with. She brings such a positive attitude to everything. When I’ve got Amie along I always know it’s going to be a fun day. She just bubbles with cheery energy.

Lillian Scott:  “Mom has come so far with paddling even though she started later in life.”

Grant Warner:  “Plain and simple, Amie is a badass! But she is also an incredibly kind soul who has such determination and motivation when it comes to kayaking, which helps motivate beginners and experienced paddlers alike.  She is also caring and always looking out for everyone in the group, which is not a surprise.”

 

What’s Ahead?

Steeves:  “I was excited to see her taking on the role of trip coordinator this March.

                                            Amie leads her first trip

                        Photo by Amie Scott

I see a lot ahead for her in the CCC, and look forward to the CCC with her in more leadership roles. It will be a better place because of it.”

Warner:  “She would make a great instructor for three main reasons. First, her love for the sport is clear and infectious. Second, her kindness and support is exactly what a beginner needs to build confidence and encouragement. Lastly, Amie is someone who listens. She genuinely cares about what you have to say, paddling related or not. This is why Amie would make an excellent instructor.”

Ausley:  “In those regards, I’ve seen a lot of myself in her progression. With the systematic growth Amie has seen in paddling, I think she has great potential as an empathetic instructor able to pass along her own experience and path to new paddlers. I’ve encouraged her to seek instructor training and certification; not only in kayaking, but in river safety as well.”

And Amie Scott, on her own badass self:  “Having fear-tested whether I still want to paddle… AND after losing my roll (which may be connected,) well, the advantage from it was that it made me go back to the basics…work through where I had been sloppy. In the past, I often had a mindset of saying,  “I’ve done this river, what’s next?”  Looking ahead, instead of remaining on familiar rivers for a while.   Now I’ve learned to work the river for all it has…enjoy it, get better at it. You don’t HAVE to rush to the next level river to continue progressing. In fact, it may set you back. Also, my progression doesn’t have to look like someone else’s and may not be as “fast” as someone else’s. I still get jealous of others who progress faster, but I’m working on just enjoying and challenging myself.”

 

It’s just before Week of Rivers and Amie sent a note, saying she hit many combat roles in her half slice while practicing at Boiling Hole on the Mayo.  She has more safety and instructor training classes planned in the coming year.  Most of all, she’s trying to enjoy the river she’s paddling now.

Article by Alton Chewning, June 2022

 

                       Amie surfing a wave at Gabriel’s Bend on the Haw.

 

Extra Laps

-Amie Scott’s Favorite Rivers:

Favorite rivers so far have been the Little (in N. Durham), the Haw (because it’s familiar and I’m comfortable on it), The Toe gorge and the Russell Fork (because they are so pretty)…and I’ve only been on Wilson once…. it was gorgeous!  One day I’d like to be skilled enough to be comfortable on it so I can consider it one of my favorites…right now it just scares me.

-Angela Wiseman on Taking Risks:

Amie’s experiences on the river reflect what most paddlers go through – sometimes you take several steps forward and then a step backwards. Or you start taking more risks and feel the wobble. Progress is not linear! I’m in a Women’s Whitewater Kayaking group and, just as in all kayaking groups, there are paddlers that are high risk takers and progress quickly. However, most of us make progress and also experience setbacks. This is so common! It is assuring when people share their ups and downs because if you are taking risks, you will also experience ups and downs.

-Amie Scott discussing Grant Warner:

Just a side note to add…. when I paddled with Grant Warner, he always had a way of calming my nerves.  And he didn’t do it on purpose and he probably doesn’t even know it. He would mess with me, put the bow of his boat on my stern when we would first get in the water.  And that interaction just made paddling fun and took away my nerves.  I was disappointed when he moved to the mountains.  Hoping he’ll still paddle with this flat lander when I get over that way.

-Grant Warner, in self-defense:

I always say, Enjoy the Journey. I love to have fun and goof off in everything I do within reason. Every time I get a chance to paddle I almost get giddy and full of excitement! I love to joke and mess around with my paddling friends and sometimes that means splatting my friends’ boats periodically while on the river. But, sometimes my playfulness is a reaction of my being nervous too! I think it’s healthy to have a bit of nerves before getting on a river where you’re testing your skills and for me I shake off the nerves by being me and bugging everyone else!