Interview: ANNA WAGNER

Anna Wagner is the epitome of a California girl. Blond hair, blue eyes, giant smile, and the first person to find the joy and humor while quietly crushing. The 28-year-old has been steadily working her way into the ranks of some of the best kayakers in the world, with descents on many of the West Coast USA’s iconic waterfalls, California’s High Sierra classics, and bucket-list international trips, all while balancing being a part-time professional, mentoring the next generation, renovating a house, and adopting a cat. But while “Wags” will tell you straight up that getting comfortable running class V isn’t always easy, she’ll also remind you that it’s all the more reason to do it.

Words: Anna Bruno

How did you find your way to whitewater? My dad used to be a raft guide on the New and Gauley rivers (West Virginia) for Class Six in his college days. He got connected with Class Six through my uncle, Tom Wagner. Tom taught my dad to kayak, and paddling has been a family hobby ever since. We have spent summers rafting and kayaking as a family since before I was born. My dad and brother taught me how to roll in the pool in my parent’s backyard, and I spent at least five years kayaking with just them. I would chase (flail behind) my brother through slalom gates, and he would take me to work with him as a “film runner” on the South Fork of the American. Once…

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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Summer 2021

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