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Emily Jackson is scared of big holes, waterfalls, and hard rapids. She's more of a puppy-cuddling, children loving, girlie girl than the tom-boys and nature girls that are usually drawn to our sport. Unfortunately she grew up traveling to rivers and kayak events all across the country with lots of encouragement from her Dad to just dive on in... She could have rebelled, taken up yoga or gone off to college. Instead she found something she fears more than any river feature she'd even encountered: losing. Emily's early competitions were an incredible surprise; she would be too scared to practice then suddenly launch into the meat and throw down when her turn came around, and appear disappointed with second place. She has been training hard and winning competitions ever since. Not that that's kept here from adopting puppies and children along the way ... through Soft Power Health she's funding a medical clinic and school in Africa from her winnings and she's got a puppy or child in her lap as often as not. Slowly but surely she's gaining confidence in her river running, with trips on the Green as well and Green Truss her slalom training really shows when she's on the water. But I would be very surprised to see her stepping up for an extreme race anytime soon. Though if she did, she'd probably bomb the gnarliest lines with precision and win. -Clay Wright
Be sure to check out her World kayak blog: http://worldkayakblogs.com/emilyjackson/
