Skip to main content
jennifer watson

Welcome to Paddle In Pink

There always needs to be a start and this post is just that. My name is Crystal Gustin and I am the creator of this website. A few years back I lost a great paddling friend of mine to this crazy sport of whitewater kayaking. She taught me many things about kayaking and how to live life. She was most often seen and known for her pink helmet but she was often seen in a pink boat, a pink shorty and/or a variation of pink as the main theme of her gear. She said it was so no one would borrow her gear but I think we all knew, she just wanted everyone to know she was a badass out there styling the feminine side of the sport. Kayaking is often times scary and one that is dominated by men. Anyone who knows me, knows I believe a woman is capable of doing almost anything that a man is capable of doing. Because primarily of these two things, I created this website. I want everyone to get out there and enjoy this fantastic sport we know as whitewater kayaking. This is another kayaking blog but this time, through the eyes of females.

The goal is to get as many female kayakers to contribute so if you are interested, please send me a message. The content that I hope to get up includes anything from a simple how to, to more advanced how to’s, kayaking news, kayaking destination, trip reports, river descriptions and frankly you will see some off topic posts. There will be funny stories, scary stories and probably some boring stories (sorry in advance). I will be starting many of the posts myself with trip reports on my journey that I am about to take from Western North Carolina to kayak destinations Oregon and Idaho. Be patient as I get more contributors to the blog.

Remember; Live. Simply do not exist.

Crystal.Gustin

I started kayaking in Wisconsin of all places, because this is where I am from. I then moved to San Diego and took on kayak surfing along with heading to the Kern River when water was available. I then made the move to Asheville, NC and have been hooked on this sport since my Wisconsin days. With whatever it is that you do, do it because you love it, not because society tells you should or for other outside factors. Don't simply exist, live!

2 thoughts to “Welcome to Paddle In Pink”

  1. Hi Crystal! I kayak friend included this link in one of her posts. She paddled the Pigeon trip. As I was reading your bio I thought this sounds just like the chic I gave a ride to from middle to upper ocoee last weekend. Then I looked at your pic… it is! Too funny. What a small world. Hopefully I can join y’all on the river sometime.

  2. Hi Crystal! I kayak friend included this link in one of her posts. She paddled the Pigeon trip. As I was reading your bio I thought this sounds just like the chic I gave a ride to from middle to upper ocoee last weekend. Then I looked at your pic… it is! Too funny. What a small world. Hopefully I can join y’all on the river sometime.

Comments are closed.