I will always be proud of being part of a strong group of women who pushed the boundaries of what women could do in the sport of whitewater paddling and the impact of our accomplishments on other women worldwide. In the 1970's, a small group of women, the original whitewater pioneers, supported my introduction to whitewater kayaking. The groundbreaking efforts in whitewater competition I participated in occurred during the explosive growth in adventure sports during the 1980s and '90s, with a fierce emerging tribe of river sisters.
However, it's disheartening to acknowledge that numerous corners of the world still uphold the adventure sports and travel industry as an almost exclusive domain of men.
In a significant stride towards gender equality in adventure sports, in April of 2024, three seasoned raft guides from the United States, Jeremy Anderson (age 49, California), Elisha MacCarthur (age 42, Colorado), and Julie Sutton (age 50, Colorado), embarked on a journey to Rishikesh. Their mission: to conduct the first-ever guide school for women on the Ganges River in India.
Three hundred companies employing 10,000 people take 50,000 tourists a year down the rollicking Rishikesh Section of the Ganges River, known as the 'Rafting Capital of India.' There is not one single female river guide.
Fourteen women, ranging in age from eighteen to thirty-nine, participated in the inaugural women's raft guide training in 2024, fighting long-standing sexism, ageism, and caste system norms.
The NariNauka (women's boat) guide training was the dream of Jeremy Anderson, a 27-year raft guide, mother of two daughters, teacher of ayurvedic medicine, and long-time yoga and meditation devotee.
Jeremy began her raft training at a guide school on the Cheat River in Pennsylvania in 1997. She was one of only three women to complete the class of sixty trainees, that started with twenty-five women in the class. When I asked her why so many women didn't complete the training, she said, 'Because they received absolutely no support or encouragement.' Jeremy made it through because she didn't care. She simply loved the river and paddling so much that no one would stand in her way.
And that is pretty much the approach she took to making this historic training happen in India.
She found out during the process her timing could not have been better. Coincidentally, in March of 2024, New Delhi TV honored the 'Women of India' at its biggest event of the year -The NDTV Indian Of The Year Awards. The event recognized women - from top politicians and business leaders to film and sports personalities - who strengthen and inspire Indian society. The honor was a nod to the previous year that had 'naari shakti' (Sanskrit for woman power) at its core. In September 2023, Indian legislators passed the first legislation considered in the country's new Parliament building: the Women's Reservation Bill, 2023. The bill, which passed both houses of Parliament almost unanimously—with just two votes against—will ensure that women occupy at least 33 percent of the seats in state legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament.
While there is still much to do, a significant movement exists to expand women's roles in India. Jeremy's brainchild, NariNauka women's guide school, will be part of this wave.
The previous water experience of the fourteen women in the training included non-swimmers, women who had never been in a raft, and a few members of the Indian women's raft racing team. The raft racing team had won medals at international competitions but was still not able to guide on this section of the Ganges River.
The trainees covered a broad spectrum of caste and financial status, and all were acutely aware they were participating in a watershed moment for women in their country, a historic tide-changing event.
'I had to do this so my son could see me do this,' said one participant, 'I had to be a part of this moment,' said most.
For a few of the women, it was about supporting their families. In this part of India, a hub for adventure travel tourism, women's primary work is in the kitchen—either their own or in a tourist hotel or restaurant. Working as a raft guide offers a substantially better-paying job opportunity in the region.
For all these women, the journey was also sacred. Learning a skill, a vocation, on Maa Ganga (the Ganges River), the lifeblood of India , would be a dream come true. Where it is so apparent women have a place.
Trainees, and instructors, all sobbed through graduation.
Eight of the fourteen graduates are now working as raft guide interns in Rishikesh, one will be guiding on a different river in India, and another will be raft guiding internationally. The others are continuing with other obligations for now, but the river is now in their blood.
The women described their experience in a way familiar to the three seasoned guides teaching them. Learning to be a river guide is both humbling and confidence-building. Learning with women, from women, in a male-dominated sport is empowering. Learning to become an expedition river guide in often dangerous situations teaches high-level leadership skills that can be applied in many different settings throughout one's life.
During the five-day NariNauka guide school, men from nearby raft companies and officers in the Department of Tourism commented, 'Why did we not think of this before?' As has been discovered in many countries, including women as guides in their adventure sports industry will only improve it.
There are many reasons why women still face barriers to participating in or becoming leaders in adventure sports, even in the United States. There are also many unique stories about why some women push through those barriers and others don't. However, the primary factors that enable each woman to make her own choice are providing opportunity and support.
The future looks brighter for women of adventure in the town of Rikishesh. The Uttarakhand State Department of Tourism is interested in financially supporting future women's guide schools and several local companies now want to intern and hire women guides.
It is the dawn of a new era for women, including a new tribe of river sisters in India. Women supporting women across nations, castes, and cultures, bound by a unifying love of the river, river sport, and the river family.
Svagata (welcome).
For more photos and an account written by one of the participants about their experience, please go to the following link - https://community.nrs.com/duct-tape/2024/06/01/sisters-of-the-sacred-river-the-trailblazing-ganga-girls/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0oD4NLmbysPpkZ3SGOBn2F-4JrQuDC0MDK_keNHQ-Fg-JsfS5PBo-06Qc_aem_ARV_QtlkueiIxyJR1zDYqssLnhaxn34yjtfDZPzW9pvAwnAMpkpY9u-MUiXGwj7rYZyDHK1GyGnyNNLGQn8HwUNB
Thank you for sharing this inspiring journey. The evolution of women in whitewater paddling, from the '70s pioneers to the recent NariNauka guide school in India, is remarkable. It's heartening to see such initiatives breaking barriers and empowering women in adventure sports and beyond. Kudos to all the trailblazers making significant impacts and paving the way for future generations.
So proud of these ladies and for Jeremy's vision! Really happy Rivers for Change could play a tiny role in supporting this endeavor!