Extreme sports, stereotypes and the Amazon River

Darcy Gaechter is the first woman to kayak the Amazon River from source to sea, a tumultuous journey that lasted nearly 5 months. She has been whitewater kayaking for twenty-one years and for the past fifteen years, she has been considered one of the most accomplished expedition kayakers in the world. Darcy may not have set out to be a feminist or role model, but after hearing that women couldn't accomplish the same feats as men in the world of extreme sports, shear stubbornness and perseverance led her to tackle the toughest rivers in the world and has earned her the respect and attention of partners, sponsors, and clients, alike. Leading by example, Darcy is having a tremendous impact on the gender dynamics within the whitewater kayaking industry and is shattering stereotypes of what girls can do as extreme outdoor athletes.

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