Anna Schroeder, 27
Hometown: Lakwood, Colorado
Seat in raft: Front left
Anna is a full-time student working on a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering.
Favorite event: Slalom
Favorite race: All of them!
Best racing tip? Breathe
Favorite way to cross train: Backcountry skiing
Favorite food: Smoked salmon
If she could paddle anywhere in the world it would be in New Zealand.
Tell us a joke! “A homeless guy asked me for a dollar the other day. And I was like, “A dollar? How about 76 cents? Because that’s how much a lady hobo would make doing the same job!”
Avery Potter, 25
Hometown: Lone Tree, Colorado
Seat in raft: Middle left
Avery plays rugby for the Glendale Raptors out of Denver and is a raft guide on the Arkansas River in Colorado.
Favorite event: My raft guide heart loves downriver, but my racer heart loves the technicality and precision of slalom.
Favorite race: The one coming up! I’m stoked to see the new rivers in Japan.
Best racing tip? I learned a lot with the ladies of Great Britain who were gracious enough to let me train with them while I was living abroad that winter. Sit up straight, the catch is the most important part. Thanks, Fieke!
Favorite food: Cheese.
Favorite rapid ever: I love Gore. It’s one of those that I get super calm beforehand, and when I’m in it I’m not thinking, just reacting.
Tell us a joke! “How did the hipster burn their tongue? They drank their coffee before it was cool.”
Evangeline (Eva) Lambert, 31
Hometown: Golden, Colorado
Seat in raft: Back left
Eva loves traveling, spending as much time as possible with friends and family, and being outdoors.
Favorite event: I love the technical difficulties of slalom. It keeps us all busy in and out of our seats.
Favorite race: Gore Race is my favorite race because it keeps me intrinsically focused.
Best racing tip? Hip stretches. All day, every day.
Inspirational athlete: Mariann Saether. She’s a great all around kayaker.
Favorite rapid: The whole Lower Canyon section of Clear Creek (my home river).
If she could paddle anywhere tomorrow: “Any river is fine with me, as long as I’m with my river fam!”
Kelli Carpenter Gunderson, 29
Hometown: Salida, Colorado
Seat in raft: Middle right
Kelli has been raft racing for six years on various rivers and is excited for her second World competition in Japan.
Favorite event: Slalom
Favorite race: FIBArk raft sprint
What do you do when you’re not training? Eat! I love eating! And go to college.
Favorite food: Tacos
Inspired by: My Grandmother Gloria. She played basketball back when women only were allowed to play on half the court, and she’s an all-around badass in everyday life.
Favorite rapid ever: How to pick?! Hermit, Grand Canyon. Black Rocks, Salt River. Everything in Idaho!
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.” – Edward Abbey
Tana Deklavar, 29
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Seat in raft: Back right
Tana is one of the few women who holds the distinction of having guided on the world-renowned class V section of the Upper Youghiogheny in Friendsville, Maryland. She
Favorite event: Head to head, Slalom, Downriver
Favorite race? New Zealand head to head. Won bronze.
Best racing tip? “Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.” – Coach Todd Toledo
When not training: I teach yoga, travel, ski, and spend time with my family.
Inspired by: Lindsey Vonn. She is strong and sexy and serves and gives to community.
“The yogic belief of living in the present transfers so well into whitewater; you have no choice but to be in the moment and flow with Mother Nature. It’s my greatest joy in life.”
Jennifer (Jen) Hodgkiss,
Hometown: Tarrs, Pennsylvania
Seat in raft: Front right
“Water has always been an amazing force to me and one of the blessings in my life.”
Jennifer Cook, 32
Hometown: Currently Boise, Idaho
Seat in raft: Anywhere! As long as I’m in it. But I like front right.
Jennifer is a student working on a nursing degree.
Favorite event: Always head to head. But when we do well, slalom is the most fun.
Favorite race: Most notable was the head to head win against Japan in New Zealand on the Kaituna River.
Best race tip? Paddle hard, smile, and enjoy!
Inspired by: Julie Munger, a legend in the whitewater world!
If she could paddle anywhere today: Take me to Africa!
“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” – Loreen Eiseley