Life Outside Fall 2018 - 8

THE NUTCASES
NAME
Renee Powers

THE POWERS COUPLE
Paddling couples are 'few and far between,'
says Renee Powers. She and husband Steve
Powers are among those few.

AGE
34

JOB
City of Roanoke
Parks and Recreation,
Trails and Greenways
Supervisor

NAME
Steve Powers

AGE
46

JOB
Biology Professor at
Roanoke College

TEVE AND RENEE POWERS love to paddle.

They practically met on a kayak.
Steve was an avid paddler and Renee
wanted to learn. And the rest, as they say, is
history. The couple got married in 2014 and
have been adventuring outdoors ever since.
"[Paddling] is the most fun thing I've ever
done and is as close to a spiritual experience
as I have," Steve Powers says. "Most of the
incredible places I have been are associated
with a kayak."
Steve and Renee Powers moved to
Roanoke at different times because of career
opportunities, but the outdoor scene-and
each other-keeps them here.
"That's the thing if you live in Roanoke,
Renee says. "If you kayak, bike or ski, one
of those things is good almost every day of
the year."
Both say they are lucky to have jobs with
some flexibility and have a house near the
Roanoke River, so it's no big deal to get on
the water.
"I can't count the number of times I got
home 20 minutes before dark and have gone
to the river," Steve says. "I make it a pretty

8

Fall 2018 \\ LifeOutside Magazine

high priority. If the creeks are running, I'm
going boating."
Steve has been whitewater kayaking
regularly since 1996. He estimates that he
spends 100 days a year in a boat.
Renee spent more time biking and skiing
(and she still does) before meeting Steve,
but she too caught the paddling bug. While
they still have some adventures of their own,
the Powerses paddle together three-quarters
of the time. They hit local spots like Johns
Creek in New Castle, the Maury River near
Goshen Pass and Bottom Creek. In addition,
they plan one trip out west each summer,
pack up all their gear and drive across the
country to paddle a new location.
"It's pretty incredible to be somewhere you
can only get to on a boat," Steve says.
Paddling can be a somewhat weather
dependent sport. And it might be the opposite
of what you expect.
Significant rainfall can get the creeks
running a little deeper and a little faster
than average, and that can make for a new
experience in a known location.
"If you wake up and see the weather

and water levels, you just do something,"
Steve says, noting that after a good rain,
paddling is ideal and it's best to give the
bike trails a day to dry out before riding
anyway. And while the idea of whitewater
might be intimidating to some, paddling
is an accessible outdoor activity. Most
of the creeks and rivers in this area only
have smaller Class I and II rapids. These
are navigable with a sit-on-top kayak, the
preferred choice for beginners.
"Whitewater can be hard or scary, but you
don't have to paddle Class V to have fun,"
Steve says. "You should paddle to your skill
level and just enjoy it."
The couple agrees that the best way to
get comfortable on the water is to just do
it. Find some paddlers or a local outfitter to
take you out, show you some great spots and
get comfortable in a boat on your own time.
And you might just find a special connection
with nature or another person.
"Paddling couples are few and far between,"
Renee Powers says, as she smiles at her
husband. "It's kind of special."
-CARRIE COUSINS
Life Outside Fall 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Life Outside Fall 2018
