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A Paddler’s Guide To Self-Quarantine

For most of the country, we’re now on week 4 of self-quarantining or bound to a Shelter-In-Place Mandate. Although hard for everyone, outsdoorsmen and women who are used to spending every waking minute away from work out on the trails, rivers and forests may be finding it exceptionally tough. That’s why we’ve asked our favorite kayakers, cooperatives and Team Watershed athletes for inspiration. If you’re going stir-crazy (and have already completed Netflix), read on for some ideas!

Aniol Serrasolses Cutting Wood for his Home in Patagonia

Aniol Serrasolses – Professional Whitewater Kayaker

Just really trying to keep myself busy and use this incredible amount of time in our hands to make something good.

Last few weeks have been tough for us all. I’m writing this from Futaleufu, Patagonia. I’ve been building my cabin for the last few months and I was about to leave for the season in North America when the virus came with full force. I do not have running water, WiFi, or electricity yet, but I am feeling extremely lucky to spend the quarantine in a place where I can still get outside. My days are filled with work. Fixing the road to my house, chopping wood for the winter, doing workouts with whatever means available, shoveling, fishing, making tables of fallen trees, painting the house, planning new projects and editing fresh videos. Just really trying to keep myself busy and use this incredible amount of time in our hands to make something good.

Gradient and Water’s Quarantine Digs

Barny Young – Part of Kayaking Trio Gradient and Water

I think the key thing to do during these times is make up a solid to-do list at the beginning and consciously focus on using this time to catch up on all those jobs you wouldn’t normally do

I’m using this time to catch up on some much needed maintenance around my house, staining decks and gardening etc. I think the key thing to do during these times is make up a solid to-do list at the beginning and consciously focus on using this time to catch up on all those jobs you wouldn’t normally do. Because I live on the Westcoast of the South Island (in New Zealand) where it rains a lot, I make sure I get outside on the fine days and save all the inside jobs for when the weather is average!

Ellen’s Before and After Gear Closet Shots!

Ellen Wright – Kayaker/Hunter, Team Watershed

We are watching loooots of paddling videos, and organizing our gear closets

We are watching loooots of paddling videos, and organizing our gear closets! We’re also going on lots of runs and walks with Goose (the dog!), and taking time to be outside. Finally, my sister and I are doing core workouts via Zoom!

Landon Blanchard – Wyoming Rivers Cooperative

We are looking for ways to keep communities engaged around their river resources, and this “down-time” is an opportunity to encourage such things (river clean-ups are one thing we are focused on here in our hometown of Lander, WY for the Popo Agie watershed).
Basically, as a new business, we are working on developing partnerships and relationships within our river and conservation communities. We are looking for ways to keep communities engaged around their river resources, and this “down-time” is an opportunity to encourage such things (river clean-ups are one thing we are focused on here in our hometown of Lander, WY for the Popo Agie watershed). We are also working with my family’s company, Wyoming River Trips, up in Cody, WY to think of some ways to get the community out on the river for free once all the self-isolation protocols are lifted. In both cases, we want to help give back to our local communities. Hope this is useful. Let us know if you need more information. We would love to help share the write-up once it’s done.

 

Rebecca Tarbox – Ski/Paddle/Climb, Team Watershed

I’m doing the forever put-off “odious watersports chores” list
I’m doing the forever put-off “odious watersports chores” list that includes rinsing and drying my boats and bags, painting some resin on my fiberglass paddle edges, lubing up the zippers on my bags and drysuit, and 303’ing my gear. All things I haaaate doing usually, but am finding are good ways to pass the time right now!

 

Aleix Salvat – One half of the Professional Kayaking Salvat Brothers

These quarantine days I think it is better to keep busy, take it in a good mood looking for the positive things. For example, I am using this time to recover at 100% from the last injury I had this past season in Chile where I fractured a vertebra in a bad reception in a waterfall.
I also spend time organizing new goals for the next season and studying photography what I really like and never have the time to learn more about it, so there are always things to do you just need to make a list and go for it.

Greg Hatten’s Wooden Boat

Greg Hatten – Wooden Boat Builder, Team Watershed

I’m rebuilding a classic wooden boat that was originally built in 1957. It was a bit of a wreck when I got it – but I’m making progress. It should be ready by June…… wheee!

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