This spring, history was made when Eric Jackson qualified for his 25th consecutive year as a member of the USA Freestyle Team. Qualifying at the team trials on the Nantahala River in North Carolina, EJ came in second place—behind his son.

From panhandling on the streets of Washington, D.C. in the early ‘90s, to becoming a world champion, the life of EJ has been far from dull. Pursuing his paddling career by traveling North America with his family in an RV, EJ and his wife, Kristine, raised a family of whitewater champions.

“Kristine has always been supportive of my paddling regardless of what that means in terms of money,” says EJ. “I just never let life get in the way of paddling and that has allowed me to develop my skills, and be able to make a living as a kayaker.”

After a lifetime of hopping from river to river, it’s no wonder the Jacksons stand high on the podium. It’s a four, three, two, one countdown for the family. EJ is a four-time world champion, son Dane a three-time, daughter Emily a two-time world champ and son-in-law, Nick Troutman, has won the title once.

In addition to his success on the water, EJ is also a founding member of Jackson Kayaks. Starting in 2004 in Sparta, Tennes­see, Jackson is now one of the top producers of whitewater kayaks worldwide. Proudly made in the U.S., Jackson boats are expected to have a strong presence at the 2013 ICF Freestyle Kayaking World Championships this September.

This championship competition will be a homecoming of sorts for EJ. The last time the championships were held in the U.S. was in 1993, when EJ stood on top of the podium for the first time. Since then he’s been inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame and become one of the most decorated paddlers in competitive kayaking.

Staying healthy is integral to a long career in any sport. “I have had my share of injuries, but, luckily, none have stopped me. The adage, ‘There are old kayakers and bold kayakers, but there are no old, bold kayakers,’ rings true,” he says.

At the American team trials this spring, Dane stood above his dad on the podium with a score of 453, EJ followed with a score of 403.

“I can’t imagine it being any less competitive,” says EJ about his on-water relationship with Dane. “We are hardcore competitors, but we are there to help others achieve their best performances as well. I tell him how to do better and he tells me.”

Catch EJ and the Jackson family in action this September 2 to 8 on the Nantahala River in North Carolina.

This article first appeared in the July issue of Paddling Magazine, read it on your Apple or Android device or on your desktop. 

Explorers attempt the world’s first circumnavigation by kayak of Lake Titicaca, the largest lake of South America. They’ll follow the shore in order to take scientific measurements and raise awareness of the lake,  which is in danger due to water pollution, as well as for the population living around it.

On 16 of August, departing from Puno in Peru on the shore of Lake Titicaca, two explorers will start kayaking around Lake Titicaca for an expedition that should last around 6 weeks. They plan to follow the 1100km coastline to take GPS points of the current shore’s position. The shore can indeed retreat in the future if not enough water is feeding the lake and the normal evaporation of the lake increases. They will also take photos in order to create the first photographic inventory of the lake’s shore that would be used in the future to compare coastal evolution. The same way we do today for the retreat of the glaciers. The lake is subject to heavy pollution from chemicals from industries poisoning the lake. Most cities in Peru and Bolivia around the lake have no water treatment plants or insufficient sewage and all waste flows directly to the lake or via streams or rivers.

The two explorers want to film the adventure and focus on raising awareness of the problems of the lake. They will discuss with the locals who suffer already from water contamination or the retreat of the shore in certain parts of the lake. Proper investments and technology coming from the richer countries would help to stop the contamination.

Paddling the lake has its set of challenges as the lake is at high altitude (3810m) and it is now winter. The wind on the lake in August can change from direction any time. Some areas between the two countries are also used for drug dealers and contraband.

Expedition leader, Belgian explorer Louis-Philippe Loncke is a member of the Explorers Club, a London 2012 Olympic torchbearer and ambassador for the Jane Goodall institute Belgium.

Peruvian Gadiel Sanchez Rivera, is notable for being the guide of the “Walking the Amazon” expedition. He walked 2 years with Brit Ed Stafford along the Amazon River. The documentary “Walking the Amazon” has been seen on Discovery Channel in 100 countries.

Louis-Philippe says: “Like most of the people, I had no idea that one of the most iconic lake of the planet is in danger, hence the people living around it. There are numerous articles about the problems but it feels like it never gets proper attention. We need to help the towns by building infrastructures to treat water now before it’s too late.”

The expedition carries a flag from the Explorers Club and is sponsored by partners providing essential gear: Kayaks rented by Edgar Adventures, sunglasses by Julbo eye-wear, solar power by Powertraveller and carbon paddles by Select Paddles.

Follow their blog here and keep up to date on how the expedition is going. 

Once again more than 70 paddlers will compete Saturday, August 17 through Sunday, August 18, at Wausau Whitewater Park. Event organizers are getting ready for competitors from around the Midwest who will compete for the Midwest Freestyle Championship titles.

Spectators are welcome and seating has been expanded along the course on the east channel of the Wisconsin River. Wausau Whitewater Park is located along River Drive, southwest of the Marathon County Public Library.

The kayakers, in their covered boats, will ride the wave while trying to complete complicated twist, turns, and flips, all the while maintaining balance in the rushing water and throwing in some artistic flare with paddle movements.  Each competitor has only 60 seconds to impress the judges and score points.

Paddlers get started Saturday at 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There is a one-hour lunch break and the flips resume from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday’s schedule is similar with the lunch break falling at 11:45 a.m.  Awards will be presented after Sunday’s competition.