The DU kayaking club won the 2012 Sandra Johnson Memorial Award on April 25. The award is in honor and memory of Sandra Johnson, who was a member of Denver’s women’s club lacrosse team and died on the way home from a game on April 10, 1989.
The award is presented annually to the club sports team that best represents the qualities of student leadership, motivation and enthusiasm, as voted by all the members of the club sports teams.
In the five years that club kayaking has been an active club sport, this is the first time it has been honored with the Sandra Johnson Memorial Award. Last year, the club figure skating team received the award for the second time.
“We were very excited to find out that we received the award,” said senior and kayaking club president Claudia Temmer. “We have worked really hard this year to grow in terms of membership and organization.”
The kayaking club currently has around 100 members, with 20 to 30 who are consistent participants. The four officers, which include Temmer, Stevenson Smith, Kyleen Luhrs and Laura Waksman, work to arrange trips through Renaissance Adventure Guides, a company that offers training in kayaking among other outdoor activities. Instructors from Renaissance bring equipment to the team’s weekly practices at El Pomar Natatorium.
“We have a variety of skill levels on the team, and we really try to cater to beginners by bringing in the instructors and having certified instructors like myself on the team,” said Temmer.
Though club kayaking practices in the pool, one of the perks of club membership is the opportunity to go on kayaking trips. The team goes to Clear Creek in Golden, Colo., every Friday for river sessions and also has several longer trips throughout the year.
“This year, we have been able to meet a lot of our goals to have more trips and outdoor kayaking,” said Temmer.
The club hopes to expand even more next year by increasing active membership and getting advanced members in playboating or freestyle competitions. These involve doing tricks in the water and using a smaller boat.
“Even though I am graduating, I’ll be around and able to help some,” said Temmer. “We just set up our first international trip to Costa Rica and are planning on another one to northern California.”
Because kayaking is meant to be an outdoor sport, the club offers a spring quarter discount for anyone who prefers to get started in the nicer weather months. Membership is currently $30, rather than the usual $45. They will continue practicing and traveling to Golden each Friday. This weekend, the team will travel to Glenwood Springs for a three-day camping and kayaking trip.
