What do you do when your extreme kayaking friend gets Preg-O?

You go long-boating on the Nolichucky!

Buffy Bailey Burge is one of the best female kayakers I know. I've had the pleasure to follow her down rivers across the country, from Gore Canyon in CO to the Green River Narrows in NC. She's one of the smoothest and sweetest paddlers I know.

Buffy is 'great with child' and not getting on the runs she so loves. But Whitney knew she needed to get wet and be on the river. So we loaded up the rigs and headed north to the Nolichucky. Woody loaned us the famous Pisgahs and it was a 50 degree day in January.

Buffy paddled like she hadn't missed a day. Although she does eat a little more at the put-in and take-outs than she use to. Her gear doesn't fit, but other than all that, she's the same ol' Buf on the river. Some things never change!

Creek Boats to Me, Are Like Shoes

By Christie Dobson

I finally got it, a new Liquidlogic Jefe . I’ve been paddling a Java for about 4 years, and before that, a Pyranha Micro 240. In almost 8 years of kayaking, I’ve only paddled 3 creek boats. Jeezz, To get me out of a boat takes some effort, but usually if I like what I find – I don’t have regrets. My Jefe experience was just that.

The boys down on the Green Narrows constantly teased me about my beat up old faithful boat. Woody at Liquidlogic promised custom outfitting and some tips on way to make it fit just right. Finally my grab loop on the front of my Java gave way and I was declared ‘unsafe’ on the river. I ordered up a Jefe quickly and fixed the old boat just in case.

Creek boats to me are like shoes …once you find that special shoe, you never want to get rid of it, loose it or loan it out. They fit, they are comfortable, you know what to expect when cruising on pavement or trail. You do miles together, you have great experiences and big adventures, you are companions. Like shoes, I have a similar relationship with my creek boats.

The Jefe was super smooth and easy to paddle. Landing and boofing is soft and cushioned. The bow is my favorite feature, it easily clears holes and seems to be a better design for potential peton victims. It turns easy, it’s glides through the flat water, it stays on-line in the big rapids. The outfitting was simple to put together – the new adjustable hip pads should be patented quickly! No more losing my hip pads on I-26 or having to scream at the last person that paddled my boat and ripped them out.

I’d admit the other girls were right when they said I'd like the Jefe. It was like the pair of Steve Madden pumps the other girls raved about them, I got a pair and was hooked. If you were to compare the Jefe to a pair of shoes, they'd be like a pair of Uggs in the middle of a cold, wet NC winter – Something you just gotta have!

Off to the Green, 100% 7am – 5pm.
From the river (field),
Christie D.

Paddling with the Pregnant Ladies

Preggy Chicks go paddling.

Some people stop paddling when they are pregnant but what better way to spend the day, than to head to the Green River, it’s running 100 percent and so we do.
Kara has headed south to Asheville for her baby Shower, she is 7 months pregnant and I happen to be halfway through the 3rd month of the second baby.

It’s relatively cold out there but Sarah, Kara, Shana, Woody, Shaun, Whitney and I make up the crew. I think the others just want to see if you can still really paddle when you are pregnant and have a good laugh.

At the put in of the upper, just below the power house, Kara pulls and tugs her dry top over her belly and has moved into large spray skirt and Johns pants. I can still fit into all my gear but the day is drawing tenuously near when my paddling pants will no longer make it around my middle. Which makes me think, hurry up springtime; we need warm weather paddling out here!

I am paddling a sort after Hefe, and Kara is in a little Jo, perfect boats for us. Pregnancy brings an increase in weight and a substantial often-alarming change of your centre of gravity. So although we are on a class three stretch I tell you, these boats are perfect!

After maneuvering in to her little Jo, and ferrying across the river, adapting to that centre of gravity change which hits you on the eddy lines as you peel in. Kara as per usual heads out with style and grace even thought there is a large protuberance out the front of her.


We follow Woody who knows the perfect line through every single rapid on the Green, and that would be whether you want to run Gorilla or a class two no name on the upper. Sarah however is glued to Whitney’s stern and no other line will do. (Yeh Whitney!)

Exiting the main drop, Kara flips over at the bottom, we collectively hold our breaths, she rolls up effortlessly with a grin on her face and states “We’ll I was not sure if I could do that! We sure are glad that she can.

We have a great run down to big hungry creek; In between rapids there is enough time to yap about the pros and cons of paddling pregnant. Both of us agree, It’s one of those things that feels natural, once you are in a boat you feel suspended and relaxed, at ease feels wonderful to be out paddling.


posted by
Maria Noakes
5 months plus pregnant.