“A perfect weekend with an incredible teacher. Thank you for your patience, guidance and laughter Anna Levesque!” – Jen B, Asheville “I am hooked and can’t wait to SUP again! Thank you Anna for such a lovely experience.” – Paula, WV “I couldn’t ask for a better experience.” – Kellie, Nashville I’ll just let those testimonials speak for themselves. It was a great weekend full of yoga, community, relaxation, paddling and fun! Paula was concerned about her balance on the first morning, feeling wobbly on the board as we learned basic strokes and concepts on the lake. Her legs were shaking and
Stand Up Paddleboarding in the Mountains
June 14, 2018 | Written by: | Filed Under: Inspiring Articles, Latest News, SUP Tips
Women’s Paddlefest 2018
June 14, 2018 | Written by: | Filed Under: Anna's Blog, Inspiring Articles, Kayaking Tips, Latest News
Thank you to those of you who attended Women’s Paddlefest at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and raised close to $3000.00 for charity! High water, mudslides and rain days before the event didn’t stop you from joining in community, empowering yourselves and having fun. Instead of canceling we went ahead with the event modifying programming to Lake Fontana and the Nantahala, and consolidating the event to one day. We had 30 women on the lake and Anne Sontheimer from the NOC and I split the group and gave instruction on strokes and edge control/rolling. At the end of the lake session
Share the Love Challenge this February!
January 30, 2017 | Written by: | Filed Under: Inspiring Articles, Latest News
This February, we at Girls At Play have decided to expand our vision from the romantic relationship focus of Valentine’s Day to something a bit bigger. We are launching our Share the Love Challenge! With so much going on in our personal lives and in the world, we think it’s time we reach out and connect to those in our lives who could use a little more love. The living of our lives is in the relationships and connection with people. It’s time to give of ourselves so that others may be empowered, lifted up and know human compassion and connectedness. Here’s
Creek Week, Round 2
April 26, 2016 | Written by: | Filed Under: Latest News, Trip/Tour Reports
April is drawing to a close, and we are looking back at the second installment of Creek Week 2016. The program may be complete for the year, but the fun is only just beginning for the 8 ladies who joined us to step up their skills and share beautiful moments on the water. This week’s participants hailed from near and far and everywhere in between, with “local” representatives from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, and some brave travelers from Massachusetts, Colorado and Alaska. The week graced us with warm temperatures but no rain. Undeterred, we set off to
Creek Week, Round 1
April 18, 2016 | Written by: | Filed Under: Latest News, Trip/Tour Reports
We can hardly believe that our first installment of Creek Week 2016 is in the books. Seven ladies trekked from all corners of the country—from DC to Michigan to Colorado—to join us for a week of instruction, growth, and fun times. We started off the week with some warm-up on the Upper Green, focusing on using those core muscles to achieve maximum efficiency in fundamental strokes such as the stern draw. Everyone reveled in the warm sunshine that spilled over the river. Happy spring! The rain we ordered was taking its sweet time to come in, so in the true
2nd Annual Ladies Southeast Paddling Series!
April 18, 2016 | Written by: | Filed Under: Latest News, Trip/Tour Reports
Summer 2015 will be remembered as the premiere season of the Ladies Southeast Paddling Series. Over the course of four months and seven rivers, 176 ladies joined us in meet-up style events to create amazing, fun memories and to celebrate the life of Shannon Christy. $1660 was raised for the Shannon Christy Memorial Fund, which—drumroll please—is now officially recognized by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina! Ultimately, we hope to use the funds to support organizations who empower and support women and girls. We were touched by everyone’s support last summer, and are very excited to announce that the
Ecuador Recap with Guy Paddler Wearing Wig!
February 15, 2016 | Written by: | Filed Under: Anna's Blog, Latest News, Trip/Tour Reports
The last time I was in Ecuador we still went to internet cafes to send emails, their currency was the Sucre and I had been boating for about 3 years and was paddling a Wavesport X. I worked for a local rafting company as a guide and safety kayaker. This year I returned in my 21st year of kayaking, the Ecuadorian economy is now based on, and uses American dollars, everyone has smart phones and I’m co-leading my own trip with Juliet from Endless River Adventures/Rio Quijos Lodge. It was really fun to go back after 18 years and acknowledge
Confidence, Courage and Community Coaching
October 20, 2015 | Written by: | Filed Under: Anna's Blog, Kayaking Tips, Latest News
Confidence, courage and community. Over the last 11 years of running Girls at Play these three words have come up frequently as aspects of paddling that women want to embody, in addition to boosting their skills. Women from all over the world have traveled to Asheville, Mexico, Costa Rica and Idaho to benefit from Girls at Play’s unique approach to confidence, courage, community and skills building first-hand. “This was my first experience whitewater kayaking, and I loved it! I felt safe and confident as a beginner on the water, knowing that with Girls At Play I was in good hands.”
Ladies Southeast Paddling Series Success!
October 1, 2015 | Written by: | Filed Under: Anna's Blog, Latest News, Trip/Tour Reports
From 2004 – 2012 I traveled from coast to coast offering free whitewater kayaking clinics for women as part of the Girls at Play Summer Tour. I loved visiting rivers around the country and getting to know the local paddling communities. The paddling tribe is connected by the river no matter where you are! This past summer, after two years of focusing my energy on building Girls at Play’s amazing instructional programs in Asheville, I was able to get back to grassroots events for women. Instead of instructional based events I decided to make them meet-up style and keep it
Paddle Ecuador with Girls at Play and Endless River Adventures!
July 16, 2015 | Written by: | Filed Under: Latest News
Ecuador is a country of immense cultural wealth and geographical diversity, unmatched in the Americas. Straddling the Andes, the country features volcanoes, fantastic animals, expanses of Amazon jungle, the Pacific Coast and the Galapagos Islands. Only half the size of France, the striking geographical and cultural contrasts found in this one small country is what makes Ecuador such a fascinating place to visit. Juliet Kastorff and Anna Levesque are offering a unique women’s trip experience in Ecuador that combines Class III + paddling with yoga and confidence building. Together, Anna and Juliet have over 32 years of experience leading
