Team Dagger
Adam Edwards
About Me:
My name is Adam Edwards. I learned to kayak while attending college in Portland Oregon through Portland State University's Outdoor Program. I love the pacific northwest region for kayaking and have spent the last 12 years paddling and exploring the different zones from Oregon to Alaska. My love of kayaking and paddlesports is often shared through the written word and photography via print and web published articles, short films, public speaking and community events. I enjoy trying to make paddling accessible and relatable to as many walks of life as possible. Exploratory kayaking and steep creeking are my favorite. You'll often find me wandering around the hills of Oregon and Washington with close friends looking for obscure or seldom run creeks. I also enjoy racing, mostly as a barometer for personal skill and endurance and also enjoy seeing and spending time with the larger community at events.
Hometown:
I was born in Miami, FL. Yep, Florida man. Portland, OR is my home now though.
Dagger Kayak of Choice:
Large Code
Favorite Places to Paddle:
The Olympic Peninsula of Washington, Southern Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, British Columbia, Ecuador
Why I Love Kayaking:
I love kayaking because of the challenges each section of river can present. I enjoy the dynamics that form within a crew on a day trip and on an exploratory mission. The problem solving and skill required to paddle and access difficult whitewater is what appeals to me. The sport has the ability to teach many of life's lessons about personal and shared responsibility, releasing control, and of course friendship and trust. Whitewater has brought me some of my closest friends in life and helped strengthen relationships beyond the takeout.
Kayaking Accomplishments:
Help organize community led instruction events with Diversify Whitewater, a national paddling organization dedicated to increasing diversity in paddlesports. NRS Just Add Water Ambassador 2020. Current Board Member of Diversify Whitewater. 3x Little White Salmon Race DFL (the coveted hat trick of supported and specated soul laps). Founder of the All for One Grant - A non sport specific needs based grant program open to all and having specific components to support women, BIPOC and LGBQTIA++. Some first descents but we didn't write about it or take pictures or video.
Most Memorable Moment in Your Kayak:
The feeling you get when you make eye contact with your friends before dropping into a rapid.
Tenure with Dagger:
1 year