why we do this

The mission of Diversify Whitewater (DW) is to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in paddlesports by removing the barriers that may exist for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and Allies in kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and stand-up paddleboarding.

The barriers to entering the paddlesports community are both material (access to equipment and instruction) and cultural (lack of representation and mentorship for formerly marginalized communities). DW funds opportunities that normalize people of color in wild and scenic spaces, on waterways, and within the paddlesports community to mitigate these barriers. We create a safe and welcoming environment for participants to try something new close to home.

We deliver on this mission in three ways: 1. Signature Paddling Events hosted by DW, 2. Event Sponsorships (hosted by other organizations) and 3. Paddling Scholarships for individuals.

Our Signature Paddling Events provide all equipment and instruction for every participant, and through the help of our generous national sponsors such as Badfish SUP, Immersion Research, Watershed Drybags, NRS, Astral, Werner Paddles, Chaco, and Kokatat we are able to gift paddling and outdoors gear to participants for them to keep. 

Our no-cost paddling events include two different event models: Community River Floats, which share the beauty of rivers with participants during a guided whitewater rafting trip, and Paddling Skills Days, which teach participants skills to paddle and navigate different types of boats on flat or beginner moving water, empowering participants to continue paddling on their own. See our Events page for more information!

Our ultimate goal is to build a cohort of BIPOC and ally boaters who can pass on their skills to the next generation and increase representation in the paddlesports community. We prioritize educating our participants and volunteers on responsible and sustainable practices in the outdoors, including acknowledging and respecting Indigenous land. Lastly, we work to share resources and experiences on addressing and increasing DEI both on and off the water.

Read more about our story in past press from Colorado Public Radio, NPR, Paddling Magazine, River Bent Adventures, and NRS’s Just Add Water. In 2022-2023, we’ve partnered with Chaco on events and a special-edition shoe. See feature in Paddling Magazine here and video here.

Diversify Whitewater acknowledges, with respect, Indigenous people as the original stewards, recreators, and paddlers of the land and waterways where we hold our events.