Discipline: Canoe Sprint; C1 Women, C2 Women

Pam Boteler of the Washington Canoe Club in Washington, DC, is a top-ranked athlete and activist who has been making waves in her sport since 2000.  She made USA Canoe/Kayak history at the 2000 National Championships by becoming the first woman to compete in sprint canoe - against the men.  She continued to race against the men in 2001, winning Gold in the Men's C4.  Finally, in 2002, influenced by her success on the water and lobbying off the water, USACK changed its by-laws to allow women to compete at the National Championships in events of their own - in all age and boat categories.  Finally, U.S. women sprint canoeists had a league of their own.

Pam was inspired into sprint canoe by Canadian pioneer and legend Sheila Kuyper.  That image of a powerful and graceful woman in a "man's canoe" has been a driver and primary catalyst for her working tirelessly - on and off the water - to pave the way for women of all ages to follow and pursue their dream of training and competing within their own club, their own country, in their own events, and for their country in international competition, and ultimately the Olympic Games.  And she has done this while working her full-time job for the U.S. Federal Government.  

As an athlete and President of USA WomenCAN, Pam serves as a role-model for women to pursue their Olympic dream and desire to compete nationally and internationally, regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic background, or even sport of choice.   She also inspires us to do the very things which we think we cannot do - in our personal or professional lives.

JustCanoeIt.com was created to be yet another avenue for promoting canoeing for ALL and bringing awareness to issues surrounding the inclusion of women in all Olympic disciplines.  It also promotes and supports paddle sports of all kinds for competition, recreation, and as a way of life.

Visit Pam at www.justcanoeit.com.