EP 198: Lauren Spalding - Competitive kayaking and What it’s like doing channel crossings in Hawai’i for fun, Qualifying for the 2004 Olympics, the Addiction to the burn of going the distance and coming across, Rodeo mom life, and Working with YETI

Competitive kayaking champion, 2004 Olympian, rodeo mom, and YETI
ambassador Lauren Spalding joins us on the podcast. Lauren and Dave
discuss her recent bout in the 2024 Kaiwi Solo Challenge, a
competitive paddle crossing of the Kaiwi Channel, the treacherous
body of water that separates the islands of Moloka’i and O’ahu.
Lauren describes the series of events that landed her a second
place finish in her division, how she gets her drive to continue
competing, and the addiction she has to the burn of going the
distance. She reflects on her upbringing, her early years on a
canoe, and her father’s influence in her life as a paddler,
recounting memories of being mesmerized by her surroundings and
appreciating the priceless experiences she’s been able to have. She
talks about working with YETI and the relationships she’s built
with other ambassadors like musician and fly-fisher J.T. Van Zandt,
and details her viscerally excruciating experience padding the
Texas Water Safari with him. Lauren recounts her training and
qualifying for the 2004 Olympics in Greece, the organized chaos of
life as a rodeo mom, and proudly talks about how the resilient
community of Maui have come together to rebuild since the tragic
fires of 2023. She and Dave wrap it all up by answering Instagram
questions from our listeners and the rapid-fire Lightning Round.
Learn more about Lauren and follow her here. Catch the highlights
from the Ballito Pro Presented By O’Neill. Join the conversation by
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