‘Whitewater is ephemeral. That’s why we chase it’: Nouria Newman on the risk and thrill of extreme kayaking

After an early career defined by competition success, the French paddler turned to wild rivers and waterfall drops, learning lessons on fear and facing unknowns

Just hours before Nouria Newman planned to put in on the Klinaklini River in north-western British Columbia, she checked the water gauge at the mouth of the river. The levels had looked good. Then it started raining.

Water flows doubled overnight, turning the Class V lower gorge into a death trap. Even in good conditions, the Klinaklini is one of the most elusive rivers in the world. Of the three groups that had attempted before her to paddle the full 125 miles to the Pacific, only one was successful. Newman, a French professional kayaker, was hoping to be the second.

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