After years of looking for a trip, I got an invite for myself plus one for a trip launching July 2023. Kim wasn’t available, so I asked Hazel. She was game and before long we were driving out to AZ.

I was honestly pretty nervous about rowing the Grand Canyon. Although I have done a fair bit of kayaking in my day, and kayaked the Grand canyon 18 years ago, I am much much less experienced rowing. The Grand had very significantly bigger rapids than I had done with a raft, and the canyon is big water, and a flip or swim can be pretty long and a tricky recovery. We had one rower come out of his raft in a rapid and when I picked him up, he was looking pretty beat. I had Hazel in my raft to worry about too. The idea of her swimming a big rapid gave me butterflies every time I’d hear a rapid coming.

Thanks to all the crew for the support, but especially Marc Musgrove who seemed to know exactly when a real ” you got this” was needed and thanks to Steve Fullard for his coaching.

Pleased to report that I rowed every mile and every rapid, and kept the correct side pointing up. Loved it.

Canyon Best of