Photo courtesy of Brooke Winger

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Editor's Note: Freestyle National Champion and three-time NOWR (National Organization for Whitewater Rodeo) Point Series winner Brooke Winger is a force to reckon with. Although she started her kayaking career running slalom gates, Winger became the first-ever double medallist at the 1999 Freestyle World Championships - winning gold in squirt and bronze in K-1 freestyle. At the 2001 Championships in Sort, Spain, Winger successfully defended her squirt crown. This month (May 26th to 31st) she leads a strong American team to Graz, Austria for her third trip to the Freestyle World Championships.

Winger currently lives, trains, and studies in Eugene, Ore. with her boyfriend, Andy Beddingfield, also a squirt boat gold medallist at the 2001 Worlds. We recently managed to catch up with the 24-year old in between training sessions.

WD: How are you preparing for the Worlds in Graz, Austria?

I am running a lot, taking Ashtanga yoga 3 times a week, and of course, paddling and paddling and paddling!!! I get on the water just about everyday but Tuesday and that is because I have an afternoon Anatomy Lab.

WD: What are your goals for the Worlds?

My goal is to not let my head get in the way of my abilities and to paddle as well as I did at Pre-Worlds (Editor: She took first place in K-1 freestyle at Pre-Worlds).

WD: Who do you think will be your toughest competitor in Graz and why?

It's hard to say. There are so many good women-paddlers today. Also, it makes a big difference what the feature becomes after they (the paddlers) play on it.

WD: What did you think of mixing the US and Canadian Team Trials on the Ottawa River?

It was a lot of fun and definately a bit tiring, but probably more so for the organizers than anything.

WD: What is the secret to your paddling success?

I think for the women self-confidence is a big issue. The more self-confident you are, the more aggressive your rides will be. This can only help your paddling and your learning curve.

"Being a pro paddler is an amazing job, and yes it is a JOB..."

WD: How do you prepare yourself just before a ride?

Before a training ride, I simply work on my focus. Before a competition ride, I take some time to myself. I think of how lucky I am to be on the river, how lovely the area is, how lucky I am to have my family, and how all these things are most important, not this one competition. This helps me relax, focus, and put things in perspective.

WD: What has been your most hair-raising moment on the river?

Getting beat up by my own paddle at the base of the third 30-foot waterfall on North Fork of the Skykomish. Everyone thought I had done some damage to my teeth, but when I got all cleaned up I had a splice on my chin that I just superglued. Besides that, I just had a fat lip and a honker for a nose.

WD: What's it like to travel on the rodeo circuit every summer - the good and bad?

Good: you are traveling, working out, and pushing yourself to improve.

Bad: your income is dependent on how many of your friends you beat, yuck!

WD: How long do you plan to keep on competing? What do you think you will do when you retire from competitive kayaking?

I would like to keep competing until I am through with my undergrad. I am getting a degree in Human Physiology, then I plan to go to physician's assistant school or medical school so I can work somewhere in the medical field.

WD: What is the best and worst thing about being a pro paddler?

The best is the great friends you make and all the cool places you get to see. Being a pro paddler is an amazing job, and yes it is a JOB, but it can be very stressful. You just have to keep things in perspective.

Ask Brooke a question through her Ask the Pro page on WetDawg!